Menu
Academics/Curriculum
Curriculum
Grade 3
Language Arts Phonics/Spelling/Vocabulary
- Recognizes syllables and applies rules of syllabification when appropriate
- Applies strategies for independent decoding of words
- Identifies and generates four types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory)
- Uses subject/verb agreement
- Identifies pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, compound words, and articles
- Identifies and uses past, present, and future verb tenses
- Punctuates dates, addresses, and titles of books
- Uses apostrophes correctly
- Uses quotation marks correctly
- Uses decoding strategies to clarify pronunciation
- Uses a variety of spelling strategies (i.e., root words, prefixes, suffixes, words families, syllabification)
- Identifies and uses figurative language (simile, metaphor, idiom, personification, hyperbole)
- Begins systematic program of learning vocabulary (Wordly Wise)
Reading
- Distinguishes between literary genres and nonfiction text
- Identifies conflicts in text and how they are resolved
- Identifies motivation of characters in text
- Identifies main theme of text
- Makes connections between information in texts and historical events
- Recognizes major information in nonfiction text
- Uses knowledge of formats, ideas, plots, and elements from previous reading to generate questions and make predictions about content of new text
- Makes, confirms, and revises predictions
- Understands explicit and implicit ideas and information in age- appropriate texts
- Recognizes when a text is intended primarily to persuade
- Reads and organizes information for different purposes (i.e., main idea, skimming for facts, implied message, relevant supporting details, order of events)
- Identifies fact vs. opinion
- Recognizes an author’s purpose
- Uses information from reading and real-life experiences to form conclusion
- Identifies setting, plot, characters
- Interprets information in reference sources
- Recognizes and analyzes text that is presented in sequential or chronological order
- Responds to fiction reading with some type of composition: journal entry, book report, illustration, etc.
Writing
- Chooses specific detail and appropriate words to support theme of writing
- Creates simple, logical organizational pattern appropriate to narrative writing
- Develops anecdotes or examples to support reasons
- Begins to present facts and examples objectively
- Uses a variety of strategies to prepare for writing (lists, mapping ideas, etc.)
- Uses the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing)
- Uses effective sentence variety
- Formats written page correctly
- Elaborates on sensory details when describing people, places, and experiences
- Displays knowledge of conventions of written language in thank you notes, formal letters, invitations, etc.
Public Speaking
- Gives oral presentations for different purposes (explaining, reporting, persuading, etc.)
- Gives one original presentation to the class
- Uses eye contact and gestures that engage audience
- Speaks at an appropriate pace for audience understanding
- Expresses thoughts in an organized manner
Mathematics
- Reads, writes, and identifies 6- and 7-digit numbers
- Reads, writes, and identifies proper fractions with denominators including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 100
- Reads, writes, and identifies 1- and 2-digit decimal notation
- Compares and orders commonly used fractions, including halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, and eighths using concrete materials
- Uses concrete materials to model equivalent forms of whole numbers and common fractions
- Identifies symbols in Roman numeral system and compares them to the decimal number system
- Solves multiplication and simple division problems using various strategies
- Finds patterns in multiplication and division facts
- Writes number sentences for given situations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers
- Uses problem-solving strategies to determine the operation needed to solve one-step problems involving the four basic functions
- Chooses estimation strategies in real-world problem situations and explains the choice
- Solves real-world problems involving measurement using concrete and pictorial models for length, weight, time, capacity, temperature, and angles
- Calculates and compares measurable characteristics using manipulatives
- Knows an appropriate unit of measure (standard or nonstandard) to measure weight
- Knows how to estimate the area and perimeter of square and rectangular shapes and the volume of a rectangular prism using manipulatives
- Uses manipulatives to solve problems requiring spatial visualization
- Knows congruent and similar figures
- Compares the concepts of area and perimeter through the use of concrete and graphic materials
- Identifies missing parts in patterns
- Describes, extends, and creates numerical and geometric patterns through models
- Analyzes number patterns and states the rule for relationships
- Identifies and extends a pattern according to a given rule
