Curriculum standards are what all grade-level students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of a school year.  Key standards of third grade education are highlighted below.  All K-5 teachers are implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) (http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/) in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.  Curriculum used includes Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, Envision Math, Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative (SVMI), FOSS Science Program, and Scott-Foresman History-Social Studies.

In Third Grade, each student will…

English Language Arts
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The English language arts umbrella encompasses five key areas:  reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as language.  These foundational skills are essential components for later academic, social, and economic success.  
 
Reading
Our reading program reflects a robust approach to literacy that includes whole class, small group, and individual instruction.  A balance of fine children’s literature and a variety of informational texts is used to further develop reading skills and to promote a high level of comprehension.  In this comprehensive, literacy-rich environment, we present students with texts and tasks that are interesting and enjoyable.  Students will interpret and analyze reading materials and demonstrate their understanding through discussion and written response.  Through the reading workshop, students will develop a sense of independence with self-selecting “just right” books.  Higher-level thinking skills are emphasized through inference, prediction, sequencing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions. 
 
Writing
Reading selections will expose young readers to various genres as well as the writing styles of particular authors. Through instruction, modeling, and daily practice, students will learn to craft clear and coherent pieces of varying lengths.  Young writers will focus on expository, persuasive, and narrative writing across all content areas.  Additionally, students will understand the process of researching a topic through consulting multiple sources, note-taking, organizing, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing. 
 
Listening and Speaking
Speaking and listening skills have never been more important.  The ability to express ideas clearly is an essential part of all facets of life.  Likewise, the skill of being a thoughtful, engaged listener is a critical component of literacy.  Fostering a group of confident speakers and thoughtful listeners remains an important third grade objective.  Throughout the school year there are many opportunities for both formal and informal presentations and academic discussions.
 
Language
Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of language and its conventions in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  This will include the ability to determine the meaning of unknown words or multiple meaning words.
Grammar and spelling instruction will focus on conventions and spelling patterns pertaining to our units of study. Students will build word families from roots and apply affixes to expand vocabulary and word usage. Beyond memorization, a deeper understanding of word-building is emphasized.
 

MathematicsTop of Page

  • Represent and solve multiplication and division problems
  • Understand properties and relation of multiplication/division
  • Multiply and divide within 100
  • Solve with the four operations; identify and explain patterns
  • Use place value and properties of operation to solve
  • Develop understanding of fractions as numbers
  • Solve problems involving measurement and estimation
  • Represent and interpret data
  • Understand area and its relation to multiplication/addition
  • Recognize perimeter as an attribute of plane figures
  • Reason with shapes and attributes

ScienceTop of Page

  • Motion and Matter
    • Discover physical science core ideas dealing with forces and interactions
    • Learn about matter and its interactions
    • Explore engineering design
  • Water and Climate
    • Explore the properties of water
    • Learn about the water cycle and weather
    • Investigate the interactions between water and other earth materials
    • Discover how humans use water as a natural resource
  • Structures of Life
    • Investigate big ideas in life science
    • Describe and compare seed properties
    • Examine germinated seeds and set up a hydroponic garden
    • Observe and gather data on structures and behavior of crayfish
    • Observe the articulated human skeletal system in action
  • Experience a “living lab” in the school garden

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)Top of Page

Learn about…
  • Know Yourself, Choose Yourself, Give Yourself
  • Intra Personal Skills
  • Self management
  • Social Awareness
  • Responsibility
  • Personal decision making skills

Physical Education
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Skills are built upon each other throughout the grades.  Some areas to be emphasized throughout the year are:

  • Movement Concepts
  • Body Management
  • Locomotor Movement
  • Manipulative Skills
  • Rhythmic Skills
  • Aerobic Capacity
  • Muscular Strength/Endurance
  • Flexibility
  • Self-Responsibility
  • Social Interaction
Skills are built upon each other throughout the grades.  Some areas to be emphasized throughout the year are:
  • Movement Concepts
  • Body Management
  • Locomotor Movement
  • Manipulative Skills
  • Rhythmic Skills
  • Aerobic Capacity
  • Muscular Strength/Endurance
  • Flexibility
  • Self-Responsibility
  • Social Interaction

MusicTop of Page

  • Learn to play the harmonica
  • Play and sing a variety of songs in various keys, time signatures, and genres
  • Gain accuracy in reading and understanding music
  • Explore complex rhythms and expand their vocal repertoire
  • Improvise and compose their own music
  • Explore musical dramas and learn how music helps tell stories
  • Learn folk dances from around the world
  • Learn how music is part of the world around them
  • Explore cross-curricula ideas 
  • Share self-expression through speaking, playing, and moving
  • Experience life skills related to teamwork, respect, and responsibility

ArtTop of Page

The sequential skills based program focuses on the appreciation and production of art, and the study of art history through…
  • Artistic Perception
  • Creative Expression
  • Historical and Cultural Context
  • Aesthetic Valuing
  • Connections, Relationships, and Applications

DesignTop of Page

  • Develop their ability to understand others, analyze challenges, and reflect on their work
  • Apply design practices to more complex projects
  • Work on three different projects, one during each trimester, that are aligned with current curriculum
  • Incorporate a variety of technology:  littleBits, Sketch, Pages, Adobe Creative Suite, TinkerCAD, SketchUp, iMovie, DIY Electronics

Social Studies
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Woodside Elementary School District adopted TCI’s (Teacher’s Curriculum Institute) Social Studies Alive! curriculum for grades K-8. TCI is located in Mountain View and has been supporting teachers for decades in making social studies come alive for students. Our approach includes Hands-On Activities that engage students in big questions, as well as inquiry-based lessons that help students develop critical thinking skills and master essential knowledge

For Third Grade Students, the textbook is Social Studies Alive! California’s Communities.

Chapters include:
  • Finding Places in California (Geography)
  • American Indians in California (History) 
  • Protecting the Environment (Civics)
  • Choices in the Free Market (Economics)
  • Using Money Wisely (Economics)