In third grade, students are challenged to become independent thinkers and learners. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills as they approach tasks and academic assignments.

Fundamental strategies in language arts, especially in writing instruction, help equip students with the skills needed for writing lengthy research papers in the upper grades. An overview of the third grade core curriculum follows. If you desire particulars of the entire curriculum, please click on the Curriculum Map.

Bible

Third grade students “discover the dots” of the New Testament. Lessons and weekly memory verses provide students with opportunities to consider the ways that God fully expressed his grace and mercy through the person of Jesus. Students also consider some of the major stories from the book of Acts that reveal how the early Christians followed the example of Christ in the ways they loved one another and grew in community and fellowship. 

Language Arts

In third grade, language arts contributes greatly to the academic rigor of the student.  Students continue their development in spelling, grammar, and reading comprehension through novel studies of different types of literature. Students are taught the writing process using the ERB Writing Rubric. This process prepares students for consistent writing instruction across grade levels and subject areas.

Mathematics

Third grade students are taught mathematics utilizing a research-based curriculum called Everyday Math. The Everyday Math program is a spiral curriculum, which visits content strands more than once during a school year. The content strands remain consistent from grade to grade, while increasing in the degree of difficulty in an age-appropriate manner. Each grade level has grade-specific goals tied to the content strands.

Science

The science curriculum in third grade contains the following elements:

• Simple Machines and Inventions - Students explain how simple machines help people, define terms, identify important inventors, research one, and prepare a presentation.
• The Human Body - Students explain what nutrients the body needs, understand body systems, identify major bones, and explain how muscles work.
• Caves - Students will understand cave formation, cave life forms, and the differences between stalactites and stalagmites.

Social Studies

The third grade social studies program emphasizes listening, reading, writing, and emergent research skills. Content areas addressed are: Tennessee history; United States regions, states, and capitols; National landmarks and symbols.