What to Expect from 3rd Grade

This is an important year for your child as they are transitioning from what is traditionally referred to as “the lower grades” to “the upper grades.” Students are expected to be more independent than they have ever been before. We will move beyond mastering basic skills to mastering more complex skills. Students must come to school prepared to learn, follow directions, and work/think. 3rd Grade also marks the beginning of state mandated testing with the Beginning of Grade Test (BOG), quarterly benchmark exams, and the End of Grade Test (EOG). Due to COVID, decisions about state testing are still in process. On behalf of the entire 3rd grade team, we wish to partner with both you and your student to ensure that they are achieving at their highest potential!

State Testing:

Beginning in 3rd grade all students are required to take several state tests to ensure their proficiency in both Math and English Language Arts (ELA). Within the first 10 days of school students will take the Beginning of Grade (BOG) test. At the end of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters students will take a benchmark assessment for both reading and math. Additionally, the NC End of Grade (EOG) Test is given at the end of the year. There will be more information to come on each of the above assessments as we figure out how testing will be completed due to COVID!

Read To Achieve:

By the end of 3rd grade it is required by the state of North Carolina that each student be reading at or above grade level in order to be promoted onto fourth grade with a Good Cause Exemption. All students must reach a level Q by the end of the year! Your student will be working very hard on building his/her individual reading skills this year to achieve on both the NC Reading EOG and their reading level goal. Students will be assessed three times throughout the year to determine what their reading level is. If a student does not pass the NC Reading EOG or a reading level Q by the end of the year, meaning she/he has not met their Good Cause Exemption, they will be invited to attend a reading camp over the summer.

Homework:

For homework each night students will be expected to complete a math sheet from the program Blackline Masters and read independently for 30 minutes and record this on their PTA reading log. Occasionally, students will have to complete a reflection in his/her reading journal or complete a supplemental grammar sheet on a specific skill we're working on in class. Homework assignments are designed to provide extra independent practice with skills taught in class and you the parent an opportunity to see what your child is learning. Math at a glance provides explanations, tutorials and some videos for parents to help their students be successful with Common Core Math.