Halfway through 3rd grade we transitioned from homeschooling in Pennsylvania to homeschooling in Maryland. The documentation and content requirements are a little different. The biggest difference was we only needed to demonstrate content growth, rather than logging days of learning. Some of the resources we used this year include:
Math
Our primary math resource for 3rd grade was 3rd Grade Math Made Fun Curriculum from The Moffatt Girls. The centers required a bit much prep work for a single year of use. We mainly did the lessons (including their associated games and activities); and left the centers for extra practice if desired. These lessons are not scripted.
Reading
As always, our biggest resource for reading were our local libraries, and not just the books in the libraries, but the helpful people who staff them. One of the meaningful moments in our move from Hershey to Hagerstown was reading the letter of recommendation our Hershey librarians wrote to our future local library.
This year we did more to track the books we read—both independently, and out loud as a family. While not every book was logged, the ease of documentation with Reading List: Book Tracker, helped us capture a lot of them.
Another resource we made use of was 3rd Grade Reading Comprehension Spiral Review, Quizzes & Constructed Responses by One Stop Teacher Shop.
Writing
In addition to being sure to seize the natural writing opportunities like letters to friends and grandparents, thank you notes, and packing lists, we also used monthly writing prompt calendars from Irene Hines.
Spelling
We developed spelling both during writing conferences and through use of a 3rd Grade Master Words List from K12 Reader.
Science
For science we did not use a focused curriculum, but rather made extensive use of experiential science learning opportunities and checked out library books on science topics of interest.
Some of the activities we enjoyed include:
- Cosmic Colors Presentation at William Brish Planetarium
- Make and Take STEAM Kits from Hagerstown and Smithsburg LibrariesSolar System Presentation by TriState Astronomy Club
- Attended Weekly Maker Space at Williamsport Library (examples: circuits, magnets, coding, engineering)
- Researched, planned, and planted a garden
- Balance Investigations by Franklin Institute at Harpers Ferry Library
- Robot and Coding Workshop at Hagerstown Library
- Created robotic machines using LEGO Boost
Social Studies
We liked 3rd Grade Geography Learn and Explore from DK Workbooks as a quick, independent, varied resource.
As with science, for a lot of our social studies learning we took advantage of local experimental learning opportunities including:
- Africa Presentation and Craft Time through Nature Lovers Homeschool Group hosted by Sharpsburg Library
- Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park
- Colonial Gardening Experience at Conococheague Institute
- Fort Frederick Market Fair-American History Museum in D.C.
- Historical Locke’s Mill Field Trip and Tour
- Private Tour of Sharpsburg Historical Museum
We also read a lot of biographies. Our kids enjoy the story of someone’s life, and simultaneously they are exposed to time periods and cultures through that life.
Art
Art was another category of learning in which we reveled in our new location and lifestyle. Now that one of us is a stay at home parent and now that we are in an area with a vibrant homeschool community we capitalized on the numerous local opportunities for art learning including:
- Community Art Project at Smithsburg Library
- Japanese Calligraphy class at Morgan Arts Council
- Make and Take Art Kits through Hagerstown and Smithsburg Libraries
- National Museum of African Art
- Arts and Industries Museum
- Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
Our children also produced an abundance of their own art and of course we read.
Health and PE
We would recommend My Big Book of Feelings by Russell Ginns as a health resource.
During the winter we loved having an Elite Plus Membership to our local SkyZone. The membership provided our children unlimited access to a place to be active regardless of the weather, the elite plus meant we could jump with them and they could get a food item for free every day we went.