Intermediate curriculum snapshot
Information about academic standards
MATHEMATICS
Students progress through the four major content standards that span K-12. These are:
 Numerical and Proportional Reasoning
 Working with Data: Probability and Statistics
 Geometry and Measurement
 Algebraic Reasoning: Patterns and Functions
All of these areas are addressed within the year; however, they may not receive an equal emphasis in each
assessment period. The major topics contained within each of each four areas are listed on the report card.
Teachers are asked to consider your child’s attainment of all of the areas listed when assigning a summary
grade for each major standard. Students need to demonstrate competency through consistent evidence of
achievement in each of the topics in order to be considered competent in the standard. Please consult with
your child’s teacher for an explanation of which skills were covered in the grading period.
Grade 3
Numerical and Proportional Reasoning includes:
 Place value
 Pictorial representation of numbers
 Ordering, magnitude, and rounding of numbers
 Basic facts
 Computation (whole numbers and decimals)
 Solve word problems
 Estimation (strategies and solutions)
Geometry and Measurement includes:
 Time
 Measurement (approximate and metric/customary)
 Geometric shapes
Working with data includes:
 Tables, graphs, and charts (construct and interpret)
Algebraic reasoning includes:
 Patterns
 Functions (classification, simple equations, application)
Grade 4
Numerical and Proportional Reasoning includes:
 Place value
 Pictorial representation of numbers
 Ordering, magnitude, and rounding of numbers
 Basic facts
 Computation (whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers)
 Solve word problems
 Estimation (strategies and solutions)
Geometry and Measurement includes:


Measurement (approximate and metric/customary)
Geometric shapes and properties
Working with data includes:
 Tables, graphs, and charts (construct and interpret)
 Probability
Algebraic reasoning includes:
 Patterns
 Functions (classification and logical reasoning, simple equations, application)
Grade 5
Numerical and Proportional Reasoning includes:
 Place value
 Pictorial representation of numbers
 Ordering, magnitude, and rounding of numbers
 Models for operations
 Computation (whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers)
 Estimation (strategies and solutions)
Geometry and Measurement includes:
 Measurement (approximate and metric/customary)
 Geometric shapes and properties
 Spatial relationships
Working with data includes:
 Tables, graphs, and charts (construct and interpret)
 Probability
Algebraic reasoning includes:
 Patterns
 Functions (classifying, simple equations, application)
Grade 6
Numerical and Proportional Reasoning includes:
 Place value
 Pictorial representation of numbers
 Ordering, magnitude, and rounding of numbers
 Solve word problems
 Computation (decimals, fractions, and integers)
 Estimation (strategies and solutions)
Geometry and Measurement includes:
 Measurement (approximate and metric/customary)
 Spatial relationships
Working with data includes:
 Tables, graphs, and charts (construct and interpret)
 Probability
Algebraic reasoning includes:
 Patterns

Functions (classifying, simple equations, application)
SCIENCE
Each year, students are expected to complete a topic within each of the three major fields
of scientific study: Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth (and Space) Science. All
students have annual, developmentally appropriate instruction in science inquiry and
process skills such as hands on experiments, lab experiences, and scientific method for
conducting an investigation. Students will also explore a real life application of science
in a Science and Technology in Society unit. Health topics are included in Science in
addition to the topics required by the state content frameworks.
Students will need to incorporate their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in
order to be successful in science. This will be accomplished through reading non-fiction
science content, doing research, and presenting science related projects.
Please consult with your child’s teacher for information about the unit of study in each
grading period. Given special class projects, interdisciplinary class units, and the rotation
of materials, units may be taught by individual teachers at different times over the three
marking periods.
Grade 3
Physical science unit: States of Matter
Life Science unit: Heredity and Evolution/Adaptations
Earth Science unit: Rocks and Minerals
STS unit: Limited Resources/Conservation
Grade 4
Physical science unit: Forces and Motion
Life Science unit: Adaptations and survival
Earth Science unit: Cycles in Nature
STS unit: Electricity and Magnetism
Grade 5
Physical science unit: Sound and Light
Life Science unit: Human senses
Earth Science unit: Motion in Space Systems
STS unit: Optics
Grade 6
Physical science unit: Elements, Mixtures, and Compounds
Life Science unit: Ecosystems
Earth Science unit: Changes in the Earth’s Surface
STS unit: Water Quality
LANGUAGE ARTS
Language Arts instruction address the four major content standards identified in the state
frameworks. These are:

