🏫 Dougherty Academy — Third Grade Syllabus
Core Academics
- Reading & Writing:
Reading fluency, chapter book comprehension, grammar, paragraph writing, poetry, and creative essays. - Math:
Multiplication and division facts, fractions, time, money, geometry, and problem-solving strategies. - Science:
Forces and motion, weather patterns, life cycles, ecosystems, and introductory physics. - Social Studies:
Geography, communities past and present, early American history, and cultural awareness.
Language & Character Development
- Spanish:
Everyday conversation, verbs, colors, foods, and classroom dialogue. - ASL (American Sign Language):
Everyday signs, conversational phrases, numbers, and storytelling through sign. - Religion:
Faith in action, Bible stories, virtues, and reflection. - Character Education:
Leadership, honesty, empathy, teamwork, and responsibility.
Arts & Music
- Art:
Drawing, painting, perspective, and artist studies. - Music:
Reading rhythms, melody, instruments, and group singing. - Ballet:
Coordination, musical timing, body awareness, and performance skills. - Music Theory:
Reading notation, intervals, and introduction to composition. - Piano / Violin / Viola:
Note reading, rhythm exercises, beginner performance pieces.
Physical & Practical Life Skills
- Physical Education:
Team sports, coordination, endurance, and agility. - Golf:
Proper swing form, precision, and sportsmanship. - Gardening / Homesteading:
Garden maintenance, composting, sustainability, and farm-to-table understanding. - Cooking:
Safety, following recipes, measuring, nutrition, and independence in the kitchen. - Technology:
Keyboarding, coding foundations, and responsible computer use.
Below is a free printable
🗓 Dougherty Academy – Third Grade 36-Week School Plan
Quarter 1 (Weeks 1–9): Foundations & Fluency
- Reading & Writing: Review phonics, introduce chapter books, sentence structure, and creative writing.
- Math: Place value, multiplication facts, and problem-solving within 100.
- Science: Ecosystems, life cycles, weather observation.
- Social Studies: Communities, geography, citizenship.
- Art: Drawing, shading, color blending.
- Music & Ballet: Beat, rhythm, posture, and performance basics.
- Music Theory / Piano / Violin / Viola: Note reading, rhythm drills, and short songs.
- Spanish & ASL: Greetings, family, numbers 1–50.
- Religion & Character Ed: Respect, gratitude, classroom cooperation.
- P.E. & Golf: Balance, coordination, swing form, team games.
- Gardening / Homesteading: Soil prep, seed planting, and care.
- Cooking: Kitchen safety and measuring.
- Technology: Typing and digital safety basics.
Quarter 2 (Weeks 10–18): Building Knowledge
- Reading & Writing: Vocabulary growth, book reports, story elements, grammar practice.
- Math: Multiplication & division, fractions, and time to the minute.
- Science: Motion, force, and simple experiments.
- Social Studies: U.S. regions, mapping, and cultural heritage.
- Art: Texture, mixed-media, and pattern design.
- Music & Ballet: Rhythm coordination and performance etiquette.
- Music Theory: Dynamics, scales, and intervals.
- Spanish & ASL: Colors, days, classroom objects, conversational practice.
- Religion: Bible stories about faith and kindness.
- Character Ed: Patience and perseverance.
- P.E. & Golf: Endurance, accuracy, and teamwork.
- Gardening / Homesteading: Composting, plant journals.
- Cooking: Baking and healthy snacks.
- Technology: Creative slideshows and research basics.
Quarter 3 (Weeks 19–27): Exploration & Expression
- Reading & Writing: Summaries, poetry, and persuasive writing.
- Math: Geometry, measurement, and graphing.
- Science: States of matter, energy, and experiments.
- Social Studies: Early U.S. history and civics.
- Art: Perspective drawing and artist studies.
- Music & Ballet: Timing, performance pieces, and rhythm mastery.
- Music Theory / Piano / Violin: Harmony, melodies, and small-group practice.
- Spanish & ASL: Animals, questions, and dialogues.
- Religion & Character Ed: Service, leadership, and honesty.
- P.E. & Golf: Agility, coordination, and skill improvement.
- Gardening: Plant growth observation and journaling.
- Cooking: Preparing meals using fractions and measuring.
- Technology: Typing practice and coding games.
Quarter 4 (Weeks 28–36): Mastery & Innovation
- Reading & Writing: Independent reading projects, essays, and presentations.
- Math: Review of all concepts, multi-step problem-solving.
- Science: The solar system, STEM challenges, review projects.
- Social Studies: Government, geography, and global awareness.
- Art & Music: Portfolio projects, final performances.
- Ballet & Music Theory: Year-end recital and note identification.
- Piano / Violin / Viola: Final performance pieces.
- Spanish & ASL: Conversational review and performance skits.
- Religion & Character Ed: Reflection, faith in action, and gratitude.
- P.E. & Golf: Mini-tournament and outdoor celebration.
- Gardening / Homesteading: Harvest and sustainability lessons.
- Cooking: End-of-year meal celebration.
- Technology: Presenting digital portfolios.
End-of-Year Reflection
By Week 36, students have become independent thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Through reading, reasoning, and real-world projects, third graders gain confidence and curiosity — embodying the Dougherty Academy spirit of excellence, faith, and joy in learning.
Free 36 week printable below
What to Include in a Third Grade Portfolio
Showcasing Growth, Creativity, and Confidence at Dougherty Academy
The third grade portfolio at Dougherty Academy celebrates independence, curiosity, and achievement. It’s a record of academic mastery and creative growth — capturing how each student becomes a confident learner ready to take on new challenges.
Below is a guide to help families and teachers create a complete, meaningful portfolio for the year.
📚 Academic Progress
Third graders make major strides in literacy and reasoning. Include:
- Reading & Writing: Book reports, creative stories, essays, and handwriting samples.
- Math: Multiplication charts, problem-solving pages, geometry projects, and math journals.
- Science: Experiment notes, weather logs, and ecosystem drawings.
- Social Studies: Community maps, history timelines, and cultural research projects.
🎨 The Arts & Performance
Creativity shines through art, dance, and music. Add:
- Art: Painting, perspective drawings, and mixed-media work.
- Music Theory: Note reading, rhythm worksheets, or early compositions.
- Piano / Violin / Viola: Practice logs, recital programs, or performance photos.
- Ballet: Reflection pages or pictures from class recitals.
🌿 Practical & Life Skills
Third graders begin connecting classroom lessons with life experiences. Include:
- Gardening / Homesteading: Plant journals, composting photos, and sustainability reflections.
- Cooking: Recipe pages, healthy snack projects, or cooking reflections.
- Technology: Early coding projects, digital drawings, or slideshows.
- Religion & Character Education: Journals of prayer, gratitude, or good deeds.
💬 Languages & Communication
Encourage expression and cultural understanding:
- Spanish: Vocabulary lists, short dialogues, or mini projects.
- ASL: Phrases, finger-spelling charts, and storytelling reflections.
🏅 Physical & Personal Growth
- P.E. & Golf: Skill charts, fitness reflections, or team photos.
- Character Education: Leadership activities, kindness journals, and teamwork reflections.
💖 End-of-Year Reflection
Close the portfolio with:
- “My Favorite Project This Year” page
- “How I’ve Grown in Third Grade” reflection
- Certificates, photos, and a note from teacher or parent
🌟 A Year of Confidence & Creativity
By the end of third grade, students show not just what they’ve learned — but who they’ve become. The portfolio captures their progress, creativity, and confidence, making it a keepsake that celebrates every success of the year.
Download your complete guide below
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