Third Grade Curriculum

In third grade, we have been very lucky to be able to integrate new technology into our classrooms. We have the use of a brand new SmartBoard that we use for Science and Social Studies.

Our Math curriculum covers two levels. Accelerated Math focuses on 3rd grade concepts and Speed Math focuses on 4th grade concepts. We start the year with a review of the basics and then we begin to flow into multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It then expands to perimeter, money, approximation, fractions, decimals, coordinate grids, lines, angles, measurement, pre-algebra and much, much more!

The Spelling curriculum covers a unit per week that focuses on all aspects of Spelling such as long and short vowels, vowel combinations, blends, diphthongs, schwa, suffixes, prefixes, homophones, contraction, plurals, possessives, and compounds. Two tests are given per week.

The Language curriculum includes types of sentences, subjects, predicates, nouns, verbs, possessives, pronouns, prepositions, commas and colons, and quotations marks. At the end of the year, once the students have a full grasp of the parts of a sentence, the writing process is taught. Students will learn how to write different types of letters, as well as an autobiography. One test is given per week.

The Reading curriculum covers a story per week. These stories can be found in their readers. Comprehension and basic reading skills are reinforced. These skills include point of view, cause and effect, plot, characterization, comparing and contrasting, context clues, fantasy and reality, main idea, fiction and non-fiction, fact and opinion, author's purpose, and setting. Two tests are given per week, one for comprehension and the other for vocabulary and skills. During the year, we will be taking a break from our textbook to read several novels. Testing for these will be the same as the stories from the reader..

Our Science curriculum is covered the first half of the year and our Social Studies curriculum is covered the second half. In Science, our students will learn about things that can be found in our universe such as: planets, meteors, asteroids, black holes and comets. We will also study the human body, body systems and how they work together. In Social Studies, our students will explore the community they live in. They will learn about the history of Covington, Mandeville and Madisonville, and how they have evolved over the years. The students will also learn about heritage, culture and tradition, and what it means to care for their community..

We have three field trips throughout the year that will be closely related to units of study, as well as four class projects.