- Parent Partnership Program
- Elementary Curriculum Overview
3rd Grade
Math: Bridges in Mathematics
In third grade, children will learn to multiply and divide within 100. By the end of the year, they will be able to solve problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and be able to explain the properties of each function. Students will continue to work with geometry and measurement, understanding the perimeter and area of a flat shape. They will begin to use area to develop the conceptual understanding of multiplication, division, and fractions. The curriculum provides lots of hands-on practice, and opportunities to play math games to help children engage in playful learning. The Math Learning Center has a wide variety of resources for families to engage in fun math activities at home. Common Core Math Standards
Reading: Fountas and Pinnell Classroom
Third grade students are learning how to sustain reading for longer periods of time, and with longer books. Books may have more complex plots with multiple problems, but often can still be completed in one sitting. They learn about literary features such as a turning point in a narrative story, and figurative language. Students learn how to read and understand words with multiple syllables, pay attention to punctuation, and read smoothly, matching their voice to the author’s purpose. When reading nonfiction, students learn how to use text features such as diagrams and maps to improve comprehension. Common Core ELA Standards
Writing: Being a Writer
Students are becoming confident writers in third grade. They learn how to edit, revise, and add more details to their writing. They develop a deeper understanding of many text types and can produce different types of writing for a variety of purposes. In addition to narrative, informational and opinion, students write letters, fantasy, biographies, poetry, songs and plays. They respond to reading through writing at times and write for a specific audience. Students continue to add to their bank of high frequency words and are expected to spell these correctly. Common Core ELA Standards
Science: FOSS (Full Options Science System)
Students learn about science and engineering through hands-on, collaborative units rooted in inquiry and discovery. Teachers refer to Next Generation Science Standards and use FOSS Science kits to create student-centered learning opportunities that help children learn to problem-solve, communicate and collaborate while learning important scientific concepts. Next Generation Science Standards
Social Studies: Students learn about culture: people, places, and environment in second grade. Teachers use supplemental materials to support the Washington State Social Studies Standards
Social-Emotional: Second Step
Children learn social-emotional skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives. Social-emotional skills and concepts are also taught explicitly in the classroom, in much the same way math or reading is taught. Second Step provides whole class lessons in growth mindset and goal setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness, and problem-solving.
Music: Spotlight on Music
Our music teachers use Spotlight on Music curriculum to deliver high quality spiraling curriculum. Students learn about, listen to, and perform authentic music while building music and literacy skills. Music Standards
Physical Education: Five for Life Basic PE Curriculum
Our elementary students learn about and practice the five components of fitness, which include cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. They also practice The Skill-Related Components of Fitness: Agility, Reaction Time, Balance, and Coordination. Physical Education Standards