Language Arts
Authentic Literature Curriculum
Wordly Wise
Daily Oral Language
Harcourt Grammar
The use of real literature promotes an interest in reading, models how readers attack longer works, and provides students with an opportunity to understand and appreciate literature as they develop their reading skills.
Fluency and reading comprehension are promoted through in-depth analysis of literature and daily reading aloud. Students explore novels, poetry, plays, short stories, and nonfiction throughout the year.
Students use their understanding of literary devices and organization to improve their composition skills. Daily, focused writing includes paragraphs, stories, poems, letters, five-paragraph essays, and reports. Weekly spelling and vocabulary units include synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, and proper nouns. Grammar is taught through mini-lessons and is practiced and reinforced during daily writing. Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar are practiced during Daily Oral Language each day.
Language Arts is assessed through weekly quizzes, tests, projects, oral presentations, plays, and class activities.
Mathematics
Everyday Math
Students acquire a variety of skills and knowledge through the spiral instruction of mathematics. New material is presented while previous material is reviewed and practiced each day. Students develop automaticity with basic facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division through mental math practice and games. Students work each day with money, time, fractions, decimals, Roman Numerals, patterns, geometry, data displays and interpretation, basic operations and word problems. Students learn to add and subtract decimals, find perimeter and area of select figures, and convert using the metric system. Students keep their own checkbook and learn to make deposits, write checks, and balance their account. Math instruction includes games, speed drills, visual art projects, movement, and the use of manipulatives.
Math is assessed through quizzes, tests, projects, written assignments, and class activities.
Science
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Science
Students explore astronomy, earth science, physics, and biology during third grade. Students develop and use their understanding of the scientific method through numerous experiments conducted in the classroom or the science lab. Students study plants and animals including: growth, basic needs, adaptations, and relationships between living things. The exploration of the solar system includes moon phases, eclipses, planets, and the relationship of days, years, and seasons to the movement of the Earth. Students begin to identify rocks/minerals by conducting Scratch and Streak tests. Landforms and their development are also studied during the year. Simple machines are identified, used, and constructed by students as part of their study of physics. Science activities and/or experiments are conducted weekly. Field trips to Ruth Patrick Science Education Center supplement the curriculum.
Science is assessed through participation in science experiments and activities, projects, and quizzes.
Social Studies
Scott Foresman Social Studies: South Carolina Evan-Moor Daily Geography Practice
Students complete an in-depth examination of South Carolina history and geography during the third grade. Geography instruction allows students to discover South Carolina regions, the movement of people, and people and their environment. Students also examine the history of South Carolina from Native Americans to the present day. Important South Carolinians and their contributions to the state are studied throughout the year. Students begin to recognize the three branches of government at the local, state, and national levels. Students develop a basic understanding of the free market system and recognize consumers and producers. Weekly geography skills and graphic aids practice activities help students develop their map and globe skills. Field trips to historic sites supplement the curriculum.
Social Studies is assessed through projects, quizzes, writing assignments, and geography skills practice.
Fine Arts
Music
3rd grade students sing in the Lower School Chorus and are invited to join the Minstrels, a choir of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students who participate in the SCISA Music Festival. 3rd grade students continue to play the recorder, xylophones and boomwackers, and study music theory, instruments of the orchestra and selected composers. There are performances for Grandparents’ Day, Christmas and the Spring Concert.
Art
Students use basic art elements and the principle of design to create artwork and communicate personal ideas. Students are introduced to the styles of different artists and use these techniques in their work.
Foreign Language
Spanish
Computer
3rd grade students spend their time in the computer lab working with Type 2 Learn and The Cluefinders 3rd Grade Adventures (a program from which integrates skills in math, language arts, science, geography, and problem solving). They also produce spelling word search puzzles online, use Microsoft Word to create spelling sentences and PowerPoint to create slide shows. Educational and fun websites are also visited.
Music
3rd grade students develop their talents and self-esteem with an emphasis on singing, playing instruments, rhythm, movement and performance. Singing skills are encouraged in the Lower School Chorus and students are invited to join the Minstrels, a choir of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students who participate in the SCISA Music Festival. 3rd grade students continue to play the recorder, xylophones and boomwackers, and study music theory, instruments of the orchestra and selected composers. There are performances for Grandparents’ Day, Christmas and the Spring Concert.
Library Science
In third grade the students become aware of the purpose of a library and its varied resources. They become familiar with the sections of the library and the role of the librarian. The curriculum offers a primer on the Dewey Decimal System and the use of the card catalog. The students practice using basic reference tools including a dictionary, a thesaurus and an encyclopedia. Reading time and book check-out occur weekly.
Physical Education
The program provides a balance among individual sports, team sports, and physical fitness, body awareness, basic motor skills, and rhythms. The curriculum is carefully designed to be age-appropriate, build skills, and promote enjoyment of physical activity in each student’s daily life. Safety concerns are emphasized along with the development and maintenance of physical capacity, self-confidence, cooperation, self-expression, sportsmanship, and the enjoyment of being physically active.
