Third Grade
Children start putting the learning pieces together in third grade to take on more complicated assignments. As they continue to apply the basic skills they learned in first and second grade, they begin to do some work more independently than in previous years. The third-grade curriculum focuses on learning about the world around us and becoming experts on different topics in the curriculum.
Language & Literacy: Third graders learn what it takes to be a good reader. They have a better handle on what to do when they don’t understand a word or passage, like looking at pictures in a book for clues. They’ll often discuss books in small groups and ask questions about what they’re reading. They’ll summarize and use graphs to organize their thoughts about the books they read. Their teacher will introduce many literary genres and print forms, such as newspapers, magazines, and Websites. Third graders also learn organizational methods that help them prepare for more complex writing assignments. They’ll create maps, webs, and Venn diagrams to plan their work. They’ll write reports, creative fiction, and personal narratives. They’ll also be asked to take more responsibility for the writing process, including revising, editing, and proofreading. A significant third-grade change is a shift from learning to read to reading to learn. This means that students are using a variety of texts to gain an understanding of different topics. Students also learn to become experts by researching different topics, such as frogs, wolves, and other exciting things.
Math: Math becomes much more challenging in third grade. Students work with larger whole numbers, multiplication, division, and with fractions. They’ll look at odd and even numbers and patterns that involve those numbers. They’ll solve and explain addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division word problems. Students are asked to do more math work on paper and in their heads instead of with physical materials. There are many new and challenging concepts that students are introduced to, and they can practice them in our classroom and during our math intervention time. During this time, the students work with teachers across the grade to get help in the areas they need most and use computer programs to get extra practice.
Science: Science investigations become much more detailed in third grade, and the students learn much more about the scientific method. Students explore more complex topics, such as living systems, the food chain, the water cycle, and how to experiment. They’ll learn about landmasses and bodies of water and how to identify them on a globe or map. They’ll begin investigating different states of matter, such as solids, liquids, and gases.
Social Studies: Third-grade social studies lessons begin to expand children’s view of the world. Social studies are embedded within the third-grade CKLA curriculum. Students learn about the Ancient Roman Civilization, the Viking Age, Native Americans, early explorations of North America, and Colonial America.
Third-grade students can expect to learn a lot, be challenged daily, and work hard. We also go on many fun field trips and explore exciting concepts in the classroom—students at this level focus on maintaining peer relationships and communicating respectfully. Students are expected to consistently show respect to everyone in the school, including students and teachers. This helps students learn to be responsible for their actions and understand their positive and negative consequences.
Specials:
Physical Education: Physical education is an essential part of any K-4 curriculum. Our students are exposed to various activities and games that will help promote lifelong physical activity. They are also taught how to display good sportsmanship. In our K-4 physical education program, there is an emphasis placed on effort and attitude rather than winning and losing. K-2 students are exposed to basic motor skills and skills needed to play different activities. 3rd and 4th graders are taught more complex skills emphasizing teamwork, cooperation, and communication.
Art: The Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary visual arts curriculum helps students understand how media, technique, and process are used to create works of art and how artworks are structured. Each project aims to introduce students to the essential elements of art. Each project discovers: how to identify, analyze, and select subject matter, how symbols are used for personal and cultural expression, and how historical and cultural contexts provide meaning for works of art.
Coding: The Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School focuses on an ever-evolving complexity of multi-step processes, writing fluency, and pattern recognition, culminating with the transition to line coding. As fluency progresses, so do the problems they have to overcome. Eventually, the students will be independent enough to create and program their simple games and programs.
Support Services:
Special Education: Special Education is not a place. It is a service. The goal is to provide all students with a disability the services necessary for success in the least restrictive classroom environment. Special Education teachers provide accommodations and modifications to the grade-level curriculum to help all students be successful. Special Education Teachers push into classrooms to provide services. They also pull students out for resource groups that target specific skills and behaviors.
ENL - English as a New Language Program: The goal of the English as a New Language Program is to ensure English Language Learners acquire and develop English proficiency through a rigorous curriculum, research-based teaching strategies, and social/emotional support. The languages and cultures of ELLs are respected and valued while learning about and becoming part of American culture.
Title 1 Reading and Math Intervention: The reading and math intervention team consists of specialized teachers in literacy and mathematics. They provide academic support for all classrooms in the school. This may include both small-group instruction and additional integrated instruction. Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary uses Accelerated Math, Leveled Literacy Intervention Program, and STAR assessments to help fill in student gaps. Our goal is to challenge students to overcome their learning obstacles and help them feel empowered and capable in their education.
Third Grade Supply List