[育儿] What to Expect in 3rd Grade (US)

By the 3rd grade, children have spent 2 years mastering reading and doing basic math computations. At this stage, they are able to branch out in their studies and handle more complex material. Prepare for September by looking over the following skills that will ensure that your child is ready for hands-on science experiments, more challenging math problems, and higher-level reading assignments.

Skills Required at the Beginning of 3rd Grade
Your child’s teacher will expect her to do the following:

Reading and Writing


Read grade-specific material confidently and with expression
Demonstrate comprehension by predicting outcomes
Identify main ideas and supporting details
Decode words using cues from phonics, word order, and context
Self-select a variety of fiction and nonfiction books for pleasure reading
Keep a journal
Recognize parts of speech such as subject, verb, adjective
Use capitalization and punctuation correctly
Compose in poetic, narrative, creative, and expository forms
Write in paragraph form
Recognize spelling patterns and spell high-frequency words correctly
Use basic research skills for presentations
Edit and proofread classmates’ work
Math


Read, write, count, and sequence numbers up to 1,000
Identify place value to the thousands
Represent quantities in multiple ways (e.g., 36 = 18 + 18 = 14 + 14 + 8)
Know addition and subtraction facts to 20
Mentally add or subtract any two-digit numbers
Add and subtract three-digit numbers
Identify, describe, and extend repeating numeric patterns
Tell time to the quarter hour; be able to calculate elapsed time (e.g. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Count, add, and subtract money using dollar and cent symbols and a decimal point
Collect, sort, and interpret data in various graphs
Recognize shapes
Science


Identify parts of plants and animals and explain their functions
Know names and traits of various dinosaurs; understand the process of extinction
Name classifications of animals
Diagram life cycles of plants and animals
Identify land forms
Explore physical science, covering topics such as electricity, magnetism, and gravity
History and Social Studies


Discuss current events
Recognize historical figures and their contributions to society
Understand the relationship between consumers and producers
Locate her hometown on a map
Appreciate diversity among cultures in the community

Skills Acquired During 3rd Grade
As with every passing grade level, the work in 3rd grade becomes more challenging, which can initially intimidate any 8 year old. But with focus, motivation to learn, and attentiveness to the material, your child can make major strides in the following subjects:

Reading

Explore fables, legends, myths, poems, and plays as supplements to fiction and nonfiction reading
Progress as an independent reader and work up to an appropriate comprehension level
Read in groups, alternating paragraphs out loud, to build fluency and vocabulary
Read chapter books that can be either applied to school or just for fun
Use a dictionary to check the accuracy of the spelling, definition, and pronunciation of a word
Look up information in a book by using a table of contents, glossary, or index
Writing and Verbal Communication


Learn to write in cursive (longhand)
Write in paragraph form, using transitions
Use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar (e.g. verb tenses must agree in sentences)
Use reference books, such as the thesaurus, to make more interesting word choices
Master the writing process: pre-write, outline, draft, revise, edit, and polish
Use outlines to write a story or book report that has a beginning, middle, and end
Write in a variety of styles, including informative, creative, and persuasive writing
Keep a journal to practice personal writing and handwriting skills
Understand written instructions and follow them independently
Listen actively to a speaker in the classroom, whether that is the teacher or a fellow student
Answer questions in complete sentences (for example, "I like to play on the monkey bars more than playing kickball because I like to climb," as opposed to "Because I like to climb," or simply "Because.")
Math


Add and subtract numbers to 10,000
Memorize the multiplication table
Multiply multi-digit numbers by a single-digit number
Divide multi-digit numbers by a single-digit number
Identify written and spoken numbers up to 100,000
Explain in words how a math problem was solved
Use measuring tools to calculate volume, area, length, and height
Analyze and graph data – e.g. collecting and charting the birthdays of all the boys and girls in class to determine how many boys were born in April
Work with simple fractions and decimals
Round to the nearest whole number
Predict patterns in shapes and numbers
Tell time to the nearest minute
Relate number problems to everyday situations (e.g. using a budget to plan a party)
Science


Learn with hands-on projects that illustrate the subject matter, such as maintaining a class greenhouse to show the development of plants and flowers
Identify rocks and minerals
Name the planets in the solar system and explore the galaxies, moons, stars, and meteors of outer space
Compare the human skeleton to animal skeletal systems
Track water cycles and study how they relate to the formation of clouds
Conduct experiments that test a hypothesis
History and Social Studies


Know how to read world maps; be able to find locations on the globe
Compare different parts of the United States (e.g. contrasting year-round climate of the various regions)
Learn the 50 states and their capitals
Study topics relating to American history, such as Native Americans, the journey of the Mayflower, pilgrims and the first settlers
Other Subjects


Learn basic computer skills for word processing, conducting simple research, or playing educational games
Develop healthy habits in Well-Being and Fitness
Create Artwork and experiment with sounds and instruments in Music

Homework
Along with more challenging work, your child will see an increase in homework; expect her to have anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour of work to complete each night. Teachers try to keep homework interesting by giving students fun assignments — for example, choosing a word from the dictionary and having kids make up fake definitions to go with the real one to try to trick the class the next day. In addition, tests become routine, so your child will need to spend time studying for them as well.

What can you do to help? As in years past, be supportive, but realize that teachers are emphasizing independent learning. Help your child set up a quiet place in his room or elsewhere at home to complete assignments. Look over homework to make sure it’s complete and that it’s neat and legible for the teacher, but never do the work for your child. While grades are meaningful, be sure to emphasize the importance of learning for its own sake, and the personal satisfaction that comes from doing one’s best. If your child is disappointed in a grade, remind him that there is always next time to shine!.