Third grade students, generally aged 8 or 9, are beginning to develop a strong sense of self and independence. You can help foster this development by providing students with chances to work independently, perhaps on research projects that are completed both in class and at home, or challenging students to read more on their own time. Class discussions in the third grade can include discussions of opinion, and teachers should challenge students to develop and defend their opinions. For example, use examples from current events to spur discussions, or encourage children to come up with ways to solve current problems. Third graders are beginning to understand more about their place in the world, and teachers should help them develop that context.
While your third graders are becoming smarter and more independent, also remember that they are still young children. As the academic work becomes more challenging and concepts build upon each other, the classroom environment may become more competitive and children may experience more insecurity and anxiety in their coursework. Be extra vigilant in making sure that all students are keeping up, and identifying children who need extra help. Even though these older children may be able to sit still for longer periods and absorb lessons, they still need hands-on lessons and "fun" incorporated throughout the day to keep their attention focused and match their boundless energy.
Encourage your third graders to "read to learn," more so than "learn to read." By third grade most children have mastered the concepts of reading, and while lessons in phonics, vocabulary and comprehension continue, third graders are reading for enjoyment and to find answers to their questions. Third grade teachers should encourage this reading and provide a wide variety of books for students.
Children in third grade are capable of completing homework assignments each night. Assign homework that reviews concepts taught in class that day. If you feel that the students did not fully grasp the concepts in class, do not assign homework with those concepts, but instead use it to review other concepts. During each lesson during the school day, take a few minutes to review what you covered the day before to ensure that students understand before you move on to new material.
Every teacher wants to be the "cool" teacher and be well liked by her students, and while you shouldn't strive to be your students' friend, you can make a lot of progress with kids by showing an interest in their interests. Keep up on the "tween" trends, paying attention to the TV shows, music, books and games that your students love. If you can, incorporate these trends into your lesson plans. At the very least, you'll know what they are talking about when they are swooning over a "Bieber."