Paper-Based 3rd Grade Curriculum & School Options

Not every family wants 3rd grade to happen on a screen. Many homeschool programs use printed books, workbooks, teacher guides, manipulatives, literature, crafts, and hands-on activities as the primary method of instruction.

Accredited Paper-Based & Print-Heavy Third Grade Programs

Seton Home Study School

Type: Accredited Catholic distance school
Format: Textbooks, workbooks, readers, printed lesson plans, tests, and parent-led instruction

Seton offers a complete third-grade program built primarily around traditional printed materials.

The curriculum includes areas such as:

Reading • Phonics • English • Vocabulary • Spelling • Handwriting • Mathematics • Science • History • Art • Music • Religion

Full enrollment includes the books needed for the grade level as well as lesson plans, academic counseling, grading, and recordkeeping. Seton is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

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Kolbe Academy

Type: Accredited Catholic classical academy
Format: Printed books, course plans, study guides, assignments, tests, and parent-led instruction

Kolbe offers a Traditional Homeschool option in which parents teach using physical books and structured course plans.

Third-grade subjects include:

Religion • English Grammar • Phonics • Reading • Vocabulary • Geography • History • Mathematics • Science

Families can choose among mathematics options and adjust pacing according to the child's needs. Kolbe's traditional homeschool course plans provide assignments, discussion guidance, and assessments while allowing the parent to direct daily instruction.

Kolbe Academy is accredited by Cognia and the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools (NAPCIS).

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Mother of Divine Grace School

Type: Accredited Catholic classical distance school
Format: Printed syllabus, traditional books, workbooks, literature, and parent-led instruction

Mother of Divine Grace offers a detailed Third Grade Syllabus with daily lesson plans.

The curriculum includes:

Religion • Mathematics • Language Arts • Spelling & Phonics • Poetry • Science • History • Geography • Latin • Art • Music

The syllabus also includes suggested schedules, teaching tips, learning objectives, rubrics, and recommended literature.

Mother of Divine Grace School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC).

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Oak Meadow School

Type: Accredited secular distance school
Format: Printed coursebooks, literature, projects, arts, nature study, and hands-on activities

Oak Meadow offers a print-heavy third-grade curriculum emphasizing literature, creativity, observation, practical work, and experiential learning.

Third-grade study includes:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • Art • Crafts • Music • Health

Students work with literature, handwriting, multiplication, science experiments, geography, writing, crafts, cooking, and other hands-on learning experiences.

Families can either purchase Oak Meadow curriculum independently or enroll through Oak Meadow School. The distance-learning school is accredited by NEASC.

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Bridgeway Academy

Type: Accredited personalized homeschool academy
Format: Textbook, worktext, online, live, or blended curriculum options

Bridgeway allows enrolled families to build individualized homeschool programs using a variety of formats, including traditional textbook-based instruction.

Families who prefer a paper-focused third-grade program can select printed curriculum while receiving academy services such as academic advising, grading assistance, and school records.

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Independent / Non-Accredited Paper-Based Third Grade Curricula

Abeka Homeschool

Type: Christian traditional curriculum
Format: Textbooks, workbooks, readers, flashcards, teacher guides, and hands-on materials

Abeka's third-grade curriculum can be purchased and taught independently without enrolling in Abeka Academy.

The traditional curriculum includes areas such as:

Reading • Language Arts • Spelling • Writing • Mathematics • History & Geography • Science • Health

Its Grade 3 book materials include dedicated reading books, language and spelling texts, arithmetic, American history, science, health, comprehension activities, and map skills.

Families using the books independently remain responsible for homeschool instruction, grading, and recordkeeping.

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BJU Press Homeschool

Type: Christian traditional curriculum
Format: Printed textbooks, student worktexts, teacher editions, tests, and hands-on activities

BJU Press offers a Grade 3 Complete Grade Textbook Kit for families who want parent-led, paper-based instruction.

The complete kit includes student and teacher materials for:

Heritage Studies • English • Mathematics • Science • Reading • Spelling • Handwriting

Third-grade study includes reading comprehension, world regions, multiplication and division, space and life science, grammar, spelling, handwriting, and critical-thinking activities.

Families can purchase the physical textbook program without using BJU's video courses.

Website Button: Visit BJU Press Homeschool →

Sonlight

Type: Christian literature-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, Instructor's Guides, readers, workbooks, manipulatives, and hands-on activities

Sonlight offers several third-grade curriculum pathways built heavily around real books and read-alouds.

