Grade 3 Curriculum
3rd Grade Curriculum Resources
Reading The Reading program is literature based, starting with the core programs Open Court Reading and Junior Great Books. This is supplemented with readings containing a more conventional comprehension check, as found in such materials as High Interest Reading. We continue to work with the Dolch Reader basic word list combined with phonemic awareness activities. We use Dolch Word Readers and trade books to create a strong literature, language and comprehension program. We use phonemic awareness (sounds in words), basic phonics and decoding activities to build skills needed for reading enjoyment and academic advancement. We include an introduction to other literary forms such as poetry and drama scripts, stories and mythology. Materials used include:
- Junior Great Books - The Great Books Foundation
- Open Court Reading
- Buckle Down FCAT Reading - Buckle Down Publishing
- Phonics and Word Skills - Steck-Vaughn
Math Math concepts are introduced as suggested by Everyday Mathematics and in accordance with the Sunshine State Standards. Whenever possible, a “hands-on” approach is applied. Materials used include:
- Everyday Mathematics - McGraw-Hill
- Students Math Journals, work books
- Spectrum Math Grade 3
- Spectrum Math Test Prep
- Buckle Down FCAT Mathematics – Buckle Down Publishing
English The English program contains daily practice in language mechanics and grammar accompanied by independent writing assignments. Materials used include:
- Conventions and Skills Level C - Zaner Bloser
- Caught 'Ya - Jane Bell Kiester
- Literacy Centers
- Language Practice - Steck-Vaughn
Spelling The Spelling curriculum is structured around a phonetic approach as outlined in Silver Burdett. Furthermore, an individualized spelling instruction is given through routine checks of the child’s daily journal writing. Materials used include:
- Everyday Spelling - Scott Foresman Addison Wesley
Handwriting
- Modern Beginning Cursive – Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.
Social Studies Social Studies is taught in units chosen so as to cover the requirements of the Sunshine State Standards. Art, Language Arts and Reading are integrated into the units whenever appropriate. Materials used include:
- Communities - Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
- Tradebooks, Library Books to Supplement units (30-40 per unit)
- Audoban Adventures Series
Science & Health Science, like Social Studies, is taught in units. The themes of the units have been chosen to ensure coverage of the Sunshine State Standards, and follows the sequencing suggested by Harcourt. Materials used include:
- Harcourt Science - Harcourt School Publishers
- Harcourt Science workbooks
- Tradebooks
Art Art is taught as a separate entity, and includes art history, art critique, and exploration of materials and techniques. In addition, it is taught as an integral part of the Science and Social Studies units when appropriate. Materials used include:
- Discover Art l and ll - Laura H. Chapman
Instructional Focus Calendar for 3rd Grade
| First 9 Weeks | Second 9 Weeks | Third 9 Weeks | Fourth 9 Weeks | |
| Reading |
Literature Circles
Context Fact / Opinion Parts of a Story Setting, Plot, Characters Genres Comprehension Vocabulary |
Literature Circles
Author's Purpose Main Idea Prefixes & Suffixes Organizing Information for a purpose Cause & Effect Comprehension Vocabulary |
Cause / effect
Compare / contrast
Sequence
Comprehension
Vocabulary |
Dictionary Skills
Passage Picker
Thought Provoking Questions
Reading Out Loud
Fluency
Using Context Clues
Teacher-Lead Discussions
Peer Discussions |
| Writing |
Graphic Organizers Cohesive Paragraphs Parts of a Paragraph Draft/Revision Punctuation Grammar Spelling Cursive |
Report Writing Adjectives Compound Sentences Grammar Spelling Cursive |
Poetry Word Choice Prepositional Phrases Report Writing Grammar Spelling Cursive |
Narrative Expository Poetry Word Choice Report Writing Grammar Spelling Cursive |
| Math |
Concepts
Organization
Number Grids
Tools for Math
Analyzing & Displaying Data
Equivalent Names
Finding Differences
Using Calculators
Money
Problem Solving
Patterns
Fact Families |
Trade Add More Than 3 Addends Linear Measurements Area Measuring with a Ruler Perimeter & Area Number Models Diameter & Circumference Multiplication & Division Data Analysis Probability |
