Third Grade Curriculum Overview
Reading
Third graders
read many types of texts—literary, information, and practical. They
distinguish between fact and opinion. These students interpret poetry
and infer main ideas in a variety of prose. Students in this grade use
multiple reading strategies to construct meaning from text. They choose
to read silently for extended periods of time for pleasure and
information.
Writing
Third graders write for a variety of
purposes. They can support their ideas with references to their reading.
They use a variety of pre-writing activities, revise their writing by
adding details, and recognize incorrect spelling.
Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum is organized into five strands:
(1) number and operations; (2) measurement; (3) geometry; (4) data
analysis and probability; and, (5) algebra. Problem-solving strategies
are embedded into each of the 5 strands.
Expectations are that
third grade students are very actively engaged in doing mathematics.
They can describe their ideas and thinking both orally and in writing.
Proficient third graders relate manipulatives with ideas. They explain
and record the mathematical concepts using precise vocabulary and
symbols.
Social Studies
Third graders increase their
understanding about community life in a variety of contexts. Comparisons
are made as children compare their familiar communities with other
cultures and times. An awareness of relationships among ways of living,
the physical environment, and human traditions are developed.
Science
The focus for third grade students is on identifying systems and patterns in systems.
Science Concepts: plant growth and adaptations, soil properties, earth/moon/sun system, human body
Art/Music
Arts Education includes four separate and distinct disciplines; dance,
music, theatre arts, and visual arts—each with its own body of knowledge
and skills, The intent of the National Standards for Arts Education,
along with the standard courses of study in each area, is that a
comprehensive understanding of one or more of the arts is accomplished
by each student throughout the K-12 Program.
Health/PE
The
Healthful Living Education program promotes behaviors that contribute
to a healthful life-style and improved quality of life for all students.
The Healthful Living Education portions of the NC Standard Course of
Study support and reinforce the goals and objectives of its two major
components—health education and physical education.