Homeschool by grade
Homeschool 3rd Grade
Third grade is when children shift from learning to read to reading to learn. Multiplication facts are the big math goal. In some states, homeschool testing or evaluation requirements begin around this age.
Ages 8 to 9About 2.5 to 3.5 hours a day
What to teach in 3rd grade
What children typically learn by the end of the year. Use it as a guide, not a rule: homeschoolers can go faster or slower in each subject.
Math
- Multiplication and division facts to 10 × 10
- Understand fractions as parts of a whole
- Area and perimeter
- Round to the nearest 10 and 100
- Tell time to the minute
Reading
- Read chapter books and nonfiction independently
- Find the main idea and supporting details
- Use a dictionary and glossary
Writing
- Write organized paragraphs
- Learn parts of speech: noun, verb, adjective
- Write a short report or narrative
Science
- Forces and motion
- Life cycles and inherited traits
- Weather and climate
Social studies
- Your state: geography and history
- Local government
- Native American cultures
By the end of the year
- Knows multiplication facts from memory
- Reads chapter books alone
- Writes an organized paragraph
- Understands simple fractions
A sample day
| 8:30 | Math lesson and practice |
| 9:20 | Grammar, spelling and writing |
| 10:10 | Break |
| 10:30 | Literature: reading and discussion |
| 11:15 | Science or history (alternate days) |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Independent reading, projects, music, sports |
Tips for this year
- Check whether your state requires testing or an evaluation this year.
- Practice math facts a few minutes daily rather than a long session weekly.
- Let your child pick some free-reading books.
Rules for notice, attendance and testing depend on where you live: see your state’s homeschool law.
Choosing curriculum
Free tools for this grade
Questions parents ask
Do homeschoolers take tests in 3rd grade?
Only if your state requires it. Some states require testing or an evaluation in certain grades; others never do. Your state’s page lists the rule.
How do I teach multiplication facts?
Teach the idea with arrays and groups first, then practice a few facts at a time with games, flashcards or apps until they are automatic.