Families can choose a History/Bible/Literature program, a full All-Subjects Package, or customize their own program.

A complete package may include:

History • Geography • Bible • Literature • Reading • Language Arts • Spelling • Handwriting • Mathematics • Science

Sonlight's third-grade packages use detailed Instructor's Guides and physical books, with several history options depending on the family's preferred sequence.

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BookShark

Type: Secular literature-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, Instructor's Guides, student activity sheets, manipulatives, and hands-on learning

BookShark's Level D is designed for approximately ages 8–11 and is commonly used for third-grade students.

The Level D All-Subject Package includes instruction in areas such as:

Reading & History • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • Handwriting • Spelling

The curriculum is heavily literature-based and uses both fiction and nonfiction books alongside detailed parent guides and hands-on activities.

Optional online components are available, but the core program can be used as a book- and paper-based homeschool curriculum.

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Memoria Press

Type: Classical Christian curriculum
Format: Printed books, workbooks, teacher guides, literature, flashcards, and curriculum manual

Memoria Press offers a structured classical third-grade curriculum with an emphasis on strong reading, writing, grammar, spelling, mathematics, memory work, and classical studies.

Third-grade learning includes areas such as:

Reading • Literature • Writing • Grammar • Spelling • Mathematics • Classical Studies • Science • Geography • Art • Music

Its Grade 3 scope and sequence includes increasingly fluent reading, text analysis, paragraph development, outlining, summarizing, grammar, spelling, and classical vocabulary.

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Master Books

Type: Christian homeschool curriculum
Format: Printed textbooks, workbooks, student worksheets, schedules, quizzes, and teacher guides

Master Books offers a Grade 3 Basic 4 Subject Set providing 36 weeks of instruction in:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • History

The third-grade program includes multiplication and division, place value, fractions, measurement, reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, paragraph writing, American history, geography, biomes, food chains, and climate.

Additional Bible and elective materials can be added separately.

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My Father's World

Type: Christian family-style unit-study curriculum
Format: Printed teacher guides, books, notebooks, student sheets, timelines, experiments, and projects

My Father's World integrates subjects through history- and geography-based unit studies.

For many third-grade students, families may use an appropriate multi-age program based on placement and whether the child is the oldest learner in the family.

Programs integrate areas such as:

Bible • History • Geography • Science • Literature • Art • Music • Hands-On Projects

Families generally select appropriate mathematics and language arts materials separately based on skill level.

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Timberdoodle

Type: Eclectic customizable homeschool curriculum kit
Format: Workbooks, books, manipulatives, games, STEM materials, art supplies, and hands-on resources

Timberdoodle offers a current 2026–2027 Third-Grade Curriculum Kit for approximately ages 8–9.

Families can choose different package levels and customize the contents.

Depending on the package, subjects may include:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Thinking Skills • History & Social Studies • Geography • Science • STEM • Art

Timberdoodle's third-grade kit includes a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, problem-solving, games, logic, and STEM activities. Both faith-based and nonreligious package options are available.

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The Good and the Beautiful

Type: Parent-led homeschool curriculum
Format: Printed course books, literature, manipulatives, handwriting materials, and optional digital supplements

The Good and the Beautiful offers a Level 3 Basic Bundle for third-grade students.

The core bundle includes:

Language Arts • Reading • Writing • Spelling • Handwriting • Mathematics

Science, history, and electives can be selected separately. The Level 3 bundle includes physical course books, reading books, handwriting materials, and mathematics manipulatives.

Families can use the printed curriculum as the primary form of instruction while using optional digital resources when desired.

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Christian Light

Type: Christian workbook-based curriculum
Format: LightUnit workbooks, readers, teacher guides, textbooks, flashcards, quizzes, and tests

Christian Light offers a complete Grade 3 curriculum with a strong traditional workbook approach.

Subjects include:

Reading • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies • Bible

Reading 3 uses ten LightUnit workbooks, a reader, and a Teacher's Guide. Language Arts integrates grammar, spelling, penmanship, punctuation, capitalization, and creative writing. Math uses incremental instruction with continuous review and includes multiplication and division.

Christian Light released a new Grade 3 Science Sunrise Edition in 2026 using five full-color LightUnits.

This is particularly suitable for families who want a structured, predominantly paper-and-pencil program.

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Gather ’Round Homeschool

Type: Christian family-style unit-study curriculum
Format: Printed or digital teacher guides, leveled student notebooks, projects, and hands-on activities

Gather ’Round Homeschool allows multiple children to study the same central topic while completing assignments at their individual learning levels.

The curriculum typically integrates areas such as:

Language Arts • Science • History • Geography • Bible • Writing • Research • Art

For many third-grade students, the Early Elementary level may be appropriate. Gather ’Round currently describes this level as generally intended for ages 8–10 and students who can complete some written work with support. Placement is based more on reading and writing ability than strict grade level.

Most full units are available as printed books as well as digital files. Mathematics is offered separately from the main unit-study curriculum.

Gather ’Round is not an accredited school. Families using it independently remain responsible for instruction, grading, and homeschool recordkeeping.

Website Button: Visit Gather ’Round Homeschool →

Heart of Dakota

Type: Christian literature-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, teacher guides, notebooks, workbooks, literature, experiments, and hands-on activities

Heart of Dakota organizes curriculum primarily by developmental readiness rather than strict grade level.

Bigger Hearts for His Glory is designed primarily for approximately Grades 2–3 and integrates:

History • Geography • Bible • Art • Spelling • Poetry • Science • Reading • Mathematics • Grammar • Literature

The program uses a daily teacher guide, physical books, science activities, narration, notebooking, and hands-on projects.

Some third-grade students may place into a different Heart of Dakota level depending on reading, writing, and academic readiness.

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Beyond the Page

Type: Secular literature- and project-based curriculum
Format: Physical books, parent guides, student activity books, experiments, projects, and printable materials

Beyond the Page's Age 7–9 curriculum is a good fit for many third-grade students.

A traditional 36-week schedule includes:

Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies

Third-grade-level topics include multiplication and division, place value, measurement, area and perimeter, fractions, geometry, money, weather, landforms, communities, life cycles, the water cycle, economics, government, and cultural connections.

The program emphasizes literature, discussion, writing, experiments, projects, and critical thinking.

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Printable / Literature-Based Option

Build Your Library

Type: Secular literature-based curriculum
Format: Printable lesson plans used with physical literature, nonfiction books, maps, notebooks, and projects

Build Your Library offers literature-based programs organized by levels rather than traditional textbook packages.

Families purchase the curriculum guide digitally, print the lesson plans, and obtain the recommended physical books.

Programs typically integrate:

Literature • History • Geography • Science • Poetry • Art • Writing • Research • Mapwork

Families generally add a separate mathematics program and may add additional spelling or grammar instruction depending on the student's needs.

Website Button: Visit Build Your Library →

Choosing a Paper-Based Third Grade Curriculum

When comparing third-grade options, families may want to consider:

Accredited Enrollment • Independent Homeschooling • Secular or Faith-Based • Textbook or Literature-Based • Unit Studies • Parent Teaching Time • Reading Level • Writing Instruction • Multiplication & Division Approach • Fraction Instruction • Science Experiments • History & Geography • Hands-On Projects • Art & Music • Recordkeeping • Testing • Screen Use • Cost

Third grade is particularly important for reading comprehension and mathematics placement.

A child who is technically in third grade may still need second-grade-level work in one subject or fourth-grade-level work in another. Programs that provide placement tests or flexible subject levels can be especially useful.

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All About Reading

A Note for Parents

This is a guide, not a test.

Children develop at different rates. A child may be advanced in one area while still developing skills in another. Use this resource to guide instruction and observe growth rather than as a pass-or-fail assessment.

Illinois Learning Standards establish expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, but the standards themselves are not intended to prescribe one particular curriculum or teaching method.

Reading & Language Arts

Reading Foundations

By the end of third grade, a child should be developing the ability to:

• Identify and understand the meaning of common prefixes.

• Identify and understand the meaning of common derivational suffixes.

• Decode words with common Latin suffixes.

• Break multisyllable words into manageable parts when decoding.

• Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

• Use phonics, syllable patterns, roots, and affixes to decode unfamiliar words.

• Read third-grade text with purpose and understanding.

• Read third-grade text aloud with accuracy.

• Read aloud at an appropriate rate for comprehension.

• Read aloud with expression that supports meaning.

• Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition.

• Reread when needed to improve accuracy, fluency, or understanding.

