Meade School District 46-1: To Build Knowledge and Skill for Success Today and Tomorrow.

K-12 Resources: Parents' Guide for the
Third Grade Learner

Content Standards Curriculum Alignment

The Meade School District welcomes your involvement and interest in your child’s educational experiences. The curriculum utilized follows the South Dakota Content Standards and the district course guidelines. The areas of language arts, math, science, social studies, technology, health/physical education, and fine arts (music and art) provide you with an understanding of the student’s learning and instruction. Your input in your child’s education is valued and builds success in our school mission.

We believe that students have

  • equal educational opportunities.
  • individual abilities and interests.
  • experiences that develop talents and interests.
  • opportunities to achieve their potential.

We believe that teachers are

  • positive role models.
  • providers of the highest standard of teaching
    excellence.
  • facilitators of education that focus on the
    students’ needs.

We believe our community is

  • a partner in the educational process.
  • part of the team to make a difference.
  • committed to a high standard of
    successful education.



LANGUAGE ARTS
Third graders will

  • apply various reading strategies to comprehend and interpret written text and recognize reading patterns.
  • use language mechanics to write a variety of sentences and short written pieces or narrative and expository texts.
  • write for a variety of audiences and purposes using the writing process and 6+1 writing traits.
  • develop listening and viewing skills that allow students to follow directions, distinguish between true and false information, and restate information.
  • interact appropriately in formal and informal speaking situations that include telling, retelling, giving directions, and conveying a message.
  • become knowledgeable in literacy-rich activities at their individual developmental and/or skill levels.

MATH
Third graders will

  • add and subtract with regrouping to the ten-thousand and hundred-thousand place.
  • add in columns to hundreds and thousands place.
  • multiply and divide to nine.
  • add and subtract multi-digit numbers.
  • collect and organize data.
  • learn about probability and estimation.
  • problem solve strategies.
  • learn about measurement.
  • learn geometry.
  • learn decimals.
  • learn about time.
  • learn how to graph.
  • use fractions.
  • learn about money.

SCIENCE
Third graders will

  • learn scientific methods and measurement.
  • know different states of matter.
  • have knowledge of simple machines.
  • understand the structure and function of plants and animals.
  • understand the various structures and processes of the Earth system and the universe.
  • investigate different sources of energy.
  • describe components of soil.
  • describe sequences of natural events.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Third graders will

  • distinguish basic functions of community government.
  • identify geographic features and various landforms on maps and globes.
  • study their local community and its history.
  • study transportation, communication, mediums of exchange, supply and demand.
  • summarize the various reasons for exploration and settlement of the United States.
  • recognize civil rights and responsibilities.

TECHNOLOGY
Third graders will

  • use input devices such as mouse and keyboard and output devices such as a printer.
  • use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning activities.
  • work cooperatively and collaboratively with peers, family members, and others to use technology in the classroom.
  • demonstrate positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology.
  • use technology resources for problem solving, communication, and illustration of thoughts, ideas, and stories.
  • demonstrate understanding of developmentally appropriate and accurate terminology.
  • use developmentally appropriate multimedia resources to support learning.
  • create developmentally appropriate multimedia products with support from teachers, family members, and student partners.
  • practice responsible use of technology systems and software.
  • gather information and communicate with others using telecommunication, with support from teachers, family members, or student partners.

HEALTH / PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Third graders will

  • develop competency in all fundamental movement skills and proficiency in some movement forms.
  • participate in physical activity to achieve and maintain a health enhancing level of physical fitness.
  • develop responsible and respectful personal and social behavior in physical activity settings.
  • understand that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, social interaction, and employment.

MUSIC
Third graders will

  • use the performance of music as a means for creative expression and communication by singing and performing on instruments alone and with others – a varied repertoire of music.
  • understand music’s relationship to society, the other arts, disciplines outside the arts, history and culture.
  • read and notate music.
  • communicate their thoughts and ideas through the creation of music by improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments and by composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
  • listen to, analyze, evaluate and describe music and musical performances.

ART
Third graders will

  • explore various media and processes used in the production of visual arts.
  • understand selected techniques that give art detail.
  • use selected media and processes to express ideas or personal topics of interest.
  • describe how visual arts tell stories or express moods or ideas.
  • understand the relationship between visual arts, history, culture and society.

Parents can help enhance learning in all areas by:

  • reading to their child and discussing the main characters, plot, and ending of the story.
  • encouraging their child to read a variety of materials such as books, magazines, and newspapers.
  • discussing topics that interest their child and researching those topics.
  • demonstrating math through money experiences such as counting change, placing money in a piggy bank, and making store purchases.
  • using number and letter flashcards at home.
  • encouraging their child to write thank you notes and letters.
  • encouraging their child to keep a journal.
  • giving their child responsibilities.
  • helping their child memorize personal information such as his/her birthday, phone number, and address.
  • practicing zipping, buttoning, and tying shoes.

Contact your school administrator/teacher to discuss any concerns.
Our schools develop in every child the capacity to become a capable, productive citizen.

The Meade School District 46-1 testing program is a program designed to assist in meeting the educational needs of all students.

  • Dakota STEP is a state mandated assessment to determine achievement levels. This assessment is given late March through early April to grades 3-8, and grade 11.
  • The Stanford Writing Assessment is a state-mandated assessment used to determine writing abilities for grades 5, 7, & 10. This interactive writing program requires students submit writing samples in the fall, winter, and spring but can be used throughout the year to help student hone their writing skills in a variety of writing genres.

For further information, contact your child’s principal or teacher.

  • Sturgis Brown High School: Principal Jeff Simmons - 347-2686   Toll Free: (888) 568-3514
  • Sturgis Williams Middle School: Principal Lon Harter - 347-5232   Toll Free: (888) 567-8274
  • Sturgis Elementary School: Principal Chantal Ligtenberg - 347-2386
  • Piedmont Elementary School: Principal Ethan Dschaak - 787-5295
  • Rural Schools: Principal Bev Rosenboom - 269-2264
  • Whitewood School: Principal Bev Rosenboom - 269-2264