Reading and Responding

Exploring and Responding to Literature

Communicating With Others

Applying English Language Conventions
For the purpose of reporting in Granby, Reading and Responding and Exploring and
Responding to Literature have been combined into one category under Reading.
Communicating with Others is reflected as Writing/Communicating and Applying
English Language Conventions is listed as English Language/Conventions.
Students receive instruction in all of the areas throughout the school year since the
curriculum spirals and overlaps. Since the first two content strands are so closely related
(skills and strategies for comprehension and evaluation of fiction and non-fiction works)
they are combined on the reporting document.
For each grade level, the content strands will include a developmentally appropriate
treatment of these units:
Reading and Responding

Reading strategies

Interpreting, evaluating, and analyzing text

Vocabulary development

Interacting with others around text
Exploring and Responding to Literature

Literary devices

Multiple responses to literature

Literature and culture

Influence of author’s culture, history, and ethnicity on text
Communicating With Others

Different modes of writing

Elements of writing
Applying English Language Conventions

Variations of language in different cultures

Awareness of audience and fluency

Use of Standard English: mechanics (punctuation, capitalization), spelling, usage, and
grammar
Teachers will use a variety of materials to address the learning needs of the students in
their class. All choices will be driven by the ability of the students and meeting the
instructional outcomes identified for the grade level.
SOCIAL STUDIES
There are 15 Content Standards for K-12 Social Studies broken into four general
categories. Not all standards are consistently addressed at each grade level but are
clustered K-4, 5-8, 9-12. Given special class projects, interdisciplinary class units, and
the rotation of materials, units may be taught by individual teachers at different times
over the three marking periods.
Grade 3
History
Connecticut communities past, present, future, Native Americans
Civics and Government
Current events—elections
Geography
Continents, poles, oceans, equator, hemisphere (N,S), latitude and longitude, map elements, compass rose
(cardinal), types of maps, 50 states of US, communities of North America, types of communities (urban,
suburban, rural)
Economics
Grade 4
History
Civics and Government
Compare/contrast US government with other world governments, rights and responsibilities, fragility and
price of freedom, civil rights
Geography
Continents, poles, oceans, equator, hemisphere (N,S, E, W), latitude and longitude (identify locations), map
elements, compass rose (cardinal, intermediate), types of maps
Types of communities (urban, suburban, rural), geographic regions, world regions
Economics
Regional specialization
Grade 5
History (United States)
Exploration of Americas, colonial life, the war for independence, immigration, westward expansion, United
States Civil War
Civics and Government
Conflict resolution, structure and development of US government, rights and responsibilities of freedom,
civil rights
Geography
Apply all directions on compass rose, apply map elements, utilize many types of maps, cultural migration,
membership in world community, geographic regions
Economics
Membership in world community, regional specialization
Grade 6
History (World/ancient)
Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome, India, China, Medieval Europe, Renaissance, Reformation,
Revolutions and Nationalism
Civics and Government
Common forms of government, reasons for conflicts
Geography
Maps, graphs, charts, illustrations, timelines, data in historical maps, geography to development of
civilization
Economics
Development of economy and trade
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART, MUSIC, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC,
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Experiences in each of the Unified Arts areas contributes to a well-rounded educational
program. Students are exposed to relevant concepts and skills in each of these areas and
are evaluated both for achievement/attainment of concepts and skills and for their effort.
Physical education:
All students in grades 3-6 participate in a physical education period of 45 minutes two times per week.
Students experience a variety of activities including individual fitness and team sports.
Art:
All students in grades 3-6 participate in art instruction once per week for a 45 minute period. Students
study and apply various art techniques and methods.
Music:
All students in grades 3-6 participate in general music instruction once per week for a 45 minute period.
Students study and perform a variety of musical styles.
Instrumental Music:
Students who elect to play a musical instrument in grades 4, 5, and 6 participate in instrumental lessons
once a week for 30 minutes. Students in grades 5 and 6 perform a music program twice a year.
Educational Technology:
Students in grades 3 and 4 participate in a technology enrichment in the computer lab once per week for 45
minutes. Students in grades 5 and 6 receive direct instruction in educational technology once a week for a
45 minute period.