Illinois Grade 3 foundational-reading standards specifically emphasize prefixes and suffixes, multisyllable decoding, irregular words, accuracy, rate, expression, and comprehension.

Reading Literature

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Ask questions about a story and refer explicitly to the text when answering.

• Answer questions using details and evidence from the story.

• Recount stories.

• Recount fables.

• Recount folktales.

• Recount myths from diverse cultures.

• Determine the central message, lesson, or moral.

• Explain how key details communicate a story's central message or lesson.

• Describe a character's traits.

• Describe a character's motivations.

• Describe a character's feelings.

• Explain how a character's actions contribute to the sequence of events.

• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in literary text.

• Distinguish literal from nonliteral language.

• Refer to chapters when discussing a story.

• Refer to scenes when discussing a drama.

• Refer to stanzas when discussing poetry.

• Explain how one part of a story, drama, or poem builds on an earlier section.

• Distinguish the student's own point of view from that of the narrator.

• Distinguish the student's own point of view from that of a character.

• Explain how illustrations contribute to mood.

• Explain how illustrations help develop characters, setting, or meaning.

• Compare themes in stories by the same author.

• Compare settings in stories by the same author.

• Compare plots involving the same or similar characters.

• Read and comprehend increasingly complex Grade 3 literature independently.

Illinois Grade 3 literature standards include explicit text evidence, character analysis, central messages, point of view, story structure, illustrations, and comparison of related literary works.

Reading Informational Text

By the end of third grade, a child should be developing the ability to:

• Ask questions about informational text.

• Refer explicitly to the text when answering questions.

• Determine the main idea.

• Recount key details.

• Explain how key details support the main idea.

• Describe relationships between historical events.

• Use time and sequence language when explaining events.

• Recognize cause-and-effect relationships.

• Describe relationships between scientific ideas or concepts.

• Describe connections between steps in a technical procedure.

• Determine the meaning of general academic vocabulary.

• Determine the meaning of subject-specific vocabulary.

• Use key words to locate information.

• Use sidebars and other text features.

• Use hyperlinks and appropriate digital search tools.

• Distinguish the student's point of view from an author's point of view.

• Use maps to understand information.

• Use photographs to understand information.

• Use diagrams and other illustrations with written text.

• Explain logical connections between sentences.

• Explain logical connections between paragraphs.

• Recognize comparison structures.

• Recognize cause-and-effect structures.

• Recognize sequence structures.

• Compare the important points in two texts on the same topic.

• Contrast key details from two texts.

• Read Grade 3 history, science, and technical texts with increasing independence.

Illinois Grade 3 informational-reading standards specifically address textual evidence, main ideas, cause and effect, academic vocabulary, search tools, point of view, illustrations, paragraph relationships, and comparing sources.

Writing

By the end of third grade, a child should be developing the ability to:

Opinion Writing

• Write an opinion piece about a topic or text.

• Introduce the topic clearly.

• Clearly state an opinion.

• Create an organizational structure.

• Group related ideas.

• Give reasons supporting the opinion.

• Use linking words and phrases such as because, therefore, since, and for example.

• Write an appropriate conclusion.

Informative & Explanatory Writing

• Introduce an informational topic clearly.

• Group related information together.

• Develop the topic using facts.

• Use definitions.

• Add appropriate details.

• Include illustrations when they help explain information.

• Use linking words and phrases.

• Write an appropriate conclusion.

Narrative Writing

• Write about real or imagined experiences.

• Establish a situation.

• Introduce a narrator and/or characters.

• Organize events in a logical sequence.

• Use dialogue.

• Describe actions.

• Describe thoughts.

• Describe feelings.

• Use temporal words and phrases.

• Provide a sense of closure.

Writing Process & Research

• Plan writing according to the task and purpose.

• Revise writing.

• Edit writing.

• Strengthen organization.

• Improve clarity.

• Use digital tools to produce writing.

• Publish writing with age-appropriate support.

• Collaborate with others on writing when appropriate.

• Conduct short research projects.

• Gather information from print sources.

• Gather information from digital sources.

• Take brief notes.

• Sort evidence into useful categories.

• Recall relevant personal experiences.

• Write routinely for different purposes and periods of time.

Grade 3 represents an important shift toward organized, evidence-based writing and short research projects rather than only beginning composition.

Speaking & Listening

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Come to discussions prepared.

