Third Grade Curriculum

Language Arts
In third grade, students continue to develop strategies to effectively use language. Through the presentation of reports and journal writing, they learn to write and speak for a specific purpose. Students learn to become strategic readers by identifying the elements of a story. They read expository material for specific information. Study skills include note taking, the use of reference materials, interpreting graphs and diagrams, and test-taking skills. Vocabulary development continues to include the refinement of phonetic and decoding skills. Word analysis strategies include: homonyms, antonyms, synonyms, analogies, multiple meaning and compound words. Students expand their vocabulary by learning strategies for identifying unfamiliar words.

Reading comprehension skills taught include: understanding fiction and nonfiction reading selections, identifying main ideas, sequencing events, recalling details, making predictions, drawing inferences, and understanding cause-and-effect relationships. Third graders continue to learn and practice the steps of the writing process. Peer conferencing is introduced as another revision technique. Proper grammar, spelling, and the mechanics of writing are taught to enable students to proofread and communicate more effectively.

Mathematics
Third graders focus on fact families in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They continue developing strategies for multi-digit addition and subtraction problems. Learning multiplication facts through the 10s is a goal this year. Other third-grade skills include understanding large numbers in addition to working with small numbers using equivalent fractions and decimals (to the thousandths). They continue the study of geometry, negative numbers, calculator skills, telling time, and geometry.

Practical application of measurement skills includes linear, weight, and capacity with customary and metric units. Students perform probability experiments that provide information for analyzing data and predicting outcomes. Third graders will have Home Links homework on a regular basis.

Third graders focus on fact families in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They continue developing strategies for multi-digit addition and subtraction problems. Learning multiplication facts through the 10s is a goal this year. Other third-grade skills include understanding large numbers in addition to working with small numbers using equivalent fractions and decimals (to the thousandths). They continue the study of geometry, negative numbers, calculator skills, telling time, and geometry.

Science
The third-grade curriculum focuses on the physical, earth, and life sciences. In the Structures of Life module, students observe and record the structures of a crayfish. After creating an enriched crayfish habitat, students investigate and record behaviors in this habitat. Students also complete a thorough investigation of seeds--both comparing seed properties and investigating the effect of water on seeds. Students create a hydroponic garden to observe the life cycle of a bean plant.

The Water unit provides students with activities to explore the properties of water and the interaction between water and other earth materials. Students observe and explore properties of water in liquid and solid states, observe the expansion and contraction of water as it gains and loses heat, investigate factors that influence the cycle of evaporation and condensation of water, compare water quality using indicators, and observe changes that occur in water that has flowed over limestone. In the Sound unit, students learn to discriminate between sounds, explore sound generators and musical instruments to discover what causes sound and how pitch changes.

During a unit on The Human Body students will observe and study the human skeletal and muscle systems. They will use photographs, diagrams, and even artificial bones to gather information. Students also study the Solar System and the relationship between the sun, moon, and Earth. This unit is supplemented with literature that further explains the place of our solar system within the universe.

To further enhance the students' understanding of the interdependency of the animal world, students have the opportunity to investigate owl pellets.

Social Studies
The social studies curriculum in third grade reviews the concept of community. A unit on Troy gives students knowledge about the city in the areas of geography, government, history, and business. Students participate in activities that teach them skills in geography, problem solving, and study skills.

Students also study the regions of the United States and Michigan. In their study of the regions of the U.S., they learn how geography, climate, and natural resources have impacted the development and history of the areas. The regions are compared to one another. Students extend their skills in geography, problem solving, and study skills. The students thoroughly study the state of Michigan. Included in this study are Michigan's geography, regions, history, and government. Students also expand their understanding of core democratic values.

Media Center

Third grade is a busy year in the media center. Students begin to use the computer card catalog to find their books. They practice searching by author, by title and by subject. They are introduced to the Dewey Decimal System, and use their alphabet skills, their math skills and their general subject knowledge to locate books. Encyclopedia, maps and globes in the media center are important resources. Students use these for classroom research on cities, countries and other curriculum subjects. Third graders are reading chapter books and poetry. Literature appreciation continues to be important, as it is a lifelong skill. In many schools, biography is an important unit for third grade as these students find a variety of materials with information about the person of their choice.

Vocal Music

In third grade, students continue to build upon their musical knowledge-base as more complex songs, musical notation, and vocabulary are presented by the music specialist. Students actively demonstrate their awareness of the elements of music through their successful use of dynamics, tone color, melody, and harmony in the songs they sing and in the accompaniments and compositions they create. Students deepen their understanding of the world around them and hone their critical-thinking skills by tracing a song's geographic, historical and cultural roots, as well as listening to, analyzing, interpreting, and responding to a variety of songs and musical works.

Visual Art
The third-grade visual art curriculum continues to focus on the sequential study of the elements and principles of art, including color, line, form, shape, pattern, composition, space, and texture. Students are provided activities to stimulate their imaginations and refine as well as expand their artistic skills, visual acumen, and historic and aesthetic awareness. Students at this level can talk about and produce a high quality of art. They are able to discriminate and form artistic judgments about their art and the creative efforts of their peers.

Physical Education

Third-grade students continue to work on gross-motor skills, spatial awareness, and body control. At this level, there is an increased emphasis on cardiopulmonary fitness, muscular strength, and endurance. Students are encouraged to run or do continuous movement activities to increase their pulse rates. Students are involved in gymnastics with and without apparatus. Students explore the principles of eye-hand-foot coordination through a variety of activities. They develop body coordination, strength and endurance, a sense of fair play, and cooperation with others.