Third Grade

Language Arts integrates the four language processes of speaking, writing, listening, and reading. State, school and district standards are adhered to while teachers are planning teaching units. Activities that students are involved in are vocabulary development, novel studies, literature circles, whole class instruction, small group instruction, and reading selections from our reading anthology. Writing experiences are integrated into all areas of the curriculum.

The initial third grade writing focus is on developing a strong, well organized paragraph.  Students move on to write multiple paragraph essays in expository, persuasive, and narrative form. A second component to writing is developing creative stories on self-selected topics. The writing process is taught and practiced throughout the year.

Many experiences are offered to students to practice speaking and listening such as acting out scenes from the book, book talk presentations, oral presentations in all academic areas, and listening activities that are presented to the whole group.

Reading for enjoyment is a priority. Children are read aloud to every day, and time is spent on independent self-selected reading daily.

Spelling:

Zaner-Bloser’s Spell It – Write It series is the one used in the third grade curriculum. Children are expected to master the third grade high frequency words and to spell them correctly in their daily writing.

Math:

In third grade, high ability math students have an opportunity to qualify for our district’s accelerated math program.   These students are pulled together in one class where they work out of the fourth grade book.  Third grade classes and accelerated classes focus on the same general concepts, at different levels. Instruction is multi-dimensional with use of manipulatives, problem solving strategies, and visual stimuli to enhance concept development.

Major concepts include:

	Operations and computation in the areas of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers.
	Problem solving strategies
	Measurement
	Geometry
	Graphing and probability
	Fractions
	Algebraic concepts
	Critical thinking skills

Hands-on science kits are used to teach children scientific concepts in an innovative and enjoyable way. The scientific method is taught and applied throughout each unit. There are four topics covered during the year. They are bones, muscles, and cells; the states of matter (with a concentration on liquids); amazing air; and people and animals. Students start the year studying the moon and its phases. Our culminating activity is a field trip to the planetarium at our very own high school, Waubonsee Valley High School.