Grade 3
Unit 1: Investigating Forces
Focus: This unit introduces Grade 3 students to real-world examples and fundamental concepts of forces, which will be explored in greater depth in later grades. Students will learn about observable effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object’s motion, describe and predict patterns of repeating motion, and explore how forces are associated with cause-and-effect relationships.
Number of Lessons: 9
Lesson Time: 30–45 minutes daily. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Please note that certain lessons in this unit are designed for multiple days, resulting in approximately 15 days of instruction. For more information, please refer to the recommended Pacing Guide within the Teacher Guide.
Additional Search Terms: force • motion • push • pull • balanced • unbalanced • gravity • predict/prediction • friction • lubricant • pattern • magnet/magnetism • problem • solution • test • nonfiction • informational text
Unit 2: Life Cycles, Traits & Variations
Focus: This unit examines the life cycles of various plants and animals, including the defining characteristics that are shared or varied by individuals in the same population. Students investigate how life cycles of various organisms differ and what they have in common: the pattern of birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
Number of Lessons: 14
Lesson Time: 30–45 minutes daily. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Please note that certain lessons in this unit are designed for multiple days, resulting in approximately 19 days of instruction. For more information, please refer to the recommended Pacing Guide within the Teacher Guide.
Additional Search Terms: life cycle • plant • animal • organism • pattern • seed • germination • adolescence • death • reproduction • stages • birth • metamorphosis • growth • pollination • pollinator • spore • individual • population • trait • characteristic • sibling • identical • offspring • inherit • vary • species • ecosystem • environment • change • advantage • survive • camouflage • season • rare • extinct • nonfiction • informational text
Unit 3: Habitats & Change
Focus: This unit introduces Grade 3 students to fundamental concepts of habitats, adaptations, ecosystems, and environmental changes over time. Students will learn about the relationships between living things and their environments. They see that organisms are adapted to live in specific habitats. But when the habitats change, suddenly or over millions of years, the same adaptations that allowed success in one habitat may not be those that ensure survival in another.
Number of Lessons: 18
Lesson Time: 30–45 minutes daily. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Please note that certain lessons in this unit are designed for multiple days, resulting in approximately 23 days of instruction. For more information, please refer to the recommended Pacing Guide within the Teacher Guide.
Additional Search Terms: habitat • plant • animal • organism • individual • population • survive • adaptation • ecosystem • environment • change • invasive species • climate • migrate • conservation • extinct • fossil • problem • solution • nonfiction • informational text
Unit 4: Weather & Climate
Focus: This unit focuses on weather and climate. Students describe patterns of weather across time and location. They learn the difference between weather and climate.
Students study Earth’s atmosphere, the mixture of gases surrounding our planet. A major focus of this unit is the role of water in the atmosphere and the importance of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Number of Lessons: 13
Lesson Time: 30–45 minutes daily. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Please note that certain lessons in this unit are designed for multiple days, resulting in approximately 18 days of instruction. For more information, please refer to the recommended Pacing Guide within the Teacher Guide.
Additional Search Terms: atmosphere • air pressure • weather • climate • water vapor • precipitation • humidity • wind • air mass • meteorologist • weather front • season • weather hazard • nonfiction • informational text
Unit 4: Weather & Climate
Focus: This unit focuses on weather and climate. Students describe patterns of weather across time and location. They learn the difference between weather and climate.
Students study Earth’s atmosphere, the mixture of gases surrounding our planet. A major focus of this unit is the role of water in the atmosphere and the importance of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Number of Lessons: 13
Lesson Time: 30–45 minutes daily. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Please note that certain lessons in this unit are designed for multiple days, resulting in approximately 18 days of instruction. For more information, please refer to the recommended Pacing Guide within the Teacher Guide.
Additional Search Terms: atmosphere • air pressure • weather • climate • water vapor • precipitation • humidity • wind • air mass • meteorologist • weather front • season • weather hazard • nonfiction • informational text