3rd Grade

Our 3rd Grade math program works to cement understanding of place value and number sense, so students will be well prepared for complex problems that involve higher-order thinking. Students practice multiplication and learn division, leaving 3rd Grade with the ability to perform all four math operations.

Other 3rd Grade math topics include geometry, fractions, measurement, statistics, and elapsed time. Students enjoy the opportunity to solve challenging word problems through the Noetic Math Contest in the spring. Math classes include whole-group review and lessons, small-group extensions, independent or partner work, and games. 

Our 3rd Grade students are ready to apply reading and writing skills to larger social studies concepts and projects. 3rd Grade social studies units focus on exploring our communities, both past and present. Students study government, early settlements, pioneer life, and economics. Social studies topics are often the anchor of our math and Language Arts lessons, with the math or language arts work deepening and expanding students’ understanding of the social studies topic. 

3rd Grade students attend science class twice every six days. Students learn about and engage in the scientific process as well as use many scientific tools such as microscopes, thermometers, and devices to measure time, weight, volume, and capacity. Science process skills include observing qualities, measuring quantities, sorting/classifying, inferring, predicting, experimenting, and communicating. Beginning in 3rd Grade, science classes are held in labs where students design investigations, engage in scientific reasoning, explore equipment, record data, analyze results, and discuss their findings. Science experiments offer students many opportunities to work in groups, follow their own interests, explore cause and effect, and get messy! 

3rd Grade Science topics include  investigating force and motion; magnetism; states of matter; measuring temperature; how temperature changes affect matter; measuring mass; mixtures; energy; weather patterns; properties of soil and natural water resources; conservation of resources; soil formation; changes to the Earth’s surface; the sun, Earth, moon, and planets; the interdependence of living things.

3rd graders visit music, art, computer science, religion, library, physical education, and Spanish.