3rd Grade Curriculum – Subjects, Activities, and Skills

Are you homeschooling your child, or want to further support your child’s education at home? Understanding what the right 3rd grade homeschool curriculum is, can help you prepare lessons that can stimulate further academic learning in your child.

Kids beginning the third grade have basic reading, writing, and math skills. In the third grade, they will learn to build upon these, and dive a little deeper into the individual topics. They will get introduced to abstract concepts as well. This is when your kids will have opinions of their own, and learn how to convey them using words and ideas.

While the curriculum differs across states, the skills to be taught are common, and will give an idea on what your homeschooled child should learn.

What Do Third Graders Learn?

Curriculum for third graders is centered around five main subjects – reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. The teaching curriculum in the third grade will help kids solidify their understanding of the basics that they’ve learned over the previous years. They’ll also be introduced to global topics and ideas, and move beyond their understanding of just the home and school.

Overview Of 3rd Grade Curriculum

If you’re preparing your homeschooled kid for the third grade, the information below may come in handy as you prepare your lessons at home.

1. Reading

Third grade is when your child will make the transition from learning to read, to reading to learn. At the beginning of the year, your kid will ideally be able to read with relative fluency. He may also be able to correct his mistakes while reading, and figure out words based on the context.

Third grade curriculum will utilize these skills and introduce your child to non-fiction and chapter books. Your child will learn grammar, summarization, and to get information from text.

Key Learnings/Observations

• Expand vocabulary and use new words in conversation
• Use of reference books to get meanings and information (dictionaries and thesauruses)
• Ability to read long chapters and books
• Capable of articulating the main point of the stories read
• Learning how to spell more complex words

2. Writing

Writing is an important step in learning how to convey the information your child has learned from all the subjects. Kids will learn to write extensively in cursive writing. A third-grade child will be able to summarize information and pen them down on paper using a slightly more sophisticated vocabulary.

Key Learnings/Observations

• Learn cursive writing and write in cursive regularly
• Write down detailed summaries of stories with a logical sequence of transpired events, plot, and endings
• Write long paragraphs and essays on simple topics
• Creative writing and penning down personal thoughts and opinions

3. Math

Math in third grade is directed towards enabling kids to utilize math in everyday life. The focus is on building up basic two and three-digit addition and subtraction skills taught in the second grade. New concepts like multiplication, division, fractions, basic geometry, and probability will also be introduced. By the end of the third grade, the goal is to make your child capable of doing mental math.

Key Learnings/Observations

• Make simple mental calculations
• Utilize math is real-life situations like adding up allowance money or making simple purchases
• Learn the concepts of multiplication, decimals, fractions, and divisions
• Multiply and divide double and triple-digit numbers using single-digit numbers
• Measure volume, weight, and height
• Interpret simple graphs and patterns and create charts
• Collecting and interpreting simple data
• Measuring area
• Learning how to add and subtract time in hours and minutes
• Understanding standard units of measure

4. Science

Grade 3 science is a good mix of conceptual science and hands-on activities and experiments. Your child will get introduced to the natural science and the animal kingdom and habitats. A third grader will need to cultivate the skills of scientific investigation, experimentation, and observation using the lessons taught. Kids will understand and break down the complex make of the earth, and learn about weather, rocks, minerals, water bodies and more.

Your child will also be introduced to subjects that are beyond what he is familiar with, such as space and the forces of nature. Hands-on approach using science kits is the best way to build your kid’s interest in the subject.

Key Learnings/Observations

• Learn about space, moon, sun, stars, and the solar system
• Learn about the natural habitats of various living organisms
• Be able to classify and categorize natural objects and life
• Get introduced to the scientific explanation behind light and sound
• Set up experiments and prove or disprove simple hypothesis
• Understand the forces of nature and how they happen

5. Social Studies

Third grade is when your child will learn about his country and the world around him. While the main focus is on learning more about his own state, its economy, geography, trade, and unique aspects, he will also have an understanding as to how the state relates to the rest of the country. Similarly, kids will begin to grasp the concept of their country and how it relates to the rest of the world. They will also learn a little about the history of their state, country, and the world.

Your third grader will learn how to recognize countries on a map and heavily focus on improving map skills. Basic economy will also be a key point in a social studies grade 3 curriculum. Kids will begin to grasp the concept of supply and demand, and how trade takes place across different states and channels.

Key Learnings/Observations

• Learn the names of all the states and their capitals
• Build map-reading skills and be able to identify countries using a map or a globe
• Understand the concept of trade and economy, especially in relation to their state
• Learn about the geography of their country and state
• Learn the unique features and qualities of their state
• Get introduced to the history of the world

Apart from these regular subjects, your third grader can also learn subjects and concepts that he enjoys and has an interest in. If you notice that your child loves history, tailor the curriculum to include interesting historical lessons.

Learning more about technology can also begin at the third-grade level. Your child will, no doubt, be familiar with a computer. You can teach him how to use a computer for research and learning. He can also learn how to use a keyboard efficiently. Always be sure to supervise your child’s computer time.

It is important to remember not to put too much information before your child and force him to accept it all immediately. This will only create an unpleasant relationship, making it hard for him to study. This is why knowing what 3rd graders usually learn can serve as a yardstick to create a curriculum that your kid will enjoy and grasp easily!

Also Read:

Parents Role in Kids Education at Home & School
Basic Spelling Words to Teach Your Grade 3 Child
How to Decide on Skipping a Grade for Your Child?