Third Grade

Weehawken School District – 3rd Grade Curriculum Overview

English Language Arts
In third grade, students will continue to develop essential skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. To support college and career readiness, they will engage with a wide range of texts at varying levels of difficulty. Students are expected to summarize their reading, participate in collaborative discussions, and support their ideas with evidence from the text. Through close reading of both literary and informational texts, students will strengthen their grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. Writing will be integrated across content areas, and instruction will align with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. A mix of whole-group, small-group, and individualized instruction will be used to support student growth.

Mathematics
Third-grade math focuses on deepening students’ understanding of the base-ten number system and place value. Students will practice adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers, and develop fluency in one-digit multiplication and division. They will also explore time-telling, including elapsed time, and learn how to interpret and analyze data. The concept of fractions will be introduced through various models and manipulatives, helping students compare and identify equivalent fractions. Measurement skills will evolve from informal tools to the use of standard units, preparing students to apply math concepts in real-world situations.

Science
The science curriculum follows the Next Generation Science Standards and incorporates three dimensions: disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. Students will explore topics in Earth, Life, and Physical Science, focusing on Weather and Climate; Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; Inheritance and Variation of Traits; and Forces and Interactions. Through hands-on investigations and inquiry-based learning, students will think and act like scientists and engineers.

Social Studies
In social studies, students will build the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to become active and informed citizens. They will explore community needs, past and present, and examine how influential leaders and historical events have shaped our world. Students will study maps, globes, and landforms to gain a better understanding of the physical and cultural features of our planet. The curriculum emphasizes connections between people, places, and events through interactive activities, exploration, and the use of technology to engage modern learners.