In third grade, students learn about the invisible forces of static electricity and magnetism, the different ecosystems and the species in them among other concepts. As students learn scientific facts, they are expanding their vocabulary and strengthening their reading fluency and comprehension skills.
Third graders start to develop the ability to ask scientific questions, plan and carry out simple experiments and start to develop hypotheses based on their observations.
Although science standards will vary by state, some of the concepts you can expect to see in any third grade science curriculum include:
Changes in motion caused by forces (gravity, friction)
Electricity and magnetism (conductors, insulators)
Forms of energy (heat, light, sound)
Weather and climate
Ecology (food chains, ecosystems, balance of nature, adaptations)
What Science Should a 3rd Grade Know?
3rd Grade Science Goals/Objective
Making sure your third grader accomplishes their learning objectives for science is a must to set them up for success for advancing concepts in upcoming years. Since homeschooling laws vary based on where you live, be sure to find out what your state’s homeschool requirements are when it comes to third grade science objectives.
Typically, you’ll find that science objectives for third grade include the following:
Makes inferences about their observations, collects data and records information
Understands life cycles of both plants and animals
Knows the different processes (weathering, erosion) that shape Earth’s features
Understands how different organisms interact with their environment
This year, students will get hands on with third grade science as they observe, investigate and experiment. Not only will they learn new concepts, but they will also dive into more complex studies on material from previous years such as Earth/space, life science, and physical science.
Learn more about how IMEZ-Academy’s third grade science curriculum can help your child understand and appreciate the world around them.