Rainbow Montessori Child Development Center

3rd Grade Curriculum

As the students enter this level many of them have had hands on experience in all the areas of academics. This year is focused on taking many of the hands on concepts to abstraction and adding new concepts with hands on materials.

Mathematics and Geometry

Math is approached from both of the following methods; the Montessori instructional technique and the traditional classroom technique.

Number Sense

• Count, read, write, compare and order numbers into millions
• Place value and expanded notation
• Round off numbers to 10,000 to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand

Calculation and Processes

• Addition and subtraction skills
• Multiplication tables and memorization
• Multiplication of multi digit numbers by one or two digits
• Single digit division
• Number sentences
• Problem solving with two processes

Whole numbers, Fractions and Decimals

• Compare fractions
• Add and subtract fractions
• Solve money problems in decimal notations using all four processes
• Understand that fractions and decimals two different representations of the same concept
• Division of a two-digit quotient both with and without a remainder
• Solving story problems by choosing addition, subtraction, multiplication or division

Algebra and Function

• Select appropriate operational and relational symbols to make an expression true, e.g., 4__ 5=20
• Use of commutative and associative properties of addition and multiplication
• Students represent simple process relationships

Measurement and Geometry

• Measurement of objects to the nearest centimeter
• Measurement of length using centimeter, meter and kilometer
• Unit of weight; gram and kilogram
• Milliliter, liter
• Inches, feet, yards and miles
• Unit of weight using ounces and pounds
• Use of cups, pints, quarts and gallons
• Graphing and connecting points on a grid in order to form geometric shapes
• Identification of squares, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons and circles
• Identification of angles
• Perimeters and lines of symmetry
• Spheres, rectangular prisms, cubes and cylinders
• Finding volume by counting cubic units

Statistics Data and Analysis and Probability

• Simple probability
• Reading and determining bar graphs and pictographs
• Summarize and display the results of probability to predict future

Mathematical Reasoning

• Students make decisions about how to approach problems
• Students use strategies, skills, and concepts in finding solutions, e.g., estimations, logical thoughts etc.
• Develop generalizations of the results obtained and apply them in other circumstances

Concepts are presented with concrete materials like stamp game, checker board, decimal board, fraction material, division board etc. for deeper understanding of concepts. Once the concepts are understood students move to abstract work and use traditional books to practice skills.

Language

Reading

Word analysis, fluency, and systemic vocabulary development

• Decoding and word recognition
• Decode multisyllabic words
• Word families

Vocabulary and concept development

• Suffixes, prefixes, homophones, homographs, antonyms, synonyms
• Use of dictionary

Reading comprehension

• Use of titles, tables of contents, chapter headings, glossaries, and indexes to locate information in text
• Grade level comprehension text: Recall, locate, follow steps, main idea, supporting details etc.
• Distinguish common forms of literature

Literary response and Analysis

• Narrative analysis of appropriate text
• Rhythmic patterns; alliteration, onomatopoeia in a selection
• Comprehend basic plots, of classic fairy tales, myths, folktales, legends, and fables around the world

Writing

Writing Strategies

• Organization and focus on paragraphs, topic sentence, supporting facts and details.
  

Penmanship

• Writing legibly with correct spacing in cursive

Research

• Common reference materials like: dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, atlas etc. Use of library

Evaluation and revision

• Use stages of the writing process to improve writing
  

Writing applications

• Students will write narratives with concrete sensory details
• Write personal, formal letters, friendly letters, invitations and thank-you notes
• Addressing letters
• Writing book reports including titles, plot, setting, characters, writing, summarizing, and editing
  

Written and Oral English Language Conventions

Sentence structure

• Identify and use of declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences in writing and speaking

Grammar

• Review of noun, article, adjective, verb, adverb, preposition, Conjunction, determiner, qualifier, interjection
• Use of past, present, and future verb tenses properly
• Identify the use of subjects and verbs correctly
  

Punctuation

• Usage of commas in different situations
• Punctuate correctly dates, city, and state and book titles
  

Capitalization

• Capitalize geographical names, holidays, historical periods, and special events

Spelling

• Spell correctly words with blends, contractions, compounds, and word patterns
• Arrange words in alphabetical order
  

Listening and Speaking

Comprehension

• Retell, paraphrase and explain what has been said
• Relate prior experiences
• Response to oral questions
  

Poetry

• Understanding descriptive words in poetry
• Making comparisons in poetry
• Rhythm and rhyme in poetry
• Understanding sound words

Organization and delivery of oral communications

• Organize ideas, make introductions, taking messages, giving and receiving directions, thinking about what is heard
• Provide a beginning, middle and an end
• Use of props and read aloud with fluency, rhythm and pace

Creative Writing

The child is attempting, through many creative writing experiences to establish the ability of written expression and mental creativity. Writing assignments are often originated by the teacher, but there are times when the child chooses the topic on which he/she is to write about. Attention is placed on creating good paragraphs, proper order to enhance the child’s writing abilities. Many individual activities are used like sky scrappers, symbols, grammar boxes, literature, poetry is used for developing the fine skills of writing and comprehension.

Science

Physical Sciences:

• Students develop an understanding of energy
• Understanding of matter
• Understanding of atomic structure and introduction to periodic table
• Light as a source, color of light, and reflection

Botany and Zoology:

• Students know the plants and animals have structures that serve different functions in growth, survival and reproduction
• Understanding of biomes
• Time line of life
• Survival
• The understanding of extinction, evolution, and fossilization process

The third year is also the review of the previous subject matter and the students are asked to write explanations by paraphrasing to depict comprehension.

Earth Science:

Review begins with the cosmic view and a key lesson on Big Bang Theory. As the lesson is shared the geological aspects of planets, earth, fossils, land formations, rocks, volcanoes are discussed.

• Students understand the patterns of stars
• Students are introduced to lunar cycle, moon phases and eclipse
• Telescope functions and utility
• The understanding of planets
• Understanding of seasons

Investigation and experimentation:

• Differentiate evidence from opinion
• Use of numerical data in describing and comparing
• Predict an outcome of a simple investigation
• Collect data, investigate and analyze to develop a logical consequence

History and Social Science

Students will understand about the connections to the past and compare the fundamental needs of the California Indians to the people around the world. They will compare and contrast the basic human needs. Students use research skills and other resources to collect information.

• Describe national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions
• Local historical events
• Students understand the role of rules and laws in our daily lives and the basic structure of the U.S. government
• Understanding communities: ethnic, farming, port, and mining
• Services provided by the communities like: parks, police and fire department

Geography

Students describe the physical and human geography and the use of maps, tables, graphs, photographs, and charts to organize information about people, places and environments in a spatial context. The world cultures are shared as part of comparing and contrasting and defining basic needs.

• Map reading
• Connections of physical geography and the influence on people
• Understanding types of landforms
• Means of transportation

Physical Education

• Students will receive the training and practice in the components of health related fitness like: cardio respiratory fitness, abdominal and upper body
• Understanding of warm ups and cool downs
• Participate in aerobic activity for extended time
• Students will be exposed to soccer, kickball, volleyball, and football
• Work cooperatively and show sportsmanship

Art

• Art appreciation
• Forms of art like: oils, water color, chalk drawings

Words

Rock, consider, baking, astonished, entire, passenger, seize, continue, escape, avenue, stride (step), plunge, left, price (cost), terminate, summit, transparent, depart, suit, veterinarian, ingredients, extract, because, breeze, certainly, beads, mouse, handles, spill, suppose, early, feathers, whisper, enough, nickel, sight, nothing, knock, often, listen, worse, lace, dislike, tickets, unkind, laughed, waved, gladly, sliding