Third Grade Curriculum
Reading
Throughout the year, great importance is placed on reading a variety of writing genres (narrative, expository, descriptive, persuasive) vocabulary development, summarization skills and examining cause/effect relationships. Third grade provides a transition for students from learning to read, into reading to learn. Therefore, as third grade begins, students utilize a basal text to sharpen reading skills such as identifying the story elements and the sequencing of events. We quickly move into studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition through a trade book furthering reading skills, learning reading strategies, and plotting the journey in time and history. As a major culminating event, students view the National Geographic IMAX movie about the Lewis and Clark expedition. The movie and our book closely chronicle this amazing trip! Throughout the entire year students participate in literature circles using a variety of trade books. Assigned jobs within each reading circle require students to utilize higher order thinking skills. Students meet within their circle to discuss each chapter thoroughly by discussing answers to open-ended questions, summarizing important events in the chapter, exploring vocabulary development, and utilizing illustrations. Two major oral book reports are required. First, students read and study the biography of Benjamin Franklin. Then, “Ben Franklin” visits third grade! Students are then challenged to chose and read another biography about a famous American and to present a first person oral report in the both in costume and content. Next, students read a “How To” book and give an oral report/demonstration. We visit a local smoothie shop to learn the steps in a process for making a smoothie to help students connect their oral demonstration with the written word. Classroom Literature Centers are provided to extend and enrich reading skills. Third graders are asked to read on a nightly basis, to keep a weekly reading log, and to participate in a reading incentive program to implement independent pleasurable reading. The goal of our reading curriculum is to foster a great love for independent reading!
English
Third grade English focuses on the parts of speech and emphasizes basic skills in grammar, mechanics, and composition. Creative stories, personal narratives, descriptive paragraphs, compare/contrast paragraphs, thank you letters, and journal entries provide students with a platform in which to express their thoughts, feelings, and dreams. The implementation of graphic organizers and writing prompts are valuable tools third graders employ in the writing process. Poetry is infused into all aspects of the third grade curriculum. Students are challenged to write many different styles of poetry including Simile, Definition, 5-W and Cinquain. When students write an autobiographical poem they use their word processing skills to type the poem in our computer lab. In April students celebrate National Poetry Month with “famous” poets, punch, and the recitation of a classic poem. Using our study of the biography genre in reading as a springboard, students interview each other and then write a classmate’s biography. This writing assignment places importance upon the arrangement of biographical information in chronological order. Our English curriculum helps to celebrate each student’s uniqueness!
Mathematics
With the aid of interactive, teacher and ready-made manipulatives, and mini-whiteboards, students explore mathematical concepts. In addition to reinforcing prior instruction in computational addition and subtraction, major emphasis is placed on the mastery of multiplication tables from 0-12. Students are afforded the opportunity to practice facts using computer software in our computer lab. In addition to working in such basic operations, major units of study include elapsed time, making change with money, and exploring the concept of fractions. To personalize instruction, students are challenged to write their own word problems during each focus of study. Practicing for mastery, the use of manipulatives and enriching experiences within the computer lab are important contributors in helping third grade students succeed in math.
Social Studies
Our Journey Across America Program familiarizes students with the wealth of diversity found within the United States. While on this journey, students utilize the Internet for research and create PowerPoint presentations in the computer lab to explore our country’s rich cultures, various landforms, and diverse communities. Our journey provides the opportunity to study Jacksonville history and to incorporate state reports. Additionally, students use suggested internet websites and the World Book Encyclopedia online at home to research monthly sharing topics about our country’s famous landmarks and symbols. A wide assortment of trade books about each United States region is available to students for pleasure reading and research.
Science
Hands-on activities and investigations, coupled with Internet-based research and computer lab-generated graphic organizers, allows students to assimilate science textbook information. Students explore how scientists classify animals and investigate animal behaviors. They learn how plants and animals depend upon one another. Activities that accompany these areas of study include: a study of the egg, how a bird’s beak relates to its diet, the importance of camouflage, the understanding of food webs, and the creation of an animal sanctuary utilizing classification knowledge. A visiting entomologist creates quite a buzz! Technology extends these studies by providing research tools to study a desert animal and creating an intricate food web graphic organizer. We then focus on the life cycle of a sea turtle and use the Internet to track their movement. A visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center brings this study to life! Linked closely together, students also explore plants, their needs and care, and the process of photosynthesis. Students create their own terrarium and participate in several activities that allow them to get their hands in the dirt! Additionally, students investigate the phenomenon of sound. They determine how sounds are produced and explore two characteristics of sound: pitch and volume. Every lesson includes a hands-on activity of discovery. An enriching computer lesson helps students understand the anatomy of an ear. As an important culminating activity, students create their own musical instrument and demonstrate their creative efforts with the class! Important elements in this study are visits from a musician sharing how his/her instrument produces melodic sound. A weekly visit to a fully equipped science laboratory, hands-on activities, informative speakers, and the use of computer lab experiences support, enrich and extend our science curriculum.
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