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Fairfax County Public Schools is pleased
to provide you information about the curriculum your child will
be studying. Your child’s school has the complete Program of Studies (POS) for every discipline and grade level. You may review the complete elementary POS at the school upon request. Arrangements may be made through your child’s
teacher or school principal.
The POS content covers the same curriculum as the Standards of Learning (SOL) set by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and in many cases it goes beyond state standards. As you review the SOL, you may note that there is not an exact match with the Fairfax County POS by grade level. However, all the Virginia Standards are included and will be taught by the end of third, fourth (social studies only), and fifth grades so that your child will be fully prepared to take the SOL tests.
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| Language Arts |
Program Overview
Virginia SOL
Strands
Language Arts Program Overview
The language arts curriculum includes objectives that support students’ development in the skills of reading, writing, and oral language. These skills are developed through direct instruction, modeling by teachers, and guided practice. Teachers plan a balance of learning experiences which build upon oral language and include phonemic awareness, phonics, and the use of fiction and nonfiction materials for reading practice.
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
The Standards of Learning are an important
part of Virginia’s efforts to provide challenging educational programs in the public schools. At the end of the third grade, students are participate in SOL testing
for the first time, allowing them the opportunity to show the
array of knowledge and skills they have developed over their school
careers.
In third grade Language Arts, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- Reading
- Writing
- Oral Language
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| Mathematics |
Mathematics Program Overview
Third grade students use a sense of number to read, write, order, and compare numbers through 9,999 and recognize numbers through 999,999; explore relationships between multiplication and division; develop strategies for remembering multiplication facts; estimate, add, and subtract three and four- digit whole numbers, one-digit decimal numbers, and complete simple multiplication problems; and find fractional parts of a group or region. They estimate and measure length, volume, capacity, and temperature; find equivalent money amounts, make change, and tell time; recognize line relationships and right angles; and identify characteristics of plane figures and solid shapes. Third graders collect, display and compare data and explore probability, number properties, factors, and multiples.
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
The Standards of Learning are an important
part of Virginia’s efforts to provide challenging educational programs in the public schools. At the end of the third grade, students are participate in SOL testing
for the first time, allowing them the opportunity to show the
array of knowledge and skills they have developed over their school
careers.
In third grade Mathematics, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- Number Concepts, Theory, Sense
- Operations
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Data Analysis/Statistics/Probability
- Patterns/Functions/Algebra
- Problem Solving/Application
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| Science |
Science Program Overview
The Fairfax County Elementary Science Program of Studies is a hands-on or experiential curriculum designed to provide students with a basic understanding of Earth and space, life, and physical science concepts. Students develop a solid base of science knowledge, apply learned knowledge to solve problems, communicate information, use experimental design, and make connections to science in our everyday world. The program materials include activity-centered units, science trade books, Windows on ScienceTM videodiscs, and specific web sites correlated to each science unit.
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
The Standards of Learning are an important
part of Virginia’s efforts to provide challenging educational programs in the public schools. At the end of the third grade, students are participate in SOL testing
for the first time, allowing them the opportunity to show the
array of knowledge and skills they have developed over their school
careers.
In third grade Science, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic
- Earth and Space Science
- Life Science
- Physical Science
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| Social Studies |
Social Studies Program Overview
Social Studies instruction incorporates the four strands of history, geography, civics, and economics. Students learn about the cultures of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. The biographies of significant Americans are studied. Students also review concepts and facts previously learned in order to prepare for the SOL test.
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)
The Standards of Learning are an important
part of Virginia’s efforts to provide challenging educational programs in the public schools. At the end of the third grade, students are participate in SOL testing
for the first time, allowing them the opportunity to show the
array of knowledge and skills they have developed over their school
careers.
In third grade Social Studies, students learn concepts based on the following Strands:
- History
- Geography
- Civics
- Economics
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| Beyond the Core |
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Beyond the Core programs include subjects that are not included in the traditional core education curriculum (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies). Beyond the Core courses are the classes that enhance the quality of life and are important in developing our students into well-rounded, productive citizens. Below are links to information about the different Beyond the Core programs at the elementary level.
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| Tailored Instruction |
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Because not all students learn the same way, some instruction must be tailored so that individual students can have the opportunities to live up to their potential. Tailored Instruction programs are designed to give students what they need to succeed in the 21th century.
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Last
Updated
Instructional
Services Department
