Literacy

Reading 

Third Grade is when we switch from learning to read to reading to learn.  It is critical that students engage in reading every day.  Reading for fun, reading for knowledge, and reading to build fluency.

Language

Words Their Way is our daily focus for word spelling development. Students work on spelling patterns which develop application and understanding of spelling.   Vocabulary and building on word knowledge is another key component.  

Writing

Writing should be fun!  Writing needs to be productive and interactive.  In third grade we focus on different types of writing including persuasive, informative, how-to, and poetry.  

Mathematics

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Zearn Lessons
EngageNY Grade 3
 In Third Grade our main math program is EngageNY.  This has interactive lessons available on Zearn.org.  Parents and students may also access the lessons, problem set, and homework on EngageNY.org.

Multiplication and Division Fluency

Building automaticity with mutliplication facts is a big third grade skill.  We move beyond addition and subtraction and build on what we know of counting by numbers.  By the end of third grade students should be proficient with mutliplication facts through 12 and understand the inverse relationship between multiplication and division.  Fact family understanding build algebraic understanding and growth.

Fractions and Time

Fractions and their representations can be difficult for students to grasp.  Relating parts to the whole and understanding that fractions must be equal parts.  This is an area of strength for visual and kinesthetic learners.  Parents can help by using vocabulary such as 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc.  It is also helpful to talk about time on an analog clock.  Students are losing the ability to tell time and need to practice this skill.  Do not give children digital watches, instead give them traditional analog watches and allow them to develop concepts of time.