- Uses physical models and graphs to solve real-world equations and inequalities
- Identifies different parts of a graph
- Interprets and compares information from picto- and bar graphs
- Interprets and explains orally and in writing displays of data
- Identifies the range, median, mean, and mode in a set of numerical data
- Uses a calculator to compare data
- Understands and uses the language of probability
Physical Education
- Emphasis in learning the importance of warming up and stretching before each unit
- Stress on teamwork and good sportsmanship
- Introduction to game structure
- Emphasis on body control during movement
- Introduction to proper throwing, catching, and kicking techniques
- Introduction and understanding of the basic skills needed to play soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, volleyball, and flag football
- Practices and takes the Presidential Fitness Test
Social Studies
- Identifies major figures in world exploration and US exploration
- Describes reasons why countries/people want to explore new areas
- Identifies connection between expansion of known world and immigration
- Identifies the reasons groups of people migrate from one country to another
- Compares reasons for immigration throughout history, including current day
- Researches own family history for reasons of migration
- Investigates, writes report, and makes class presentation on one ancestral homeland
Science
- Identifies planets in the solar system and their relative placement
- Describes the lunar cycle and its effects on the earth
- Recognizes how human knowledge of the solar system has changed over time
- Identifies select number of constellations
- Understands the changing constellations that can be seen over time
- Identifies organs involved in the human respiratory system
- Describes how oxygen circulates through the human body
- Knows the ways in which the environment impacts health
- Knows the most common health problems of children
Chinese
- Understands simple stories recited
- Responds through role playing, drawing, singing, and moving
- Provides basic spoken information
- Describes people and objects in daily environment
- Recognizes and uses oral syntax and inflection
- Recognizes brush stroke directions
- Pinyin phonetic system: initial sounds – final sounds
- Combines initial and final sounds
- Recognizes and vocalizes ideograms
- Practices correct brush grip
- Uses brush strokes approximation
- Writes strokes
- Learns the eight basic brush strokes
- Introduces pinyin system on the computer keyboard
Spanish
- Describes important people and objects in the everyday environment
- Answers and formulates questions about a variety of experiences
- Recognizes and appropriately uses oral syntax and inflection
- Continued focus on writing, listening, reading, and speaking
- Understands the basic plots of stories and everyday commands in different situations
- Reads using correct pronunciation of words and intonations of sentences from appropriate stories
- Paraphrases the actions of the characters in the stories
- Continues to appreciate the rich culture of Latin America through activities in the arts and field trips
Art
- Uses control in handling tools and materials in a safe and responsible manner
- Uses good craftsmanship in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media
- Understands what makes different art media, techniques, and processes effective in communication
- Uses different approaches to respond to and to judge various works of art
- Knows the types of tasks performed by various artists and some of the required training
Music
- Recognizes different music notation
- Continues to develop proficiency in Orff instrumentation
- Develops vocal skills, including singing in harmony, as appropriate
- Identifies different styles of music
- Identifies the shape of a melody
- Analyzes and compares melodic movement
Computer and Technology
- Uses more advanced word processing skills (highlighting, word art, etc.)
- Uses appropriate on-line resources to support learning and research
- Searches the internet using developmentally appropriate search engines
- Applies appropriate techniques for information retrieval
- Understands the concept of a computer network
School Skills
- Identifies and understands the purposes of a book’s index, guide words, citations, end notes, and bibliography
- Uses a dictionary to determine word meanings
- Uses thesaurus to identify alternate word choices
- Uses simple alphabetical and numerical systems to organize information
- Understands main concept and supporting details in nonprint media
- Understands nonverbal cues (i.e., music, color, motion) used in a variety of media
- Uses text features to predict content and monitor comprehension
- Expands ability for rote memorization with practice of multiplication tables
Thinking Skills
- Analyzes, critiques, and evaluates text at an appropriate reading level
- Analyzes cause and effect relationships
- Begins to accept opinions different from own
- Begins to evaluate accuracy of information found on the web
