Language Arts

The components of our Language Arts program are designed to build good habits and foster a love of reading and writing. The students participate in Writing Workshop and explore a variety of genres, including personal narrative, realistic fiction, informational writing, poetry, historical fiction, and biography. Students learn to edit for punctuation, capitalization, and complete sentences, and to revise their work through conferences with classmates and teachers. Students have many opportunities to share their work as they progress. In penmanship, students utilize “Loops and Other Groups – A Kinesthetic Writing System.” Reading Workshop includes daily independent reading and frequent conferences with teachers at the student’s reading level. Students take Accelerated Reader quizzes, a program designed to monitor reading comprehension. Additionally, students are responsible for reading at least thirty minutes each night, keeping a log, and returning that log to school each day. Word Study lessons enhance phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency, while placing a strong emphasis on vocabulary development and comprehension. These lessons also introduce morphology to support a deeper understanding of word structure and meaning.

Mathematics

Students explore concepts in mathematics using the curriculum Investigations in Number, Data, and Space. Through a sequence of units, each designed to accommodate a range of learners, they build their understanding of numeration and place value; arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; 2D and 3D geometry, patterns, functions, and change; measurement; fractions; and data analysis.

Social Studies

Third grade social studies focuses on community. We implement the philosophy from Responsive Classroom by starting our day with a Morning Meeting, which builds our classroom community. Our classroom itself is housed in a unique part of The Hill School, the original building of Hill School dating back to 1928. Third graders learn about the history of Hill School through alumni and faculty. Mr. Bob Dornin takes the third graders on a walking tour of the campus, teaching students how the campus grew and how the 140+ acres evolved into the beautiful campus we have today. Students then study native and invasive plants, taking a field trip to Gilberts Corners. Virginia geography is studied, laying the foundation for our second semester. Students learn about the three communities of early Virginia: Europeans, Native Indians, and West Africans. To begin, students then learn about the native indian tribes of the piedmont and coastal plains. Our focus then shifts to England in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Students learn about the Virginia Company, the mystery of the Roanoke Colony and the settlement at Jamestown. Students take a virtual field trip to the Frontier Culture Museum to experience what life was like for the early settlers and people of West Africa. In May, students take an overnight field trip to Jamestown Settlement Museum. Throughout the year, social students and language arts are integrated through texts, research, writing and presentations.

Science

The emphasis in 3rd grade Science is on generating curiosity through activities and cooperative projects. The curriculum includes the study of growth and changes in plants, materials and structures, forces that attract and repel, a Paleobotany unit, and a Colonial Gardening unit at the Dornin Science Center. Students conduct experiments, make observations, and collect data.

Spanish

Students will continue their introduction to the Spanish language twice a week in the afternoons in small groups. Lessons will include hearing and speaking the language, reading familiar children’s books, basic vocabulary including salutations, colors, numbers 1-100, animals, parts of the body, the calendar, the weather and seasons, food, classroom words, and other common vocabulary. Students will use a variety of activities, worksheets, and tools to help facilitate their learning. The Spanish program culminates in the spring in an all-school assembly. Students will perform a small play depicting much of what they have learned throughout the year.

Computer

Students are introduced to computer concepts and terms. They begin basic keyboarding skills, and are introduced to word processing and internet usage. Computers also support the curriculum in math, word study, and social studies through guided research and some games. By the end of the year, students are typing their own writing using documents shared with them through Google Classroom.

Art

The goals of the art department are to teach the basic elements of design in two and three-dimensional projects through line, shape, size, texture, color, and value. Students are exposed to a variety of media and techniques in an effort to stimulate and encourage creative development and confidence. Teachers work together to reinforce topics taught in literature, social studies, and science.

Music and Strings

Activities include singing with an eye toward proper tone quality, learning rhythmic patterns on sticks and xylophones, and working with the soprano recorder in the second half of the year. Written musical symbols are introduced as the students learn to find their part on a choral score. Individual vocal and instrumental improvisation within a specific musical structure is explored. Every student also has a strings lesson on a violin, viola or cello, and a practice session. The class performs at the Thanksgiving Assembly, the Holiday Concert, and the Spring Sing Concert.

Theater

Students meet once a week with the Theater Program Director to learn the basic tools essential for performing and understanding theater. This introductory year builds on familiarity students might have with plays for films, and focuses on how to work together toward shared artistic goals. Individually and in small groups, students use exercises and techniques such as pantomime, story drama, and improvisation to create believable characters in their fictional worlds. Emphasis is also placed on listening skills, following direction, memorization, and the student gaining the self-confidence to express themselves through art. The year culminates with a community sharing that showcases skills learned through dramatic activities and exercises as well as student-generated characters, monologues, and original scene work.

Sports

The athletic department helps children develop positive habits of lifelong fitness and the desire to achieve their personal best in all endeavors. To achieve this, every child participates and competes in a variety of team and individual activities that promote sportsmanship, confidence, and competence in a physically and emotionally safe environment. Students play “lead up games” and focus on skills related to soccer, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and track & field.

Mentoring

The Hill Third Grade connects with their 7th and 8th-grade mentors most Fridays throughout the year. Students are paired with a mentor and enjoy engaging in simple activities that encourage communication, such as reading to each other, playing math games, writing stories, or solving puzzles. The students quickly build a close-knit relationship that often carries far beyond the third-grade year. The Third Graders love their mentors and are often seen waving or giving high-fives and hugs as they pass each other on campus.

Place-Based Education

Third Grade students are fortunate to access our beautiful campus regularly. Beyond reading independently, playing games, or gathering for a math class, students also utilize the outdoors as a key learning environment by taking nature hikes and participating in science programming.

Community Service

The Third Grade participates in several community service experiences throughout the year. Students made scarves for the residence of Windy Hill in the winter and ran a school store for the students of the Lower School. All money raised went to PetConnect Rescue.