A Time for Collaboration

As Grade 3 students come to value peer assessment almost more than teachers’ assessment, collaboration and group projects come into practice. Trinity teachers introduce students to a sensitive and reliable approach to judging the work of peers. Ideas related to discrimination and justice are frequently on the minds of Grade 3 students. Teachers encourage the discussion of differences and diversity among and between individuals and groups. The teacher supports students as active participants in their own community.

A Snapshot of the Student

Great ideas and incredible exuberance set the Trinity Grade 3 students apart. Constraints and limitations tend to evaporate. The sky is the limit! The perfectionism evident in Grade 2 students seems to have completely disappeared. Ideas are abundant; energy is hard to contain; and the product may be produced within minutes! Teachers, aware of this behavior, create assignments that are concise with an emphasis on thoroughness and refinement. The classroom teacher incrementally broadens and deepens all aspects of the program as students begin to look outward into the larger community. In Grade 3, students practice working together within their classroom community in homogenous and heterogeneous groups.
Socially, Grade 3 students are gravitating to more gender specific activities. With this in mind, unity and cohesion are practiced through discussion, conflict resolution, and group work. Students are aware that their own skills have increased and are proud of their ability to take on more responsibility.