3rd Grade

Third grade is an important milestone in your child’s education. Students transition from the “learning to read” years to “reading to learn.” They begin applying skills independently, taking on more responsibility, and developing critical thinking strategies that prepare them for the upper grades.

Our third-grade program helps children grow into confident, independent learners while exploring more complex reading, writing, math, science, and social studies concepts.

Curriculum Focus Areas

English Language Arts (ELA)

Third graders begin reading longer chapter books and using higher-level comprehension strategies. They will:

Analyze character traits, cause and effect, main idea, and theme
Use context clues, figurative language, and text features to understand meaning
Compare and contrast books by the same author
Identify point of view and make inferences while reading

Spelling & Vocabulary: Students continue developing spelling strategies and build vocabulary that supports stronger reading and writing.

Writing: Third graders apply their writing foundations to create a variety of pieces. They will:

Use the full writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing)
Write clear, complete sentences with proper grammar and punctuation
Develop opinion, informational, and personal narrative writing

Math

Third grade students at Turner Intermediate use Eureka Math, which builds deep, connected math knowledge rather than isolated skills.

By the end of the year, students will:

Master multiplication and division facts
Solve addition and subtraction problems with 3-digit numbers
Work with fractions and real-world math problems using all four operations
Tell and calculate elapsed time
Explore area, perimeter, and measurement
Interpret and create graphs
Work with money, including making change up to $5.00

These skills lay the foundation for more advanced problem-solving in later grades.

Science

Third graders continue to explore the world around them through hands-on investigations using FOSS kits. They will study:

Plants and Animals: Their properties, functions, life cycles, and inherited traits
Water and Weather: Properties of water, the water cycle, weather patterns, and how water interacts with Earth’s materials
Natural Resources: How humans use water and other resources to survive and thrive

Science in third grade helps students make connections between observation, experimentation, and real-world applications.

Social Studies

Third graders expand their understanding of history, government, geography, and community. Students will:

Learn about the principles, documents, and ideals of the U.S. government
Understand citizenship rights and responsibilities
Explore Pennsylvania history
Study cultures, regions, and physical characteristics of communities around the world
Read maps using longitude and latitude
Identify goods, services, consumers, and producers in their community

Skills Your Child Will Develop

By the end of third grade, students will:

Read and understand longer, more complex texts
Write with clarity and purpose in multiple genres
Master multiplication, division, fractions, and real-world problem-solving
Conduct science investigations and explain their findings
Understand U.S. and Pennsylvania history, government, and communities

Third grade marks an exciting shift toward greater independence, responsibility, and deeper learning. At Turner Intermediate, we guide students through this important year with the tools and support they need to succeed.