Updated: June 22, 2016

Essential Curriculum Framework

Grade 3 At A Glance
Key: Math, ELA, SS, Science
General Overview Transfer Goals Notes

M 4: Make use of structure and/or repeated

reasoning to quantify, compare, represent and
Place value,
model mathematics while attending to precision.
adding/subtracting, Cornerstone: Social Studies
ELA 2: Read, comprehend, and analyze
relating Possible integration: use informational text and
increasingly complex texts and media produced
multiplication/division investigations to gather, display, and analyze
for various audiences and purposes.
data on the weather and climate of geographical
Module ELA 4: Produce effective writing in which the
Informational Text locations.
1 development, organization, and style are
Informative Writing In math, students will develop an understanding
appropriate for various audiences and purposes.
of place value, addition/subtraction, and
SS 1: Formulate investigations using multiple
Geography multiplication/division strategies. They will
sources of information to address a question,
transfer these skills to begin area and perimeter.
form an opinion, or to solve a problem.
Weather & Climate
S 1: Select and evaluate reliable sources of
information to address real world issues.

Multi-step word
problems, going M 3: Fluently apply appropriate skills, processes,
deeper with and tools in new and authentic situations.
multiplication & ELA 2: Read, comprehend, and analyze
increasingly complex texts and media produced Cornerstone: Math
division, time, area
for various audiences and purposes. Students will investigate how actions have
ELA 4: Produce effective writing in which the consequences.
Literary Texts
Module development, organization, and style are Common concepts: Cause and effect
Narrative Writing
2 appropriate for various audiences and purposes. relationships, using patterns to make predictions.
SS 3: Apply knowledge of political and social Students will find an unknown number while
Citizenship
continuing to explore multiplication and division
structures to actively participate as an informed
within context.
Forces & Motion global citizen.
S 3: Design and conduct and authentic scientific
investigation in order to collect and analyze data.
 Fractions, linear
measurement M 2: Effectively communicate mathematical Cornerstone: Science
reasoning by developing viable arguments and Students will examine cause and effect
Informative/Literary constructively critiquing the reasoning of others. relationships.
texts: Point of View, ELA 1: Evaluate diverse perspectives Common concepts: Cause and effect
Cause & Effect, constructively, critically, and respectfully. relationships, constructing arguments with
making claims and ELA 3: Engage in research and inquiry to
Module evidence.
using evidence to analyze, integrate, and present information, to
3 Integration opportunity: Measurement/data
support investigate claims, and to solve problems. aligns with science investigations.
Opinion writing SS 2: Apply the relevance of historical lessons to Fraction understanding is solidified through
a given situation, problem, or challenge. concrete representation. Grade 3 prepares
History
S 4: Communicate the results of an investigation students for continued development with
using claim, evidence, and reasoning. fractions, mainly computation.
Life Science and
Ecosystems

M 1: Make meaning of and take risks to

Reviewing major
persevere through complex mathematical
clusters; word
problems utilizing strategic thinking and
problems, time, area Cornerstone: ELA
reasoning.
& perimeter, fluency Integration opportunity: compare multiple
ELA 3: Engage in research and inquiry to
with multiplication, sources of information to conduct research
analyze, integrate, and present information, to
division projects, investigate/research the life cycles of
investigate claims, and to solve problems.
various organisms (plants and animals).
ELA 5: Challenge, defend, and/or qualify ideas
Module Informational texts: The MD State Curriculum for Personal Financial
effectively for various audiences and purposes
4 comparing texts, Literacy Education is aligned with economics
through writing and discussion.
multiple sources standards.
SS 3: Apply knowledge of political and social
Informative Writing The major clusters for the grade level are
structures to actively participate as an informed
revisited during module 4. A significant amount
global citizen.
Economics: of time should be dedicated to these standards
SS 4: Communicate and support ideas effectively
Financial Literacy throughout the year.
to address a particular audience and purpose.
S 2: Use critical thinking, inquiry and modeling to
Life Cycles & Traits
analyze ideas and phenomena to solve problems.