A co-educational private school for Preschool–Grade Eight

Grade 3

The Year of discovery and growth as Resilient Problem-solvers.

 

 

Grade 3 students pose together as a group

 

Our private third grade classes in Somerset County, NJ, are brimming with discovery and growth as our students hone their resilience through problem-solving. Teachers encourage students to be active learners by asking questions, taking on the responsibility of becoming independent students, and growing as individuals. Students become confident in their ability to persevere through a given task and grow as resilient problem-solvers regardless of the subject. Every day our Grade 3 students are presented with opportunities for social interaction, mindfulness, kindness, public speaking, teamwork, resilience, and so much more.

Questioning is a key component of Grade 3. While most people have moved away from the continuous questions we asked as a child, we “relearn” the art of questioning. Students explore the concept that “opening our minds to our own curiosity and asking the questions of how and why help “train our brains” to gain more knowledge in all that we read, research, and learn. “Reverse Questioning” is a skill often used to start the day in Grade 3.

Through this, the students receive an answer and must allow their minds to go through backward thinking to arrive at a question that would end with a given answer. Teaching students to be better questioners results in becoming better thinkers.

 

EXPLORE OUR CURRICULUM

 

Your Child's Third Grade Experience

DURING THEIR TIME IN FAR HILLS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL'S GRADE 3, YOUR CHILD WILL......GAIN INDEPENDENCE.

Grade 3 students begin to develop ownership of learning through the meaningful independent choice of rich, authentic texts.

...USE THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS.

The signature STEAM project for Grade 3 includes building instruments using recycled materials while using the engineering design process.

...TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE FAR HILLS PILLARS AND MISSION SKILLS.

Through direct instruction, literature, videos, sharing circles, and role playing, third-grade students improve their ability to problem solve and navigate interpersonal relationships. Through daily academic challenges that include independent as well as small-group interactions, they also practice and develop our mission skills: Teamwork, Ethics, Time Management, Creativity, Resilience, and Curiosity.

...LEARN CURSIVE!

Cursive is not a lost art at Far Hills! Grade 3 students learn the cursive alphabet and enjoy opportunities to read and write in cursive throughout the year.

THIRD GRADE IN ACTION

 

A Grade 3 student presents her Adventure America project to other students.

Adventure America is a highlight of the third grade experience. Students select one of the 50 United States to study. Through this long-term research project, they practice and develop many of our mission skills. Students produce various writing, including two full-length informative reports, one about the geography and climate of their state and another about a landmark. They utilize Google slides to highlight key industries and write one persuasive essay convincing the reader to visit their state.

The Design Thinking Process (ask, imagine, plan, create, improve) is also incorporated. Third-graders build a replica of a landmark in their chosen state, using only recycled materials. They enlist the help of Dash robots that they program to communicate facts about their landmark. They also explore the mathematical concepts—researching their states’ summer and winter temperatures, and calculating mileage from their home to their chosen state. Students create and design their own websites for their selected state. The project culminates with a presentation to the entire school community.

 

See the Far Hills Difference for Yourself

Now that you've read all about Grade 3 at Far Hills Country Day School, we invite you to request a viewbook, visit us, and apply today!