A typical day in third grade is...

• Morning work
• Math
• Snack
• Language Arts
• Specials - PE (twice a week), Music (once a week), Art (once a week)
• Recess
• Social Studies and Science
• Closing Activities
• Computer Lab 45 minutes one day a week

• think nothing is too difficult.
• go out to meet the world.
• are expansive.
• are speedy, but may be too fast at times.
• are interested in relationships.
• are adventurous.
• may need parents' interest and supervision with homework because school workload increases significantly

Certain that they are ready,
Yet sometimes not so sure...
Ready to tackle anything?
Or wishing for things that were?

Now there's notebook paper,
More projects and bigger books.
Math pages that can't be torn out
Evoke bewildered looks.

Challenges are many...
That cannot be denied.
But when each goal is conquered,
Nothing equals third grade pride!

Third graders long to be grown up.
Sometimes they even sound smug.
But inside each eight and nine year old
Is a child who would still love a hug!

So don't let third grade scare you. 
Just be ready to enjoy each day.
Ask questions as often as needed.
We'll help every step of the way!
                         -Northwood Third Grade Teacher

What's New in Third Grade...

• Notebook paper
• Hard cover textbooks
• Computer lab once a week
• Cursive writing
• Multiplication and division
• Twenty to thirty minutes of homework (four times a week)

• Encourage your child to begin making choices of his/her own and hold him/her responsible for the consequences.
• Allow some "down" time before homework. The break will help everyone involved.
• Help your child learn to pace longterm projects, not waiting until the night before.
• Encourage him/her to use the word processor or a computer for written assignments. It's an inevitably crucial skill, and you child will deserve a break from pencils.
• Be generous with words of admiration--"I don't think I learned that until I was in middle school!" (You'll be surprised how often you'll genuinely mean it.)
• Always be ready to listen with empathetic ears. Social "bumps" and "bruises" aren't uncommon. (The other gender comes into focus!)
• Encourage you child to learn good organizational skills, help him or her pack his/her bookbag before bed. This should include homework, lunch money, signed papers, etc. Establishing a routine or creating a checklist may help your child become more responsible.