In third grade math, students deepen and broaden their understanding and skills of mathematics. This understanding and skill is developed through the pedagogy of the Singapore Math framework, which emphasizes concept mastery, a concrete-pictorial-abstract approach, metacognitive reasoning, and the use of model drawing to solve problems and justify solutions. At this level, students learn addition and subtraction up to 10,000 and multiplication and division facts and algorithms. They learn to compare and identify equivalent fractions and compare and classify shapes, lines, and angles. Key skills that weave throughout every math unit are solving two-step word problems using all four operations and using and creating visual models (i.e. arrays, bar models) to represent mathematical understanding. 

 

In Grade 3 Spanish, using comprehensible input, present in both TPR/TPRS (Total Physical Response/Storytelling), students practice more complex spoken responses and acquire expanded vocabulary through reading, character creation and storytelling. Spanish learning at this level consists of increased reading practice in Spanish with the addition of reading their first Spanish novel. Instruction leads students through a guided reading of the book “Edi el Elefante.” Students also continue to practice simple writing in Spanish. Reading comprehension is assessed through both verbal and written responses to comprehension questions. Third graders attend Spanish three times during each eight-day cycle rotation.

 

In Grade 3 Mandarin, students develop a foundation in the essentials of the Mandarin language. This embodies tones, pinyin, and stroke order of Chinese characters. Units of study focus on listening and responding to the questions in short simple sentences. As students progress through this level, they gradually increase their ability to comprehend and speak using common courtesy expressions, target vocabulary, and simple sentences. At the end of third grade, students are able to ask and answer simple questions in complete sentences. Students also explore cultural topics and gain an understanding of the pictographic evolution of Chinese characters. Third graders attend Mandarin three times during each eight-day cycle rotation.

The Lower School library program and space invites students to explore ideas and interests, gather and enjoy individual and communal activities, engage in inquiry and research that supports the curriculum, and experience the joy of reading. Lower School students attend library classes once every eight-day cycle where they are exposed to rich, diverse texts, have the opportunity to explore and select books, and learn the fundamentals of information literacy as part of a developmental continuum.

 

Third graders gain important digital citizenship skills and learn responsible, safe, and healthy use of technology through once-a-month classes taught by our technology specialist in the core classroom.

 

In third grade, in reading, focus is on students further developing their fluency, expression, and comprehension strategies, including making inferences beyond the text, as they become independent, passionate readers. Students also learn to engage in literature discussions via book clubs where importance is placed on listening and thinking actively to respond to others. In writing, third graders expand skills to include paragraphing, dialogue development, revising for elaboration, and making informed decisions about the organization of writing. Students add to their writing repertoire by writing informational books, exploring a topic of choice, and they continue to develop and build their spelling and grammar skills. 

 

Lower School Art is where students explore and express their creativity through a variety of mediums and study artists from diverse backgrounds. Instruction is fluid and philosophically rooted in the idea that all children are artists and that growth comes from continuous practice, experimentation, and reflection. Third graders explore the world of dragons with detailed dragon drawings, clay dragon sculptures, and dragon eye pendants. They study the mesmerizing portraits of Kehinde Wiley, make scratch-foam relief prints, and create observational drawings from real flowers. Third graders also investigate miniature art and collaborate on constructing several miniature museums complete with mini artworks. Third grade students have Art three times during each eight-day cycle.

The Garden to Table program aims to create curious eaters and growers by promoting intentional interactions with the natural world. It also aims to develop empathy for animal and plant life where students become community stewards and responsible global citizens. The program provides hands-on opportunities where young cooks and gardeners cultivate curiosity by exploring food systems and grow as lifelong learners. 

 

Third graders in Garden to Table keep our garden plants and habitats healthy and learn alternative uses for their plant products, such as dying and building. They actively participate and engage in the cycle of planting, nurturing, and harvesting varieties of plants and utilize their knife skills and flavor know-how to cook recipes connected to social studies learning. The Garden to Table classroom is an indoor/outdoor space where all learners have access and agency, and where cross-disciplinary connections make learning multi-dimensional. Third graders learn in the garden and kitchen twice during each eight-day cycle.

 

In Social Studies, in Grade 3, students learn about history and activism in the Bay Area and beyond. Students explore Huchiun/Oakland's history, centered around its Ohlone roots. Students also read and listen to the family stories of Chinese Americans who were detained at the Angel Island Immigration Station. To learn about history and activism beyond the Bay Area, students read and write about the ways free and enslaved Black abolitionists fought for their own and the freedom of others. Lastly, students learn the stories of activists who are fighting for equity for people of all races, genders, religions, and abilities.

 

In Music in third grade, creating, performing, and expressing music are integrated as students continue to develop the building blocks of music literacy. In each lesson they explore rhythm, melody, harmony, and form while exploring a diverse repertoire of music through singing, playing instruments, dancing, and listening. Students read, write, and perform simple rhythmic patterns, such as ostinati, and identify pitches through solfege and Curwen hand signs. Third graders also study rhythm, beat, and rhythmic values through stick notation which is used to compose rhythm combinations and they perform rhythmic patterns while maintaining a steady beat in 4/4 meter. Third graders have Music three times during each eight-day cycle.

 

In Third Grade, in DBi, students learn the phases of the engineering design cycle where a focus is on creating, improving, and troubleshooting cardboard prototypes. Developing students to become resilient builders is a core feature of DBi in third grade. Students work ten times in the DBi Lab within a semester of learning.