Central Bucks School District Grade 3 Curriculum

Grade 3 Curriculum
Reading	Language Arts	Mathematics	Science	Social Studies

Art	Health	Phys Ed	Library	Music

	Reading § Use an integrated system for the identification of unknown words which includes phonics and context clues. § Continue to expand reading vocabulary and develop reading fluency. § Read text using self-monitoring comprehension strategies. § Expand basic understanding of story plot and character development. § Make a variety of meaningful connections to text by connecting new information to what is already known. § Analyze texts and respond with higher levels of thinking about a story. § Read and understand essential content of information texts. § Read independently for enjoyment
	Language Arts § Increase independent use of process writing to write for a variety of purposes. § To tell stories using personal narratives. § To inform or persuade, using structured paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details. § To respond to literature. § To create short poems and fictional stories. § To respond via letters. § Form cursive letters and maintain spacing between letters. § Learn assigned spelling words at instructional level. § Be introduced to dictionary and glossary skills and the use of the Franklin Speller. § Give clear and concise oral directions. § Perform tasks using auditory memory skills. § Give oral current event and book reports. § Effectively use library reference materials. § Formulate questions for research and gather, analyze, organize, and present information in a short report. § Write to a narrative prompt.
	Mathematics § Count by 10s, 100s, and 1000s. § Apply place value concepts in 4-digit numbers. § Find equivalent names for numbers. § Read, write, and compare whole numbers up to 5 digits. § Understand the meaning of fractions. § Find equivalent fractions for given fractions. § Solve addition/subtraction multi-digit number stories. § Add/subtract multi-digit numbers. § Understand the concepts of multiplication as arrays and fact families for 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10. § Solve equal grouping and equal sharing number stories. § Find patterns in multiples of 10, 100, and 1000. § Calculate values of combinations of bills and coins; write total in dollar and cents notation. § Measure to the nearest centimeter and ¼ inch, foot, and yard. § Identify basic equivalencies for linear measurement. § Tell time to the nearest minute. § Use the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scale. § Identify and use number patterns to solve problems. § Apply and explain problem solving strategies. § Understand and use the language of probability. § Use fractions to record probabilities of events. § Identify right angles, polygons, and lines of symmetry.
	Science § Differentiate between stars and planets. § Identify the planets and their locations in the solar system. § Explain the terms “rotation and revolution.” § Describe the important effects of the sun on the earth, moon, and other planets. § Plan the environment and observe the metamorphosis of a butterfly from its larva state. § Identify the characteristics of insects and their importance in the earth’s ecology. § Identify six simple machines. § Explain how simple machines make work easier. § Find the simple machines that are in a compound machine. § Construct a compound machine.
	Social Studies § Describe the cultures of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome as roots of Western culture. § Compare the representational governments of Ancient Rome and the United States. § Identify the three major strands of the United States government. § Discuss differences among class groups in ancient civilizations. § Analyze the relationship of geography to the economic and social development of cultures. § Identify hemispheres and major latitudes and longitudes. § Recognize different types of bodies of water. § Identify barter, trade, and opportunity costs. § Use problem-solving techniques to resolve social problems in the classroom. § Discuss current events throughout the year.
	Health § Increase self-esteem. § Discuss the difference between safe use and abuse of drugs. § Discuss diseases.
	Phys Ed The Physically Educated Person: § Has learned skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities. § Is physically fit. § Does participate regularly in physical activity. § Knows the implications of and benefits from involvement in physical activity. § Values physical activity and its contribution to a healthful lifestyle.
	Library § Locate appropriate materials in all library collections. § Use appropriate reference sources, both print and electronic. § Collect, evaluate, and organize information. § Research and report on a topic. Write a simple bibliography. § Use the electronic catalog to locate materials. § Demonstrate appropriate behavior with print and electronic resources. § Enjoy fiction and non-fiction by a variety of authors and illustrators.
	Art § Identify two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional forms. § Identify light vs. dark values in artworks. § Create an object that has a specific purpose. § Use warm and cool colors, values, and form to express ideas. § Apply various value producing techniques to achieve desired results in a drawing. § Develop refined craftsmanship skills to create a clay object. § Propose how an artwork or an artifact would have to be altered in order to look new. § Differentiate among the artworks of the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. § Make objective and subjective statements about a work of art.
	Music § Recognize and sing melodic patterns. § Perform rhythms that include dotted half note and sixteenth notes. § Awareness of treble clef and letter names of notes in the treble staff. § Perform canon clapping, echo singing and singing in rounds. § Experience musical concepts through song games and playing of instruments. § Awareness of triple meter. § Introduction of music software. § Perform advanced rhythmic ostinatos.

Links to District Curriculum Websites