Grade Three English Curriculum

The curriculum of St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School is comprised of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education and the fine arts. The Learning Goals under each core area represent the schools end of the year expectations for students in grade three. The third grade curriculum will include but not be limited to these topics. The developmental level of students as well as their varying abilities and interest will be taken into account when designing and implementing instruction.

Literacy

Reading:

Make inference and predictions based on text
Dramatize stories
Learn about different cultures through literature and discussion
Compare language and oral traditions
Use analogy strategies, linking know word, parts and chunks to problem-solve new words
Recognize main idea and supporting detail
Describe an event from different points of view
Summarize, paraphrase, compare and contrast information from several sources
Recognize the theme of a story
Analyze the effect of sound (alliteration, repetition, onomatopoeia)
Recognize and create similes and metaphors

Writing:

Use dictionaries, glossaries and thesauri as reference tools
Identify and use correct sentence structure and various types, such as, simple, interrogative and imperative
Identify and use correct paragraph format such as indentation, topic sentences with related ideas and conclusion
Use elements of plot, character, setting and main idea of compose a story
Use graphic organizers
Take notes on a research topic (with help)
Generate an outline for a research paper topic (with help)
Write a research paper (with help)
Create poetry
Self and peer editing for spelling, meaning, organization and content

Grammar

Identify and use prefixes, suffixes and root words
Identify homographs and homophones
Identify and use conjunctions
Review grade two skills

Communication:

Take turns as speaker/listener
Listen for information
Participate in small and large group discussion
Listen to obtain answers to question
Give an oral presentation

Mathematics:

Number System:

Find factors of numbers to 100
Recognize odd and even numbers and understand how they behave when combined
Demonstrates understanding of place value (ones, tens and hundreds)
Is familiar with factors of 100
Demonstrates understanding of commonly used factors and multiples
Can compare quantities using <,> and =
Demonstrates an understanding of what happens when adding or subtracting 10 or 20
Demonstrates understanding of mathematical characteristics of the calendar
Can find patterns of multiples of 2,3,4,5,6,9,10 on a hundreds chart and by using a calculators

Fractions and Decimals

Demonstrates understanding that fractional parts must be equal
Is familiar with conventional fractional notation
Demonstrates an understanding that the relationships that occur between 0 and 1 also occur between any consecutive whole numbers
Demonstrates understanding of relationship between fractions and division
Demonstrates familiarity with common equivalents
Relates notation for common fraction (1/2, 1/4, 3/4, 1/5, 1/10) with notation for decimals on the calculator
Can describe and model equivalent fractions and addition of common fractions using manipulative
Can apply knowledge of fractions appropriately in a problem situation

Computation:

Use estimation to check work
Can distinguish when an estimate can be used
Use comparisons and landmarks (100, 500, 1000 etc.) to describe estimation strategies
Represent factor pairs as dimensions of a rectangular array
Use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division notation to write number sentences
Can recognize and solve problem structures with a variety of givens or unknowns
Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division
Identify appropriate function needed to solve word problems
Reorder numbers for more efficient mental arithmetic
Use knowledge of place value to mentally add two digit numbers
Develop strategies for adding and subtracting numbers in the hundreds
Recall multiplication's facts to 10x10
Develop fact strategies
Use patterns to solve multiplication and division problems
Multiplies 2-digit and 1-digit numbers
Can determine when it is appropriate to use a calculator
Recognize that a variable is something that is missing

Data:

Collect, record and graph data
Plot points on a graph

Measurements:

Can estimate the measure of a length, measure the length and compare the estimate to the actual measure
Understands the rational of standard measurement
Can measure in inches feet and yards
Can measure in centimeters and meters
Can weigh objects using a balance

Geometry:

Recognize that multiplication can be used to find the area of a rectangle
Use arrays to skip count
Measure area by covering a flat space with square units
Sort geometric solids according to attributes in various ways
Build polygons and polyhedral from pictures and verbal descriptions
Predict volume of a solid
Compare the area of two shapes
Compare shapes to determine congruence
Recognize relationships among shapes
Estimate and measure the perimeter of various objects
Find the area of complex shapes by identifying smaller units of area

Time and Money

Tell time using standard and digital clocks

Communication:

Use appropriate language to describe and compare amounts
Use pictures, numbers or words to record strategies for solving problems
Work cooperatively in groups to solve problems

Science

Gardening:

Demonstrate knowledge of parts of seed
Depict growth process of seed using words, drawings or actions
Demonstrate understanding of photosynthesis
Explain function of chlorophyll in plants
Demonstrate understanding of the food chain
Demonstrate understanding of the water cycle
Understand importance of carbohydrates, minerals, fiber, protein, fat and vitamins in diet
Demonstrate understanding of process of digestion
Identify parts of body involved in digestion

Protecting the Earth:

Explain why water is the most important natural resource
Summarize how water pollution affects plants and animals
Demonstrate understanding of different strategies for preventing water pollution
Identify main methods of garbage disposal (incineration, landfills, decomposition)
Identify problems that arise from overabundance of solid waste
Explain ways in which people can reduce the amount of solid waste produced (recycling, reusing)
Devise strategies to recycle in the classroom
Demonstrate understanding of ways humans endanger plant and animal existence
Identify ways to protect habitats

Movement

Understand different ways that seeds travel
Explain how scattering seeds can help plants
Understand how muscles work in pairs
Using words, pictures or models, explain how the skeleton and muscles work together
Describe different ways animals move
Understand concepts of migration and hibernation
Understand benefits migration and hibernation
Explain how certain motions protect animals
Compare and contrast how people and animals use movement to survive
Explain how certain modes of transportation are better for the environment

Social Studies

Egypt:

Geography

Understand where Egypt is in relation to Boston
Demonstrate understanding of physical geography of Egypt
Locate Egypt on world map
Locate the Nile River on map of Egypt
Understand importance of river in the development of a civilization
Understand human characteristic of Egypt including types of homes, principle buildings, clothing
Understand how people interacted with the environment
Understand how environment influenced the development of the civilization

History

Identify what people did with leisure time and compare to modern life
Compare and contrast education in Ancient Egypt to modern life
Identify ways people communicated and traveled
Demonstrate knowledge of use of pictograms as writing systems
Understand importance of Rosetta Stone
Demonstrate knowledge of religious beliefs of Ancient Egyptians
Explain relation of mummification to Egyptian religious beliefs
Create artwork and stories based on Egyptian art and myths

Economics/Government:

Identify types of jobs done by women, men and children
Understand how the civilization made money
Identify rules governing behavior in Egypt
Understand form of government developed by the people

Native Americans

Understand that Native Americans inhabited the land before arrival of Europeans
Understand effects of European arrival on Native American people
Compare and contrast societies of Hopi, Sioux and Wampanoag focusing on:
- Geographic region
- Types of homes
- Major sources of food
- Division of labor
- Spiritual beliefs
Compare lives of Native Americans living today to their own lives
Demonstrate knowledge of Native American artwork and literature

US Geography

Identify physical, political, topographical maps and explain situations in which each type of map would be useful
Understand the purpose of a key or legend on a map
Learn names of the fifty states
Demonstrate ability to locate each state on a map of the U.S.
Learn capitals of all states
Learn major geographical features of different regions of the United States