Students perform probability experiments that provide information for analyzing data and predicting outcomes. Third graders will have Home Links homework on a regular basis. The third-grade curriculum focuses on the physical, earth, and life sciences. In the Structures of Life module, students observe and record the structures of a crayfish. After creating an enriched crayfish habitat, students investigate and record behaviors in this habitat.
Students create a hydroponic garden to observe the life cycle of a bean plant.
The Water unit provides students with activities to explore the properties of water and the interaction between water and other earth materials. Students observe and explore properties of water in liquid and solid states, observe the expansion and contraction of water as it gains and loses heat, investigate factors that influence the cycle of evaporation and condensation of water, compare water quality using indicators, and observe changes that occur in water that has flowed over limestone. In the Sound unit, students learn to discriminate between sounds, explore sound generators and musical instruments to discover what causes sound and how pitch changes. To further enhance the students' understanding of the interdependency of the animal world, students have the opportunity to investigate owl pellets. The social studies curriculum in third grade focuses on the concept of community.