3rd Grade

The 3rd Grade reading program emphasizes independent reading skills. In flexible, ability-based groups, students enhance their comprehension by developing strategies to read for literal and inferential meaning, while broadening their vocabulary. Through a variety of novels, students gain a deeper understanding of unique characteristics of multiple genres, including: realistic fiction; historical fiction; nonfiction; biography; fantasy; folktale; mystery; and fables.

As students delve deeper into various comprehension strategies, they learn to express their understanding in meaningful discussions, strong written responses, and making connections between the text and their own experiences. Through this process, students begin learning how to broaden their perspectives and examine differing points of view. 

Writing continues to be emphasized and integrated throughout the curriculum, while the children learn to develop clear and concise paragraphs and to write sequential, multi-paragraph essays. As students gain greater comfort with the writing process, they also hone their abilities to inform, persuade, and express ideas, while building upon their formal knowledge of grammar and mechanics. Through examining different genres of writing, the students learn how to craft their own unique writing voice that aligns with the specifications of each genre. Throughout the writing process, students also practice self and peer editing skills in order to develop more thorough, independent, and purposeful writing pieces. 

Our enVision Math program enhances students' higher-level thinking and understanding of real-life mathematical ideas, including number concepts, measurement, patterning, estimation, simple fractions, and geometry. Working in flexible ability-based groups, students also focus on regrouping with addition and subtraction and on developing recall of multiplication and division facts. Each learning group level is introduced to and develops basic algebraic and advanced multiplication and division skills; they also gain comfort with adding and subtracting fractions. Practical application and problem solving are the ultimate goals of our 3rd grade math program.

In social studies, a combination of literature and interactive online curriculum helps to expose our students to various geographical regions and landforms around the world. Through learning about geography and the natural resources of specific regions, students examine California Indigenous tribes and their unique ways of life. In addition, students delve more deeply into women’s history in the United States, while also examining the contributions of impactful women globally. The children also explore the importance of rules and laws in government and develop citizenship skills through our Character Education & Service Learning programs.

The children explore the United Kingdom through our Global Education program, gaining an understanding of the similarities and differences between Great Britain and the United States. They also communicate with same-aged peers, with whom they exchange letters, photos, and emails and complete various interactive projects.

In 3rd Grade science, students explore topics including preserving and restoring the earth’s precious resources, energy, matter, geology, the human body, and good nutrition.

Further enriching our science program are our school’s diverse gardens and ecosystems and a fully-equipped Science Center. Hands-on experiences include: weekly lab work, monthly gardening, a school-wide Planting Day, enrichment assemblies, and service learning that promotes environmental stewardship. The 3rd Graders are also given the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the scientific method by designing their own experiments and sharing them with their class.

Students in 3rd Grade begin to transition from mentee to mentor during this year, as they are paired with both 2nd and 4th Grade buddies. Together, they participate in regular, meaningful social interactions and activities, including reading, art projects, and more, developing their social and emotional skills as they start to look toward taking on a leadership role.