Third Grade at Pioneer Academy | Best Private School in Passaic County

Pioneer’s K–4 Language Arts program is based on the reading and writing workshop model developed by Teachers College at Columbia University. This focused approach ensures that each student develops the skills needed to excel as a reader, writer, speaker, and listener. Our classroom libraries are loaded with engaging titles from our students' favorite series, all of which are ideal for elementary school libraries.

Through read-alouds, guided reading, and book groups, children develop listening and comprehension skills and learn to express their ideas. “Read, Stop, Think!” strategies are taught to build skills in predicting, visualizing, summarizing, and making inferences.

Grammar, spelling, and vocabulary are integrated as students master mechanics while writing for a variety of audiences and in a wide range of genres. The writing process includes pre-writing, revising, and editing. Each student is encouraged to develop skills that lead to a lifelong love of reading while guided in developing a voice as a writer.

Each session begins with a mini lesson. Kids sit with a long-term partner while in the mini lesson.
The mini lesson ends with the kids being sent off to their own independent work.
As students work, the teacher confers with them and leads small groups.
Partway through independent work time, the teacher stands and delivers a mid-workshop teaching point.
The workshop ends with a share.

Reading
Reading comprehension skills are deepened in 3rd grade as literacy is increasingly critical in mastering concepts and content in science, social studies, and math. In third grade, students learn to read narrative fiction books, nonfiction expository texts, nonfiction narrative texts (biographies), mystery-themed books, and do book clubs to study books with strong main characters.

‍Writing
With a focus on personal narrative, myth, poetry, realistic fiction, and informational writing, students learn to write a complete paragraph with a main idea, supporting sentences, and a conclusion. Students gain a deeper understanding of the writing process by creating a rough draft, an edited and revised draft, and a final draft. In third grade, students learn to write personal narratives - small moment stories, nonfiction writing - chapter books about an area of expertise, opinion writing - persuasive, and fairy tale writing - copy and change elements to an existing fairy tale and then write an original fairy tale.
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‍STANDARDS AND SKILLS:‍

Create clear, coherent, and focused paragraphs
Identify and use nouns, verbs, and pronouns appropriately
Self-edit and proofread for capitalization, organization, punctuation, and spelling
Identify and describe plot, setting, and characters
Summarize a piece of writing

All students will acquire the knowledge and skills to think analytically about how past and present interactions of people,cultures,and the environment shape the American heritage. Such knowledge and skills enable students to make informed decisions that reflect fundamental rights and core democratic values as productive citizens in local, national, and global communities.

In grades K-4, students learn fundamental concepts about government, citizenship, geography, economics, and history. The focus of instruction is on developing an understanding of core democratic values, the rights and responsibilities of American citizens, and how key people and events contributed to the development of the American heritage. Exploration of cultural universals enables students to realize how the availability of resources, the changing environment, and innovation impact everyday life.

In this course, students will focus on the growth of the United States through different communities. Students will learn to use maps and globes to see where these communities originated and how they expanded throughout our Country's growth.

This course shows how some features of a community may change, while others stay the same. Students meet the people who were important in bringing about some of these changes. Together, we learn how Native Americans, European explorers, inventors and activists, shaped the history of America. By studying the history of their own community and country, students will learn what brings about changes in local communities and national governments.
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Students will get an understanding of the three levels of government - local, state, and federal, and the services they provide. Students will also be able to describe the three branches of the national government. Our third-graders will also be introduced to other forms of government, describing their similarities and differences. Various monuments and memorials will also be explored to find what they symbolize about our nation.
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STANDARDS AND SKILLS

Correctly apply terms related to time and chronology
Read and create maps using a key, compass rose, and elevation symbols
Describe the cultural interaction among people in New jersey
Demonstrate an understanding of a historical figure’s point of view

Pioneer Academy's STEM Program for third grade offers an exciting and comprehensive curriculum that focuses on technology and engineering concepts. Students engage in a variety of units designed to develop their skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

In the technology units, third-grade students explore various topics to enhance their digital literacy and responsible online behavior. They learn about Digital Citizenship, understanding the importance of ethical and safe practices when using digital platforms and engaging in online communities. Digital Design and Handwriting activities promote creativity and fine motor skills, allowing students to express their ideas through digital mediums. Typing skills are also developed to improve efficiency and accuracy in keyboarding.

Coding introduces students to the fundamentals of computer programming. They learn coding concepts, logical thinking, and problem-solving strategies to create and control digital artifacts. The Micro:bit unit provides an exciting hands-on experience, where students use a microcontroller to program and design interactive projects.

Using Google Maps and Google Earth, students explore geography and spatial awareness, discovering various locations around the world. Throughout these technology units, Math Connections are made to demonstrate how mathematical concepts can be applied to technology and digital technologies.

In the Engineering units, third-grade students engage in science labs, where they conduct experiments and investigations to deepen their understanding of scientific principles. The Engineering Design Challenges present real-world problems that require students to apply their knowledge and creativity to design and build solutions.

Using K'Nex, students explore the principles of engineering and construction, developing their spatial reasoning and critical thinking skills. The VEX Go Robotics unit provides an immersive experience in robotics design, coding, and problem-solving as students build and program robots to perform specific tasks.

STEM Kits offer hands-on projects and activities that integrate science, technology, engineering, and math, allowing students to apply their knowledge and creativity in a practical context. They work on Student Projects, engaging in open-ended explorations and collaborative endeavors that encourage innovation and teamwork.

Pioneer Academy's third-grade STEM Program provides a well-rounded and interactive learning experience, empowering students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the fields of technology and engineering. By engaging in hands-on activities, projects, and digital exploration, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and technological literacy, preparing them for future STEM endeavors.

Physical Education gives opportunities for children to be creative, cooperative and competitive and to face diverse challenges both as individuals and in groups.

A “good workout” helps ease anxiety, tension and stress and will result in improved attention in class.

Lower School Physical Education Classes give students the opportunity to grow outside of the classroom. The Curriculum is focused around locomotor movements, teamwork, communication, and cooperation.

Pioneer Academy’s Physical Education program promotes the use of Life Skills to help children develop physical and social skills and a lifelong love for healthy physical activity. The program’s four essential components are reinforced through play and practice:

Pioneer Academy’s Physical Education program promotes the use of Life Skills to help children develop physical and social skills and a lifelong love for healthy physical activity. The program’s four essential components are reinforced through play and practice:

Sportsmanship—Each student learns positive social behavior through movement and interaction with others.
Physical fitness—Students learn to develop and maintain the best possible level of performance, understanding, and appreciation for physical fitness.
Skill acquisition—Each student learns specific skills, such as throwing, catching, striking, and kicking.
Self-image—Students develop a positive self-image that includes awareness and understanding of one’s body, the use of the body as a means of expression, and the body as an instrument for self-realization.

As children develop, games and sports help in refining fundamental skills and learning the specialized skills, rules, and strategies needed to play soccer, volleyball, flag football, basketball, field hockey, softball, and other sports. Sportsmanship and collaborative team play are emphasized. Cooperative games help students build relationships, enhance communication skills, and provide opportunities to work together and solve challenges.

All PE activities focus on the five components of health-related fitness: aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Children learn to set and maintain physical fitness goals and develop a positive attitude about leading an active and healthy lifestyle.

PIONEER

Third Grade

Third grade is a year for growth.

Third Grade

Third grade is a year for growth.

Curriculum