The third grade reading program is literature based. Students may read One Morning in Maine, The Courage of Sarah Noble, Lily and Miss Liberty, I Have A Dream, Sarah, Plain and Tall, Skylark, and Caleb's Story. Additional literature of various genres may be read by teacher selection or student interest. Reading skills are introduced and developed throughout the year.

Mathematics

Everyday Mathematics is the third grade mathematics program. Units of study to be covered are: Adding and Subtracting Whole Numbers, Linear Measure and Area, Multiplication and Division, Place Value in Whole Numbers and Decimals, Geometry, Fractions, Measurement and Data, and Probability. Students become involved in mathematical explorations using math manipulatives, games, and math message investigations. Math Boxes in their Student Journal provide review and practice daily.

Everyday Mathematics - Family Letters

Science

Our four science modules are Electricity and Magnetism, Sound, the Solar System and Ecosystems. Students explore, experiment, and learn to use the scientific process through hands on lessons. Students maintain a lab notebook for each unit of study.

Social Studies

Students study the United States. They learn about the geography, climate, and specialties of each of the six regions of the United States. Maps, globes, and graphs skills are introduced and reinforced.

Students establish and maintain a Writer's Notebook. They learn the writing process.  This includes selecting a "seed" idea from their notebook, cracking the seed open, and writing about their special moment . Students draft their writing out of their notebook. Revising and editing their draft is the next step in the process.  The process culminates with the students publishing their writing piece. A writing celebration follows.

Students learn the five parts of a friendly letter and craft an original letter. Other writing genres studied are poetry, nonfiction writing, and research writing.

Spelling

Students follow a developmental spelling program. After initial placement screening, students follow a carefully created leveled curriculum that studies word and language patterns.

Handwriting

Students are introduced to the cursive alphabet. At an appropriate time, students make the transition from manuscript to cursive handwriting. They begin to complete selected assignments in cursive.

Technology

In the lab and in the classroom students learn the tools of technology. Word processing skills are developed and reinforced using the program Type to Learn. Students learn how to obtain internet access and research information. They use various programs to link technology to the curriculum. To learn more about technology activities, go to the grade three technology page