questions for what they want to know. Through research and discovery, students document their learning. Learning is shared and documented in a variety of ways including 3-dimensional models, drawings, video, and writing. Presentations are frequently prepared and given to various audiences as a culmination of project work. These presentations come in many formats. Project topics vary from year to year depending on student interest. Some examples of third grade projects from previous years include: • Penguins and Antarctica • Fish of the deep: bioluminescence • Endangered Animals • Michigan and the Great Lakes Music In third grade, students make a significant leap with their musical literacy and ensemble skills. They read and notate simple melodies on the treble clef staff and expand their pitch vocabulary to include do– re–mi–sol through sight-singing. Students perform chord accompaniments on the ukulele in the keys of C and F, connecting harmony to melody. Singing in canon challenges students to maintain independent musical lines, while rhythmic study expands to include sixteenth notes and rests. Composition becomes more collaborative as students create complementary rhythmic and melodic parts in small groups, strengthening both musicianship and teamwork. Orchestra In their first year of Lower School orchestra, students are introduced to the violin, viola, and cello, exploring the unique features of each instrument before selecting one to play for the next three years. Lessons focus on developing foundational skills such as proper posture, coordination, finger placement, and sound production. Students also learn how to care for their instrument and begin establishing a practice routine at home. Physical Education The third grade physical education program offers a diverse range of activities designed to develop well-rounded student-athletes. Students focus on mastering fundamental skills like throwing, catching, striking, kicking, and dribbling, preparing them for participation in various sports. Students refine their locomotor skills – running, jumping, skipping, sliding – and conquer challenging obstacle courses that test their agility and balance. Students are then introduced to different games and activities that promote teamwork and sportsmanship both in the gymnasium and on the school’s eight turf fields.
Students also practice jump rope routines, master basic stunts and tumbling routines, and explore and practice on the Cook Road gymnasium’s rock climbing wall and ladder challenges. Students utilize the expansive facilities at our disposal. Students also continue to develop their ice skating skills through lessons on the ice at the McCann Ice Arena. Science Third graders dig deeper into our world by utilizing math skills and problem solving through engineering. They work on asking questions and building critical thinking through topics of their interest and choosing. They move from concrete to abstract ideas and develop answers to their questions. Experiences and topics in the classroom are guided by student interest. The curriculum builds on the skills of the prior grade. Content is taught through an inquiry-based lens that involves critical thinking through hands-on projects. First Lego League Explore continues in third grade. This program introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children through authentic learning. Participants gain real-world problem solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together. This level focuses on the fundamentals of engineering and the exploration of real-world issues of engineering and the exploration of real-world issues. Students learn to design, code, and create solutions with the use of Lego robotics. Visual Art Projects in third grade provide students with more independence. Art criticism, art discussion, and art appreciation are introduced, allowing for students to give feedback to their peers in more meaningful ways. Students practice more detailed drawing and painting skills, apply color theory to projects, weave on a loom, and learn more intricate clay hand-building techniques. Michigan history and nature are incorporated into certain projects throughout the year. A third grade project might include, but is not limited to, tile sculpting with clay inspired by native Michigan plants and animals. Built to Thrive The Built to Thrive program meets twice a month for all third grade students. This program enhances social-emotional intelligence through literature, play, and reflection. Built to Thrive provides thoughtful activities to practice students’ social-emotional learning, develop empathy for others, and practice problem- solving skills. Children also work on identifying and managing their own and others’ emotions.
Third Grade
Literacy The third grade literacy curriculum is designed to develop skill, reading stamina, independence, and enjoyment. Through a variety of reading experiences, students in third grade engage in learning reading strategies along with reading class novels, author studies, biographies, and mysteries. Phonemic Awareness In third grade, phonemic awareness involves isolating, identifying, blending, segmenting, categorizing, and manipulating sounds. Grammar Students explore and study the parts of speech. They also work on recognizing and fixing fragments and run-on sentences. Word Study In third grade, students study phonetics and high frequency sight words that contribute to fluency, vocabulary development and the application of strategies for understanding text. Writing Writing mechanics, the study of English orthography for spelling, and the basics of capitalization and punctuation are studied in third grade as students practice the steps of the writing process to compose their own writings.
Mathematics In third grade, the Singapore Math approach is utilized through the Math in Focus curriculum. The concrete- pictorial-abstract methodology of introducing topics and skills through Math in Focus allows students to gain an understanding of concepts through researched based discovery with an emphasis on problem solving, skill consolidation, and a deep understanding in preparation for algebra. Topics studied include addition and subtraction to 10,000, an introduction to multiplication, division, bar models, time, temperature, and fractions. Social Studies Third grade social studies uses Michigan as a through- line for understanding the world. Students learn about the people, places, and products that make Michigan so special. Students will also develop and use research skills to learn about the history of Michigan and current events that impact our state and community today. Third grade geography work focuses on “Connections,” allowing students to see how humans can impact the environment. Students will learn how to use different types of maps and globes to learn about natural features and culture to better understand how we shape the world around us. Using Nystrom’s Encompass program, which focuses on hands-on geography to increase engagement, students will work cooperatively and analyze primary and secondary sources in order to explore our world. Project Work Students use the Project Approach to gain knowledge of what they think they know and begin to ask
2026-2027 ULS Curriculum Guide
24
25
Lower School | Third Grade
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker