Grade 3

Grade 3 marks an important transition as students become more independent learners. At Country School, our third-grade curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire students, fostering a deeper understanding of core subjects and introducing new areas of study. Through hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and differentiated instruction, students strengthen their reading, writing and math skills while exploring science, history and the arts. Our experienced teachers create a nurturing and dynamic environment where each child is encouraged to think critically, solve problems creatively and express themselves confidently. We also emphasize social-emotional development, helping students build empathy, cooperation and leadership skills. 

By the beginning of third grade, Country School students are ready for the developmental shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Third graders continue working towards mastering the literal comprehension of reading, while beginning to focus on the inferential aspects including drawing conclusions and identifying the author’s point of view. Through exposure to a broad selection of material, including informational texts, biographies, mysteries and realistic fiction, they begin to read beyond the surface level. Teacher-led mini lessons introduce various comprehension strategies through the interactive read-aloud. Children also read in partnerships, in small groups and on their own as they independently apply reading strategies. Thinking critically is practiced across genres. A writing highlight from the third grade year is a biography unit, which culminates in a Wax Museum presentation for the school community.

In third grade, students focus on the study of nonliving things. They start the year exploring what matter is and isn’t. Atoms and molecules are introduced by having students act out the way molecules behave in the solid, liquid and gas phase. While experimenting with matter phase changes, students become proficient in identifying causes and effects. They then apply what they learned to the process of making homemade ice cream and exploring how the water cycle works. Students take part in chemistry experiments to learn and observe some of the effects of a chemical change, and then practice identifying a change in matter as physical or chemical. The concepts of density, mass and volume are introduced through experiments and practice measuring with scales and beakers. The study of matter is used to introduce the structure and function of the sun, beginning our study of the solar system. Students research a planet or dwarf planet with a partner and use the information from their planet report to create an iMovie commercial enticing travelers to visit their planet. The year ends with lots of play as students experiment with catapults, lift heavy items with pulleys and go on a simple machine scavenger hunt. They experiment with simple machines, measure force and distance, and calculate the amount of work necessary to move a load. Throughout the year, students take part in engineering challenges where they design and build creative solutions to challenging problems related to the topics they are learning.

Children are introduced to many fine arts and a wide variety of media. Lessons emphasize basic design elements and are planned so that all children experience success with materials, concepts and creative problem solving. Cultural traditions and works by major artists are presented; many interdisciplinary projects are implemented. Children develop the skills and techniques to communicate their own ideas visually. The emphasis is on concepts and process.