Third graders hone their organizational skills and become quite adept at keeping the classroom and themselves in order. They understand their daily routine and have many opportunities to develop their sense of independence and responsibility.

Third graders now read with greater speed and grasp the nuances, pathos, and humor in literature. Now they think about the author’s purpose and can use the conventions of language in their own writing. Their interests are broad and varied, and they can dream, plan, create, and implement their ideas in groups and individually with encouragement and guidance from their teachers.

Third graders enthusiastically learn about the marvels of the universe. Taking on new abstract concepts in math affords greater challenges to third graders as they work on division, multiplication, fractions, and other subjects. An appreciation of other cultures and our state expands their horizons.

The third grade continent is Europe.