Third Grade
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~Welcome to Grade 3 ~
Third grade is a year filled with learning and growth, as students transition from second grade to the challenges of the intermediate grades. We engage our learners each and every day as we provide opportunities for questioning, growing, and sharing. Our literacy-based classrooms are places of learning, exploration and enrichment.
Literacy:
Our classrooms foster a love of reading and writing through the balanced literacy framework which provides students many opportunities for real life reading and writing experiences. A minimum of 120 minutes daily is devoted to literacy instruction. Reading and writing workshops encourage students to read and write across the curriculum. In reading, we focus on various genres and work on choosing and reading books most appropriate for each individual child. We also work on improving comprehension and strengthening vocabulary. Writing workshop introduces students to on-demand task writing; they also learn skills for writing personal narratives, poetry, short stories and other genres. Within this framework, students participate in the following components: Vocabulary Instruction (includes daily lessons that cover oral, listening, reading and writing, which leads to deep understanding of text. Reading Workshop (includes independent reading, guided reading, and literature study) Writing Workshop (includes independent writing, guided writing, and research-related writing) Language/Fundations (includes the study of language conventions, spelling and vocabulary through interactive read aloud, modeled shared reading and writing experiences, interactive writing, handwriting, and language word study)
Social Studies:
In the third grade social studies program students study communities throughout the world. Students learn about the social, political, geographic, economic and historic characteristics of different world communities. They learn about the diversity of the world’s people and cultures. They also begin to learn about historic chronology by placing important events on timelines. They locate world communities and learn how different communities meet basic needs and wants. Students also begin to compare the roles of citizenship and the kinds of governments found in various world communities.
Mathematics:
In third grade students build on skills learned in second grade. They add and subtract greater numbers, multiply, divide and learn how to compute simple fractions. By the year’s end, students are expected to have a firm grasp on basic multiplication and division skills.
Science:
Foss Science Program: Research-based science program that exposes students to many aspects of the natural world. Creates an environment that encourages creative and complex thinking.
Special Subject Offerings:
Library, Art, Music, Mathematics Enrichment, Computer/Keyboarding, Elementary Science, and Physical Education.
Assessments:
New York State Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics
Fall/Spring Reading Benchmark Assessments
Fall/Spring Writing Benchmark Assessments
Fundations Unit Assessments
Unit Mathematic Assessments
Extracurricular Activities:
Third grade students attend local and long-distance field trips that support our grade level curriculum. Students also have the opportunity to partake in numerous after school clubs and activities.