Third Grade

Units of Inquiry
Hear Me, Hear Me
Home Sweet Home
We're in the Money
Necessity is the Mother of Invention
Extinct is Forever
It's Symbolic

Language Skills
A reading, writing, and learning program is integrated with units of inquiry, which incorporates universal topics of economics, cultural studies, science, geography, and the arts. These lead students through explorations in all areas of the curriculum. Essential parts of the reading program include individualized reading, vocabulary development, comprehension, and listening skills. Spelling is developed through word study and as a tool for writing. Oral reports, literature circles, and group projects play a major role in the speaking and listening component of the language arts curriculum. Students learn to plan, research, organize, and present information on a wide range of subjects, and classmates are encouraged to provide feedback to the speaker.

Mathematics
The program aims to make mathematics more relevant for children. Students are encouraged to arrive at their own preferred ways of performing computation, then share solution strategies with their classmates through a cooperative learning approach.

Exercises that build a positive attitude toward math and which encourage mastery of skills are numerous. Instruction in the basic uses of the computer and the calculator further enriches the third-grade math program.

Science
The third-grade science program, written and developed at Charlotte Country Day, continues to feature science lab and classroom experiences. It expands on concepts introduced in earlier grades, and the focus on how the children acquire scientific information continues to be more important than the memorization of facts. Developing the science-related skills—such as observing, communicating, comparing, organizing, and recording information—remains a focus. Lessons are developed around life, earth, and physical science.

Computer
The third-grade computer curriculum, taught in the instructional computer lab, begins with a focus on keyboarding skills and word processing. Word processing instruction also allows students to focus on capitalization, punctuation, proper spacing, and the overall appearance of their work. Students are introduced to the concepts of databases and spreadsheets through integrated activities. In addition to the computers in each classroom, third graders have access to the computer lab in the library for teacher-led computer activities.

Social Studies
The third-grade social studies program is designed to increase the students' understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through guided inquiry and explorations, units of inquiry integrate across the curriculum allowing the students to compare and relate to other communities by understanding the cultural, political, geographic, and economic factors that influence how communities form throughout time and around the world. Field studies include cultural sites, businesses, and the N.C. Zoological Park.

French and Spanish
The continuum in third grade continues where the students stay with their chosen language. The program encourages interaction and enhances the confidence of the young language student. At this level, students develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Third graders are involved in sharing ideas and solving problems that are developed around the classroom units of inquiry, therefore enhancing the social studies and language arts program.

Music
The third grades' musical experience builds on concepts learned in previous years. Students also focus on the creative process in music, exploring and discussing how a musician gets ideas. The curriculum helps students discover their own way of approaching the creative process and communicating musical ideas. Basic instruction in the recorder is started. Music of other countries is studied extensively.

Art
The third-grade art program focuses on incorporating the elements of art and principles of design into well-crafted, thoughtful compositions. Good craftsmanship is emphasized as the students continue to develop techniques using a variety of materials including oil pastels, printmaking, ceramics, papers, and paint. An awareness of art history, aesthetic response, and critical-thinking skills are encouraged, as art vocabulary is expanded.

Dance
Dance is introduced as a separate curriculum in the third grade. Students begin to develop an awareness of movement as human expression through creative exploration of the elements of space, time, and energy. Creating, performing, and evaluating simple dance phrases provides the opportunity for each child to expand personal movement vocabulary, enhance listening, viewing, and audience skills, and begin to think critically about dance as a distinct art form.

Physical Education
The third- and fourth-grade PE programs provide a transition between the simplified activity programs of lower grades and sports interests. Modified games in soccer, hockey, volleyball, basketball, and softball are introduced as coordination develops. The mastery and application of physical skills are encouraged, as well as improvement of personal fitness levels. Sportsmanship and the playing of team games with rules are learned. Third graders have PE every day for 30 minutes.

Library
Through flexible scheduling, the library curriculum enhances and extends the classroom curriculum, fosters literary appreciation, and targets information and research skills. Students enjoy a variety of genres in story time, develop active listening and viewing skills, reinforce concepts through experiential activities, learn to confidently use a library, and purposefully explore a wide array of media, both traditional and technological.