Third grade students study reading, writing, spelling, and grammar in language arts class. Students read from textbooks, trade books, and library books. McGraw Hill's Wonders curriculum is used to target comprehension skills. Emphasis is placed on critical reading skills, summarizing, and responding to literature. Empowering Writers curriculum is introduced, and students gain writing skills through guided practice. They begin to recognize and implement the building blocks of effective writing for narrative and expository pieces. In addition, students have numerous opportunities to practice public speaking.
Third graders solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The students identify and explain patterns. Students learn to work with area, perimeter, and measure to the nearest quarter inch. Students memorize multiplication and division facts, identify and find factors of numbers, and solve two-digit multiplication problems. In geometry, students understand that shapes in different categories may share common attributes and that shared attributes can define a larger category. Students begin to use variables, parentheses, missing addends, and missing factors as they begin the study of algebra. The primary text is Everyday Mathematics. Additionally, students access Everyday Mathematics games and lessons on "McGraw-Hill Online," which directly support instruction.
Third grade students study a range of topics including life, earth, and physical sciences. Specific subjects of study include exploring our solar system, investigating elements and compounds, meteorology, geology, botany, and zoology. Lab safety techniques and the scientific method are emphasized as students conduct projects and experiments in a laboratory setting under the instruction of the Lower School Science Specialist twice each month. Students observe, compare, classify, and interpret data in order to make hypotheses and draw conclusions. The basis for the curriculum is Nancy Larson Science, a comprehensive and creative approach to elementary science where sophisticated topics are explored in age-appropriate ways.
The social studies curriculum in third grade focuses on local and state history and national geography. We begin the year with a brief study of Oakridge and Arlington history. Students study the regions of the USA using Social Studies Alive! Regions of Our Country. Each of the five regions of the United States is explored through the lens of four social sciences — economics, geography, political science, and history. Along the way, students acquire an appreciation of the diversity, beauty, and contributions of each region of our country. As a culminating activity, students complete a state research project. These projects are presented to fellow students as an oral presentation and at a State Fair at the end of the school year. Third graders also enjoy learning about Mountain Men during our Living History Program.
Third grade art emphasizes drawing, design, painting, crafts, and art history. Within each of these areas, importance is placed on the elements of design. The program provides a variety of methods and media with which the students are encouraged to produce original and creative works of art. Specifically, students increase their knowledge of color and color relationships including tints, tones, monochromatic color schemes, and analogous color schemes. Students learn to use pastels, create mobiles and stabiles, and learn the possibilities and limitations of clay as a medium as they construct slab, coil, and pinch pottery. In addition, students learn how to save and print their computer-generated art. Aesthetic growth and visual discrimination are expanded through the study of major artists and their works.
The goal of the lower school music curriculum is to present a program of sequential musical learning designed to develop an appreciation of the joy of music making. Students in third grade music class learn the basics of music reading, writing, and composition skills through the methods of Orff and Kodály. These approaches to music education include sequential organization of music concepts and skills that help children acquire music literacy: reading, writing, listening, and creating music. Third grade students continue to build upon rhythmic and melodic concepts learned in first and second grade as they explore part-singing and learn short melodic songs on barred instruments. Students acquire knowledge about music through the process of experiencing music through singing, speaking, moving, playing instruments, and creating. Students have the opportunity to participate in grade-level performances that demonstrate classroom learning.
Third grade physical education emphasizes motor skill development, perceptual awareness, and overall health and fitness. Students participate in developmentally appropriate activities balancing the development of individual skills with the concept of team play. Students participate in a variety of modified games to practice skills needed for sports offered in the middle and upper schools. Some of the sports offered include volleyball, basketball, soccer, flag football, and baseball. Activities are designed to promote strength, flexibility, and cardio respiratory health as well as coordination and balance in the context of safety and good sportsmanship.
Muzzy: The BBC Language Course for Children is a springboard for students to develop stronger Spanish skills through role playing everyday situations. Students use songs, games, and drama to demonstrate their Spanish knowledge. The study of cultural topics is helpful in developing multiculturalism and an appreciation for Spanish culture. Third graders begin reading and writing in Spanish. The class is taught almost exclusively in Spanish with the use of teacher-created and authentic materials.
Third graders are full of imagination. The technology and idea labs offer many opportunities for curiosity and creative problem solving. Third graders improve their keyboarding speed and accuracy with the program Typing Club. Third graders also learn about coding with the award-winning program Kodable. Kodable teaches children to think logically, learn to sequence, and work through problems systematically. Common Sense Media is our resource for helping students maintain a safe, positive online presence. In the Idea Lab, students enjoy a wide range of activities and projects intended to bring out the inventor, scientist, engineer, and designer in every student.