• Read or study assigned material before discussing it.

• Use previous knowledge during discussions.

• Follow agreed-upon discussion rules.

• Participate appropriately in one-on-one discussions.

• Participate in small groups.

• Participate in larger group discussions.

• Listen carefully to other speakers.

• Ask questions to check understanding.

• Connect a question or comment to another person's remarks.

• Explain personal ideas and understanding.

• Determine the main ideas of information presented orally.

• Identify supporting details.

• Understand information presented through media.

• Ask relevant questions of a speaker.

• Answer questions using appropriate detail.

• Report on a topic or text.

• Recount an experience.

• Include appropriate facts.

• Use relevant descriptive details.

• Speak clearly.

• Speak at an understandable pace.

• Create audio recordings when appropriate.

• Add visual displays when they clarify information.

• Speak in complete sentences when appropriate.

Language, Grammar & Vocabulary

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Explain the function of nouns.

• Explain the function of pronouns.

• Explain the function of verbs.

• Explain the function of adjectives.

• Explain the function of adverbs.

• Form regular plural nouns.

• Form irregular plural nouns.

• Use abstract nouns such as friendship or childhood.

• Form regular verbs.

• Form irregular verbs.

• Use past tense.

• Use present tense.

• Use future tense.

• Maintain subject-verb agreement.

• Maintain pronoun-antecedent agreement.

• Form comparative adjectives and adverbs.

• Form superlative adjectives and adverbs.

• Choose comparative or superlative forms appropriately.

• Use coordinating conjunctions.

• Use subordinating conjunctions.

• Produce complete simple sentences.

• Produce complete compound sentences.

• Produce complete complex sentences.

• Capitalize appropriate words in titles.

• Use commas in addresses.

• Use commas and quotation marks in dialogue.

• Form possessives correctly.

• Spell studied words conventionally.

• Add suffixes using appropriate spelling changes.

• Apply common spelling patterns.

• Use dictionaries or reference materials to check spelling.

• Use sentence context to determine word meaning.

• Use prefixes and suffixes as meaning clues.

• Use roots to determine meanings of related words.

• Use glossaries.

• Use beginning dictionaries.

• Distinguish literal and nonliteral meanings.

• Connect vocabulary to real-life situations.

• Distinguish shades of meaning among related words.

• Use increasingly precise academic vocabulary.

Illinois Grade 3 language standards substantially expand expectations for grammar, sentence structure, verb tense, agreement, conventions, spelling, roots and affixes, and vocabulary.

Mathematics

Third-grade mathematics introduces several major concepts that continue throughout later elementary mathematics. Illinois identifies multiplication and division, fractions, area, and increasingly complex problem-solving as major Grade 3 content.

Multiplication & Division

By the end of third grade, a child should be developing the ability to:

• Interpret multiplication as equal groups.

• Understand factors.

• Understand products.

• Interpret division as sharing.

• Interpret division as grouping.

• Understand dividends.

• Understand divisors.

• Understand quotients.

• Solve multiplication word problems.

• Solve division word problems.

• Use arrays.

• Represent multiplication with drawings.

• Represent division with drawings.

• Use equations to represent multiplication and division.

• Find an unknown factor.

• Find an unknown number in a division equation.

• Use the commutative property of multiplication.

• Use the associative property.

• Use the distributive property.

• Understand division as an unknown-factor problem.

• Use multiplication to solve division problems.

• Use division to check multiplication.

• Multiply within 100.

• Divide within 100.

• Develop fluency with multiplication facts.

• Develop fluency with related division facts.

• Know products of two one-digit numbers from memory by the end of the year.

• Solve two-step word problems.

• Use all four operations appropriately in word problems.

• Represent unknown quantities with a letter or symbol.

• Use estimation or mental math to determine whether an answer is reasonable.

• Identify arithmetic patterns.

• Explain arithmetic patterns.

Place Value & Multi-Digit Arithmetic

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Round whole numbers to the nearest 10.

• Round whole numbers to the nearest 100.

• Add within 1,000.

• Subtract within 1,000.

• Use efficient place-value strategies.

• Understand regrouping in addition.

• Understand regrouping in subtraction.

• Multiply one-digit numbers by multiples of 10.

• Explain multiplication involving multiples of 10 using place value.

Fractions

Third grade introduces fractions as numbers, rather than only as pieces of shapes.

