PALOS COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 118

GRADE THREE CURRICULUM

The Palos District 118 Teaching for Understanding Framework has established learning benchmarks, which are those essential concepts, processes, and content that students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. 

District 118 teachers and administrators have developed these benchmarks based on the Illinois State Standards, national standards, and updated research.

Our community's standards and grade level expectations are often higher than those suggested by our Illinois State Board of Education.  Such expectations are incorporated within and continue to produce excellence in our students and staff as indicated on state testing. We are, of course, always looking to continually improve.

While District 118 emphasizes "the basics," our Board-adopted curriculum uses the basics to establish a foundation for students' understanding of the major concepts in each of the content areas.

Reading/Language Arts

The reading/language arts program is designed to balance instruction in reading skills and strategies with instruction in interpretation and oral and written response to literature.  The use of a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature, as well as electronic media, helps develop in-depth understanding of topics and also helps teachers meet the diverse needs of students.  Students will use the 2006 Harcourt Trophies language arts core program.

Reading

    Third grade literature is composed of:

• poetry

• nonfiction

• realistic fiction

• tall tales

• biographies

• fiction

    Strategies and skills incorporated in the third grade reading program include:

• increasing vocabulary

• decoding words and using context clues to construct meaning

• identifying main idea and supporting details

• sequencing story order and events

• drawing conclusions and making predictions

• comparing and contrasting

• identifying cause and effect

• summarizing

Writing

Third grade students use writing to express themselves.  Students will develop the mechanics and fluency of writing in projects such as:

• paragraph development

• narrative essays (introduction)

• persuasive essays (introduction)

• expository essays

• poetry writing

• journal writing

• formulating questions and constructing a basic research plan

• daily language/grammar activities

Handwriting

Third grade students develop and practice cursive penmanship through the use of handwriting exercises and daily writing activities.

Listening

Third grade students will listen respectfully to other view points, ask questions related to a topic, and interact with the speaker.

Speaking

Third grade students will demonstrate an understanding of the main elements and strategies needed to maintain communication by participating in and leading group discussions and presenting information using multiple sources.

Spelling

Third grade students will improve their spelling skills in written work through tests focusing on frequently misspelled words and through the review of spelling patterns and rules.

Information Fluency Skills/Technology

Technology skills, taught to students in the classroom and media center, are integrated throughout the curriculum to support and enhance learning.

Mathematics

Mathematics skills, strategies and concepts are taught through a variety of resources including textbooks and manipulatives for "hands on" experiences.  Thinking skills are developed as students learn different problem solving strategies.

Third grade students will be taught the following:

• addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers

• comparisons of whole numbers

• measurement using concrete materials for area, volume, and perimeter

• identification, description, and completion of geometric and numeric patterns

• problem solving strategies

• symbols such as greater than, less than, and equal to

• solid and plane figures - identified, constructed and used in practical settings

• comparison of geometric figures using properties such as similar, congruent, line symmetry, and angles

• graphs including pictures, tally marks, charts, and bar graphs

• probability and data analysis

• time and money

• place value

• calculators

Science

Science is a content area consisting of a variety of topics.  Inquiry into topics is pursued using textbooks, nonfiction literature, "hands on" experimentation and the scientific inquiry method.  The teaching and learning emphasis goes beyond coverage of facts to understanding concepts related to topics being studied.

Third grade students will develop an understanding of concepts through the following topics:

Space

• Systems require balance.

Sound   

• Interactions produce change.

Environmental Studies

• Systems require balance.

• Interactions produce change.

Machines & Motions

• Energy causes change.

Social Studies

Social Studies is a content area.  District 118 uses concepts to focus the study of topics and promote in-depth understanding.  The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for themselves and the public good.

Third grade students develop an understanding of concepts through the following topics:

Chicago

• Change occurs over time.

 Maps and Globes

• Physical characteristics represent environments.

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts teachers in District 118 have constructed a comprehensive, integrated, sequential curriculum to develop the whole child.  Through "hands on" interaction, students will develop criticism skills, an aesthetic appreciation of the Arts, and study the historical perspectives that help shape our society.

Art

In third grade the students will continue to explore various art forms.  Students will:

• communicate through art.

• engage in self evaluation of class projects.

• interpret artistic products.

Music

In third grade the students will continue to learn about and explore music of various cultures and styles.  Students will:

• perform and create independently as well as within a group.

• interpret musical compositions and literature through moving, playing and listening

• distinguish musical elements

• understand basic symbolic notation.

Physical Education

The physical education program is planned around the growth and development of the child.  It provides a wide range of activities consistent with the requirements of our state goals.  In third grade students will:

• develop an understanding of how the elements of movement affect performance.

• participate in organized lead-up games.

• identify lifestyle choices that affect fitness.

• develop socialization skills.

• understand the need for personal safety.

Suggestions For Supporting Your Child's Learning at Home

• Read to your child daily and ask thought-provoking questions about what you have read together.

• Guide your child toward making connections between real-life experiences and literature.

• Engage in daily conversations regarding your child's activities, friends, school and social issues.

• Provide your child with family trips to the museums, fine arts events, libraries, cultural centers, etc. and follow up with discussions.

• Review and discuss your child's work daily.

• Assist in school projects allowing your child to use his/her own thoughts, ideas and creativity.

• Practice basic math facts daily (addition, subtractions, multiplication, and division).

• Practice making change and telling time.