Third Grade
Language Arts
Language arts is part of an integrated and interdisciplinary curriculum at Browne Academy. The curriculum in third grade includes reading, spelling, using the writing process in various genres, research linked to science and social studies, book report writing, oral dramatic activities, and cursive handwriting instruction. Some of the objectives of the language arts program include expanding students’ written and spoken vocabularies through comprehension and responding to written material, discerning the main idea and summarizing what is read, writing concise paragraphs and coherent stories, and applying the rules of grammar. One book report is required per month, using books that are at or above the third grade reading level, taking into account a student’s reading ability. Reading of various genres is required. Students also take part in a Browne tradition, Famous Americans, which integrates various disciplines in order to learn about important contributions made by significant people in our nation’s history. Differentiated spelling word lists are designed to meet the needs of the students. Students are accountable for these words in all written assignments including paragraph writing, expository writing and creative writing. Each student has a journal in which to write daily. Oral reports in many areas of the curriculum are required as well. In addition to the language arts instructional time spent in the classroom, the students have two scheduled library visits a week, and may utilize the Library on other occasions, as necessary. The language arts program is further enriched with the use of computers.
Math
The mathematics program at Browne Academy is designed to provide a hands-on approach to students by providing opportunities to discover concepts and to further apply and extend mathematical skills. This program is individualized to the extent that each child is challenged within the parameters of the concept he or she is studying. Third grade-level math works to make students aware of how mathematics is connected to their daily lives. The program continues beyond basic math to move students from the concrete to the more transitional and abstract stages of thinking. The math objectives in third grade include mastering number facts (addition, subtraction and multiplication), mastering addition and subtraction problems with regrouping, understanding place value to 100,000, telling time to the minute, understanding elapsed time and comprehending money values of coins and dollars. Additional concepts studied include geometry, measurement, estimation and problem solving. The mathematics curriculum is enriched with the use of concrete materials in the classroom.
Science
The third grade science curriculum is an activity-based, hands-on program that includes a wide variety of experiments that complement each unit. Browne is located on an 11-acre campus, complete with wooded areas and a stream, which are used extensively for environmental education, data collection and observations. Science is taught to third grade students through small cooperative groups and whole group discussion as well as through written and oral reports. Students continue to use their five senses to make observations, classify objects, and become investigators as they explore a multitude of units including learning about the universe, life cycles, volcanoes and rocks/minerals, and the basics of physical sciences: motion, speed, and forces. Units are complemented with field trips such as outings to Luray Caverns and the Museum of Natural History. Throughout the school year Browne’s young scientists continue to work on developing an understanding of the scientific method.
Social Studies
In third grade social studies is part of an integrated and interdisciplinary program at Browne Academy. Students work individually, with partners, in small groups, and as a large group throughout the year. The goals are for students to become proficient in geography and knowledgeable about early American history. Our objective is for students to develop into informed citizens that make positive contributions to our society. Students are also encouraged to listen, discuss, reflect, question, investigate, research, analyze, construct, develop, explain, generalize, and extend the social studies curriculum beyond the borders of the classroom.
Technology
Third grade Technology class introduces a variety of software types, enabling students to organize data and present it in different ways, thus enhancing their reports in other subjects. Students attend class once a week in the Computer Lab in an effort to create professional documents. The objectives of the third grade Technology program are to:
- Develop a technical vocabulary about PCs and Windows XP
- Enhance keyboarding skills by learning the ‘reaches’ with Type to Learn 3 for Networks while concentrating on proper hand placement and accuracy
- Process, store, and retrieve documents from the Browne network and the Internet
- Create well-written documents in Microsoft Word and Publisher
- Organize data in HyperStudio and PowerPoint presentations, as well as in Excel spreadsheets
French and Spanish
In third grade, the foreign language program at Browne Academy includes one semester each of French and Spanish. During the first semester, they have French class twice a week and each lesson lasts forty minutes. The goals of the French program in third grade are to expose the children to another language and culture and to increase their awareness and respect for cultural diversity. Students expand their French vocabulary through activities like crosswords, educational songs and videos, stories and cultural notes. More emphasis is placed on developing their comprehension and conversation skills with the help of a native French speaker. We will concentrate on short dialogues that teach students how to introduce themselves, including how to say their name, their age, where they are from, whether or not they have any brothers or sisters and what are their likes or dislikes. Grammar and content are often introduced in conjunction with the regular classroom units of study as part of the integrated curriculum at Browne. The four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing are used at this level. Students learn colors, numbers, weather, seasons, and other beginning language skills. They will locate French-speaking countries on world maps and cities and regions in France with corresponding historical monuments. The class also explores aspects of French culture such as history, literature, music, dance, food and currency. There are French quizzes beginning in third grade and there is a small amount of homework given.
The goal of the Spanish curriculum in the third grade is to introduce the language and to expose each student to the joys of learning Spanish for the first time. The program introduces basic Spanish vocabulary and cultural aspects through the following means: songs, games, hands-on activities, visual imagery, story telling, and various other oral exercises. During this crucial first year of studying Spanish, listening and speaking skills are continually reinforced, while reading and writing begin to factor into the curriculum. Students work individually and in groups to practice the different language skills. Spanish and French rotate by semester, giving each child the opportunity to explore both with two classes weekly. Major topics in the third grade are greeting and responses, descriptions, likes and dislikes, personal identification, days and numbers, months, the classroom, colors, the body and sports. The main objective of the Spanish program at this level is for students to master basic vocabulary and culture in these topic areas through listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Art
The art program for the third grade focuses on the importance of originality in their own artwork. Students will examine intermediate colors, warm and cool colors, value, positive and negative space, depth in a space that incorporates overlapping, proportion and placement, lines that show direction and motion, and random and ordered patterns. Students have the opportunity to produce a painting using tints and shades, create a random or ordered pattern by cutting and using a stencil, assemble a collage using overlapping, produce a drawing using light and dark values, construct a sculpture using clay slabs and draw by direct observation in a still life or natural environment.
Music
The overall goal of Browne Academy’s music program is appreciation and understanding of music through active participation. Browne’s interdisciplinary and integrated music curriculum is designed to deepen the knowledge and appreciation of music through singing, ear training, music theory, music history and the playing of instruments. Students in the third grade begin their study of note reading in the Treble Staff at the beginning of the year so that they are ready to begin playing the recorder in January. Membership in the Lower School Chorus is also available to third graders. The Lower School Chorus performs for community functions and school assemblies.
Physical Education
The Browne Academy physical education curriculum is committed to providing students with a comprehensive, challenging and enjoyable program that will be the foundation of an active, healthy and productive lifestyle. All students are appropriately challenged regardless of their physical and athletic abilities. Good sportsmanship is discussed across all grades and is an expectation of every student.
The physical education curriculum focuses on the continuation of skill development in third grade. Refinement of these techniques is crucial to ensure proper form. The intricacies of team sports continue to develop as the students play a variety of challenging games and activities. These fun and intense competitions are an initial introduction to the competitive interscholastic sports that start in fifth grade. The importance of teamwork and the expectation of good sportsmanship continue to be emphasized. Physical fitness challenges continue and the students are encouraged to perform at their highest level.
Field Trips
To expand upon classroom and outdoor learning on campus, the third grade curriculum includes several field trips over the course of the year. Outings may include a trip to the Natural History Museum to study rocks, minerals and Native Americans; a trip to Edison High School to study the solar system at the Planetarium; an excursion to Luray Caverns for a continuing study of nature and earth science; a trip to the Black History Museum to view a film about children’s influence in the underground railroad; and, an outing to Mount Vernon Estate to enhance studies of presidents.