Third graders at KMS are transitioning from being “little kids” to “big kids”. The changes that they undergo both emotionally, physically and academically are enormous. Our curriculum is rigorous and comprehensive, but building a strong foundation of respect for self and others is a priority, especially at the beginning of the year.
We dedicate much of our Morning Meeting and Social Studies time to building self-regulation and social skills. This foundation allows the students to make progress in all areas of the curriculum. Teachers use a variety of programs and materials, including Responsive Classroom, Second Step, Safer, Smarter Kids, and RULER. Through games, reading and writing activities, and videos, students learn how to work cooperatively with others.
Our Language Arts program is called Core Knowledge Language Arts, or CKLA for short. This rigorous curriculum engages students with selections and topics that capture their curiosity and imagination. Stories and topics include “The Wind in the Willows”, The Human Body, The Roman Empire, and more. Our spelling and writing curriculum is part of CKLA and helps students to acquire a deeper understanding of the material while learning written communication skills.
Third graders learn many new math skills, including multiplication and division–two very exciting topics for them! Like the other grades, we use Illustrative Mathematics to teach students the third grade math standards and how to be problem-solvers. Students work both individually and in small groups to complete tasks that are both challenging and fun. A big focus is learning about multiple strategies and choosing the best one to be both accurate and efficient in our work.
Social Studies also exposes students to the world around them. We explore the state of Connecticut and its history, using both print and internet resources. These include a textbook about Connecticut, Scholastic News, and many different read-alouds. Important holidays and figures from history are also highlighted throughout the year, including Presidents Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
As students move towards being more independent learners who are also able to work with others, they are not only prepared for fourth grade. They also learn how to be good citizens of our school, state, country, and planet.
