Welcome to Third Grade!

Computer Science:
Students learn how computing devices connect to form systems, protect personal information, and influence society and culture. They will also develop digital safety habits and collaborate with peers to create, modify, test, and debug original coding.

English Language Arts:
Students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” They also improve their writing skills, conduct research projects, and engage in discussions using appropriate vocabulary and logical sequencing.

Fine Arts:
Students will explore movement, performance, and cultural connections. They will improvise choreography, develop drama with character and conflict, create and interpret music, and produce art based on cultural influences.

Health Education:
Students will learn about the negative impacts of substance misuse, develop healthy strategies for processing negative emotions, identify parts of their body using accurate terms, and develop interpersonal communication skills.

Library:
Students refine their ability to ask focused questions, evaluate the reliability of sources, and locate relevant information using library catalogs, the internet, and databases. They will analyze media messages, practice safe online behaviors, and recommend favorite books to peers.

Mathematics:
Students will learn to solve multiplication and division problems, understand fractions as numbers, and use place-value strategies for multi-digit arithmetic. They will also explore area and perimeter within geometric shapes, practice estimation, and interpret data.

Physical Education:
Third-grade students will practice combining large-motor and movement skills using direction, force, and timing. They will also develop cooperative skills and discuss the value of physical activity for personal growth and social interaction.

Science:
Students will explore weather and climate patterns, understand how traits affect organisms' survival, and investigate the effects of forces on motion. They will also design solutions to various problems and identify patterns in weather, life cycles, and traits.

Social Studies:
Students will explore the geography and history of the United States, focusing on regions, landmarks, and the nation's development. They will also learn about government systems, the roles of citizens, and the importance of cultural and historical events in shaping society.

 

USBE parent guide - third grade     UTAH CORE STANDARDS

English Language Arts:

• Make reading a part of your daily routine by setting aside a quiet time, with limited distractions, for your child to read.
• Keep what your child enjoys reading around the house.
• Encourage your child to read and write about topics they are interested in. Help them incorporate newly learned vocabulary words to enrich their writing.

 

Fine Arts:

• Set up a designated area in your home using old sheets or open space for children to perform dance, drama, or music. Provide old clothes, hats, and props for imaginative play, allowing them to create and perform their shows.
• Encourage children to explore their creativity in a designated "art area" where messes are allowed. Provide tools for this area, like crayons, markers, scrap paper, old magazines, or cardboard from cereal boxes.

 

Health Education:

• Talk with your child about safe people such as parents, guardians, relatives, teachers, counselors, or clergy, and list at least three specific people your child could go to for help.
• Play a game like charades that requires nonverbal communication. Discuss why nonverbal and verbal communication are both important.

 

Mathematics:

• Engage your child in math by involving them in practical tasks like cooking, where they can explore fractions and units of measurement.
• Discuss the applications of everyday math, such as calculating savings during a sale or estimating time and distance during a road trip.

 

Physical Education:

• Practice and play a variety of physical activities together that encourage throwing, catching, and kicking in various directions, speeds, and levels. 
• Stress the importance of balancing nutrition, hydration, and exercise for a healthy body.
• Tell positive stories about participation in physical activities, including friendships that resulted from that participation.

 

Science: 

• Observe and record weather conditions at your home for two weeks. Together, determine whether these conditions are typical for the time of year and defend your answer.
• Observe and record the life cycle of a butterfly, mealworm, or quick-growing plant. 

 

Social Studies: 

• Encourage your child to explore maps and atlases. Help them identify key U.S. regions, landmarks, and geographical features.
• Visit local museums to deepen your child's understanding of cultural and historical milestones.