Third Grade
Third grade students search for explanations of how things work and why things happen as they begin to see the bigger world, including issues of justice and fairness. The social-emotional curriculum is developed as carefully as the academic program. Reading and writing are a daily part of third grade life, through literature circles, research reports, and writing creative stories. Students become increasingly adept at applying math to real-life situations.
Goals
- to encourage a sense of significance, belonging, and enjoyment at school
- to celebrate diligent work habits and genuine effort
- to foster independence and curiosity
Highlights
- fall overnight trip to Camp Sealth, studying marine life and old-growth forests
- spring Community Day, researching and representing a Wallingford business
- drama, movement, and visual arts across the curriculum to engage all learners
- becoming part of the “upper school”—serving as big buddies, taking part in Track and Field Day
Literacy is integrated into many third grade activities. Students read fiction and nonfiction texts for a variety of purposes: to follow directions, to gather information, to prepare for discussions, and for pleasure. The Six Traits of Writing guide quality compositions of letters, journals, reports, and poetry. A focus on grammar, spelling, and decoding allows students to deepen their literacy skills. Book groups foster the sharing of perspectives, and frequent group presentations enhance public speaking skills.
Math is a tool for reasoning and problem solving. In third grade, students move from concrete toward abstract thinking. They work individually and in groups, using math tools and games to explore computation skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving strategies. Math manipulatives are gradually replaced by mental and written math. Number sense and algebraic thinking appear in much third grade math—multiplication through grouping, skip counting, arrays, and notation; drawing connections to division, factors, and multiples; and working with fractions and decimals. Data interpretation encompasses graphs, charts, and line plots; measurement extends to perimeter, area, and volume. Third graders work with the Investigations and Bridges in Mathematics curricula.
Social studies incorporates individuals, the Wallingford community, and the world. Third graders study biography through the lives of accomplished artists, creating presentation posters that combine the arts, literacy, and human interest. The community unit involves research into local businesses, resources, and services, culminating in student-built models of stores and products—complete with a business plan. Global Studies introduces terminology for map-reading and physical features of a region, along with investigations of area resources and cultures.
Science percolates through a year-long water theme that includes dynamic experiments, guest speakers, field trips, and a service learning project addressing worldwide water deficits. Students also study structures, determining strong construction patterns through experiments and teamwork. An introduction to electrical circuits calls on inquiry-based investigations where students create circuits that light bulbs and run motors.
Character education promotes good citizenship and developing awareness of self-identity. Responsive Classroom and Meridian CARES expectations provide a framework for building a caring classroom and school community. Having a positive attitude toward learning and empathy for others are emphasized. Third graders transition from being “little buddies” to being role models as “big buddies” of the kindergartners. Service learning is developed through projects that reflect the year-long scientific study of water and support the nonprofit group Water 1st International.