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. . 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.
The Question and Answer Relationship Strategy, or QAR, will be taught again
this year. This strategy will help your child determine whether or not
the answer to a question can be found “in the text” or “in their head.”
To encourage independent reading, we expect each 3rd grader to complete at
least 16 book reports this year. The book report forms will be explained
in detail to your child. An example will also be placed in your child’s
STAR binder. These book reports do require a parent signature. Students
will also present two book reports orally. One at the end of the 1st
quarter and other towards the end of the 3rd quarter.
SPELLING
Spelling lists are sent home each Monday in the Weekly Homework Packet. Most
weeks I will pretest to determine whether your child needs a more
challenging list. While we will practice these words at school, I still
expect the students to study each night at home. Spelling grade are
based on weekly test as well as daily spelling performance.
WRITING
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. We will be
implementing the 6 traits of writing. I will be looking for the
following traits in your child’s writing: ideas, sentence structure,
word choice, organization, voice, and conventions.
MATH
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. They continue the study of geometry, 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 math
review on a regular basis.
SCIENCE
The third-grade curriculum focuses on the physical, earth, and life
sciences. Hands-on experiments are the base of all
scientific inquiries.
Units of study will include: matter, solar system, water cycle, and many more.
SOCIAL STUDIES
The social studies curriculum in third grade reviews the concept of community. A
unit on Grandview 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. 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. Students also expand their
understanding of core democratic values.
CURSIVE
Our classroom goal is to learn all the lower case letters by winter break. We will move into
upper case letters in 3rd quarter. Students will be writing primarily in
cursive for the last few weeks of school.
