Grade Three Curriculum
Language Arts / Math /Science / Social Studies / Music / Art / Physical Education
OVERVIEW
In third grade, students begin to apply previously learned skills to more in-depth studies in the content areas. Students work individually, in small cooperative groups and as a whole class. Through frequent sharing of ideas and information, children learn to respect and value different opinions and points of view.
Weekly homework assignments may include writing, spelling, math, and hands-on projects. Reading is frequently assigned, always encouraged, and may be followed up by class sharing and discussion.
The health curriculum Open Circle program for third graders is designed to improve students' self-esteem, work habits, problem-solving skills and social relationships. Through discussion groups, hands-on activities, writing, drawing, and role-playing, children learn to appreciate one another's unique qualities.
Community service projects include monthly activities with kindergarten "buddies" and help with campus clean-up.
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LANGUAGE ARTS
The goal of the language arts program is to enhance the growth of thinking strategies and communication skills in an environment that encourages students to read, write, listen, and speak. Students are expected to think, to experiment, and to learn from their experiences. A concerted effort is made to help students understand that reading and writing are integrally connected. Efforts are consistently made to utilize and enhance these skills as part of the teaching/learning process in all content areas.
The Writing Process instructional approach provides the foundation for our writing program. Students are taught that writing involves planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. The flexibility of the Writing Process allows different stages to be emphasized in different types of writing. The children use writers' notebooks to collect ideas and are provided with regular blocks of time, choices of topics that connect to their experiences, positive and constructive responses to their ideas, and a literary environment in which to develop their writing. Students share their writing in conferences with teachers and/or peers who listen and respond in an effort to help writers to focus, develop, and improve their pieces.
In writing workshops, minilessons are presented to teach writers' craft and to address concepts, skills, mechanics, spelling, or elements of writing that a whole class is ready to grasp. Much in-class instruction is in the form of individual or small group writing conferences. These may be tailored to address topic selection, content or organization of a particular piece, style, or editing for technical accuracy. Focus areas of instruction in mechanical skills (sentence construction, grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation) are addressed systematically according to a school-wide guide.
Students need to read widely in order to expand comprehension to higher levels, to improve vocabulary, to increase reading rate, to explore a variety of literary forms, and to develop a positive attitude toward reading. Moreover, reading enables students to think beyond themselves, to understand alternative viewpoints and ways of life, and to experience the richness of cultural heritage. The language arts program enables students to reach these goals by focusing on three types of reading experiences: independent (self-selected) reading, literature groups and guided reading groups. Skill building is an important element of all types of experiences.
Structured lessons encourage students to expand their reading experiences by exposing them to a wide variety of literature. At each grade level, certain "core literature" titles have been selected for use in reading instruction. Activities have been designed by grade level teams to help students understand the specific literary work they have been assigned, to allow students of differing learning styles to be challenged and to succeed, and to help them develop strategies for future reading endeavors. Students read most enthusiastically, and often with the greatest comprehension, when they have ownership in the reading process. Independent reading gives students a chance to enhance their acquired skills as well as opening them to worlds unknown. A list of recommended books is available to all students and their parents.
CONTENT
Reading
Core Literature List
The Core Literature List below is the literature that is considered integral to our instructional reading curriculum at the third grade level. These are the titles and authors of books that are reserved for specific grade levels to be used as tools in the teaching of reading.
It is understood that this list is flexible and that grade level teams may discuss changes. We do agree, however, that titles reserved for one grade level will not be used as instructional material at any other grade level.
3rd Grade Core Literature
All 3rd Graders will read the following books:
All 3rd Graders will read one or more of the following books:
All third graders will have listened to:
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SCIENCE
Children learn concepts of physical, earth and life science through experiential laboratory activities, demonstrations, discussions, reading, and audio-visual media. They are encouraged to observe carefully, predict outcomes, and keep simple records. Science instruction is sometimes integrated with other curriculum areas, including math, writing, social studies, reading and art.
CONTENT - Topics may include:
Physical Science
* Electricity
* Simple Machines
Earth Science
* Rocks and Minerals
Life Science
* Tree Study
* Habitats
In addition to specific content topics, students will be exposed to the scientific method through mini-experiments throughout the year.
MATERIALS
* Teacher and student provided materials
* Books, films, video-tapes, and other media
* Exploration and study of the grounds around the school
* Field work in tree study
SOCIAL STUDIES
Massachusetts and its Cities and Towns: Geography and History
Using local historic sites, historical societies, and museums, third graders learn about the history of Massachusetts from the time of the arrival of the Pilgrims. They also learn the history of their own cities and towns and about famous people and events in Massachusetts’ history. In addition, they read biographies of prominent Massachusetts people in science, technology, the arts, business, education, or political leadership in order to learn how they contributed to Massachusetts history.
Other units include The Ice Age, Native Americans, and Colonial America (with emphasis on Massachusetts and the Northeast.) to support the curriculum, third graders take field trips to Pllimoth Plantation and the Mayflower, Lowell Mills, and to Boston. In Boston, students participate in a mock debate over British tea, conducted at the Old South Meeting House.
All third graders are introduced to United States geography.
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MUSIC
Singing, playing instruments, moving, creating, listening, and playing music games are means for involving children in music, enabling them to acquire musical skills and knowledge that can be developed in no other way. Involvement of mind and feelings are basic to the experience of music for people of all ages and cultures. Therefore, in music class, the children in Carlisle participate in a wide variety of age-appropriate musical activities which involve both mind and feelings.
Content
A. Concepts:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical education involves the development of the whole person physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Physical education can provide every child with awareness of body function, movement, and the joy of effort which results from participating in a program designed to meet the individual needs of children. The skills and techniques taught in our program help each child to experience success and enjoyment.
CONTENT
A. Ball Handling Skills: throwing, catching, kicking, striking, rolling
B Dance: square, line, folk
C. Gymnastics Activities: tumbling
D. Coordination Activities: jump rope, etc.
E. Group Games and Activities: Cooperative and New Games
F. Modified Team Sports and Lead-up Games: soccer, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, track and field
G. Physical Fitness: aerobic activities, fitness testing
TRADITIONAL SPECIAL EVENT: Field Day