
7 minute read
3rd Grade Transitions
Great! Wow! Fun! The Third Grade
Journey to Independence
Advertisement
“IT IS NOT WHAT YOU DO FOR YOUR CHILDREN, BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TAUGHT THEM TO DO FOR THEMSELVES, THAT WILL MAKE THEM SUCCESSFUL HUMAN BEINGS.”
EPPIE LEDERER (ANN LANDERS)
by LYNDSEY BERNGARD, MEGAN DYE AND MELANIE HURLEY
SMES THIRD GRADE TEACHERS
Childhood is a series of important t ra n sit ion s . W it hout t hem, children would never learn to walk, talk or make their first friend. These leaps from one stage to the next, while often challenging and intimidating, are exciting opportunities along each child’s journey of growing up. At St. Martin’s, 3rd grade is the bridge between the lower and upper Elementary School years and naturally serves as a year of transition, change and growth for students. In the 1st and 2nd grades, the deadlines for homework assignments never overlap and students do not receive formal grades. However, when students transition to the 4th and 5th grades, they receive homework and grades from multiple teachers and move between classrooms for each subject. This requires 3rd graders to learn to manage their time, balance their workload and become familiar with a grading system before they graduate to 4th grade and beyond. This shift requires dedication and effort on each student’s part, but there is also extensive scaffolding and support in place to ensure their success. Students are not expected to make these transitions overnight. The 3rd grade faculty team breaks down each skill into manageable, achievable steps and gradually guides students to a place of more independence over the course of the year.
More Responsibility: Planning, Organization & Grades
For the first time in their academic careers, 3rdgrade students are required to use a binder and planner to organize their materials and manage their time. They use these tools to organize notes,
classwork, study materials and homework for all subjects. While there is a big learning curve for students, they are ready for this level of organization and structure in their school day. The 3rd grade teachers assist students by labeling folders and instructing them on exactly where to place the material for each subject. By the end of the year, 3rd graders have found their rhythm and are organizing their binders successfully on their own.
To help students develop their time-management skills, teachers begin by asking learners to record the day’s homework assignments in their planner. Then, students are asked to plan out a week and then a month at a time, making note of all their upcoming due dates and tests. At the same time, teachers transition from reviewing each student’s planner daily, to students monitoring one another’s entries and ultimately maintaining their own planner independently.
As they begin to map out their weeks ahead of time, students get in the routine of knowing which days they have extracurricular activities and which days they will have time to study for tests and complete assignments. Students quickly learn the importance
of planning their time and breaking down big projects into multiple days of manageable subtasks. Adopting the daily practice of checking and maintaining a planner enables students to balance their school assignments with their many extracurricular activities, which is a skill they will use for the rest of their lives.

Third grade is also a year where students earn grades and take social studies for the first time. When students discover the connection between the time they put into their studies and the grades they receive, they learn the value of studying and working hard. Third grade teachers make this connection explicit. For example, they explain to students that it is important to complete all of their homework assignments because homework is ten percent of their grade. Students learn to love grades because they offer an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge of and success in each subject.
Added Perks: Lockers & Recess
Some of these “firsts” for 3rd-grade students include perks. For example, 3rd grade students are assigned lockers that they can decorate and use to organize their school supplies. Receiving a locker is very exciting for students. “I love the lockers because we get to decorate them,” said rising 4th-grade student Mila Tagtachian. Having their own “THE GREATEST GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN ARE THE ROOTS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND THE WINGS OF INDEPENDENCE.”
DENIS WAITLEY
personalized space teaches students how to manage their own materials and keep track of their items. Each day, they are asked to respectfully and efficiently go between their classroom and their lockers to bring in homework, snacks and water bottles. Rising 4th-grade student Lynleigh Nichols said, “I love having a locker because it keeps my desk from becoming over-packed. That way I do not become so overwhelmed.” Another fun shift 3rd graders enjoy at SMES is the change in recess location: they graduate from the playground to the more grownup turf field and outdoor basketball court area. No longer on the playground, which is pre-equipped with appropriate games and activities, the turf field and basketball court offer a blank canvas for students to invent their own games. In its own way, recess also becomes a place where students can enjoy the process of gaining more independence.
The other big transition in 3rd grade is for the parents. Parents learn over the course of the year that they don’t need to track what is due and when, as the responsibility of tracking assignments and grades now lies with the students. The shift is from the parent telling the student what to do and double checking what they do, to the student informing the parent of what they need to study and complete. This shift allows parents to be their child’s cheerleader versus their conductor.
With the love and support of their parents and teachers, St. Martin’s 3rd grade students learn the critical skills they need to be successful in 4th grade and beyond. Year after year, they prove themselves to be skilled, kind and capable young learners. As they depart 3rd grade and take the next leap in their education, they do it having earned the gifts of responsibility and independence.

What 3rd Graders Love Best About 3rd Grade

n Super Fun Learning n Teachers are the BEST n Lockers n Friends n Learning New Things n Turf
“Having recess on the turf is really fun because you get to use your imagination and make up your own games.” Lila Botham Rising 4th-grade student
“We get a lot more responsibilities and privileges than we did in 2nd grade and the teachers help us be independent!” Maggie O’Leary Rising 4th-grade student
“I love everything about 3rd grade!” Gavin Straley Rising 4th-grade student

“The planner helps me know what homework to do each night and stay organized.” Wyler Webb Rising 4th-grade student
Wacky Hair Wednesday
Market Day
Biographical Book Report
Distance Learning for 3rd-Grade Students
In a year already peppered with change, the shift to distance learning added a new level of opportunity and challenge to this year’s 3rd grade students. Although it was sad to be away from friends, the 3rd grade team ensured students were still able to connect and share with one another while continuing to reach the rigorous learning goals for this grade level.
In week one, students learned how to use online learning tools like Zoom and how to access their daily teacher videos and assignments on the school website. When students got their bearings, the 3rd grade team began to introduce projects students could do from home to incorporate more hands-on learning into the school day. This helped spark student curiosity and sustain student engagement through the end of the school year. One of the students’ favorite projects was Market Day, where they built on their knowledge of economics to create a small business, set up shop on their sidewalk and sell their products to family and neighbors. Teachers also incorporated “Wacky Hair Wednesdays,” virtual field trips to museums and zoos, and “Happiness Bootcamps” to keep students interested and their spirits high. The 3rd grade families and faculty capped off the school year with a car parade through Blackburn Park.
Throughout the distance learning process, 3rd graders didn’t miss a beat in their learning and practiced a variety of organizational and planning skills. They honed their abilities as independent learners and are ready for 4th-grade and beyond.
Thank you to the 3rd grade parents for their invaluable partnership with the 3rd grade faculty team during the distance learning experience. n