THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM

In accordance with the Michigan

Curriculum Framework Content Standards and Benchmarks and the Grade Level Content

Expectations (GLCE), third grade students will…

Reading:

· Read from a variety of genres including: adventure, mystery, biography/autobiography, poetry, and historical fiction.

· Read informational selections, using a variety of reading strategies to construct meaning.

· Read orally with fluency and understanding, using phonemic and structural analysis skills and context clues.

· Beginning in September, complete a book report on the genre being studied, and present orally each month.

· Novels: George Washington’s Breakfast, Phoebe the Spy, Emily’s Imagination, Charlotte’s Web, Ralph S. Mouse, Runaway Ralph, Ramona Quimby, Age 8, How to Eat Fried Worms.

Speaking:

· Present a book talk, using verbal and nonverbal communication.

· Present a researched report on an informational topic, using appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication.

Writing:

· Demonstrate the writing process (prewriting, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing) through a narrative piece including a fable, folktale and realistic fiction.

· Write summaries, including major ideas and supporting details, based on narrative and informational text.

· Write a variety of poetry based on our reading of published poetry.

· Write a state report demonstrating understanding of central ideas and supporting details.

· Use legible cursive writing.

· Correctly spell words independently in written work.

Listening:

· Critically listen to informational text and narrative text and record key information.

Research:

· Locate, select, retrieve, and present information on a topic, issue, or problem.

· Participate as a member of a group working toward completing a research project.

· Write a state report demonstrating understanding of central ideas and supporting details.

Social Studies Strands studied:

· The focus of the social studies curriculum for Grade Three is “Regions.” A comprehensive approach to creating learning opportunities within the disciplines of history, geography, civics, economics, inquiry and decision making will be most effective when integrated with the subjects of reading, writing, mathematics, science and the arts.

· Civics and Government (necessity of government, responsibility of its citizens, understand the purposes of laws).

· Economics (understand the difference between needs and wants, associate a service with a type of business, understand human, natural, and capital resources).

· Geography (identify the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western hemispheres, and the seven regions including identification of latitude and longitude).

· Historical Perspective (make inferences about historical events, use and organize information presented in a timeline, develop and research family history and present it in a timeline, read tables and graphs).

· United States History (understand the significance of historical figures, understand daily lives of Native Americans, understand movements of communities throughout our history).

Mathematics Strands studied:

· Algebraic Concepts (describe procedures in solving different problems using addition, subtraction, and multiplication, use various ways to solve problems by making a drawing, using

manipulatives, or guessing and checking).

· Data Interpretation (use various graphs to compile information to compare, contrast, and analyze, use information to solve story problems).

· Decimals (represent and compare decimal amounts using money, add and subtract 2 numbers with 1-2 decimals).

· Fractions (finding a fraction of a whole number).

· Geometry (polygons, vertices, line segments, angles, lines, symmetry, visual thinking).

· Measurement (estimate using both metric and standard measurements, measure time in minutes, seconds, days, weeks, and months, determine area and perimeter).

· Numeration (round whole numbers and money, round whole numbers to the nearest hundreds place).

· Probability/Statistics (create pictographs to convey information, make comparison of data).

· Problem Solving (use critical thinking skills to solve problems, solve two-step problems, write number sentences for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, count and write money amounts).

Science:

· Earth and Space (understand and identify properties of the Earth, moon, sun, solar system, and universe, understand and describe the water cycle, cause and effect of tides, understand that gravity is a force).

· Life (understand the life cycles of various plants, compare and contrast familiar organisms, identify organisms as part of a food chain or food web, describe basic requirements for all living things).

· Physical Science (describe and compare motion of objects, understand properties of objects, classify objects, understand forms of energy, analyze sound and sound properties).

· Research and Inquiry (make observations to acquire data, use scientific investigations to compare results, organize information by grouping, categorizing, classifying, and ordering information, participate in a class science fair project).

Music:

· Sing and perform two-part music in large groups.

· Perform simple rhythmic and melodic patterns.

· Begin identifying simple melodic patterns.

· Improve proper performance etiquette.

Technology:

· Demonstrate the proper care of technological system and components.

· Understand that technology is a tool for augmenting life-long learning.

· Use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Hyperstudio, Encarta, Web browser, and Mavis Beacon to produce an informational report/product.

· Use age appropriate vocabulary related to technology.

· Log in to network with specific username and password.

Spanish:

· Understand predictable questions and commands.

· Read and comprehend simple sentences based on known vocabulary.

· Verbalize using simple phrases and sentences with correct pronunciation.

· Integrate known vocabulary into simple written sentences.

Physical Education:

· Demonstrate sport skill acquisition and emphasize personal/social characteristics as they pertain to sports.

· Demonstrate mature form for tossing, overhand throwing, catching, dribbling, kicking, and striking.

· Practice exercises and activities that will develop muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.

· Understand and practice fairness, cooperation, self-discipline, confidence, and work.

Assessments:

Assessment includes, but is not limited to observations, quizzes, tests, surveys, oral reports, rubrics, scoring guides, portfolio collection, conferences, STAR diagnostic assessment, Scantron Performance Series computer assessment, and MAT 8 standardized assessment.