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third grade curriculum provides many learning opportunities for the students. The Harcourt Reading/Language Arts Program, Collections, is a comprehensive program that encompasses high quality literature with researched-based instruction and practice. There is the opportunity to use leveled books and trade books within the program. Guided reading is integrated throughout the year. Spelling and grammar skills are an integral part of the program as well. They are also reinforced through the Region’s well-defined writing curriculum, which is the basis of the third grade-writing portfolio. Written expression is at the very core of all the disciplines and is reinforced through the Harcourt series as well as the Empowering Writers program and the 6+1 Writing Traits programs. The children’s narrative and expository writing skills are strengthened throughout the year. The students are also introduced to cursive handwriting and practice it in order to achieve the ability to use it in their daily work. The third grade Math Trailblazers program teaches the students through the scientific method so that they become critical thinkers and problem solvers. They are also encouraged in their basic computation skills. Although the emphasis in fact practice is on multiplication, the students review addition and subtraction facts and are introduced to basic division. The three units of study in the science program are “Life Science”, “Physical Changes of Matter”, and “Properties of Rocks and Minerals.” The students use the scientific method to make inquiries, conduct experiments, and make observations. In social studies, the school year begins with the study of Native Americans and continues through the Colonial and Revolutionary Eras concluding with Westward Expansion. The children learn through various means such as research, field trips, and historical fiction books. |
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