Third Grade Communication

1. The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.

*Listens for, identifies, and explains the following: main ideas, details, facts vs. opinion, and meaning

Third Grade Reading

1. The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.

*Reads grade level material confidently and retells plot
*Uses prefix and suffix to determine word meaning
*Self corrects when reading
*Makes predictions
*Uses expression when reading to others
*Continually builds vocabulary

2. The student understands the meaning of what is read.

*Reads grade level material independently by the end of third grade
*Understands the difference between fact and opinion
*Draws conclusions from what is read
*Compares and contrasts information that is read

3. The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.

*Determines the difference between fiction and non-fiction, fantasy, realistic fiction, and biographies

4. The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.

*Reads independently for 20-30 minutes

Examples:
Below is a sample of what a third grade student reads at the end of third grade.

"I know," said Ramona and thought some more. She thought about loose teeth, real sore throats, quarrels, misunderstandings with her teachers, longing for a bicycle her family could not afford, worrying when her parents bickered, how terrible she had felt when she hurt Beezus's feelings without meaning to, and all the afternoons when Mrs. Kemp looked after her until her mother came from work. She had survived it all. "Isn't it funny?" she remarked as her father steered the car into their driveway. "Isn't what funny?" asked her mother. "That I used to be little and funny-looking and cross-eyed like Roberta," said Ramona. "And now look at me. I'm wonderful me!"

Third Grade Writing

1. The student writes clearly and effectively using traits of quality writing.

*Practices using the writing process of prewriting and creating a rough draft
*Edits writing for spelling, punctuation, meaning, and grammar
*Begins to understand the Six-Trait Writing terminology: ideas, organization, word choice, conventions (spelling and grammar), voice (the way the story sounds), and fluency (how the story flows)
*Writes narrative (telling about something) and expository (explaining why) papers
*Writes non-fiction report

Examples:
Below is a narrative writing sample of what a third grade student is writing at the end of third grade.

My First Basketball Game
Last night, my father took me to see my first basketball game at Madison Square Garden. When we arrived, all I could hear was the roar of the fans. A few minutes later, bright lights appeared on the court, and music began to play. Within moments, the members of both teams ran onto the court. They flipped a coin to decide who would have the ball first, and immediately the action began. I heard the thump, thump, thump of the basketball being dribbled on the wooden floor. Then I saw the players leaping in the air to slam-dunk the ball. It was thrilling! I knew right then and there that I wanted to be a professional basketball player.

Third Grade Mathematics

1. Content Targets

*Understands place value to 1,000
*Rounds numbers to 10's and 100's
*Adds and subtracts up to 4-digit numbers with and without regrouping
*Uses mental math to multiply one-digit numbers by 10's and 100's
*Knows basic multiplication and division facts
*Uses and understands + - x ÷ < > =
*Makes change for $1.00
*Understands the value of coins up to $5.00
*Tells time to the minute
*Understands and applies elapsed time
*Can measure to find the perimeter and area of geometric shapes
*Can identify, compare, add, and subtract like fractions
*Finds, describes, and extends patterns

2. Process Targets

*Uses a variety of strategies and approaches to solve story problems
*Creates and interprets models and/or graphs
*Makes predictions and collects data
*Distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information

Examples:
Below are a few sample math problems that a third grade student is expected to do.

1. What portion of the triangles are shaded? ∆∆∆▲ ∆∆∆▲
3/4	1/5	2/8	2/6
2. What is the best estimate for 52 x 2?
104	54	100	120
3. What is 20 divided by 5?
3	4	5	6
4. The baker uses 6 eggs for each cake. How many cakes can the baker make with 36 eggs?
5	6	7	8