• Grade Three

    English Language Arts
    Students in Grade Three are tackling more difficult texts as readers and developing their own voice and style as writers.  Grade three students are well on their way to becoming fluent in the uses of many different forms and genres of text.  Using the components of a Balanced Literacy Approach, students in grade three receive a daily 90 minute literacy block during which they are challenged to read, write, listen, and speak independently, in pairs and small groups, and in whole group settings. 

    Specifically, in grade three, our focus and by using the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment system to insure prescriptive instruction at each student’s individual reading level.  The language arts curriculum in the general classroom is supported by a Book Room stocked and leveled with books spanning the range of reading levels and instructional levels for Pre-K through grade 6.

    The focus of English Language Arts instruction at any level remains NYSED Core Curriculum and challenges students to read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding, for literary response and expression, for critical analysis and evaluation, and for social interaction. 

    Math
    The Elementary Math Program in the North Tonawanda City School District provides a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned to the New York State Standards for Learning. The Elementary Math curriculum focuses on foundational mathematical reasoning skills beginning with number sense and operations, geometrical shapes, measurement, patterning and sequencing, problem solving, and reasoning. Building on these foundational skills each year, we provide students with explicit, grade level instruction in our daily 60 minute math block.

    Specifically, in grade three, students continue their exploration of number sense and operations but also advance to the area of statistics through collecting, displaying, and analyzing data in various forms;  they read and write whole number up to 1,000, compare and order numbers to 1,000 and skip to count by 25s, 50s, 100s and 1,000s.  In addition, they begin identifying odd and even numbers, use a variety of strategies to add and subtract 3 digit numbers, and develop fluency with single digit multiplication and division facts.

    The focus of Mathematics instruction at any level remains the NYSED Core Curriculum through which teachers provide students with the knowledge and understanding of mathematics necessary to function in a world very dependent upon the application of mathematics.  Instructionally, this goal translates into three components:

    • conceptual understanding
    • procedural fluency
    • problem solving 
    Social Studies
    The Elementary Social Studies curriculum provides students with opportunities to confront questions about humankind and the world. As part of the New York State Core Curriculum, students engage in the study of history, geography, economics, government, citizenship and civics.  Concepts and themes explored at the elementary level begin with the study of families, communities, local places in the North Tonawanda community and the Western New York region, citizenship, rights and responsibilities, and rules and laws.

    Specifically, in grade three, students begin learning about the location of world communities through the use of maps and globes.  They learn specific environmental and geographic features that are specific to geographic locations across the glove and how those features influence communities. In addition, students learn about the many different world cultures and civilizations, their historical characteristics, political and governmental characteristics economic characteristics, and the various symbols of citizenship in world communities.

    Science
    The Elementary Science Program in the North Tonawanda City School District provides a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned to the New York State Standards for Learning. The Elementary Science curriculum uses Scientific Inquiry to explore broad topics of the physical setting and the living environment. Students use simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend their senses acquiring simple skills such as how to observe, measure, connect, record and report data, and to classify objects using their own rules. From their own observations, they begin to ask questions and make predictions. Students' investigations are largely based on systematic observations and simple classifications to bring order and organization to their understanding. As students develop concepts and vocabulary from such experiences, they develop the ability to ask meaningful questions, investigate aspects of the world around them, and use their observations to construct reasonable explanations for their questions.

    Specifically, in grade three, students learn about astronomy and the Earth’s place in outer space; they continue to explore the many different phenomena regarding matter and its properties; students also continue to explore energy in regards to gravity, how machines work, and how they can change the direction of a force or motion.  Measurement is explored in further depth using standard and non-standard measurement tools to understand the attributes of area, length, volume, capacity, weight, time, temperature, and angles.  Finally, a major feature of third grade science is the exploration of vertebrates, including the similarities and differences of species, their reproduction and genetics, and how specific animals change and adapt to their environments.

    In addition to academics, the North Tonawanda City School District provides instruction in an experiential setting by offering one mandatory field trip per grade level for each elementary student.  Grade Three students visit the Erie County Botanical Gardens