Third Grade

Third grade is a special year, marking the first year of the Upper Division at Community School.

Students enjoy a variety of subjects in the homeroom as well as special classes. The curriculum is integrated whenever
possible so that students can relate one subject to another and connect classroom activities to real life. Students learn through a variety of means: teacher-directed lessons, repeated practice, use of manipulative materials, partner and cooperative learning projects and independent research.

Field trips supplement our study of St. Louis and Missouri, and include a court experience in the Civil Courts Building and exploring Missouri history in the Arch Museum and Missouri History Museum. The year culminates with the study of Japan and a trip to the Japanese Garden, as well as food catered from a Japanese restaurant for lunch. View our third grade curricular benchmarks below.

Third Grade Curriculum

Literature

Read with fluency and expression to support comprehension
Choose a book at appropriate reading level
Recognize various genres
Use phonics and word analysis skills to decode words
Define unfamiliar words using context clues
Use self-correction strategies
Visualize the events of the story or text
Analyze relationships within and between texts
Monitor reading for sense and understanding
Identify main idea and key details of a text or story
Predict events based on context clues
Set goals for increasing challenges

Language Arts

Mathematics

Solve one- and two-step multiplication problems
Use place value models to read, write, add, and subtract numbers to 10,000
Compare fractions using models and number lines
Add and subtract like fractions and money
Model regrouping in addition and subtraction with place value
Identify angles, perpendicular and parallel lines, polygons, quadrilaterals, symmetry and congruent figures
Select appropriate units and tools to estimate and measure length, weight, volume and capacity
Determine elapsed time
Use bar graphs, picture graphs, and line plots to solve and check real-world problems
Solve real-world problems using all operations
Discuss and share ideas in paired or small-group activities
Use bar models to represent real-world problems

Social Studies

Theme: What qualities make a productive member of a community?
Learn basic geography skills and vocabulary of Missouri and U.S.
Identify and label continents, oceans, prime meridian, equator, countries of North America, and major mountain ranges and rivers of the United States
Study lifestyles of early people of this area and list needs for survival
Practice note-taking skills using two-column note graphic organizers
Discuss current events and their impact on people’s lives
Research basic information using resources provided by the teacher
Learn about the founding of St. Louis
Discuss the lives and cultures of the early settlers of St. Louis
Country studied: Japan

Science

Practice science skills of observing, using equipment, measuring, graphing, etc.
Maintain a detailed, thoughtful, and organized science journal
Observe and identify forces and motion through activities and experiments
Explore plants and how they reproduce
Analyze different types of energy and how it is transferred
Evaluate ecosystems through a pond study through analysis of school pond health
Learn and apply the engineering design process
(3rd and 4th grade are on a two-year curriculum cycle)

French

Recognize printed form of vocabulary words
Read sentences and short paragraphs
Begin to generate original sentences
Introduce oneself
Describe how one is feeling, school subjects, supplies, activities of the day, and the weather
Indicate date
Use numbers to 31
Discuss food preferences (fruits, breakfast items, drinks, and other assorted foods)
Describe foods and drinks consumed at meals

Physical Education

Transition from Early Childhood Physical Education to Upper Division
Recognize the importance of following directions and using good listening skills to achieve maximum success in class
Establish and agree upon rules and boundaries during game play
Demonstrate the ability to problem solve and communicate during a group activity
Establish and maintain a pace during a 5-minute run
Demonstrate an understanding of skills in units of study: soccer, cross country, flag football, field hockey, basketball, volleyball, create a game, international games, and track and field
Exert maximum effort during all warm ups and exercises
Foster a positive team environment by learning the value of teamwork, cooperation, and respect for others
Embrace and develop good sportsmanship by playing fair and supporting teammates

Studio Art

Demonstrate geometric and organic shapes and forms in various media
Recognize the color wheel and show understanding of analogous colors
Apply understanding of materials and procedures to new tasks
Promote creativity and inspiration through appreciation of art history
Evaluate completed art using self reflection
Discuss one’s interpretation of a work of art with others

Woodshop

Music

Memorize the line and space names of the treble clef
Maintain a steady beat while playing rhythmic and melodic instruments
Define and utilize head and chest voice registers
Sing with accurate pitch and intonation
Use clear vocal enunciation and diction
Pronounce various languages correctly
Maintain melody/harmony in an ensemble setting
Continue piano technique and repertoire
Transition note reading to piano skills
Aurally identify the works of various composers of diverse styles
Produce facts on composers’ lives and music

Drama

Demonstrate competency in fluency, enunciation, projection, cheating out, posture, expression, eye contact, and visualization during public speaking and performances
Use the tools of an actor to become a character and stay in character
Work cooperatively to solve problems both onstage and off
Develop skills on stage to react to other characters and give and take focus
Connect historical time period with physicality of people living during the early 1900s to portray characters
Repeat basic dance steps
Perform an original play connected to social studies

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