Parent Guide: Curriculum & Student Learning

THIRD GRADE
The Elementary Progress Report is based on Salem-Keizer Standards. For a full description please go to
www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/content/parents and click on the standards link or contact your child’s teacher.

Students will read a variety of grade level texts (e.g., fiction, non-fiction, poetry) with accuracy, fluency, and
READING comprehension. As the year progresses, so does the complexity of the text.
• Accuracy – students are able to read grade level text accurately • Comprehension – students listen to, read, and understand a wide
recognizing some words by sight and using clues to decode variety of informational and narrative text across the subject
unfamiliar words (e.g., text clues, picture clues and context areas at school and on own, applying comprehension strategies
clues). (e.g., visualizing, connecting, asking questions), skills (e.g.,
• Fluency – students read grade-level text with expression that is retell, identify main idea and supporting details) and vocabulary
beginning to sound conversational. as needed.

Students will experience writing in authentic ways, writing for real audiences in a variety of genres (e.g., personal and fic-
WRITING tional narratives and non fictional brief reports). Students will create writing by studying real authors and applying strate-
gies good writers use:

• The Writing Process – students generate ideas, create drafts,
revise/confer, edit & publish.
• Ideas and Content – students communicate knowledge of the
topic, write relevant examples, and convey clear main ideas,
facts, anecdotes, and details appropriate to the topic, audience,
and purpose.
• Organization – students structure information in a clear sequence
including beginning, middle, and end. They make connections
and transition among ideas, sentences, and paragraphs.
• Conventions – students use correct spelling, grammar,
punctuation, capitalization, and paragraphing as appropriate to
grade level standards.
• Sentence Fluency – students use varied sentence structures to
enhance flow, rhythm, length and meaning.

SPEAKING & LISTENING

Students will listen critically and respond appropriately across all subject areas, formally and informally. Students will comprehend, express, and
exchange ideas for a variety of authentic purposes. This includes communicating in clear sequence, making connections and transitions, using
language appropriate to topic, context, audience and purpose.

Students will develop math skills that promote problem solving, reasoning, communication, and making
MATHEMATICS connections. Students will solve mathematical situations using a variety of methods and strategies to
communicate learning. Experiences in math include the following:

• Number and Operations – students develop an understanding of
fractions and fraction equivalence.
• Numbers, Operations, Algebra, Data Analysis – students develop
understanding of multiplication and division, strategies for basic
multiplication facts and related division facts, and analyze tables
and graphs.
• Geometry & Measurement – students describe and analyze
properties of two-dimensional shapes, including perimeters.
• Uses mathematical representations and communicates reasoning –
students use manipulatives and models (e.g., connecting cubes,
charts, various fraction and decimal models, base-ten pieces,
number lines, arrays) to communicate understanding of
mathematical concepts and operations.

Students will experience science in contexts that promote the scientific inquiry approach. Learning will
SCIENCE incorporate engineering and design and the scientific method through the use of evidence, critical thinking,
making connections and communications. Areas of study will include:

• Life cycles in plants and animals • Forces and motion

• States of matter • Offspring and parents
• Apparent movement of Sun and Moon
SOCIAL STUDIES, HEALTH & ART
Students will be given multiple experiences in these content areas throughout their literacy block and/or content block.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Second language learners can correctly use language to listen and share their ideas orally and in writing.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Students should begin to:

• Demonstrate motor skills

• Understand the importance of maintaining lifetime fitness
• Apply rules to games and sports
• Demonstrate respect for others during activities

LIBRARY MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY Students should begin to:

• Understand and apply technology to solve instructional problems

• Demonstrate growth in research skills
• Demonstrate understanding and respect for a wide range of literary materials

MUSIC Students should begin to:

• Demonstrate a singing voice

• Develop music skills
• Demonstrate an understanding and respect for diverse musical genre

ELEMENTARY PROGRESS REPORT GENERAL SCORING GUIDELINES

Scores for all subjects are based on class work, teacher observations and various assessments. Each academic
area receives a score of 1-6 showing the level the student is performing. A score of 4 is proficient and shows that
the student is meeting grade-level expectations. The full scoring scale is on each progress report. Each academic
area also receives an effort score of E, S+, S, S-, or N and indicates the student’s participation and attentiveness.
Students also receive a score for Characteristics of Successful Learners (e.g. returns homework on time, focuses
attention or demonstrates respect). These are skills all students should develop to be successful in and out of
school.

Sandy Husk, Superintendent

Salem-Keizer Public Schools promotes equal opportunity for all individuals
without regard to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race,
religion or creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status.