A child should be developing the ability to:

• Understand a unit fraction such as 1/4.

• Understand the denominator as the number of equal parts in a whole.

• Understand the numerator as the number of selected equal parts.

• Understand a fraction such as 3/4 as three copies of 1/4.

• Represent fractions with models.

• Represent fractions on a number line.

• Divide 0 to 1 into equal intervals on a number line.

• Locate unit fractions.

• Locate non-unit fractions.

• Recognize equivalent fractions.

• Generate simple equivalent fractions.

• Explain equivalent fractions using models.

• Recognize whole numbers written as fractions.

• Compare fractions with the same numerator.

• Compare fractions with the same denominator.

• Use >, <, and = when comparing appropriate fractions.

• Explain fraction comparisons.

• Understand that fractions must refer to the same-size whole when being compared.

Illinois Grade 3 math explicitly identifies developing an understanding of fractions as numbers as a major instructional area.

Measurement, Time & Data

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Tell time to the nearest minute.

• Write time to the nearest minute.

• Determine elapsed time in minutes.

• Solve addition problems involving time.

• Solve subtraction problems involving time.

• Measure liquid volume in liters.

• Estimate liquid volume.

• Measure mass in grams.

• Measure mass in kilograms.

• Estimate mass.

• Solve measurement problems involving the four operations when appropriate.

• Draw scaled picture graphs.

• Draw scaled bar graphs.

• Interpret scaled graphs.

• Solve one-step graph problems.

• Solve two-step graph problems.

• Collect measurement data.

• Measure lengths to whole units.

• Measure to halves and fourths when appropriate.

• Create line plots from measurement data.

Area & Perimeter

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Understand area as the amount of surface covered.

• Measure area with unit squares.

• Use square centimeters.

• Use square meters.

• Use square inches.

• Use square feet.

• Find the area of a rectangle by multiplying side lengths.

• Relate area to multiplication.

• Break complex rectangles into smaller rectangles.

• Add smaller areas to find a total area.

• Use the distributive property with area models.

• Understand perimeter as the distance around a shape.

• Find the perimeter of polygons.

• Find an unknown side when the perimeter is known.

• Compare shapes having the same perimeter but different areas.

• Compare shapes having the same area but different perimeters.

• Distinguish linear measurement from area measurement.

Geometry

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Understand that shapes can share attributes.

• Classify shapes into categories.

• Classify quadrilaterals.

• Recognize squares as quadrilaterals.

• Recognize rectangles.

• Recognize rhombuses.

• Draw quadrilaterals matching particular descriptions.

• Identify examples and nonexamples of shape categories.

• Partition shapes into equal areas.

• Express each equal part as a unit fraction.

Science

Third-grade Illinois science includes forces and motion, magnetic interactions, life cycles, inherited traits, adaptation and survival, fossils, weather and climate, natural hazards, and engineering design. Illinois currently uses science standards incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards.

By the end of third grade, a child should be developing the ability to:

Scientific Investigation

• Ask testable questions.

• Plan investigations.

• Conduct fair tests with guidance.

• Measure data accurately.

• Record observations.

• Look for patterns in data.

• Use evidence to explain conclusions.

• Develop and use models.

• Compare possible solutions to problems.

Forces & Motion

• Explain that forces can change an object's motion.

• Investigate balanced and unbalanced forces.

• Observe changes in speed.

• Observe changes in direction.

• Measure patterns in motion.

• Use patterns to predict future motion.

• Investigate magnetic interactions.

• Recognize that magnets can attract or repel.

• Investigate how distance influences magnetic interactions.

• Design or improve a solution using magnetic forces.

Life Cycles & Organisms

• Understand that organisms have life cycles.

• Recognize that different organisms have different life cycles.

• Recognize common stages such as birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

• Explain how living in groups can help some animals survive.

• Identify inherited traits.

• Compare traits of parents and offspring.

• Recognize that offspring are similar to but not identical to parents.

• Explain that environmental conditions can influence some traits.

Fossils, Habitats & Adaptation

• Use fossils as evidence about organisms that lived long ago.

• Use fossils as evidence about past environments.

• Explain that some organisms survive better in particular habitats.

• Recognize that environmental changes can affect organisms.

• Explain how trait variations may give some individuals survival advantages.

• Explain how trait variations may affect reproduction.

Weather & Climate

• Record weather data.

