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    Illinois 3rd Grade Curriculum & Standards Guide

    How Illinois's third grade standards line up with Third Grade.

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    Illinois standards

    Math

    Illinois Learning Standards for Mathematics

    Common Core · adopted 2010

    Illinois adopted the Common Core math standards in 2010, and state rules name the 2010 document with no later changes, so Grade 3 matches Third Grade. Codes are the national ones, for example 3.MD.C.7.

    Official standards

    English Language Arts

    Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts

    Common Core · adopted 2010

    Illinois adopted the Common Core ELA standards in 2010, with classroom use from 2013-14. Grade 3 matches Third Grade. Cursive is not in the standards, but a state law requires public elementary schools to offer a unit of cursive by the end of Grade 5 (see below).

    Official standards

    Science

    Illinois Learning Standards for Science

    National science standards · adopted 2014

    Adopted in January 2014 and in effect since February 2014. State rules adopt the 2013 national science standards as written, so Grade 3 (forces, life cycles and traits, ecosystems and fossils, weather and climate, plus the three engineering design standards for Grades 3-5) matches Third Grade.

    Official standards

    Social Studies

    Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science

    State standards informed by the national social studies framework

    Revised standards adopted in August 2021 and in use since 2022-23, built around inquiry like the national C3 framework. Grade 3 is 'Communities Near and Far', with 12 standards in civics, economics, financial literacy, geography and history, coded like SS.3.EC.FL.2, plus ten inquiry skills for Grades 3-5 (SS.3-5.IS.1 to SS.3-5.IS.10). Most of it fits Third Grade.

    Official standards

    Standard-by-standard crosswalk

    See every national third grade standard matched to Illinois's own codes.

    • Math: 37 same · 0 close · 0 partly · 0 not in Grade 3
    • English Language Arts: 90 same · 0 close · 0 partly · 0 not in Grade 3
    • Science: 18 same · 0 close · 0 partly · 0 not in Grade 3
    Open the Illinois crosswalk

    Grade 3 differences

    1. In Illinois

      Social studies: children explain that when people borrow, they receive something of value now and agree to repay the lender over time (SS.3.EC.FL.2). Third Grade covers banks and budgets but not borrowing.

      Suggested swap in Third Grade

      Social Studies Week 30 (earning, banks and budgets): add a lesson on borrowing. Lend your child a small amount and write a simple plan to pay it back over time.

    2. In Illinois

      Social studies: children make a timeline of related events to compare developments that happened at the same time (SS.3.H.1) and look at how different kinds of historical sources are used to explain the past (SS.3.H.3).

      Suggested swap in Third Grade

      Social Studies Week 8 (how our community began): make a two-row timeline that shows your town and Illinois side by side, and compare an old photo or map with a later written account.

    3. In Illinois

      Social studies: children explain how culture influences the way people change or adapt to their environment (SS.3.G.2).

      Suggested swap in Third Grade

      Social Studies Week 15 (culture): compare how two communities with different ways of life build homes, farm or travel in a similar environment.

    4. In Illinois

      Science: a 2024 state law requires Illinois public schools to teach about climate change beginning in the 2026-27 school year (Public Act 103-0837). It is a public-school requirement, not a Grade 3 standard. Third Grade teaches weather and climate but has no lesson on climate change.

      Suggested swap in Third Grade

      Science Week 20 (climate) or Week 22 (climate regions): add a simple lesson on how climate can change over many years and what people do about it.

    5. In Illinois

      ELA: cursive is not in the standards, but Illinois law requires public elementary schools to offer at least one unit of cursive writing before students complete Grade 5; each district chooses the grade, so this is not a Grade 3 rule (105 ILCS 5/27-315). Third Grade does not teach cursive.

      Suggested swap in Third Grade

      Optional in Grade 3: add 10 minutes of cursive practice two or three days a week, starting in ELA Week 1, or leave cursive for Grade 4 or 5.

    Grade 3 public-school test

    Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)

    Public-school students in Grades 3-8 take the IAR in English language arts and mathematics. Illinois does not require testing for homeschoolers.

    About this test

    Shown for context. Homeschool testing rules are separate; see below.

    Homeschool rules (unofficial summary)

    Unofficial summary, not legal advice, and not endorsed by any state or agency; rules change, so check official sources and thirdgrade.com/states before acting.

    Ways to homeschool

    • Homeschool as a private school under 105 ILCS 5/26-1.
    • Enroll in a public or private online or virtual program (that program's rules apply).

    Notice or filing

    None required. ISBE: 'The state of Illinois does not require parents to register before they begin home schooling.' Your Regional Office of Education may offer a voluntary notice form, and Chicago Public Schools has one for Chicago residents. ISBE strongly recommends a dated letter to your child's current school if you withdraw.

    Where to file

    No filing required by state law

    Office website

    Illinois State Board of Education homeschool information page. For a voluntary notice, contact your Regional Office of Education (ISBE lists them in its Regional Office of Education directory).

    Required subjects

    Instruction in English in the branches of education taught in public schools. ISBE lists: language arts; mathematics; biological and physical science; social science (social studies); fine arts; physical development and health (105 ILCS 5/26-1 and 27-1).

    Instruction time

    None. ISBE: 'There are no requirements for the number of school days or the length of a school day for homeschool students.'

    Testing or evaluation

    None. ISBE: parents are 'not required to administer or submit tests, homework, projects, grades, or any other materials to a school, district, or ISBE.'

    Records to keep

    None required. ISBE recommends keeping good records in case the child re-enrolls.

    Parent or teacher qualifications

    None in law.

    Recent changes

    House Bill 2827 (the 'Homeschool Act', 104th General Assembly) would add notice and portfolio requirements. It was re-referred to the House Rules Committee in April 2025. Bill-tracking records show no later action, and it was not law as of the verification date. Compulsory school age is 6 to 17.

    Official sources

    Other sources

    Verified 2026-09-30

    This is an unofficial, high-level summary of selected state homeschooling requirements, prepared for general information only. It is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or reviewed by any state, government agency, school district, court or other organization named in it. It is provided "as is," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including as to accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, regulations, agency guidance, forms, addresses, phone numbers and procedures change, sometimes without notice. This summary was accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the verification date shown for each state, and we do not undertake to update the printed edition. