Grade 3

• Using the Math in Focus curriculum, students:
• Understand and use concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Regroup accurately in addition and subtraction
• Obtain the skills necessary to problem solve
• Work with money, measurement (metric and customary), graphing, and be able to tell time accurately.
• Demonstrate mastery of addition and subtraction facts 0–12, and multiplication and division up to 5 x 12.

Reading

In our balanced literacy program, which includes guided reading and independent reading activities, third graders:

• Practice skills necessary to improve fluency and comprehension
• Apply all the basic phonemic skills and phonetic skills taught to decode and encode multisyllabic words in order to make inferences and hypotheses
• Distinguish between fact, opinion, fiction, and nonfiction
• Answer basic questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how

Writing

• Use graphic organizers and other tools to organize creative writing
• Practice skills that allow drafting, revising, and editing of one’s work
• Increase accuracy in spelling
• Read and write using cursive

• Learn about and observe the life cycles of insects and understand their importance in our environment
• Understand the forces that create strength architecture, and use this knowledge to complete a bridge design project
• Learn about exploration and human knowledge of the solar system
• Use creative problem-solving skills to build a moving vehicle using a gear system
• Learn about animal anatomy and adaptation in the deep ocean through study of squid

Performance-based curriculum

• Play various melodies, harmonies, and chords on the marimbas
• Identify, sing with accuracy, notate, and create with the melodic notes: do, re, mi, so, la, low so, low la, and high do (extended pentatonic scale)
• Learn how to read handbell music, and perform a song at the Winter Concert
• Demonstrate independence and accuracy when singing rounds, two-part songs, and more difficult melodies
• Move rhythmically to music in the context of more difficult partner and group dances
• Use the real names for rhythmic values learned and read simple melodies with absolute note names
• Introduction to key signatures, sharps, and flats
• Identify form, musical themes, and instruments in classical masterworks

• Study the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the areas of history, geography, and culture
• Read and understand various components of maps, such as map keys, legends, and scale
• Identify land and water forms on a topographical map in connection to the study National Parks Service

• Use greetings with each other and the teacher
• Use appropriate manners vocabulary, in context
• Retell a simple story using learned text
• Topics covered include: pets, polite expressions, farm animals, garden vegetables, and ice cream flavors
• Study unique cultural aspects of Venezuela
• Share likes and dislikes using “me gusta” vocabulary in directed activities
• Explore Spanish and Hispanic culture
   

Integrated Technology

• Practice keyboarding skills
• Expand Digital Citizenship by understanding the guidelines for safe online research, learning about digital etiquette and personal device management.
• Develop presentation skills using Keynote, including text, image, and drawing tools.
• Use a variety of apps to produce videos.
• Understand how to use language tools (e.g., spell check, thesaurus) in word-processed documents.
• Learn fundamentals of best research practices with both digital and print resources, as well as primary sources.
• Use iPads, laptops and desktops to assess skills in areas like reading and math.
• Learn fundamental spreadsheet skills for data analysis. Skills include data entry, formatting of tables, basic formulas, and graphing.
• Expand video editing tools, combining still images, video, and audio in varied presentations.

Coding

• Understand basic programming concepts
• Learn to think systematically about the order of steps
• Use loops for iteration
• Develop simple programs with boolean logic
• Use the Scratch paint editor to create original artwork

• Build upon color mixing skills; complementary colors, tints, shades
• Develop specific painting and brushwork skills
• Study and emulate a certain aspect of the style of a selected modern artist
• Explore the art of ancient civilizations and the designs and art materials of cultures dating back thousands of years
• Develop advanced skills in clay hand-building techniques
• Participate in a community critique using third grade art vocabulary

• Choose appropriate, interesting, and unique projects based on knowledge and skills
• Differentiate between similar tools and advantages that one might offer over another
• Develop a sense of craftsmanship
• Learn effective methods for joining pieces of wood
• Apply mathematical concepts such as measurement and geometry

• Use locomotor movements with proficiency while playing various games
• Demonstrate manipulative skills with ease such as throwing a ball to a partner, catching a tossed ball, kicking a ball to a target, and striking a stationary object using a bat
• Demonstrate chase, flee, and dodge
• Show an understanding of large game strategies such as attack, pass, protect, fake, capture, release, and flee
• Work cooperatively with a partner or small group to successfully accomplish a given goal
• Develop dance and gymnastics routines using various skills and rhythms presented
• Using skills and strategies, students will transition to introductory exposure of sports ie: soccer, basketball, football, hockey, baseball