Third Grade

In the third grade, students are asked to work more independently than in earlier grades, and to be accountable for their actions and decisions. Study habits continue to evolve and team projects require students to develop their social awareness and interpersonal skills further. An exciting field trip ignites the imagination of our budding scientists and engineers. Ultimately, third grade is all about helping students identify and develop their individual identities in order to prepare them for the upper elementary grades.

Reading

In the reading program, students continue novel units and engage in whole class, small group, or partner discussions. diversity, equity, and inclusion themes are woven through selected novels to engage deeper thinking about one’s self and the world at large. Students also enjoy independent and Kindergarten buddy reading. They respond to their reading and demonstrate comprehension through a diverse constellation of targeted exercises in both writing and conversation with classmates and the teacher. Third graders continue to build their reading fluency and use of expression, improve their public speaking, and continue to expand their vocabulary through rich literature, and cross -curricular applications. Class novels include, Third Grade Angels, The Wild Robot, and Fish in a Tree.

Writing and Grammar 

Writer’s workshop continues to guide students through daily mini lessons in narrative, informational and persuasive genres. During student writing time, one-on-one or small group conferencing helps to further guide students, as well as the use of student rubrics and checklists as they work through the process. In third grade, writing units focus on crafting true stories, the art of informational writing, changing the world through expressing opinionated perspectives, petitions, and editorials, and then wrap up the year by revisiting narratives with a special emphasis on “once upon a time” and adapting and writing fairy tales.

Mathematics

In this year, there is a strong focus on the development of problem-solving skills and how multiplication and division are connected and can be seen in everyday life. Using a plethora of strategies, students expand their ways of thinking through new ways of solving problems, drawing models, and writing expressions and equations that model their thinking. Measurement and geometry concepts are built upon and new depths are introduced by the year’s end. Instruction takes place in both whole-group and differentiated, small-group settings and employs centers, manipulatives, and open-ended inquiry. While some concepts covered build on skills acquired previously, others are brand-new and mastery-focused, which makes this an important developmental year.

Science

In third grade, compelling and dynamic topics in both physical, life, and earth sciences are introduced. Instruction takes place through hands-on activities, collaborative groups, and many observations, ponderings, and conclusions in their Science Notebooks. With experiential learning as the emphasis, science units include Motion and Matter (with a focus on forces, engineering, and mixtures), Weather and Climate, as well as life science units on the Structures of Life (with live crayfish each group cares for), and a final unit on the Human Body. Ultimately, third grade is all about helping students identify and develop their individual identities, academically, socially, and emotionally, in order to prepare them for the upper elementary grades.

Social Studies

Third grade learns about local and national geography, with an emphasis on understanding both physical aspects of communities but also the important role humans play in community. Specifically, they study local Native American tribes, their cultures, and how they adapted to their environments. Third graders then study the impact that settlers and immigrants had in shaping the state of California, and their own communities. An emphasis is placed on helping students understand that our communities are continuously influenced by existing members and newcomers. Next, famous American landmarks and symbols are explored with a focus on Pasadena and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley from early 1800’s to present. This leads to a deeper study of local governments and citizens. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are emphasized through conversations, and in small groups, students build their research skills and complete unit-specific projects. Students refine their informative writing techniques through typed research projects.