HPS Curriculum - Third Grade

LANGUAGE ARTS

By third grade, literature is integrated into all areas of the curriculum. Children work in small study groups and respond to literature independently. Studies of character, descriptive language, story construction, plot sequence, and author’s purpose are conducted. Strategies to enhance vocabulary development, story mapping systems, fluency exercises, and editing techniques are refined.

Third graders share, critique, and respond to books that have been read and stories that have been written. Many forms of writing, including poetry, prose, and exposition, are stressed in grade three. Editing skills continue to reflect a growing understanding of sentence structure, conventional spelling and proper grammar, an ever-expanding vocabulary, and an awareness of story sense. Third graders use a formal spelling and handwriting program. The handwriting program in grade 3 teaches students cursive writing.

MATHEMATICS

In third grade, the mathematics program focuses on strategies, problem solving, solidifying addition and subtraction facts, and place-value concepts. Students discuss and write about multiple solutions for solving problems and are encouraged to create mathematical problems based on their own life experiences. Competence in basic multiplication facts is stressed.

Additional third grade topics include formal introductions to fractions, measurement, spatial relationship, and geometry. Children learn, review, and extend all basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Science In third grade, students focus on the scientific process including the skills of: observation, classification, data collection, experimentation, record keeping, measurement, and hypothesizing. In the Earth Science unit on geology and rocks, students contemplate what a field trip inside the earth might be like. The Physical Science unit focuses on the three states of matter - solids, liquids, and gases. Oceans and whales comprise the Life Science studies.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In third grade, the Social Studies curriculum focuses on history and culture through the study of groups and their impact on America. The rich cultural heritage of America is studied through the use of the Boston Children’s Museum Celebrations series. Children at this level use a wide range of sources to develop their research and reporting skills.