Third Grade
Third Grade: Community
From finding their place in Second Grade, students in Third Grade broaden their focus to encounter ever-widening circles of community in our world. In social studies, Third Grade is a year of exploring the concept of community from the students own classroom community and expanding outward to the school, the city, and cultural communities, both in and outside of the country and their experience.
The fall term begins with the Third Grade leading a celebration of Rosh Hashanah and often a collection of items for the local shelter. A study of the local community involving weekly walking trips around Hoboken, visiting locations of significance and observing urban wildlife. In the winter students explore the community of Alaska and study weather in science, which has an influential effect on this community. Students follow the progress of the Iditarod trail sled dog race and simulate one of their own. In the spring term the study broadens to the country of Australia and to the close study of butterflies. A class science or poetry exhibition featuring independent work completed by the students celebrates their learning. Beyond the 12 walking trips the students usually take, there are the Hudson Hikes and often a visit the zoo.In language and literacy, independent reading is fully developed with most students reading chapter books. Students will typically read 25 chapter books a year in addition to books that are studied together in class. Literature used for group study centers around the themes of the year and author studies. Often a Beverly Cleary reading day is celebrated in the mini term. Cursive writing and keyboarding is introduced. Students begin to use a writer’s notebook to hone their skill and now use a full writing process of drafting, revising and editing in publishing their pieces. Grammar, usage, mechanics and word study, which includes spelling, are all parts of the writing curriculum.
Multiplication and division are studied in math. Students frequently take quick quizzes to keep math facts sharp. Computation also includes work with two and three digit numbers. Perimeter and area are studied. A comparative study of angles with the right angle as a base is included in geometry. Students interpret bar graphs and line plots. They read statistics in their Iditarod study. Math continues to be focused on manipulating numbers and using multiple strategies. Understanding how numbers work continues to be a goal.
The Third Grade is the students’ final year in the Lower School. This year is punctuated with many class celebrations of learning, one of the final ones being the release of the butterflies they observed so closely who are now ready to fly on to new territory.
Summer reading list for incoming Third Grade students.