3rd grade · Kindergarten to Grade 5

What Should a 3rd Grader Know?

Nobody can tell you what every 3rd grade student knows; students differ, and so do states. What we can tell you exactly is what we teach. Below is the whole 3rd grade list: 64 topics in eight subjects, in the order we teach them, each with the standard it addresses. It is a plan, not a test and not a legal standard — if your student is ahead in one subject and behind in another, that is ordinary.

64 topics8 subjects6965 questions

Math

11 topics605 questionsSubject page

1. Meaning of multiplication and divisionEqual groups, arrays, unknown factors3.OA.A
2. Multiplication facts within 100Fluency with times tables3.OA.C
3. Two-step word problemsAll four operations; check if answers make sense3.OA.D
4. Rounding and adding within 1,000Round to 10 or 100; multiply by multiples of 103.NBT
5. Understanding fractionsUnit fractions as equal parts of a whole3.NF.A.1
6. Fractions on a number linePlace fractions between 0 and 1 and beyond3.NF.A.2
7. Equivalent and comparing fractionsSame size, different names; compare with same numerator or denominator3.NF.A.3
8. Time, volume and massTime to the minute; liters, grams, kilograms3.MD.A
9. AreaCount unit squares; area by multiplying side lengths3.MD.C
10. PerimeterFind perimeters and unknown side lengths3.MD.D
11. QuadrilateralsRhombuses, rectangles, squares and their attributes3.G

Reading

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Decoding words with prefixes and suffixesRead common prefixes and derivational suffixes; decode multisyllable wordsRF.3.3
2. Asking and answering questions about a storyAsk and answer who, what, where, when, why and how questions, pointing to the textRL.3.1
3. Retelling fables and finding the central messageRecount a fable in order and explain its lesson using key detailsRL.3.2
4. Character traits, feelings and actionsDescribe a character's traits, motivations and feelings and how actions move the plotRL.3.3
5. Literal and nonliteral languageTell what words mean in a story and tell literal meaning from figurative phrasesRL.3.4
6. Main idea and key detailsFind the main idea of a nonfiction text and the details that support itRI.3.2
7. Text features and search toolsUse headings, bold words, captions, glossaries and indexes to find informationRI.3.5
8. Answering questions by referring to the textAsk and answer questions about an informational text, referring explicitly to the text for the answerRI.3.1

English & Writing

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Parts of speech and their jobsExplain the function of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs in sentencesL.3.1a
2. Making subjects and verbs agreeEnsure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreementL.3.1f
3. Punctuating dialogueUse commas and quotation marks in dialogueL.3.2c
4. Prefixes and suffixes change meaningDetermine the meaning of a new word formed when a known affix is added to a known wordL.3.4b
5. Writing an opinion pieceState an opinion, give reasons, use linking words like because and therefore, and write a conclusionW.3.1
6. Writing to informIntroduce a topic, group related facts, use linking words and end with a concluding statementW.3.2
7. Writing a short storyEstablish a situation and characters, use dialogue and description, sequence events and give closureW.3.3
8. Prepared discussions about a textCome prepared with notes, follow discussion rules, ask clarifying questions and link comments to othersSL.3.1

Science

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Balanced and unbalanced forcesPushes and pulls; balanced forces keep motion the same, unbalanced forces change it3-PS2-1
2. Magnets and static electricityForces that act without touching; what changes their strength3-PS2-3
3. Life cycles of living thingsBirth, growth, reproduction and death in plants and animals3-LS1-1
4. Inherited traitsOffspring inherit traits from parents; traits vary within a group3-LS3-1
5. Habitats and survivalIn a habitat, some organisms survive well, some less well, some not at all3-LS4-3
6. Weather data and patternsRecord temperature, rain and wind in tables and graphs to spot seasonal patterns3-ESS2-1
7. Climates around the worldClimate is the typical weather of a region over many years3-ESS2-2
8. Criteria and constraintsDefine a design problem with measurable criteria for success and limits on materials, time and cost3-5-ETS1-1

