This information will help you get organized and prepared to homeschool your child using the Third Grade Core Knowledge Language Arts: Listening & Learning curriculum.
Important Notes
CK Language Arts Listening & Learning vs. CK Language Arts Skills: The Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum is split into two strands: Listening & Learning and Skills. Each strand has its own set of curriculum. Both strands are required for a full language arts curriculum. The organization information below is for the Listening & Learning strand. All Core Knowledge Grade 3 curriculum can be downloaded here.
1st vs. 2nd Edition Materials: Please note, the support materials available here are specific to the 1st edition CKLA curriculum which is available to download for free on the Core Knowledge website. CK’s partner Amplify offers 2nd edition materials and homeschooling families can purchase hard copies of those 2nd edition materials directly from the Amplify website (there is no “free” option for the 2nd edition materials). If you choose to use the 2nd edition materials, you may need to make significant changes to the schedule and prep information provided here. There is no advantage to using the 2nd edition materials beyond the option to purchase preprinted copies online. We recommend using the 1st edition curriculum so you can take full advantage of these support materials.
Free Resources
How-to Videos: Watch the videos to learn to use the CKLA: Listening & Learning curriculum to homeschool.
Unit-Specific Prep Checklist: View and download the unit-specific prep checklist. Includes notes for each unit of the curriculum including which Instructional Masters (activity pages) to print, library books that may be needed, required advanced preparation broken out by lesson, as well as a list of additional unit-specific supplies.
Daily Schedule: View and download the free daily schedule for homeschooling Grade 3 using the Core Knowledge curriculum and MEP Math curriculum.
Primary Materials
Units: There are 11 units in the Grade 3 CKLA: Listening & Learning curriculum. All students start with Unit 1 and progress through the units in order. You will download each unit separately from the CK website. Each unit will be downloaded as a file folder containing multiple files including the Anthology (Teacher’s Guide), Flipbook, and Image Cards.
Anthology: The Anthology functions as the Teacher’s Guide for Grade 3 CKLA: Listening & Learning units. When you are ready to start a lesson with your student, you will simply open the PDF file for the Anthology on your tablet or laptop, navigate to the lesson indicated on the daily schedule, and work through the instructions in the Anthology for that lesson.
Flipbook: This flipbook contains the images that go along with the stories that will be read to the student using the Anthology. This flipbook can be accessed as a PDF file on your student’s device.
Image Cards: The Image Cards are a separate file located in the folder of files you downloaded from the CK website. The Anthology will specify when to use these cards during the lesson. You do not need to print the image cards. The file can simply be accessed from your device or your student’s device when needed for a lesson.
Getting Organized
Lesson A and Lesson B Scheduling: Most lessons are divided into two parts: A and B which are both completed in a single school day. Lesson A should be completed first and Lesson B should be completed later in the day.
Please note, some lessons include a third part which involves a writing assignment. This third part of the lesson should be completed the same school day as Lesson A and Lesson B.
Instructional Masters: These are the activity pages for the units and are found in the back of the Anthology for each unit. More information will be available in the unit-specific prep checklist. It is generally easiest to print all the Instructional Masters at the beginning of the unit, even if you don’t end up using all of them.
Tell It Again! Posters: These are located in the back of the Flipbook for that unit. The Anthology will specify when to use these posters during the lesson. You do not need to print the posters. You can simply navigate to them in the Flipbook file when needed for a lesson.
Catch-up Days: Catch-up days have been scheduled for you. If you do not need a catch-up day you can choose to read a library book related to the unit, do one of the projects specified in the unit’s culminating activities section, or enjoy a lighter school day.
Pausing Points: Pausing points are a day set aside for catching up on material, reviewing and reinforcing material, or extending material taught so far in the unit. They typically occur in the middle and/or at the end of the unit. When you reach this point in the schedule, the PP section of the anthology will list out several options for activities. It can be helpful to review the activity options in advance to do any prep work or gather needed supplies. Remember, you will be choosing one or maybe a handful of these activities to do—not all of them. If you are running behind on lessons when you reach a pausing point, use that day to catch up. The activities listed in the PP are just suggestions and are not required for your student to move forward.
Domain Assessment: At the end of each unit is a day set aside for domain assessment and these are an important part of each unit. This information learned during the assessment can then be used to review with the student as they move into the next unit.
Important Tips
Library Books: Whenever possible, please select several of the recommended books from the unit’s resource list (part of the introduction in the Anthology) and request them from the library in advance. These books can be used as time allows, when specifically called for in a lesson, or can be left out for your student to read on their own in their free time. If library books are not an option, YouTube often has videos of books being read aloud and these can be used as an alternative.
A number of lessons throughout the school year suggest using library books during the lesson. The Unit-Specific Prep document notes when these are needed and that document can be downloaded here.
Writing Assignments: Grade 3 is the first time specific research and writing activities are incorporated into the CK Skills curriculum. Not all units include separate writing assignments but those that do typically have the assignments scheduled for the final week in the unit. Please see the introduction section of the unit Anthology for more information about the writing assignments.
