Third Grade

Wayland Union Schools utilizes the Reader's and Writer's Workshop model for Language Arts Instruction. Our district utilizes the Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Reading and Writing as the basis of our Language Arts program but supplement based on the needs of students, which vary from year to year. Students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade also complete the Saxon Phonics program in order to establish a firm foundation in phonics skills. For the 2024-2025 school year, teachers of grades K-5 are piloting additional ELA programs including Superkids, HMH Into Reading, and Bookworms.

Essential Standards for 3rd Grade Language Arts:

• Ask and answer questions to demonstrate an understanding of the text, referring to the text as the basis for the answers.
• Using text features and search tools to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
• Determine the main idea of a text; recount key details and explain how they support the main idea.
• Produce clear and coherent writing which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
• Develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, or rewriting.
• Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversation with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own persuasively.

In accordance with Michigan's new Third Grade Reading Law, all students must be within one grade level of reading proficiency at the end of their Third Grade year. To read about how you can help your child reach reading proficiency, please check out our Read At Home Plan.

Wayland Union Schools utilizes Everyday Mathematics as the core resource for addressing our math curriculum.

Essential Standards for 3rd Grade Math:

• Add and subtract within 1000
• Multiple and divide numbers. By the end of third grade, have multiplication facts memorized.
• Use place value to round numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.
• Understand a fraction as parts of a whole.
• Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.

Parents looking to help their child with math at home might find the following resources useful.

Everyday Math At Home - 3rd Grade

Third graders engage in scientific thinking by exploring more complex topics such as life cycles, ecosystems, and forces. They’ll investigate questions like "Why do animals look like their parents?" and "How can we protect animals from extinction?" Mystery Science helps students understand the relationships between living organisms and their environments. They’ll also explore topics in physical science, like the concepts of motion and forces, through activities that reinforce scientific inquiry and hands-on experimentation.

Mystery Science

Third-grade social studies expand students' understanding of the world by focusing on the development of communities and exploring various cultures. They’ll learn about American history from the perspective of different regions and cultural groups, touching on Native American cultures and early European exploration. Students continue building map skills and learn about geography by studying various countries and continents. The curriculum introduces basic government structures and economic concepts, helping students understand the basics of how society and economies function. The third grade social studies curriculum also introduces the history, geography, government, and economy of Michigan. Students learn about people and events from the past that have influenced the state in which they live. They study the geography of Michigan including the physical and cultural characteristics of different areas of the state.

Studies Weekly

Elementary students at Wayland Union Schools attend classes in Music, Physical Education, Media, and Art on a weekly basis.

Wayland Union Schools offers access to several different programs that can keep students learning at home. Please read below to learn about the various programs. Usage may vary from grade to grade so please be sure to look at the target audience and work with your child's teacher to maximize the benefit of each program.

Please contact your child's teacher or the Technology Helpdesk (helpdesk@waylandunion.org) for usernames and passwords for the various websites.

To learn about the different programs that students may utilize at home, click here.

The elementary curriculum at Wayland Union Schools is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Math and Language Arts and Michigan Standards for Science and Social Studies. Though essential standards and general topics of study have been identified for each content area, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in all or most grade level standards in order to be promoted to the next grade level.