Lower School

Grade Three

Program Overview

Third grade provides a strong academic program in which children solidify basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. There is ample scheduled time for children to practice and refine these skills and to apply them in many different contexts. The program is experiential and interdisciplinary. Science, social studies, art, music, and physical education are also important parts of the program. Homework begins in third grade and may include math, spelling, writing, social studies, or science activities.

In addition to setting academic goals, teachers work with children to create a positive, supportive community in the classroom. Children are helped to look at their individual actions and see their effect on others. They continue to identify and appreciate individual differences. Through classroom themes, daily conversation, and discussions, they are asked to reflect on assumptions and perspectives that exist in the group and outside the classroom. Children also participate in service learning projects. Third grade is paired for regular activities throughout the year with the sixth grade in our school’s buddy program.

Reading and Writing

* historical and realistic fiction * biographies and expository texts * readers’ theater * *decoding * predictions and questioning * supporting ideas with evidence from text *

* homophones and homographs * personal narrative and expository writing * journal writing * note taking * composition skills * parts of speech * spelling * handwriting * *introduction to word processing *

Resources, texts: Rebecca Sitton Spelling Program * Handwriting without Tears * StoryGrammar Marker *

* boatbuilding * making bears to donate to organizations * needle-felted birds * biographies of significant African Americans * trip to Pequot Museum in Connecticut * claymation video of Island of the Blue Dolphins *