Above and Beyond Assignments: Lessons may sometimes include extension activities designed for students working above grade level. These activities are identified with the arrow icon and more information can be found on pg. 10 of the Unit 1 Anthology.
Classroom-Based Activities: Some activities in this program are clearly designed for a classroom setting. Please adjust the activity as needed for your situation. For example, for an activity that suggests students work in teams, you can act as your student’s teammate. For activities that involve putting on a play or presentation, your student can present one part of the information or you can make the activity a family activity and involve siblings, etc.
Topic Duplication: You may notice what appears to be duplication between topics in the CKHG lessons and the CKLA lessons. This is intentional and provides the opportunity to reinforce key concepts by approaching them from multiple perspectives. For example, a student will have a history lesson about Ancient Rome and then maybe a few weeks later will also study Ancient Rome in a CKLA lesson.
Third Grade CKLA: Listening & Learning Strand Unit-Specific Prep Checklist
This checklist will help you prepare for each new unit of the Core Knowledge Third Grade Language Arts: Listening and Learning curriculum. Please refer to the specific unit list prior to starting a new unit. It will guide you through what what documents to print, when a library book is needed, unit-specific supplies that should be gathered, and special notes for lessons in that unit
Unit 1: Classic Tales: The Wind in the Willows
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-12
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 231-268
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Be sure to read Anthology pg. 2 for information concerning the Domain Gene Writing time slot including how the publishing portion is part of the Pausing Point. Additional information can also be found on Anthology pg. 8.
- Students will be using a notebook or binder with writing paper throughout the Language Arts units to practice taking notes and for other writing opportunities such as “domain dictionaries”.
- The Wind in the Willows Poster is referenced in Lessons 1-5, 8, 11, and 13 and can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Lessons 1-3, 8-13, and Pausing Point: Require advance preparation.
- Lesson 10: Suggests using library books as part of a writing assignment (see Anthology pg. 11-12 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point: Optional use of a library books (see Anthology pg. 11-12 for suggestions). There are several optional activities that require library books but one in particular suggests using library books for the student to research animals and their habitats. You could also potentially use an encyclopedia for this task (hard copy or online version).
- Pausing Point: One suggested activity is to watch the full-length movie The Wind in the Willows. See Anthology pg. 225 for more information on the specific film version suggested.
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Various pictures portraying the word state (Pausing Point, optional)
Unit 2: Classifications of Animals
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-12
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 187-236
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- The Posters can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Lessons 1, 3, Pausing Point 1, Lesson 7, 9, and Pausing Point 2: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point 1: Multiple optional activities suggest using library books (see Anthology pg. 9-12 for suggestions).
- Lesson 8: Optional use of library books to support student research for paragraph writing activity.
- Pausing Point 2: Multiple optional activities suggest using library books (see Anthology pg. 9-12 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Thermometer (Lesson 1, optional)
- Newspapers and/or magazines (Pausing Point 1 and 2, optional)
- Various images portraying the meanings of column (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Bone models and/or bone images (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Fish tank supplies, see Anthology pg. 102 (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Tadpoles and supplies, see Anthology pg. 103 (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Image of a cozy room or house (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Books about local birds, bird feeder, and bird food (Pausing Point 2, optional)
Unit 3: The Human Body: Systems and Senses
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-14
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 161-217
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- The Posters can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Lessons 1, 5, Pausing Point 1 and 2: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point 1: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 9-14 for suggestions)
- Pausing Point 2: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 9-14 for suggestions)
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Plastic wrap (Lesson 5)
- Cotton balls (Lesson 5)
- Blindfold (Pausing Point #2, optional)
- Bell (Pausing Point #2, optional)
Unit 4: The Ancient Roman Civilization
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-13
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 225-272
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- The Posters can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Lessons 1, 2, 4, and 8: Require advanced preparation.
- Pausing Point 1: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions).
- Lesson 10: Library books are suggested to help the student decide on a topic for their opinion paragraph (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point 2: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Images depicting various meanings of favors (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Various foods eaten in Roman times, see Anthology pg. 126 (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- White sheets and table cloths (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Images depicting various meanings of vision (Pausing Point 2, optional)
Unit 5: Light and Sound
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-11
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 175-212
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- The Posters can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Lessons 1-4, Pausing Point 1, Lessons 5-6, 8, and Pausing Point 2: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point 1: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 9-11 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point 2: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 9-11 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Flashlight (Lessons 1, 3, 4)
- Images with light and shadows (Lesson 1)
- Camera (Lesson 1)
- Large, shiny serving spoon (Lesson 2)
- Makeup and/or shaving mirror (Lesson 2)
- Periscope and/or kaleidoscope (Lesson 2, optional)
- Drinking glass (Lesson 3)
- Straw (Lesson 3)
- Variety of opaque, translucent, and transparent objects (Lesson 3)
- Variety of lenses (Lesson 3)
- Variety of instruments with lenses (Lesson 3)
- Prisms (Lesson 4)
- Large bowl (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Mirror (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- White cardboard (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Straight stick (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Rocks or chalk (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Watch or clock (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Quart-size milk or juice cartons x2 (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Small mirrors x2 (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Tuning fork (Lesson 5 and Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Rubber bands, variety of sizes and widths (Lesson 5 and Pausing Point 2, optional))
- Variety of musical instruments (Lesson 5)
- Images depicting the various meanings of medium (Lesson 5, optional)
- Piece of sheet music (Lesson 6)
- One or two easily available simple musical instruments (Lesson 6)
- Variety of boxes, the size of a shoe box or smaller (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Bowl (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Plastic wrap (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Salt (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Several glass bottles, alike in shape (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Paper cups (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Long piece of twine (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Hammer (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Nail (Pausing Point 2, optional)
Unit 6: The Viking Age
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-9
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 129-146
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- The Posters can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Lessons 1, 2, and Pausing Point: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 8-9 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Images depicting the meanings of lap (Pausing Point, optional)
Please note: The next unit (Unit 7: Astronomy) requires a number of library books on various specific topics starting in Lesson 2. Please review the unit-specific notes below so you can request the books from the library in advance.
