3rd Grade
In District 68, we offer students a comprehensive educational experience that provides students with a range of programs and services to meet their educational needs. This grade level link is designed to provide you with an overview of the curriculum we offer our students.
Reading/Language Arts Curriculum
District 68 uses Balanced Literacy as the instructional framework during the reading instructional block. Click on the Balanced Literacy link for an in-depth description of Balanced Literacy as well as the components found within the Balanced Literacy block. Reading instruction takes place for 90-minutes daily.
Common Core State Standards
Illinois, along with 45 other states, adopted the Common Core State Standards to be used to guide teachers in what students at each grade-level need to learn in English/Language Arts. Each set of grade-level standards consists of literature, informational text as well as listening and speaking standards. The primary grades have standards for foundational skills. Grade-level standards build on knowledge and skills learned the previous year and create a stair-step progression across the K-8 instructional years.
Reading: Literature
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Reading: Informational Text
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Reading: Foundational Skills
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Writing
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Speaking and Listening
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Language
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Link to Common Core State Standards Website: http://www.corestandards.org
Comprehensive Curricular Resource
During the 2012-13 school year, District 68 underwent a R/LA curriculum review. After much research and numerous curriculum pilots, the Journeys Common Core Edition was selected as our comprehensive curriculum resource.
Mathematics
Math in Focus is a rigorous curriculum that is well-aligned to the Common Core Standards. Students are exposed to fewer mathematical concepts in great depth at each grade-level. Like the Common Core Standards, Math in Focus curriculum aligns to content standards and embeds mathematical practice standards throughout the curriculum. This rigorous curriculum provides children with rich educational opportunities through direct instruction by the classroom teacher where visual models and problem-solving are used regularly. Children also have time for guided practice, and differentiated grouping practices. Such approaches help to ensure the needs of all children are being met during their daily 60-minute math block. Throughout the year, children learn both the how and why of mathematics and in doing so, learn math concepts and skills that will help them demonstrate mastery.
Reference material:
Overview of the parent presentation on Math in Focus (Fall 2011)
Scope and Sequence of key concepts:
- Number Sense and Numeration (Whole Numbers, Fractions, Place Value Estimation)
- Understanding Operations (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division)
- Geometry and Spatial Sense
- Measurement, Time, and Money
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Connections
- Communication
- Reasoning
- Problem Solving
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
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Number and Operations in Base Ten
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Measurement and Data
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Geometry
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Mathematical Practices
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Number and Operations—Fractions
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Science
Key Science Themes
Life Science - Plants and Their Environments
Physical Science - Force and Motion: Simple Machines
Earth Science - Changing Earth
During the 2013-2014 school year, a science learning team will be launched to evaluate next generation standards.
By the end of 3rd grade, students will be able to:
- Describe how adaptations help plants survive
- Investigate the life cycle of gardens, and compare this cycle to prairie cycles.
- Investigate the push-pull forces associated with magnets
- Investigate simple machines
- Investigate gravity as a force
- Be introduced to earth changes that shape the planet (e.g., plate movement, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion)
- Observe, test and classify rocks by observable properties
- Describe the rock cycle
- Identify renewable and non-renewable resources
Social Studies
Significant Question:
Where in the world are we? How are communities around the world alike and different? How do we depend on other communities?
Students will explore the concepts of resources, supply and demand, global trading, diversity, contributions, technological advances, and community by examining these as evidence in the local, national, and global communities.
By the end of 3rd grade, students will be able to:
- Understand characteristics common to all communities
- Compare and contrast different communities including the one in which they live
- Discuss role and responsibilities of community leaders
- Understand cultural contributions of groups in the community and the world
- Identify technological advances that have impacted the community
- Identify major land forms and oceans (continents, hemispheres and countries)
- Identify natural resources of specific regions integrated with the science curriculum
- Research information about an environmental problem
- Differentiate between natural, capital, and human resources
- Compare prices as they relate to supply and demand
- Illustrate examples of global trade
- Use technology (computers, Internet and writing programs) to further develop an understanding of concepts which have been taught
Physical Education and Health
By the end of 3rd grade, students will be able to:
- Use coordination and balance in modified soccer, floor hockey, basketball, volleyball games, and fitness testing
- Begin to master specific athletic skills in fitness, soccer, tumbling, gymnastics, dance, floor hockey, circuit training, volleyball, basketball, and track and field
- Practice social responsibility in gym and around the school
- Build self-esteem through successful game play
- Use a variety of motor activities to enhance left and right brain development
- List choices and activities that positively influence health, illness prevention, and safety
- Demonstrate respect for others' feelings, rights, and property
- Identify roles of school and community members for health related services
Music
By the end of 3rd grade, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proper technique while singing
- Perform, read, notate, and create rhythms using whole, half, quarter, eighth notes and rests
- Perform rhythmic patterns on xylophones and other percussion instruments to accompany classroom singing
- Identify the four families of instruments (strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion)
- Perform simple melodies on the soprano recorder
Art
By the end of 3rd grade, students will be able to:
- Develop their creative powers and see art as a form of visual communication
- Develop an appreciation of various significant works of art
- Analyze spatial concepts and understand visual composition
- Recognize art elements such as color, line, and texture (warm/cool colors, lines of various expressions, visual/actual texture)
Additional Programs and Services
- Reading Intervention Support (Response to Intervention info)
- Advanced Learning Program
- Psychologist/Social Worker Services
- Speech
- English Language Learners
- Full Continuum of Special Education Services
- Library Media Center Instruction
- Before and After School Childcare (provided by Skokie Park District)
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.