• Display weather information in tables or graphs.

• Describe typical seasonal weather patterns.

• Compare weather patterns.

• Compare climates in different regions.

• Obtain information about weather-related hazards.

• Explain ways people can reduce the effects of weather hazards.

• Compare design solutions intended to reduce hazard impacts.

Engineering

• Define a simple engineering problem.

• Identify criteria for success.

• Identify constraints such as materials, time, or cost.

• Research possible solutions.

• Develop models or prototypes.

• Compare possible solutions.

• Conduct fair tests.

• Use test results to improve a design.

Social Studies

Illinois' current revised social science standards identify the Grade 3 theme as:

Communities Near and Far

The revised Social Science Standards were adopted for implementation beginning in the 2022-23 school year and combine inquiry with civics, geography, economics, financial literacy, and history.

Inquiry Skills

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Develop essential questions.

• Explain why a question is important.

• Develop supporting questions.

• Identify different sources that may answer questions.

• Look for multiple points of view.

• Gather relevant information.

• Distinguish facts from opinions.

• Consider whether a source is credible.

• Develop claims based on evidence.

• Use evidence from multiple sources.

• Construct arguments.

• Construct explanations.

• Use reasoning.

• Sequence information correctly.

• Include examples and details.

• Present findings orally.

• Present findings in print.

• Reflect on findings.

• Consider multiple viewpoints.

• Identify possible action steps.

Illinois applies a common Grades 3-5 inquiry framework emphasizing essential questions, multiple viewpoints, source credibility, evidence, claims, explanations, and communication.

Civics & Community

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Explain how families interact with communities.

• Explain how workplaces affect communities.

• Explain how organizations affect communities.

• Explain how government entities affect communities.

• Recognize that these institutions interact with one another.

• Use evidence to examine how people have tried to improve communities.

• Recognize that community improvements can involve changing practices or policies.

Current Grade 3 civics standards specifically address interactions among families, workplaces, organizations, and governments, as well as efforts to improve communities.

Geography

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Use print maps.

• Use digital maps.

• Use globes.

• Interpret simple topographic representations.

• Interpret other geographic models.

• Identify familiar locations.

• Identify unfamiliar locations.

• Recognize geographic and environmental features.

• Explain how culture can affect how people adapt to an environment.

• Explain how culture can affect how people modify an environment.

• Compare human-environment relationships across communities.

• Describe movement of people.

• Describe movement of goods.

• Describe movement of jobs.

• Describe movement of information.

• Explain how cultural characteristics can affect movement.

• Explain how environmental characteristics can affect movement.

These reflect the current revised Grade 3 geography expectations.

Economics & Financial Literacy

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Compare goods produced locally with goods produced elsewhere.

• Compare services produced locally with services produced elsewhere.

• Give examples of goods provided by government.

• Give examples of services provided by government.

• Explain the role of banks.

• Explain the role of other financial institutions.

• Understand borrowing.

• Explain that a borrower receives something of value now.

• Understand that borrowed value must be repaid later.

Illinois Grade 3 financial-literacy standards explicitly introduce banks, financial institutions, and borrowing.

History

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

• Create chronological sequences.

• Use chronological sequences.

• Compare developments that occurred during the same time period.

• Explain how people's perspectives influence communities.

• Explain how events can shape communities and regions.

• Recognize that people may have different perspectives on the same events.

• Identify different kinds of historical sources.

• Examine historical sources.

• Explain how sources are used to understand past events.

Current Grade 3 standards mark the beginning of more direct analysis of historical sources rather than simply learning historical facts.

Fine Arts

Fine arts in third grade should provide opportunities to create, perform or present, respond, revise, collaborate, and connect artistic work to culture and experience. Illinois provides separate standards for visual art, music, dance, theatre, and media arts.

A third grader may work toward skills such as:

• Generate several artistic ideas.

• Use imagination as a source of ideas.

• Use observation and experience.

• Experiment with materials.

• Experiment with artistic techniques.

• Revise or refine creative work.

• Make intentional choices about line, color, shape, form, texture, value, pattern, and space.

• Use materials safely.

• Care for equipment.

• Explain artistic choices.

• Select artwork for presentation.

• Prepare artwork for display.

• Interpret artwork using observations.

• Compare different interpretations of art.

• Create rhythmic ideas.

• Create melodic ideas.

• Sing or play age-appropriate music.

