CURRICULUM GUIDE

GRADE 3

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Language

1. Listening/Speaking Skills

· Contribute to class discussions, follow agreed upon rules, ask relevant questions and remain on topic of conversation.

· Make oral presentations-eye contact, clear voice, expression.

2. Vocabulary

· Identify and correctly use: standard English spelling rules, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, contractions, compound words, prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

· Know how to use a dictionary.

Reading & Literature

3. Grade level texts.

· Develop fluency and expression in oral reading.

· Comprehension

· Use reading strategies such as context clues and phonetic analysis to determine meaning.

· Make predictions and inferences, identify cause and effect.

· Retell beginning, middle and end of stories.

· Identify setting, characters, plot, theme, problem and solution.

· Identify main ideas and details in fiction and nonfiction.

· Distinguish between fact/opinion.

· Comprehend literal and inferential questions.

· Explore a variety of literary genres (poetry, prose, fiction, nonfiction, drama).

· Identify textual/graphic features and organization in nonfiction materials.

· Identify rhyme, rhythm, repetition, similes, metaphors, and sensory language in poetry.

· Understand elements of drama.

4. Writing

· Be able to write all letters legibly in cursive.

· Write complete sentences with subject-verb agreement.

· Apply understanding of subject/predicate and parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb and pronoun).

· Use the writing process to complete written work (plan, draft, edit, final copy).

· Write letters, stories, directions, poetry and reports.

· Use dictionary, encyclopedia, and computer to research.

· Revise and edit writing to improve content, organization, language and English conventions of correct capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

MATHEMATICS

Number Sense and Operations

1. Number facts

· Compute up to four digit addition/subtraction problems with regrouping. (including problems w/decimals)

· Know multiplication/division facts to 12.

· Multiply a 2 digit number by a 1 digit number.

· Divide a 2 digit number by a 1 digit with/without remainders.

2. Problem Solving

· Create and solve two step word problems.

· Tell/write stories for real life math problems.

· Know relationships of operations in order to solve problems.

3. Place Value

· Read, write and interpret place value to 100,000.

· Round whole numbers to nearest 10, 100, 1,000.

· Use a variety of strategies to utilize estimation.

· Identify positions first through one hundredth.

4. Money

· Identify U.S. coins by name and value.

· Count mixed coins and bills up to $20.00.

· Make change up to $5.00.

5. Fractions and Decimals

· Understand terms: part of a whole, numerator, denominator, part of a set, and mixed number.

· Compare equivalent and nonequivalent fractions.

· Draw/use models to explain common fractions and mixed numbers.

· Convert ½ , ¼, ¾, 1/10 to decimals.

Patterns, Relations and Algebra

6. Patterns and relationships

· Identify, create and extend patterns in numbers and shapes.

· Know odds, even, factors and squares.

· Understand and use symbols +, -, x, /, <,>, =, and ( ).

· Demonstrate commutative, associative and identity properties.

· Introduce proportions.

7. Algebra

· Analyze word problems and number problems to find missing components.

· Write number sentences to represent mathematical relationships.

Geometry and Measurement

8. Shapes

· Identify, draw, model, and describe two and three dimensional shapes.

· Recognize symmetry and congruent shapes.

· Recognize acute, right, and obtuse angles.

· Use ordered pairs to identify locations on maps and graphs.

9. Measurement

· Measure length, temperature, and weight using English and metric units.

· Measure perimeter, area and volume.

· Tell time.

· Use measurement tools: ruler, thermometer, balance, clock.

Data Analysis, Statistics, Probability

10. Collect, sort, organize and compare data using pictorial, bar, and line graphs.

· Explore and describe the concept of chance.

SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY

Inquiry

Scientific Method

· Use equipment with care and correctness.

· Observe, pose questions, make predictions, draw conclusions.

· Design and conduct experiments.

· Communicate observations through discussions, drawings, simple graphs and writing.

Physical Science

· Electricity

Life Science

· Animal classification and adaptation

· Plant classification and adaptation

· Plant structure and function

Earth and Space Science

· Solar System

· Weather & Weather Instruments

· Decomposition

Technology

· Explore technology and engineering concepts as related to topics of study.

HISTORY and SOCIAL SCIENCE

History

· Gardner (leaders, origin, goods/services)

· Massachusetts leaders and history

· Observe and describe local and regional historical artifacts.

Geography

· Features on a map, key, cardinal directions

· Regions, states and selected cities of U.S.A. (climate, physical features, natural resources)

· New England states, capitols, and major physical features

· Gardner physical features, landmarks and monuments

· Compare current map of Gardner to 19th century maps.

Economics

· Taxes

· Specialized businesses

· Barter system

Civics and Government

· School and class rules related to rights and duties of citizens

· Civic responsibilities of individual within family, school, and community

· Structure of Gardner’s city government

· Election process

· American flag - symbolism, design, care

· Pledge of Allegiance

The purpose of this guide is to identify the major topics, concepts, and skills that are considered essential for each grade level as identified by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.