
In Third Grade, students have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills through regular responsibilities—including leading Friday Morning Meetings, mentoring their Kindergarten reading buddies, and helping to clean up our playground—which foster a sense of self-confidence and independence.
Academic, organizational, and study skills are refined and solidified in preparation for the world beyond Concord Hill School. Students continue to read trade books where emphasis is placed on comprehension and critical analysis. Small- and large-group discussions about literature support their creation of individual written responses to demonstrate comprehension, and Words Their Way continues at a more advanced level.
Third Grade students continue to master the writing process by creating a first draft and revising, editing, and publishing a finished work. They learn about the structure of different genres and how to use language effectively. By the end of Third Grade students are able to proofread their own work, editing for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Mathematics in Third Grade explores increasingly complex concepts through problem-solving. Using the Math in Focus curriculum, students deepen and expand their understanding of whole number operations, fractions, geometry, measurement, and data. They also begin to solve multi-step problems involving all four operations. Students consider a range of strategies and begin to identify efficient, precise ways to solve problems. Whole class discussions, small group work, games, and independent practice give students problem-solving experience in a variety of contexts.
In Social Studies, Third Grade students learn about early explorers, colonization, and the American Revolution through reading and hands-on activities. Research is a large component of their study and they frequently use iPads, resource books, and primary and secondary sources. History is brought to life through Living History and Living Globally performances for the entire school community at a Friday Morning Meeting twice each school year. These performances not only showcase the students' Social Studies knowledge, but also demonstrate their role as school leaders and underscores their public speaking skills and self confidence.
Each week Third Grade students also participate in Specials classes—Art, Library, Music, Physical Education, Science, and Spanish—that further enrich the curriculum.