• Use basic music notation or symbols.

• Practice and improve performances.

• Demonstrate appropriate audience behavior.

• Identify musical elements such as rhythm, melody, tempo, dynamics, and form.

• Create movement sequences.

• Use space intentionally in movement.

• Use time and energy intentionally.

• Explore choreography.

• Use patterns such as AB or ABA.

• Refine dance or movement based on feedback.

• Participate in theatre and dramatic activities.

• Develop characters.

• Use voice and movement to portray characters.

• Use dialogue and action.

• Work collaboratively on dramatic presentations.

• Explain how art reflects culture.

• Explain how art connects with communities and history.

• Respond respectfully to the creative work of others.

For example, Illinois' Grade 3 dance resources specifically include solving movement problems, experimenting with choreographic devices such as AB and ABA, and using spatial pathways intentionally.

Physical Development & Health

By third grade, physical development and health should continue strengthening movement, fitness, safety, hygiene, decision-making, communication, and personal responsibility. Illinois Grade 3 health performance guidance uses expectations spanning its early-elementary developmental stages.

A third grader should be developing the ability to:

Movement & Fitness

• Use controlled locomotor movements.

• Combine locomotor and non-locomotor skills.

• Throw with increasing accuracy.

• Catch with increasing accuracy.

• Kick appropriately.

• Strike objects with developing control.

• Apply concepts of direction.

• Change speed appropriately.

• Use different movement levels.

• Understand force and pathways.

• Maintain appropriate personal space.

• Participate safely in individual activities.

• Participate safely in partner activities.

• Participate safely in group activities.

• Participate regularly in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

• Recognize changes in heart rate during exercise.

• Recognize changes in breathing.

• Recognize changes in body temperature.

• Explain why regular physical activity supports health.

• Identify activities that build strength.

• Identify activities that build endurance.

• Identify activities that build flexibility.

• Set a simple physical-activity or health goal.

• Use feedback to improve a physical skill.

Cooperation & Responsibility

• Work cooperatively with others.

• Accept responsibility for an assigned role.

• Follow activity rules.

• Use equipment safely.

• Respect people with different abilities.

• Demonstrate appropriate sportsmanship and cooperation.

Health & Hygiene

• Practice personal hygiene.

• Explain how hygiene can help prevent illness.

• Understand why toothbrushes should not be shared.

• Understand why combs, brushes, or eating utensils should not be shared.

• Recognize common symptoms of illness.

• Tell a trusted adult when feeling ill.

• Recognize when illness may require professional medical attention.

• Make healthy choices involving food.

• Recognize the importance of sleep.

• Recognize the importance of movement.

• Identify trusted sources of health information.

Safety

• Identify common causes of accidents.

• Practice home safety.

• Practice pedestrian safety.

• Practice bicycle and traffic safety.

• Use recreational safety rules.

• Recognize that medicines and chemicals require careful handling.

• Explain why dangerous chemicals should be stored safely.

• Understand that swallowing or misusing dangerous substances can cause harm.

• Identify trusted adults who can help.

• Communicate a health or safety need.

• Know how and when to get emergency help.

• Know how to call 911 when appropriate.

• Practice a family emergency plan.

Communication & Decision-Making

• Recognize different emotions.

• Express emotions appropriately.

• Use respectful verbal communication.

• Use respectful nonverbal communication.

• Listen during disagreements.

• Use cooperation and compromise.

• Practice peaceful problem-solving.

• Make simple health and safety decisions.

• Recognize that decisions can have consequences.

• Identify behaviors that support healthy friendships.

• Recognize bullying or threatening behavior.

• Tell a trusted adult about unsafe behavior.

• Seek help when personal safety or another person's well-being is a concern.

Remember: Third Grade Is an Important Transition

Third grade is often when children begin moving from primarily learning foundational skills toward using those skills to learn new information and solve more complex problems.

Children are increasingly learning how to:

Read Closely • Cite Evidence • Research • Write Clearly • Multiply • Divide • Understand Fractions • Measure • Analyze Data • Investigate • Use Evidence • Compare Perspectives • Solve Problems • Communicate • Create • Work Independently

The goal is not simply memorization. Third graders should increasingly be able to explain how they know something and apply what they have learned in a new situation.

The Illinois Learning Center does not endorse or guarantee any individual program listed. The directory is provided for educational and informational purposes to help families compare available options.