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Third Grade Curriculum Summary

Reading/Spelling

Trophies Reading Curriculum: Harcourt School Publishers
Phonics; Modern Curriculum Press         Spelling; Modern Curriculum Press

Students apply the knowledge of phonics, syllabication and word parts to read fluently. They comprehend and analyze grade level text and are able to advance through “literature circles”. Students distinguish the literary terms: theme, plot, setting and characters. They use titles, table of contents and chapter headings to locate information in expository text. Reading and spelling become more complex.

Language Art/Writing

Language; Harcourt School Publishers   Handwriting; Zaner-Bloser

Students distinguish between complete and incomplete sentences. They recognize and use the correct word order in written sentences. They identify and correctly use various parts of speech, including nouns and verbs, adjectives, etc. Students deliver brief recitations and oral presentations about familiar experiences or topics of interest. They become proficient readers and writers through our program.

Mathematics

Mathematics-California Edition, McGraw Hill Publishers

Students deepen their understanding of place value and skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They understand the relationship between whole numbers, simple fractions and decimals. Students estimate or determine measurement of given objects. They are able to express solutions clearly using appropriate mathematical terms.

Social Studies

Social Studies, Houghton Mifflin School Publishers

Students begin to focus on the topography of the local region. They use this information to study the Native American who inhabited the local region. Students compare the past to changes that occur today. They gain valuable insight into the history of our community and our nation as a whole. 

Science/Health

Science, Macmillan/McGraw Hill Publishers

Students begin to build a foundation for understanding the structure of matter and forces of interaction. They study the properties of light, extend their knowledge of ecology, and learn the relationship between the phases of the moon and changes in the position of the planets. They learn that their scientific predictions must be verified by experimentation.  

Enrichment Curriculum

• The Visual Arts Curriculum – Students increase their understanding of how to create the illusion of space in their art work.  Artist Study also introduces them to the elements of art.

• Our Music Curriculum – Students focus on rhythmic patterns, musical form and harmony as they read, write and perform musical selections.  The recorder instrument is introduced at this time.

• Spanish instruction is given to students on a weekly basis.  Student continue to speak in complete sentences,  with practice time in their workbooks on the written language.
  
• Physical Education  - Students demonstrate knowledge of movement concepts, principles and strategies that apply to learning and performance of physical activities.   Students learn to improve their health and performance through physical activities given each week.
  
• Computers are used to supplement and enhance our overall curriculum.  Students learn, basic keyboarding skills, create projects and conduct web searches to gather information.
  
• A sense of community is created through our “LifeSkills” curriculum.  The five “Lifelong Guidelines” provide consistent parameters and expectations of conduct not only in our classroom, but in our world.
  
• The development of skills in Third Grade is reflected in the years collection of: Progress Reports, Weekly folders and Report Cards provided to parents throughout the year.
  

September 2009