Unit 7: Astronomy
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-15
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 205-262
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- The Posters can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Several lessons call for the use of a globe for a demonstration. While having a globe is very helpful, if you do not have one, use a ball.
- Lessons 1-5, Pausing Point 1, Lessons 6 and 7: Require advance preparation
- Lessons 2 and 3: Requires a variety of library books to be used for planet research
- Lessons 8, 9, and 10: Requires several library books concerning Copernicus’s life and significance of his ideas
- Lesson 9: Requires several library books concerning space exploration
- Pausing Point 1: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 9-15 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point 2: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 9-15 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Large envelope (Lesson 1)
- Dark permanent marker (Lessons 1, 4, and 7)
- Globe (Lessons 1, 2, and Pausing Point, optional)
- Small ball (Lesson 1)
- Light source (Lesson 1)
- Current year’s calendar (Lesson 1)
- Yardstick (Lesson 2)
- Lemon-sized sphere (Lesson 2)
- Small marble (Lessons 2 and 5)
- Envelope with space address (Lessons 2 and 4)
- Unit cubes made into an 11x11x11 cube (Lesson 3, optional)
- Astronomy-related stamps (Lesson 4, optional)
- Feather or piece of paper (Lesson 5)
- Ball or similar compact object (Lesson 5)
- Magazines with a variety of photos and/or a collection of objects with spiral shapes (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Large hoop (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Large ball (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Images of constellations and star patterns (Lesson 6, optional)
- Balloon (Lesson 7)
- Images depicting the various meanings of the word conducted (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Black paper (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- White chalk (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Hair spray (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Star stickers (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Telescopes (Pausing Point 2, optional)
Unit 8: Native Americans
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-14
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 143-182
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- The Posters can be found in the back of the Flip Book.
- Pausing Point: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 10-14 for suggestions)
- Pausing Point: One optional activity calls for using one of several specific library books, see Anthology pg. 137 for more information
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Reference book such as an encyclopedia or textbook (Pausing Point, optional)
Unit 9: European Exploration of North America
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-13
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 185-220
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lessons 1 and 4: Require advance preparation.
- Pausing Point 1: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions).
- Lesson 9: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions).
- Pausing Point 2: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions).
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Materials listed on website for making a compass, see Anthology pg. 166 (Pausing Point 2, optional)
Unit 10: Colonial America
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-14
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 233-280
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Lesson 1, Pausing Point 1, Lesson 10, and Pausing Point 2: Require advance preparation
- Pausing Point 1: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 12-14 for suggestions)
- Pausing Point 2: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 12-14 for suggestions)
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Images depicting the various meanings of the word season (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Parchment paper (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Sticky notes (Lesson 10)
- Images depicting the various meanings of the word taxing (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Copy of the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride,” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, can be found via an internet search (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Copy of the poem “Concord Hymn,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, can be found via an internet search (Pausing Point 2, optional)
Unit 11: Ecology
- Read the Unit Introduction: Anthology pg. 1-13
- Print the Instructional Masters: Anthology pg. 137-158
- Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
- Pausing Point 1, Lesson 8, and Domain Assessment: Require advance preparation
- Pausing Point 1: Optional use of a library book (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions)
- Lesson 6: Optional use of a library book concerning the Dust Bowl (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions)
- Lesson 7: Optional use of several library books to learn more about how the student can be a good steward of the earth in their home (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions)
- Pausing Point 2: Optional use of library books for several activities (see Anthology pg. 10-13 for suggestions)
- Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
- Newspaper and/or magazines (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- The book “The Beauty and the Beast” by Jack Prelutsky, see Anthology pg. 11 (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- “Project Wild” by the Western Regional Environmental Council, see Anthology pg. 12 (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- Old magazines such as “Ranger Rick” or “National Geographic” (Pausing Point 1, optional)
- The book “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Modeling clay in colors blue, red, orange, and yellow (Pausing Point 2, optional)
- Clay knife (Pausing Point 2, optional)
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MEP Math has been made available through the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching.
