Curriculum

Science

In Science, third grade students engage in the study of a variety of topics, including fossils and environmental change, life cycles and heredity, weather and climate, and the principles of forces, motion, and magnetism.        

Social Studies

In Social Studies, third grade students explore topics such as map skills, types of communities, Pennsylvania Dutch culture, local Native American history, economics, and community government.

As part of our Native American unit, students will create a model of a traditional Native American home. 

Math

In Math, third grade students develop a strong foundation in key concepts such as multiplication and division, multi-step problem solving, area and perimeter, fractions, data analysis and graphing, and geometry.

We use the Eureka Math program, which is organized into thoughtfully sequenced modules that connect mathematical concepts to real-world applications and problem-solving scenarios.

ELA

In third grade, we use the Arts & Letters curriculum to build strong readers, writers, and thinkers. Students explore a wide range of fiction and nonfiction texts while learning important reading skills through engaging units of study.

Throughout the year, students will learn about topics such as:

• Stories and Characters – understanding character traits, motivations, challenges, and how characters change over time.

• Themes and Life Lessons – identifying the message or lesson an author wants readers to learn.

• Informational Texts – reading nonfiction books and articles about science, social studies, nature, inventions, communities, and historical figures.

• Text Features – using headings, captions, diagrams, maps, charts, and photographs to gather information.

• Comparing Texts – finding similarities and differences between stories, articles, and different authors’ perspectives.

• Vocabulary and Word Meaning – learning new academic and content-specific words through reading and discussion.

• Fluency and Expression – practicing smooth, accurate, and expressive reading.

• Evidence-Based Thinking – answering questions and supporting ideas with details from the text.

Students will also participate in class discussions and collaborative activities that help them explain their ideas and make connections between reading, writing, art, and the world around them.