3rd Grade Academics

Language Arts

Scholars in third-grade language arts strengthen their foundational and critical reading and writing skills to read grade-appropriate complex literature and informational text proficiently. Instruction focuses on asking and answering explicit and inferential questions, using text evidence, summarizing, and engaging in collaborative conversation. Scholars analyze texts for literary elements, the author's purpose, and structure. Scholars continue to practice the writing process by writing narratives (grade-level focus mode), and informative and opinion pieces incorporating grade-level grammar concepts. Scholars expand their personal and academic vocabulary in their writing and speaking, and scholars develop stamina for longer periods of reading and writing.
("English Language Arts." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/).

Mathematics

As scholars continue their formal education experience in third-grade mathematics, the emphasis will continue to develop and target Numbers and Operations, Algebraic Reasoning and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, and Data and Probability. Scholars will take those skills learned in second grade and expand on them. These topics are addressed, explored, and made to connect to real-world situations using a variety of activities/lessons. The activities/lessons warrant hands-on opportunities while promoting problem-solving, reasoning, modeling, questioning, and generalizing. These skills will prepare them for extensions of like skills in fourth grade.
("Mathematics." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/.)

Social Studies

In third-grade social studies, scholars begin a focused study of the state of Oklahoma. The history standards introduce scholars to select Oklahomans who have been important in the development of our state and create an appreciation for the many peoples who have inhabited our lands. In the geography strand, scholars explore the physical and political features of the state, including the location and potential of its natural resources. In civics, scholars examine the role and relationships of local, state, and tribal governments. In economics, scholars explore how Oklahomans have used their natural resources to create a prosperous and growing economy.
("Social Studies." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/).

Science

The performance expectations in third-grade science help scholars formulate answers to questions such as: "What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced? How do organisms vary in their traits? How are plants, animals, and past environments similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments? What happens to organisms when their environment changes? How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object? How can magnets be used?" In the third-grade performance expectations, scholars are expected to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. Scholars are expected to use these practices to demonstrate an understanding of the core ideas.
("Science." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/.)