Grade Three Program
Reading: Promoting Deeper Comprehension
In Grade Three, students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. These learners immerse themselves in "within-reach" fiction books and expository nonfiction as they work on vocabulary development, envisionment, ascertaining main ideas, recognizing text infrastructure, and thinking critically. The students will read and respond to various texts and genres, including folktales, biographies, poetry, information texts, and a robust selection of high-interest, high-quality picture and capture books. Using the "Reading Workshop" model, students strengthen their reading proficiency, allowing them to engage with more complex materials across the curriculum.
Through the study of a variety of reading units, Grade Three students will acquire content knowledge and begin to answer the following questions:
Writing: Complexity and Personal Narrative
Grade Three is when students strengthen their writing skills and begin writing more extended and complex pieces. The students work on extending their already established knowledge and skills and building their narrative writing. In addition, they pay increased attention to the critical work of editing, drafting, and revising. Throughout the year, the students work individually with teachers and collaboratively with peer editors and small groups to refine their ideas, purpose, and written expression. Towards the end of the year, students write persuasive pieces about meaningful causes.
Through practice and targeted instruction, Grade Three students acquire a deeper understanding of writing and will begin to answer the following:
Mathematics: Practical Tools Applied to the World Around Us
In Grade Three, students strengthen their mathematical foundations and knowledge of numbers, operations, measurement, probability, and mathematical reasoning. We use a variety of direct instruction, collaborative projects, and hands-on activities to develop these concepts. There is a significant emphasis on ensuring the students connect the math they are learning at school and how it applies to real-life situations.
Throughout the year, students begin answering the following questions:
Social Studies: California, Past, and Present
Grade Three students are curious about the world and eager to take on greater responsibilities as community citizens. Students use technology tools to help them understand, make connections, and produce various creative projects reflecting their growing knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Through the study of a variety of social studies units, Grade Three students gain content knowledge and begin to answer the following questions:
Social Emotional Learning: Reflection, Restoration, Empathy, and Accountability
We seek to expand students' comprehension and application of social and emotional intelligence resulting in improved self-regulation, conflict mediation, and management. Morning Meetings are held daily and are a form of restorative practice and community building. Emotional safety, friendship, and open communication patterns are established and maintained to provide a positive learning environment.
Over the year, students will strengthen their abilities to:
Back
In Grade Three, students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. These learners immerse themselves in "within-reach" fiction books and expository nonfiction as they work on vocabulary development, envisionment, ascertaining main ideas, recognizing text infrastructure, and thinking critically. The students will read and respond to various texts and genres, including folktales, biographies, poetry, information texts, and a robust selection of high-interest, high-quality picture and capture books. Using the "Reading Workshop" model, students strengthen their reading proficiency, allowing them to engage with more complex materials across the curriculum.
Through the study of a variety of reading units, Grade Three students will acquire content knowledge and begin to answer the following questions:
- How can I play an active role in creating a rich reading life at school and home?
- What comprehension skills help me understand a text's message and the author's purpose more meaningfully?
- How do the features of different literary genres contribute to their function and meaning?
Writing: Complexity and Personal Narrative
Grade Three is when students strengthen their writing skills and begin writing more extended and complex pieces. The students work on extending their already established knowledge and skills and building their narrative writing. In addition, they pay increased attention to the critical work of editing, drafting, and revising. Throughout the year, the students work individually with teachers and collaboratively with peer editors and small groups to refine their ideas, purpose, and written expression. Towards the end of the year, students write persuasive pieces about meaningful causes.
Through practice and targeted instruction, Grade Three students acquire a deeper understanding of writing and will begin to answer the following:
- How does the writing process help me become a better writer?
- How can I use robust vocabulary and different kinds of sentences to better express my message?
Mathematics: Practical Tools Applied to the World Around Us
In Grade Three, students strengthen their mathematical foundations and knowledge of numbers, operations, measurement, probability, and mathematical reasoning. We use a variety of direct instruction, collaborative projects, and hands-on activities to develop these concepts. There is a significant emphasis on ensuring the students connect the math they are learning at school and how it applies to real-life situations.
Throughout the year, students begin answering the following questions:
- How does mastering math facts help me solve more complex problems efficiently?
- What do I need to know before I can solve this problem?
- How can using estimation help me?
- What are the most appropriate tools or units to use to measure this?
Social Studies: California, Past, and Present
Grade Three students are curious about the world and eager to take on greater responsibilities as community citizens. Students use technology tools to help them understand, make connections, and produce various creative projects reflecting their growing knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Through the study of a variety of social studies units, Grade Three students gain content knowledge and begin to answer the following questions:
- What are my rights and responsibilities as a citizen of my class, school, local community, nation, and the world?
- Who are the different groups of people who have inhabited our region in the past?
- How have these different groups impacted the cultural and environmental landscape of California?
- Who lives here now?
Social Emotional Learning: Reflection, Restoration, Empathy, and Accountability
We seek to expand students' comprehension and application of social and emotional intelligence resulting in improved self-regulation, conflict mediation, and management. Morning Meetings are held daily and are a form of restorative practice and community building. Emotional safety, friendship, and open communication patterns are established and maintained to provide a positive learning environment.
Over the year, students will strengthen their abilities to:
- Learn to recognize their own emotions and the emotions of others
- Manage their feelings and show empathy towards classmates
- Make sound decisions based on reason
- Take accountability for themselves and their actions
