Grade 3

Our dynamic Grade 3 curriculum empowers young learners to become confident researchers, creative thinkers, and active participants in their communities.

Our curriculum blends social studies, science, wellness, and hands-on learning to create memorable educational experiences.

A teacher sits at a desk in front of a whiteboard displaying a lesson on equality, while students in the foreground raise their hands to answer questions.

Academics

Literacy

Grade 3 literacy builds upon foundational reading and writing skills as students explore more complex phonics patterns, word structures, and vocabulary to strengthen comprehension, analyze characters, and think critically about texts. In writing, students develop their voices through narrative, persuasive, and informational pieces, while also using creativity and imagination to craft adapted fairy tales. These skills culminate in the creation of the “Derby Weekly,” a collaborative newspaper project with Grade 2.

Math

Students engage in a hands-on, problem-solving approach to mathematics, building strong conceptual understanding in areas such as multiplication, division, fractions, geometry, measurement, and problem solving. All the while, they are developing confidence, flexibility, and perseverance as mathematicians. Through games, visual models, collaborative discussions, and real-world applications, students learn to explain their thinking and apply mathematical strategies in meaningful ways.

Specials

Grade 3 students continue their biweekly study of the practice of yoga as part of the mindfulness and social/emotional learning curriculum. They also participate in vibrant art, music, physical education, library, and Spanish classes each week—each of these subjects frequently complements and integrates into the classroom curriculum.

Projects Curriculum

Our Grade 3 program blends social studies, science, wellness, and the arts—making learning truly dynamic, memorable, and connected to the real world. Students express their understanding of social studies and science through visual arts, drama, music, and multimedia projects, making learning more engaging and memorable. Across all projects, students master online research, evaluate sources, and create multimedia presentations with confidence.

Civics & Changemakers

Two children stand at a podium in the foreground, presenting to an audience seated on the floor, while a large screen in the background displays portraits of %22Timmy%22 and %22Lucy%22 alongside an image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Civics & Changemakers

Students build empathy, collaboration, and leadership skills through civic engagement projects. By learning about government and civics, seeking inspiration from changemakers who have dared to improve life for others, researching community issues, and presenting solutions, they learn to be thoughtful, active citizens.

Explorers

A child dressed as Albert Einstein stands in front of a science fair project, with other students and displays visible in the gymnasium background.

Explorers

Young historians step into the lives of famous explorers and leaders through costumes, storytelling, and interactive exhibits. Students use maps, digital tools, and climate data to explore how geography shaped travel, settlement, and survival—then bring their findings to life through art, performance, and hands-on models.

Health & Human Body

In collaboration with our Physical Education team, students study body systems in depth—choosing one muscle group and one body part to research. Families are invited to a lively fair featuring student-led fitness demonstrations, public speaking presentations, creative art displays, and interactive health exhibits.

Geography & Weather

In this unit, students learn to read and create maps using tools like the compass rose, map keys, and grids. They also explore how the sun drives weather, including the water cycle and temperature, through hands-on investigations with clouds, wind, and puddles, making connections between geography and the world around them.

Motion

In this unit, students explore forces and motion by investigating patterns of movement and magnetic interactions. Through hands-on activities—such as experimenting with cars and ramps—they learn about key concepts like gravity, friction, and energy transfer. These engaging investigations help students observe how forces affect motion and deepen their understanding of how objects move in the world around them.