Third Grade

English Language Arts

English Language Arts students will grow skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students in Third Grade will… 

● read more complex fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, building skills to read independently with accuracy and expression 

● ask and answer question about fiction texts, recount stories, identify lesson/moral, analyze characters and their actions, and recognize how their own opinions may differ 

● ask and answer questions about nonfiction texts, determine main ideas and key details, and use text features to locate information

● compare and contrast themes, characters, and ideas across different stories and articles 

● write opinion, informative, and narrative pieces that include clear ideas, supporting details, and strong endings 

● plan, write, revise, and edit with support, making writing clearer and more interesting 

● participate in conversations, listen closely, build on others’ ideas, clearly express thinking 

● use precise words, figurative language, and choose the right word for the right situation 

● use proper sentence structure, verb tenses, punctuation, and capitalization in writing 

● expand vocabulary using context clues, word parts, and resources to understand words

Mathematics

KPS math students make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; reason abstractly and quantitatively; construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others; model with mathematics; use appropriate tools strategically; attend to precision; look for and make use of structure; and look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Students in Third Grade will… 

● multiply and divide up to 10 × 10 quickly and accurately, including knowing the times tables from memory 

● solve word problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division 

● begin to multiply numbers with more than one digit (multiplying 9 × 80) 

● understand fractions and relate them to the familiar system of whole numbers (recognizing that 3/1 and 3 are the same number) 

● reason about shapes (all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares) 

● find area of shapes, link area to multiplication 

● measure and estimate weights and liquid volumes, and solve problems involving these

Science

Through inquiry, collaboration, and sense-making, KPS students use science and engineering to understand the world around them regarding… 

● forces and interactions 

● interdependent relationships in ecosystems 

● inheritance and variation of traits 

● weather and climate 

● engineering design

Social Studies

Individually and collaboratively, students will engage in planned inquiries to investigate… 

● early Michigan history 

● ways people interacted with Michigan’s environment and consequences of those interactions 

● Michigan’s government and rights and responsibilities of citizenship 

● Michigan’s economy and public issues

Specials

Art

The KPS Art program supports creativity, self-expression, and skill development through hands-on learning and exposure to a variety of artistic tools and techniques. 

Students follow class expectations while deepening their understanding of advanced color theory and the elements and principles of design. They engage with a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques, refining their skills and creative habits. Students also gain a broader perspective on the role of art across cultures and throughout history.

Music

The KPS Music program offers all students from a rich and engaging experience grounded in Music Learning Theory. Music instruction emphasizes how children naturally learn music in a way similar to how they acquire language.

 Students deepen their musical understanding by engaging with more complex rhythmic patterns, tonalities, and ensemble work. They explore instruments, movement, and vocal activities, building skills in musical literacy and performance. Students learn to listen, create, and respond to music in ways that strengthen their appreciation and connection.

Physical Education

The KPS Physical Education (PE) program is designed to help students build essential skills through a wide variety of activities that promote fitness, teamwork, and fun. 

Students expand on foundational skills with advanced fitness tests, skill drills in soccer and basketball, relay races, and strategy games. Teamwork games and varied movement activities help improve agility and coordination. The year concludes with Field Day - an exciting celebration where students showcase their skills, support one another, and enjoy friendly outdoor competition.

STEM

The KPS Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program provides students with hands-on learning experiences that inspire creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking through real-world exploration.

 Students build on foundations with more complex problem-solving tasks, design challenges, and technology-based projects. They apply critical thinking to real-world scenarios, work in teams to develop creative solutions, and explore STEM careers through career-connected learning experiences. The emphasis on innovation, reflection, and perseverance helps prepare students for future academic success and a changing world.