Art

Third grade children are given a variety of media to explore. Art history is incorporated into the curriculum by artist, period, and method studies. Third grade children use line, shape, color and texture to realistically render an image. Children work on perspective by experimenting with figure/ground perspective as well as overlapping shapes for perspective.

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Language Arts

The goal of the third grade language arts curriculum is to develop the foundation of competence in the use of the English language. Through the experiences of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, the goal is to develop literate and fluent readers and writers. The units of study are built around a skills-intensive curriculum based in the areas of literature, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. Through their experiences of reading, listening, writing, and speaking, students increase their level of success in becoming literate and fluent readers and writers with more advanced grammar skills and intellectual vocabularies. Reading activities include but are not restricted to whole group, shared- and guided-reading groups, individual reading, vocabulary development, making predictions, retelling stories, using clues in context, drawing conclusions, fiction/non-fiction, poetry, and experience with different genres of literature to expand their pleasure reading.

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Mathematics

Mathematics study in third grade utilizes Khan Academy and is designed to equip students with sound concept development, critical thinking, and efficient problem-solving skills. Concepts are presented in a clear and sequential way to facilitate understanding and confidence. As new topics are introduced, learners consolidate new information with focused practice, while spiral progression allows students to build upon material taught in earlier grades. Concepts covered include: rounding and estimation, adding and subtracting whole numbers through 10,000, multiplication and division, data collection and analysis, probability, geometry, fractions, time and money, area, perimeter, volume, and measurement of length, weight, and capacity in both metric and standard units. Students’ research and problem-solving skills are active throughout the year, utilizing model drawing and other strategies to demonstrate a clear understanding as they work through single- and multi-step word problems.

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Science

Utilizing Pearson’s Interactive Science curriculum, students in third grade are provided with opportunities to learn and grow through scientific observation, exploration, and inquiry-based learning. Throughout the many activities, discussions, and labs, we foster curiosity, inventiveness, persistence, and enthusiasm as children learn by doing and reflecting. Investigations throughout the year focus on living things and ecosystems, Earth systems, properties of matter and energy, and forces of motion. Core units of study are taught in a spiral pattern from year to year, building on previous learning in order to develop depth of knowledge and further understanding in many of the same overall topics with new learning opportunities as the grades advance.

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Social Studies

The third grade social studies curriculum is composed of units of study that emphasize knowledge of content material and allow students to experience the work ethic of completing projects, working in teams, and solving problems creatively. These units include geography, building communities, identifying different communities, immigration, discrimination, ethnicities, public services, and our global community. Third grade is also a time for a full unit on Texas state history.

Spanish

The third grade Spanish program continues to reinforce strong oral skills while making a transition to a more varied curriculum. A formation of solid listening and speaking skills are maintained as attention to reading, writing, and cultures is increased. Students grow in following directions in Spanish and are comfortable asking and responding with common phrases. They are introduced to simple grammar rules in association with known words and phrases.