Third Grade Subject Overview

Reading

The third grade reading program engages students in an active literacy classroom where the love of reading is fostered.  Third grade students often read fluently, with expression and proper phrases.  Our goal is for third grade students to continue to advance in the fluency already attained and increase comprehension of that which is read.  Through guided reading, book clubs, independent reading conferences, listening to reading, and paired reading, the students will learn to apply a variety of strategies for accuracy in reading, increasing fluency and comprehension. Third grade students will be taught to recognize when they do not comprehend what they are reading and how to repair the lack of understanding.  Our instruction is guided by assessment data so that we will meet the needs of each individual student.  We endeavor to increase depth of understanding at each reading level as each individual student progresses. 

Writing

The third grade writing program uses the Writing Workshop model to provide an authentic life-like base in which students can learn grammar, mechanics, and spelling.  Using the writing process of brainstorming, first draft, revising, editing and publishing, the students author a variety of text such as poetry, stories and journals. Through revising and editing, each writer learns the importance of writing so the reader can understand. While following core standards, focused mini-lessons are given to the whole group, to small groups, and to individuals as needed in the text being written.  Individual and small group conferencing assures that grammar, mechanics and spelling are properly applied in all writing, including that completed across the curriculum in mathematics, social studies, and science.   Third grade utilizes the philosophy that writing promotes reading, writing is fun, and that writing lives on forever. 

Math

The United States version of the highly researched Singapore Math is the primary program used in third grade to help students achieve all math concepts within the Core Standards. The program or builds upon existing knowledge in each of the primary areas of math, and utilizes the CPA (Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract) approach.  Realizing differentiation in math instruction is needed to meet the needs of all students, this highly successful program is supplemented with other resources such as Marcy Cook, Math Facts in a Flash, our math lab, and computer programs.  As the students engage in Math Workshop, the key standards are applied in life like situations, making connections, and helping the student to realize math is used daily.  Our assessment is continuous and guides the instruction given individually, in small groups, and as a whole group. 

Social Studies

Third grade students study the concepts of community, geography, economics, and colonization. Through these studies we discover how geography influences where we live and the economics of a region, both in the past and the present.  With small and whole group instruction, field trips, guest speakers and activities, third grade students discover how communities are alike and different. Studying the traits of the colonists helps us to realize the traits which are needed in today’s communities as well.  Assessment includes quizzes, reports, and participation in class discussions.