Instruction in 3^rd grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• applying word recognition strategies and meanings of common prefixes and suffixes to decode words
• increasing sight vocabulary, reading vocabulary and writing vocabulary
• using appropriate compre-hension strategies and effective strategies before, during, and after reading
• reading and responding critically to a variety of texts
• identifying and interpreting elements of fiction and non-fiction
• drawing conclusions, making generalizations, and gathering support from the text
• using active listening skills
• summarizing main ideas from spoken texts
• using writing process appropriately to plan, compose, edit, and revise own writing
• using complete sentences, correct word order in sentences
• composing and comparing two or more paragraphs with topic sentence and details, logical sequence, and sufficient elaboration
• using correct capitalization, punctuation, and subject/verb agreement
• proofreading own writing for spelling and correcting most misspellings independently
• creating readable documents with legible manuscripts and cursive writing
• using technology to obtain, organize, and produce text

Instruction in 3^rd grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• using reasoning abilities to perceive patterns, justify strategies, and evaluate the reasonableness of answers
• communicating mathematically using words, numbers, symbols, pictures, and models
• representing and explaining whole numbers, decimals and fractions using physical materials, number lines, etc.
• reading, writing, and ordering whole numbers, simple fractions, and commonly-used decimals
• performing and explaining operations on whole numbers including addition and subtrac-tion (4 digit), multiplication (2 digit times 3 digit), and division (2 digit divisor)
• describing, modeling, drawing, and classifying two and three dimensional figures
• using physical materials to identify properties and relationships such as symmetry, congruence, and similarity
• selecting and using appropriate units and tools of measurement for length, liquid capacity, time, weight, temperature, volume, monetary value, and angle size
• judging the reasonableness of an obtained measurement
• collecting and organizing data through simple graphs
• making and interpreting tally charts, bar graphs, and picture graphs
• using appropriate mathematical symbolism to represent problem situations and solutions

Instruction in 3^rd grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• sorting living things in groups using various properties to decide which things belong to separate groups
• evaluating different points of view using relevant experiences, observations, and knowledge; and distinguishing between fact and opinion
• deciding what evidence, models, or explanations can be used to better understand what is happening in a current problem or situation
• explaining the life cycles of plants and describing how the details of these life cycles are different for different organisms
• describing how different organisms meet basic needs for water, nutrients, and energy in order to survive
• showing the relationship between an organism’s structure and function, the interdepen-dence of animals and plants in an ecosystem, and how popula-tions affect their environment
• observing, describing, and measuring the properties of both natural and artificial objects
• using various scientific tools to develop descriptions and measurements of objects
• observing and describing physical or chemical events of substances

Science units taught in 3^rd grade include

• Plant Growth & Development
• Conservation/Recycling
• Chemical Testing

Using the community and the environ-ment as the context, the student studies different types of communities of the past and present, with people acting in leadership roles and with a special emphasis on our own community. Students are prepared with a sense of the evolution of the community as a social organization.

Units taught in 3^rd grade include

• Listen to the Land: US Geography
• Settling the Land
• The Land Today
• Dubuque’s Heritage

Instruction in 3^rd grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• tracing the events between arrival of the pilgrims at Plymouth and the westward movement
• investigating Dubuque’s heritage in the areas of transportation, communication, business and industry, historic buildings and architecture, and culture and lifestyle
• analyzing how transportation and the natural environment influenced the growth and success of selected American cities
• exploring the importance of good citizenship and responsible stewardship of the land
• explaining how the oceans, rivers and lakes have changed the land over time

In the 3^rd grade art program, students will discover

Through the 3^rd grade music program, students will discover

In the 3^rd grade physical education program students participate in fitness activities, rhythmic activities, individual activities, and in activities which develop ball-handling skills. Through this program, students are encouraged to maintain a good fitness level which enhances their personal wellness. Through health instruction, students develop an awareness of rules, regulations, and laws protecting a person’s health and safety, learn the basic anatomy, function and purposes of teeth and gums, are introduced to the role of a dentist and hygienist, learn to be responsible for self in order to be unharmed and learn to differentiate between prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

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