3rd Grade – August Curriculum Overview
Welcome to 3rd Grade! August is all about exploring shelter, self-sufficiency, and our connection to the land. Activities are hands-on, nature-inspired, and designed for both independent and family learning. Choose what inspires your child and enjoy a month of discovery together!
Weekly Subjects
- Language Arts (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Read and retell a folktale or traditional story from your region or another culture. Retell it through writing, art, or drama.
- Week 2: Start a “Shelter Journal”—write or draw about different types of homes (yours, animals’, or from history).
- Week 3: Write a step-by-step guide: “How to Build a Simple Shelter” using materials from home or outdoors.
- Week 4: Create a story or comic about a farmer, builder, or gardener. Share with family or friends.
- Spelling:
- Week 1: farm, earth, root, seed, build, home, story, friend, help, work
- Week 2: plant, field, bread, water, stone, wood, roof, door, barn, grain
- Week 3: grow, dig, rain, sun, leaf, soil, meal, chores, tools, fence
- Week 4: hope, care, share, learn, plan, path, safe, strong, hands, heart
- Reflection Prompt: What shelter or story inspired you this week? What would you build if you could build anything?
- Math (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Measure and draw your room, backyard, or a model shelter using tape measures, rulers, or even footsteps.
- Week 2: Practice multiplication and division with real objects (beans, seeds, stones)—group and count as you would for planting or building.
- Week 3: Explore time and money: Plan a meal or garden—add up costs, measure time for planting or baking.
- Week 4: Graph plant growth, weather patterns, or chores completed in a week.
- Let your child choose how to show their work: drawings, photos, or hands-on models.
- Science & Nature (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Start a small garden or care for a plant. Observe and journal changes each week.
- Week 2: Study soil: Compare samples from different places; draw or describe what you find.
- Week 3: Weather watch: Make daily notes about clouds, rain, sun, and wind. Discuss how weather affects building and farming.
- Week 4: Research traditional shelters and farming in your region. Try building a small model using natural or recycled materials.
- Reflection Prompt: How do people and animals make their homes safe and comfortable?
- Social Studies & Community (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Map your home, yard, or neighborhood. Add shelters, gardens, and important landmarks.
- Week 2: Research how people in different cultures build homes or gather food.
- Week 3: Interview a family member or neighbor about their home or garden growing up.
- Week 4: Share your map, model, or story with your family or community group.
- Art & Handwork (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Draw or paint a shelter from a story or your imagination.
- Week 2: Build a model home or animal shelter with clay, cardboard, or natural materials.
- Week 3: Try weaving, simple woodworking, or crafting a tool for the garden.
- Week 4: Create a mural or collage of your community, including homes, gardens, and people.
- Focus on the process—let creativity and exploration lead the way.
- Movement & Outdoor Play (Mon–Thu)
- Each Week: Daily outdoor play, gardening, “farm chores” (real or pretend), animal walks, and nature hikes if possible. Try building a simple fort or shelter outdoors.
- Encourage sensory exploration—touch, smell, and listen to the world around you.
Recommended Free Resources
- Khan Academy – Math, grammar, and science lessons.
- CommonLit – Free reading passages and literary analysis.
- Ducksters – Kid-friendly history, geography, and science articles.
- Smithsonian Kids – Science and history videos and resources.
- Art for Kids Hub – Free drawing and art video lessons.
August in 3rd grade is about discovering our place in the world, building skills for independence, and connecting with the land. Choose what fits your family, and celebrate each discovery together!