Third GradeA year of profound growth and transformation.
In 3rd Grade, children begin to see themselves and the world around them in a new way. The dreamy, imaginative years of early childhood begin to shift as they develop a stronger sense of independence, a growing awareness of their own abilities, and a desire to understand how the world works. This is a year when children discover, "I can do this. I can contribute. I have something meaningful to offer."
Each morning, stories continue to open the door to learning. Tales of creation, legends, and stories of human courage and resilience meet children at this important stage of development. Through listening, retelling, writing, and discussion, students deepen their reading and writing skills while learning to express their own ideas with greater clarity and confidence.
As their understanding of language grows, students explore spelling, grammar, punctuation, parts of speech, and cursive writing. They begin to take greater ownership of their written work, composing original pieces, summarizing their learning, and discovering the power of their own voice.
Rhythm and Story
Mathematics begins to move from the page into the world around them. Third graders practice multiplication and division, including long division, while exploring measurement, money, weight, and practical problem solving.
A child's own hand, foot, and everyday experiences can become the starting point for understanding measurement, helping mathematics feel connected, useful, and alive.
Mathematics in the Real World
This growing awareness of the world is carried into the garden and barn. Third graders experience the wonder and responsibility of caring for baby chicks as they grow into healthy, happy egg-laying hens. They learn that living things depend on their attention and care, and they experience the joy of seeing their work come full circle when the eggs from their hens become ingredients in their weekly cooking classes.
The food they prepare carries a story, from the hands that cared for the animals to the hands that create and share a meal.
Throughout the year, students work with the land, preparing garden beds, planting seeds, tending crops, and harvesting what they have grown. They learn through direct experience that growth requires patience, care, and commitment.
From Barn to Table
Handwork and fiber arts bring students even closer to the story of the materials they use. During a special visit to Ms. Melissa's little farm, students witness the shearing of the sheep and learn from a skilled shearer about the care of the animals and the journey of wool from fleece to fiber.
Back in the classroom, students continue this journey by cleaning the wool, carding the fibers, and learning to spin the wool into yarn. Through this patient, hands-on process, they experience how raw materials are transformed through care, skill, and perseverance.
From Fleece to Fiber
A Threshold CrossedStudents complete the year with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, carrying a growing confidence that they are capable, creative, and connected.
Movement, games, and outdoor experiences continue to support children as they navigate this important year of change, helping them build coordination, cooperation, confidence, and connection with one another.
By the end of third grade, children have crossed an important developmental threshold. They have grown as readers, writers, mathematicians, caretakers, and community members.
Ms. Nicole
Our Teacher
Nicole has worn many hats and cris-crossed the country in her journey back to Cedar Springs. Growing up (mostly barefoot and feral) just outside Tampa, Florida, she earned her B.A. from the University of South Florida and began her career as a newspaper reporter with The Tampa Tribune. In 2000, after 14 months traveling around the world, Nicole landed in New Mexico, where she birthed two amazing daughters who remain the lights of her life. Her healing and parenting journey later led her young family farther west so she could attend Rudolf Steiner College. Since graduating in 2011, Nicole has worked as a class teacher, administrator, board member, and mentor/ evaluator at various Waldorf schools in the Greater Sacramento area, and as a literacy instructor in Albuquerque. She earned an M.A. in Education from Sacramento State in 2023, where her thesis research focused on anti-racism education. Just back from a 2-year hiatus in New Mexico, Nicole is delighted to be back at Cedar Springs to shepherd the Oak Class along their learning journey.