Third grade is an exciting time for young children where they transition from primary to intermediate elementary grades. Children who are entering the 3rd grade have generally mastered basic reading and math, and are primed to expand upon what they've learned. In fact, there's a giant step waiting in third grade.
Students are meeting higher academic expectations and learning more complex concepts in school. Grade 3 is a transition year. Reading passages get more challenging. Sentences are longer. Vocabulary words are tougher. Math concepts - such as multiplication tables-require memorization as well as complex thought.
Teachers expect 3rd grade students to take more responsibility for their education, speaking out when they don't understand something and devising strategies for learning that work best for them. Kids will still read, write and do math; but the way they do them will start to shift. This year, kids move from 'learning to read' to 'reading to learn', and from 'learning to write' to 'writing to communicate'. Teachers will still guide them closely, but they'll be introducing another goal too: working independently, as well as effective strategies to work independently as cooperative group.
Third graders will learn about and make use of all forms of literature and will use 3rd grade subjects and units to explore and discover the world around them. They will begin to think more globally as they learn more about the world beyond home and school, and will become very interested in learning new things.
Third graders will learn about and make use of all forms of literature and will use 3rd grade subjects and units to explore and discover the world around them. They will begin to think more globally as they learn more about the world beyond home and school, and will become very interested in learning new things.
The average eight-year-old is excitable, dramatic and inquisitive. She/He:
- Possesses a 'know-it-all' attitude.
- Is able to assume responsibility for her actions.
- Actively seeks praise.
- May undertake more than she can handle successfully.
- Is self-critical.
- Recognizes the needs of others.
Third Grade Reading & Writing
Your 3rd grader will:
- Continue to expand vocabulary
- Read with confidence, infer meaning that may not be explicitly stated and figure out unfamiliar words using phonics, context clues and other strategies
- Use reference books such as dictionaries, atlases and thesauruses
- Read longer chapter books and be able to articulate the main points of the stories
- Write detailed stories with logical sequence of events, including brilliant beginnings,clear plot lines and excellent endings
- Write in paragraphs and include juicy details, and onomatopoeia (sound words)
- Learn and practice cursive writing
- Spell familiar and frequently used words correctly
- Complete writing assignments with correct punctuation and neatness, too.
Third Grade Math
Your 3rd grader will:
- Use a variety of strategies to solve problems
- Learn multiplication, division, 3 digit addition and subtraction, and fractions
- Become increasingly more adept at applying math to real-life situations
- Learn how to measure weight, height, time and volume
- Fully master addition and subtraction of numbers 0-12
- Learn how to analyze data and create a variety of charts and graphs
Math is a Journey
For 3rd graders and their parents, math can be intimidating. Most teachers still require students to memorize basic addition/subtraction facts and multiplication/division tables, but they also expect students to understand how each concept relates to the other. This type of learning places more emphasis on the journey toward a correct answer than the answer itself. This can pose problems for parents who remember 3rd grade math as a rote subject.The key, experts say, is to jump in and help your child figure out a problem together. And don't be surprised if your child ends up teaching you a thing or two. It's important to make sure your child keeps pace. The curriculum at this level has a spiralling effect, with every concept building on the previous one. If you suspect that your child is falling behind, act quickly to address the issue.
The new Math program emphasizes learning and naming a "strategy" for each process. We all calculate and find solutions to math problems differently; this program helps children to find the strategy that works for them now so they do not need to relearn a new way later on it life. It can be difficult for children to name a strategy or explain their thinking, but this is key to the new program of studies. When asked, "How did you solve that problem" most children will reply, "I just did it" or "I just knew the answer". This is no longer an acceptable answer. Children must walk themselves and others through their strategy outlining exactly how they solved a problem. At home have your children walk you through their math problems.
Third Grade Science, Social Studies and Technology
Your 3rd grader will:
- Become skilled at using maps and globes to find places.
- Review and name the provinces, territories and capital cities of Canada.
- Study four unique countries and appreciate and understand the cultural, religious, social, geographic, and linguistic differences of each.
- Learn how to prove or disprove a hypothesis using experiments.
- Learn keyboarding skills to type on the computer more efficiently.
- Become more skilled at using the computer to do research with supervision.
Third Grade Social Skills
Your 3rd grader will:
- Focus on friends. Friendships become more important, and many third graders look forward to socializing and seeing close friends at school. Friendships and interests outside the family start becoming more important.
- Gain confidence, make their own decisions and figure out where they fit within their school community.
- Become more adept at understanding and sharing jokes and riddles with friends.
- Take on more responsibility for themselves (making sure they write down homework tasks, packing up their belongings).
- Work cooperatively on group projects, such as science experiments
By third grade, children are more confident in settings away from their parents. It is all part of growing up. It's not fun for parents to feel like they're on the outside looking in at their child's world. But its' part of the transition that is 3rd grade. The excitement of seeing your child blossom may well override the frustration of feeling a bit like an outsider.
Parent Support
Parents can support their children by showing an enthusiasm for what their child is learning and willingness to help them learn more. It's also helpful to discuss age-appropriate current events with your child and to point out connections between the past and the present.
In 3rd grade, it's more important than ever for parents to keep a positive attitude about school. It may get challenging to balance encouragement of your child with high academic expectations. This year may be the first time your child struggles a bit in school. Responding with support and belief that your child can do the work will set a positive tone for your child's ongoing school career.
Often, when parents see their children struggle, they seek to offer comfort. For example, many parents share that they too found math challenging as a child. These words spoken with good intent have a tendency to backfire for the student. What their mind hears from the parent's well-meaning words is, "Therefore, neither will you".
The admission of academic weakness from the parent becomes a reason for children not to put forth much effort. This defeated attitude does not serve them as they seek to understand new concepts in any academic area. For well-meaning parents, there are positive ways to give assurance and encouragement. Listed are some suggestions that offer encouragement while facilitating growth in all academic areas.
- Let children know you have full confidence in their abilities. Leave no doubt.
- Create a specific time and place for homework
- Reinforce that some things take time and practice - over time, things get easier
- If you/your child becomes frustrated, consider a tutor.
- Your attitude towards their learning helps their determination. Be involved and follow through. This will help instill a positive work ethic and self image as your children grow and learn.
- With academic expectations rising, 3rd graders may experience anxiety about their schoolwork, especially if they had always gotten good grades with ease.
- Remember that no one test can determine their future or is reflective of their overall intelligence.
- Encourage children to try their best, but realize perfection in every area is not attainable.
- At this stage, it's important for students to take charge of their homework. Be available to help, but expect that your 3rd grader is old enough to complete the work themselves.
- Don't be surprised if your child has more homework in 3rd grade than in previous years.
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REFERENCES
- Education.com. 2006-2010. What to expect in third grade. Retrieved on December 4, 2010 from http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Third_Grade_Read/
- School Family.com. 2009. 3rd Grade Academics-What to Expect. Retrieved on December 4, 2010 from http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/871-third-grade-academics-what-to-expect
- School Family.com. 2009. Third Grade Social Changes-What to Expect. Retrieved on December 4, 2010 from http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/872-third-grade-social-changes-what-to-expect
- Adapted from Renee Willis' blog http://3wclassroom.blogspot.com
