Creative Arts Charter School
Third Grade

Third Grade

Language Arts

In 3rd grade, students continue to expand their literacy skills through individual, small and whole group instruction. Using leveled readers as well as trade books, the students engage in literacy circles and guided reading.

Language arts are consistently tied to integrated themes. While studying Native Americans, the students practice comprehension skills by reading and writing Native American stories and histories. They are taught research skills through the study of Native American names and their meanings. The students choose their own Native American names and write about the name and why they choose it for themselves.

An Introduction to the Native American values system is taught through symbols. The tomahawk symbolizes perseverance in mending things and also letting go of things which cannot be fixed. The children increase their ability to utilize symbolism, critical thinking, and research skills during discussions and debates.

Mathematics

Third grade math emphasizes an integrated curriculum, while maintaining emphasis on the development of skills necessary to meet 3rd grade state standards. Modifications and extensions are created to serve each child's pace, style, interests and academic needs.

Through the integration of different subjects into the math curriculum, students see the connection between math and its applications to the world. The study of Native Americans, a major focus of social studies, illustrates the connectedness of math to the other subjects. Problem solving is introduced and practiced through Native American math stories. The rounding off of numbers and the concepts and symbols of "more than" and "less than" are also studied through a unit on Native American populations, while moon calendars and tide logs are used to learn about patterns, time, and duration.

Tying literature to mathematics, study of fantasy worlds includes lessons on money by designing and selling fantasy body parts i.e.: antlers 25 cents, wings 10 cents, fangs 5 cents, unicorn horns $1.99. Creating favorite fantasy ice cream flavors, then conducting surveys, the class learns the skills required for data analysis and graphing; measuring, counting, and area computations are skills used to design fantasy castles.

Social Studies

Social Studies curriculum in the third grade focuses on the study of Native Americans and Immigrants. The study of Native Americans is integrated into all of the academic subjects and arts as demonstrated in the descriptions of the other core subjects. This includes a project approach to the study of structures. The students learn about the design and purpose of various structures and design and build their own Native American homes such as a tipi, wigwam, igloo, wickiup, etc.

The study of homes is extended to include concepts of global awareness and respect for varying cultures. The students learn about the use of war paint, linking Native Americans with Maori and Masaii and other communities who use body paint. This type of learning across culture and geography fosters a sense of global connectedness for the students.

Science

The 3rd grade science curriculum includes as many opportunities to tie thematic curriculum study to grade level expectations and standards.

Physical sciences are studied through simple experiments tied to thematic explorations exposing the children to the process of combining substances and making predictions as well as documenting hypothesis and outcomes. For instance, during the study of Native Americans, the children make Calendula, a healing balm, by combining natural substances. During the study of Native Americans, the students plant herbs and study the effects of sunlight on life cycles of plants through prediction, observation and recording of results using graphs and other methods. An understanding of the stages of process, and use of substance combining and recipes to make natural dyes is another way the 3rd grade ties a thematic curriculum to science exploration and discovery.