Typical 3^rd Grade Schedule:

• 8:00-8:55:Math
• 9:00-9:50:Language Arts
• 9:55-10:45:Language Arts
• 10:50-11:40:Social Studies
• 11:40-12:20:Lunch
• 12:20-1:10:Music ¹
• 1:15-2:05:Spanish ²
• 2:05-3:00:Science

1: three times a week
2: three times a week
Art: three times a week
Drama: once a week
P.E.: three times a week

3rd Grade Subject Overview

Language Arts

The 3rd grade Language Arts program integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills within a whole language approach. Students learn to read for different purposes and transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” The program emphasizes analytical/critical thinking and problem-solving skills in daily lessons. Students learn to express themselves clearly and coherently in both oral and written communications. Comprehension skills, fluency, and expression are developed through literacy circles, chapter books/novels, and units centered around mysteries, biographies, and the Artic. Using a Writers' Workshop approach (which includes formal spelling, grammar, vocabulary building, and punctuation components), students develop increased awareness of construction, grammar, punctuation, and clarity, while gaining experience in the proofreading and revision of their written work. Most girls master cursive writing skills by the end of the year.

Math

The 3rd grade Math curriculum takes basic 1st and 2nd grade skills to the next level. Problem solving and high order thinking problems are strongly emphasized. Addition/subtraction skills are reviewed and extended up to 4-digit problems, and multiplication/division skills are further strengthened. Students reinforce their growing bank of mathematical skills and concepts (including place value, patterns, time and money, probability, geometry, graphing, fractions, decimals, and measurement) through hands-on activities involving games and the incorporation of technology.

Science

Life Science
In the 3rd grade Science program students learn about plant growth and development, with emphasis on plant stem structure, by creating individual terrariums and exploring Texas trees and plants. They also study the habitats of marine life by comparing/contrasting what is known about ocean and pond habitats, and by creating their own fresh water habitat using fish, tadpoles, and different larvae.

Earth Science
Through observation and investigation, students learn to distinguish between classifications of rocks and minerals from both local and global sources, and become familiar with their various properties.

Physical Science
Students investigate elements of matter directly by studying the substance Oobleck in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the properties of liquids and solids through their molecular and atomic structures. Another matter exploration unit entitled “Mysteries” is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn fingerprinting skills and chromatography, while experimenting with numerous substances, and culminates in a challenge to solve two mysteries by using their developing scientific skills.

Social Studies

The 3rd grade social studies curriculum utilizes an interdisciplinary study with language arts and science. The program's interactive approach creates awareness for girls as they focus on geography, community diversity, economy, global trade, and government. Students learn about the southern hemisphere, the continents, geographic climate, and different species of penguins in a unit centered around the book Mr. Popper's Penguins. A mystery unit researching enigmas and other mysterious phenomena ends with a project to create a mystery game board. A study of marine ecosystems focuses on the geography and climate of salt and freshwater habitats.

Spanish

The Lower School Spanish Language Program is designed for the girls to develop an appreciation for Spanish language and culture. Language is contextualized and interdisciplinarily linked with other subjects that the students are currently exploring. 3rd and 4th grade students start to develop reading and writing skills at the sentence level, while strengthening their spoken communication skills in class with various conversation activities.

Art

The GSA Art Curriculum is designed to develop each girl's individual creativity and self-expression through a well-rounded study of art, which includes history/context, mechanics, and hands-on application. Students are exposed to a wide variety of particular art forms and mediums, which are introduced in an historical context and exemplified in the work of notable artists such as Modigliani, Botticelli, Matisse, Vermeer, Elizabeth Vigee LeBrun, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Georgia O'Keefe, and Andy Warhol. Discussion and demonstration then focuses on mechanics, and each unit culminates in a technique-oriented project in which students create original work in that medium or art form.

Artistic mediums/processes covered during the year include pastels, drawing, acrylic painting on canvas, printmaking, pen/ink, and clay. Technical instruction includes classical lessons in drawing the head and body, uses of shadow and light, landscapes, and still life. Guest artists/lecturers provide real-world perspective by sharing their work and experiences.

Throughout the course of the year, girls of all levels enjoy plenty of opportunities to experience a sense of personal accomplishment and recognition through their art by participating in international artwork exchange programs, formal gallery exhibits and informal school displays of their work, charitable events, and multi-cultural collaborative art-centered occasions such as The White Buffalo Project. Middle School students are also encouraged to enter their work in various local/regional/national competitions.

Every year, each K-8 student creates her own self-portrait, and the annual Self-Portrait Show is a highlight for the GSA community. By exploring and creating art, students not only engage in creative self-expression, but also develop another perspective from which to appreciate their own culture and that of others.

Music

Piano
The GSA K-8 Piano program is designed to promote a life-long love of music. A student's course of study is tailored to her individual development/skill/experience level and consists of a unique combination of one-on-one and group lessons in both application and music theory, practice and experimentation time, performance opportunities, and a variety of activities involving listening, discussion, and written response. The Faber and Faber Piano Adventures series lesson book materials are supplemented with repertoire from numerous sources and disparate styles. The girls learn how to decode and respond physically to traditional western music notation and interact with multiple number systems simultaneously. Reinforcement through in-class and at-home practice is an essential component of progress, and students are taught both healthy physiological approaches and strategic practice methods such as identifying patterns and layers, counting whole and subdivided beats, setting and meeting reasonable/strategic goals, hands-separate work, and small-section drilling. As a student advances, more abstract and/or nuanced issues of musicianship such as structure analysis, compositional technique, tactile relationship with the keyboard, constructive critique, personal interpretation, and expressive choices are incorporated into discussions and lessons.

The girls participate in two school-wide concerts per year, as well as other performances as they arise. These events provide performance experience as well as opportunities to learn and practice appropriate performer and audience etiquette. Throughout the course of the year, piano students at all levels are exposed to and encouraged to share their responses to a wide variety of musics representing disparate traditions, time periods, and levels of formality. Music is explored in a synaesthetic and interdisciplinary context.

Strings
Strings class at the GSA is a goal-oriented activity, since learning music is first about making music. Posture, theory, and technique are presented as important tools to reach the goal of making music and having fun, which provides a foundation for deeper and often interdisciplinary learning experiences.
2nd grade and older students are offered the option to play the violin, viola, or cello. 3rd and 4th grade students play in four-part harmony and gain exposure to a wider array of musical styles, including fiddling songs, classical pieces, and material from folk traditions around the world. They tackle a new range of scales, rhythms, and bowings, and learn how these can be used to create a wider variety of moods and expression.

Health and Wellness

Lower School students learn about the following topics in their Physical Education classes: safety, nutrition, body systems and hygiene, dental health, harmful substances, human growth and development, and social and emotional health. The girls also develop skills such as volley throwing and catching, hand and foot dribble, shoot rhythms, cardiovascular/muscular strength and endurance, locomotor skills, and flexibility. Each of these topics will be introduced in the Physical Education classes at the kindergarten level and expanded upon each year thereafter. Handouts, worksheets, discussions, activities, and demonstrations will be used to teach various topics.