3rd Grade Curriculum Outline (Words Only)

Parent-facing planning outline. For DBM’s full scope & sequence, visit: https://www.dbmlearningacademy.com/compliance/general/compliance/curriculum.php

English Language Arts

Reading Comprehension Strategies

• Use predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing while reading.
• Determine main idea and supporting details; distinguish fact vs. opinion.
• Make inferences with text evidence; compare/contrast across texts.

Writing Informational Texts

• Plan with notes and simple outlines; write intro–body–conclusion.
• Use domain vocabulary, headings, and basic text features (captions, diagrams).
• Revise for clarity; edit for conventions; publish a polished paragraph/page.

Grammar & Mechanics

• Parts of speech: nouns/pronouns, verbs (perfect/progressive intro), adjectives/adverbs, prepositions.
• Subjects/predicates; compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
• Capitalization of titles and proper nouns; commas in addresses and series; apostrophes for possession.

Context Clues & Vocabulary

• Use context, affixes, and roots to determine meaning; build content-specific vocabulary.
• Identify synonyms/antonyms; choose precise words in writing.

Literary Elements

• Character traits and motivations; conflict/solution; theme in fables/folktales/myths.
• Point of view (first/third person); how setting influences events.

Cursive & Handwriting (Level 3)

• Fluent lowercase and uppercase cursive; consistent slant, size, and spacing.
• Copy paragraphs in cursive; begin note-taking from read-alouds/short videos.
• Blend cursive into weekly writing (titles, signatures, journal headers).

Keyboarding & Research Skills

• Home-row typing; aim for 15–20 WPM with accuracy on short passages.
• Search basics (keywords, skimming results); cite sources with simple bibliographic lines.
• Digital citizenship: privacy, strong passwords, respectful online comments.

Mathematics

Multiplication & Division

• Understand multiplication as equal groups and arrays; division as sharing and grouping.
• Fluency goals: factors 0–10; relate multiplication and division fact families.
• One- and two-step word problems using all operations (unknowns in any position).

Fractions & Decimals

• Unit fractions; fractions on number lines; equivalent fractions with visual models.
• Compare fractions with same numerator or denominator; relate to fair shares.
• Intro to decimals (tenths/hundredths) via money and base-ten models (optional by readiness).

Measurement & Data

• Measure length, mass, volume in standard units; perimeter/area of rectangles.
• Read time to the minute; solve elapsed time problems.
• Collect data and create scaled picture/bar graphs and line plots; “how many more/fewer” questions.

Geometry & Shapes

• Classify quadrilaterals (kite/rectangle/rhombus/square/parallelogram); identify right/acute/obtuse angles.
• Recognize symmetry; compose/decompose shapes to reason about area and perimeter.

Word Problems & Reasoning

• Model with drawings, arrays, and equations; explain reasoning in words or steps.
• Use estimation and rounding to check reasonableness.

Science

Plants & Life Cycles

• Seed to plant; pollination; plant adaptations; compare life cycles across organisms.

Force, Motion & Energy

• Balanced/unbalanced forces; friction; magnetism; changes in motion based on force.

Weather & Climate

• Collect local weather data; identify patterns; climate vs. weather.
• Severe weather safety and community preparedness.

Earth Materials & Landforms

• Rocks, soil, minerals; erosion and deposition; major landforms and how they change.

Scientific Investigations

• Plan investigations: question → hypothesis → procedure → data → conclusion.
• Use tables/graphs to communicate results; reflect on variables and fair tests.

Social Studies

Local Government

• City and county roles; services (libraries, utilities, safety); how citizens participate.

Geography & Maps

• Use map keys, scales, and compass directions; read physical/political maps.
• Locate continents, oceans, and the student’s state, county, and city.

Cultural Contributions

• Explore local and global cultural traditions, arts, foods, and stories with respect.

Economics & Resources

• Natural, human, and capital resources; goods/services; supply/demand (intro).
• Personal finance basics: earning, saving, giving, and making a simple budget.

Historical Events & Timelines

• Create timelines for community or national events; sequence causes and effects.
• Read primary/secondary sources at an age-appropriate level.

Logic, Problem-Solving & Projects

• Weekly logic challenges (number puzzles, riddles, patterning) with written explanations.
• Monthly cross-curricular projects: design a community park, build a weather station, create a culture expo board, etc.
• Short oral presentations using note cards or a one-page slideshow; practice voice, eye contact, timing.

For DBM’s complete scope and samples across grades, visit: https://www.dbmlearningacademy.com/compliance/general/compliance/curriculum.php