Third Grade
Curriculum
Math
Upon exiting third grade, students will have mastered the following skills:
•Have instant recall of basic addition and subtraction facts (3 seconds per fact).
•Recall multiplication facts.
•Calculate the value of combinations of bills and coins.
•Find equivalent names for numbers.
•Tell time to the nearest minute.
•Measure a line segment in centimeters and inches.
•Read, write and compare whole numbers up to four digits.
•Identify right angles.
•Identify and draw parallel and intersecting line segments.
•Interpret data from a bar graph.
•Determine the perimeter of a polygon when given the lengths of the sides.
•Determine the area of a polygon when divided into square untis.
•Identify a fractional part of an object.
•Add and subtract two-digit numbers (with and without) regrouping.
Science
Students will use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communication, comparing, and
organizing.
The following investigations will expose your child to the activities listed below.
Water
•Identify properties of water in liquid, solid, and gaseous states.
•Investigate the expansion and contraction of water of as it warms and cools.
•Investigate factors that influence evaporation and condensation of water.
•Understand the water cycle.
•Apply vocabulary associated with water.
•Record observations in writing and pictures.
•Become aware of the importance of water in their lives.
•Use scientific thinking processes to conduct investigations and build explanations: observing, communication, comparing, and organizing.
Magnets and Electricity
•Understand the interaction of permanent magnets with a variety of common materials.
•Discover that magnets display forces of attraction and repulsion.
•Measure the change in force between two magnets as the distance between them changes.
•Identify materials that are conductors and insulators.
•Understand and construct simple open, closed, parallel, and series circuits.
•Learn how to make an electromagnet.
•Experience the relationship between the number of turns of wire around an electromagnet core and the strength of the magnetism.
•Apply vocabulary associated with magnetism and electricity.
Human Body
•Observe and investigate the relationship between the human skeletal and muscular systems.
•Understand the versatility of movement provided by joints.
•Understand an articulated skeleton.
•Gain experience with the use of photographs, diagrams, and model bones to gather information.
•Build mechanical models to demonstrate how muscles are responsible for human movement.
•Compare the bones and muscles in their own bodies to photographs and models.
•Apply the vocabulary associated with the human skeletal and muscle systems.
Space
•Name the planets in order based on their distance from the sun
•Identify and apply planetary characteristics.
Social Studies
•Understand why and how communities grow and change.
•Identify the continents, landforms, and oceans.
•Discern the difference between city, state and country.
•Correctly write home address and phone number.
•Apply map skills, such as: map key, compass rose, and distance scale.
•Describe the role of a citizen.
•Understand the role of local officials.
•Participate in Junior Achievement.
•Understand customs, traditions, and culture.
•Discuss events in American history, such as: pioneers and westward expansion.
Reading
•Students will use their background knowledge (schema) to comprehend print.
•Students will make meaningful connections to clarify and extend ideas.
•Students will make reasonable predictions.
•Students will self-monitor for comprehension while reading.
Reread for understanding
Answer the five W’s (who, what, when, where, why)
•Students will identify the main idea of a piece of literature.
•Students will summarize a piece of literature.
To review the main points of a story
•Students will apply decoding strategies while reading.
Sounding out words, chunking, word patterns, context clues, root words, affixes (-ed, -ing, -s, -es, re-, un-, -ly, -y, -en, -er, -est, -less,
-ful, -ar, -er, -or).
•Students will understand the difference between fiction and nonfiction.
•Students will identify different types of functional texts (magazine, newspaper, dictionary, etc.).
•Students will identify and apply nonfiction text features.
Table of Contents, Maps, Graphs, Glossary, Captions, Labels, Headings, Index
•Students will read grade level print fluently and accurately.
Orally reading with proper rate, expression, and smoothness
Reading text as it is written
•Students will ask questions to clarify meaning from the piece of literature.
•Students will visualize to support text comprehension.
Creating a picture in one’s mind while reading
•Students will be able to identify and interpret the author’s purpose.
To persuade, inform, or entertain
•Students will identify story elements.
Theme, setting, plot, characters, and problem/solution
•Students will use context clues to comprehend a piece of literature.
Use surrounding words to understand an unknown word
•Students will use and apply synonyms and antonyms.
Synonyms: words with similar meanings
Antonyms: words with opposite meanings
•Students will improve their comprehension of a piece of literature using: Cause/Effect, Fact/Opinion, Sequencing, and Compare/Contrast.
Language Arts
Upon exiting third grade, students will have mastered the following skills…
Grammar and Mechanics:
•Begin Sentences with capital letters.
•End sentences with appropriate punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation mark).
•Determine the difference between common and proper nouns.
•Capitalize proper nouns.
•Use pronouns appropriately in writing.
•Identify and use action verbs with correct tense in a sentence.
Writing:
•Generate ideas for writing.
•Organize ideas using a graphic organizer or an outline.
•Choose descriptive words to create engaging writing.
•Utilize varying lengths of sentences.
•Write an indented paragraph that includes a topic sentence, supporting details, and closing sentence.
•Write a Narrative essay (an essay that tells a story) while maintaining focus.
Essay includes…
Beginning
Middle
End
•Write an Expository essay (an essay which explains) while maintaining focus.
Essay includes a minimum of three paragraphs…
•Introductory paragraph
•Body paragraph(s)
•Basic Details
•Transitions
•Concluding paragraph
Specials
PE
Students will be able to:
•Demonstrate the understanding and application of PE rules and working toward class Attitude Award.
•Catch an object using both hands with feet stationary.
•Differentiate offence and defense in a game setting.
•Incorporate changing pathways and directions in various activities safely and properly.
•Recognize and circulatory system through the Heart Challenge Course.
Music
The Students will be able to:
•Recognize musical form including call and response, AB and rondo form.
•Echo solfege patterns with correct melodic contour.
•Read, compose and play simple rhythm patterns in 2/4, ¾, and 4/4.
Computer
•Students will learn and apply skills while using Microsoft Office programs.
•Skills taught in Word and PowerPoint:
Opening and saving files
Working with multiple windows
Formatting text
Using spell check
Proper slide creation and usage
Understand use of inserting, moving, resizing and deleting graphics
Run a basic PowerPoint slide show
•Students will begin basic keyboarding skills, with focus on the home row, enter, space bar, shift, and backspace.
•Students will be exposed to age appropriate internet safety rules and etiquette.
Art
•In the “Color Theory” unit, students will identify and recall primary, secondary, complementary, warm, cool, tints, and shades.
•In the “Elements and Principles of Art” unit, students will apply knowledge of line, shape, and color to create a balanced composition.
Library
•Begins to use the electronic library catalog.
•Is acquainted with award-winning literature.
•Begins to use call numbers to identify general areas of location (E, F, Dewey).
Comprehensive Resource
http://teacherweb.com/IL/KanelandMcDole/MrBerger/sd3l7.aspx