Equal Shares Fact Power & Shortcuts Fact Families Estimating Distances Using Map Scales Place Values Whole Numbers Decimals Ordering Numbers Polygons Geometry Symmetry Angles |
Fractions Parenthesis Extended Facts X Estimating Costs Products of Ten Ratios Geometric Figures Positive & Negative Numbers Mental Math Multiplication Algorithms Equivalent Fractions Comparing Fractions Sharing Money |
| Science |
Seeds
Making Food
Science & Technology with Plants
Animal Classification: Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Fish, Reptiles
Plant & Animal Interactions
Ecosystems
Dependencies
Gardening: Record Keeping & Planning, Planting |
Rocks Minerals Fossils Forces that Shape the Land Soils Earth's Resources Gardening: Record Keeping & Planting, Maintenance |
Cycles in Space Water Cycles Observing Weather Earth & It's Place in the Solar System Gardening: Record Keeping & Maintenance, Harvesting |
Properties of Matter Changes in Matter Exploring Energy Forces Heat Light Motion Gardening: Record Keeping & Giving to the Community |
| Social Studies |
Communities: Similarities & Differences Florida: Ecosystems & Natural Resources Alachua County: History & Present Current Events History Conservation & Resources Our Impact on the Environment |
Communities in Different Bioregions: Production, Distribution, Consumption Continents, Oceans Equator, Hemispheres Countries: Transportation, Communication Weekly Reader Current Events Conservation Our Impact on the Environment |
Native Americans Regions: Rainforests, Deserts, Polar Regions, Woodlands Communities in Different Bioregions: Conservation, Resources Weekly Reader Current Events Conservation & Resources Our Impact on the Environment |
Lewis & Clark Comparing Use of Resources in the Past & Present How Environments Change Through use of Resources Weekly Reader Current Events Conservation & Resources Our Impact on the Environment |
| Art |
Monochromatic Color
Face Form
Harmony Through Related Colors
Baroque / Rococo
O’Keefe "Rancho Church"
Perspective
Overlap
Abstract Expressionism
Monochromatic Color
Color, Form, Line Shape, Space, Texture, Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Harmony |
Diagonals
Primary & Secondary Colors
Hue, Tint, Shade,
Expressionism
Durer: "Young Hare"
Texture
Print
Repeated Shapes
Unity / Harmony
Northern Europe
Color, Form, Line Shape, Space, Texture, Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Harmony |
Environmental Perspective
Wet on Wet Technique
Cezanne: "Apples and Oranges"
Overlap
Curved Lines
Geometrical and Organic Shape
Post Impressionism
Van Gogh: "Starry Night"
Curved Line
Movement
Color, Form, Line Shape, Space, Texture, Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Harmony |
Formal Balance
Mosaics
Round Floor
Roman / Greek
Toulouse-Latrec: "Jane Avril"
Body Form
Movement
Post Impressionism
Toulouse-Lautrec
Color, Form, Line Shape, Space, Texture, Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Harmony |
| Music |
Music theory Rhythm Studies Songbooks |
Musical Play
Recorder Songs for Holidays |
Composing Variation Using Recorder & Voice Music Appreciation |
Singing in Harmony Recorder Technique Test Out Band Instruments |
| Dance |
Pre-view of Year: Activities, Performances, Scope, & Sequence Dance Posture (Placement) Jazz: Expanding repertoire, continue warm-up exercises Dance Improvisation: "Mystic Mountain" |
Compare Pedestrian Movements to Dance Moves Ballet: Placement & Technique Tchaikovsky Prokiev "Nutcracker", "Cinderella" "Romeo & Juliet" Male Dancers Ballet History School-Wide Play Dances |
Solos Duets Trios Student Choreographies Presentation to Students |
"Ballroom Madness" Gregory Hines Dance after 1900 Create Tap Routine for End of Year Class Plays |
| Drama |
Support of Other Actors Explore & Portray Emotion Improvisational Work Rhythm & Music Review Stage Terms Drama Games Confidence Building Games |
Students Assume Character Props Sets Develop Character Run-Throughs Emphasizing Teamwork
Act, Sing & Dance |
Support of Other Actors Attend Performances
Begin to Critique Improvisational Work Drama Games Confidence Building Games |
Script Reading Students Assume Character Props Sets Develop Character Run-Throughs Emphasizing Teamwork Produce a Class Play |
| PE |
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