History & Social Studies

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Map skills: compass rose, map key and gridRead and draw maps using cardinal and intermediate directions, a map key and a letter-number gridD2.Geo.1.3-5
2. Urban, suburban and rural communitiesCompare three kinds of communities and explain how land, water and jobs affect where people liveD2.Geo.6.3-5
3. Physical maps: landforms and bodies of waterRead physical maps to find and name mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, valleys, rivers, lakes, oceans, peninsulas and islandsD2.Geo.2.3-5
4. Communities then and nowCompare how people traveled, worked, shopped and communicated long ago with life in a community todayD2.His.2.3-5
5. Building a timelinePut related events in order on a timeline using years, decades and centuries, and find events that happened at the same timeD2.His.1.3-5
6. Rules, laws and responsibilitiesExplain how groups make rules and laws that give people responsibilities and protect their freedomsD2.Civ.4.3-5
7. Local government and its leadersDescribe what mayors, city or town councils and local services do, and how they differ from state and national leadersD2.Civ.1.3-5
8. Natural, human and capital resourcesIdentify the three kinds of resources used to produce goods and services in a communityD2.Eco.3.3-5

Life Skills

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. Basic first aid: cuts, bumps and burnsCare for small cuts, bumps, nosebleeds and minor burns, and know when to get an adultNHES 7
2. Online safety and screen timeKeep personal information private, recognize tricks online, tell an adult and balance screen timeNHES 5
3. Self-discipline: goals and finishing what I startSet a small goal, break it into steps, keep going when it's hard and finish itCASEL Self-Management
4. Handling big emotions: anger, worry and frustrationNotice warning signs, pick a coping strategy and calm down before reactingCASEL Self-Management
5. Teamwork and cooperationShare jobs, take roles, listen to every idea and work toward a team goalCASEL Relationship Skills
6. Budgeting my allowanceMake a simple save, spend and share plan for allowance or gift moneyJump$tart Spending
7. Kitchen basics: safe snack prepWash hands and food, use kitchen tools safely and make a simple healthy snackNHES 7

Entrepreneurship & Business Thinking

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. A simple business planWrite a one-page plan: product, customer, price, costs and goalCEE Standard 14
2. Buyers, sellers and pricesExplain how buyers and sellers agree on prices and why prices changeCEE Standard 7
3. Competition: making it betterExplain how competition leads businesses to improve quality and priceCEE Standard 9
4. Opportunity costIdentify the next-best choice you give up when you decideCEE Standard 2
5. Start-up costs and budgetsList start-up costs and make a budget for a small businessCEE Standard 14
6. Listening to customer feedbackAsk customers what they think and use it to improveCEE Standard 14
7. Brainstorming and prototypesBrainstorm many ideas, pick one and build a quick model to testCEE Standard 14

Psychology for Kids

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. Stress and how to copeNotice stress signals and choose healthy ways to copeCASEL Self-Management
2. Focus and distractionsFind what distracts me and set up a space to focusCASEL Self-Management
3. Building good habits, changing old onesUse cue, routine and reward to build a new habitCASEL Self-Management
4. How we learn best: practice and reviewUse spaced practice, self-quizzing and rest to learn and rememberCASEL Self-Awareness
5. Empathy and perspective-takingUnderstand others' feelings and needs in tricky situationsCASEL Social Awareness
6. Optimism and positive thinkingLook for solutions and hopeful explanationsCASEL Self-Awareness
7. Body language: talking without wordsRead and use posture, faces and toneCASEL Relationship Skills

Optional language courses

• Spanish for Kids · Level 2 · Grades 2–38 topics
• Portuguese for Kids · Level 2 · Grades 2–38 topics
• English for Spanish Speakers · Level 2 · Grades 2–38 topics
• English for Portuguese Speakers · Level 2 · Grades 2–38 topics

What one lesson contains

Every topic in every subject follows the same five steps, then an answer key. Nothing changes between subjects, so a student always knows what comes next.

1. Quick CheckQuestions before you teach, to show what the student already knows. A high score means you can move faster.
2. Learn ItKey words, step-by-step teaching with lines you can read aloud, worked examples, and the mistakes to watch for.
3. We Do It TogetherQuestions you work through side by side. The answer and the reason it is the answer are printed right after each question.
4. You TryThe student works alone. Do a page a day, or as many as the student needs.
5. Show What You KnowNew questions at the end. Compare the score with the Quick Check to see the change.
6. Answer KeyEvery question has its answer and a short explanation, at the end of each topic, so a student can work without peeking.

Other grades

• What should a kindergarten student know?
• What should a 1st grade student know?
• What should a 2nd grade student know?
• What should a 4th grade student know?
• What should a 5th grade student know?

More

• See the whole curriculum
• Workbook store
• Frequently asked questions

Questions parents ask