Our Third Grade Team: Mrs. Elrick, Mx. Cuellar, Mr. Josh Gonzales

Third Grade Academic Overview

Welcome to an exciting year in third grade! Based on the Colorado Academic Standards, students will engage in a comprehensive curriculum that enhances their reading, writing, and mathematical skills. Here's a glimpse of what your child will learn:

Language Arts

Reading:

• HMH Into Reading Program: Students will dive into a diverse array of texts, fostering a love for reading and developing critical comprehension skills. They will practice decoding strategies, fluency, and expression through guided reading sessions.

• Phonics and Word Study with Fundations: This program will strengthen students' understanding of word structures, spelling patterns, and vocabulary development. They will focus on multi-syllable words, suffixes, and prefixes to enhance their reading accuracy and fluency.

• Writing: Students will explore various writing styles, including narrative, informative, and opinion pieces. Emphasis will be placed on the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. They will also learn to use proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

• Speaking and Listening: Classroom activities will encourage students to participate in discussions, present information clearly, and listen attentively to peers. These skills will be cultivated through group projects, presentations, and collaborative learning.

Mathematics

Bridges in Mathematics Program:

• Number and Operations: Students will deepen their understanding of place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They will explore fractions, including comparing and representing them on a number line.
• Algebraic Thinking: Emphasis will be placed on recognizing patterns, understanding the properties of operations, and solving problems involving the four operations.
• Measurement and Data: Students will learn to measure length, liquid volumes, and masses of objects. They will also interpret and represent data using graphs and charts.
• Geometry: Students will identify, describe, and classify shapes based on their properties. They will also learn about area and perimeter.

Science

Students will explore scientific concepts through hands-on experiments and observations. We will have 3 units that will include:

• Forces and Motion: Investigating the effects of different forces on the movement of objects, including gravity, friction, and magnetism.
• Adaptations: Studying how plants and animals adapt to their environments to survive and thrive.
• Life Cycles of Plants and Animals: Understanding the stages of development in various organisms.
• Weather and Climate: Learning about different weather patterns, the water cycle, and how climate affects ecosystems and human activities.

Social Studies

The curriculum will cover significant historical and contemporary topics, including:

• Civil Rights Movement: Students will learn about key events and figures in the struggle for civil rights, understanding the impact on American society.
• Global Connections: This unit will explore how different cultures around the world are interconnected, highlighting the importance of global awareness.
• Migration and Movement: Students will study patterns of migration, reasons behind movement, and its effects on communities and cultures.
• Financial Literacy: Basic financial concepts will be introduced, such as saving, spending, and budgeting, to build a foundation for responsible financial habits.

By the end of third grade, students will have a solid foundation in reading, writing, and math, along with a broader understanding of the world around them. Our goal is to foster a love for learning and to equip students with the skills they need for future academic success.