About Third Grade
In third grade, we cover some great and exciting topics. Please look below to find out what we will be working on in each content area:
ELA
Each week, students will participate in numerous reading and writing activities in order to build their literacy skills. In third grade, we focus on developing students’ phonics/spelling skills, writing abilities, comprehension of texts, and much more! Students will develop their literacy skills during whole-group, small-group, and one-on-one lessons/activities. Through the use of read alouds, writer’s workshop, guided reading, and independent reading, students will be receiving instruction in a variety of ways in order to meet their individual needs as readers and writers.
Additionally, in third grade we begin learning cursive! Students begin the year by refining their printing skills and gradually move towards writing in cursive. Each child works throughout the year on perfecting their cursive in order to be able carry their very own cursive license!
Math
In third grade, students begin to work on math problems that require them to analyze given information and think critically about how to solve problems. Working through these problems is all a part of becoming an independent and reflective learner! Students are encouraged to tackle any difficult problems using our S.T.A.R problem solving acronym. More information about our problem solving acronym can be found under “Additional Resources.” Finally, below you will find a list of the math topics covered in third grade:
- Multiplication and Division
- Area
- Representing and Interpreting Data
- Addition and Subtraction Properties
- Fractions
- Time, Capacity, and Mass
- Two-Dimensional Shapes
- Perimeter
Science
In third grade, students truly take on the role of scientists by participating in numerous, hands-on experiments. For each experiment, students learn how to write down their observations, collect data, work cooperatively with others, and learn how to analyze, interpret, and share their scientific findings. We have two overarching units that we explore: 1) Motion and Matter and 2) Water and Climate. Below you can find a complete list of the science topics we cover in third grade:
- Motion and Matter
- Forces
- Patterns of Motion
- Engineering
- Mixtures
- Water and Climate
- Water Observations (Example: How does water interact with other materials?)
- Temperature
- Weather and Water
- Seasons and Climate
- Waterworks (Example: What happens to rainwater that falls on the soil covered ground?)
Social Studies
Students begin to explore more complex concepts from civics, economics, geography, and history. A brief overview of the topics we explore in third grade can be found blow. However, I would like to point out that one of our main focuses this year will be economics. We will be covering this topic through participation in our year-long classroom economy.
In this classroom economy, students earn money each week for coming to school and performing their job as a student. Additionally, students earn additional income if they are assigned one of our weekly classroom jobs. However, students do not just earn money, as they are responsible for paying fines if they are not performing their job as a student. Students are also expected to pay rent each week for their desk. Any extra money students have may be spent at our classroom store, where students can purchase things, such as trips to the treasure box, using a pen for the day, etc. Students are responsible for managing their money through the use of a “bank account.” Each Friday, students deposit any additional cash they have into the “bank” for safe keeping. Students use their bank logs to keep track of all of their deposits and withdrawals. Our classroom economy provides students with a concrete understanding of simple economics, while also providing them with another way to meet standards in both ELA and Mathematics.
Overview of Social Studies Topic Covered in Third Grade:
- Communities
- Immigration
- Celebrations
- Environments
- North American History
- Impacts of Technology
- Economics
- Government
Religion
Here at Saint Madeleine Sophie School, we teach the values of our patron saint by being humble, simple, and bringing joy to others. Students celebrate and learn about their Catholic faith through religious education lessons, daily prayer, classroom discussions, service learning projects, attendance at weekly mass, and through participating in school liturgies. Below is a brief overview of some of the topics students will experience in third grade:
- Our Beliefs-The Creed
- Our Early Church and the Connection to Today
- Sacraments of Initiation
- The Liturgical Year- Seasons of the Church
- Social Justice & Community Service
- Prayer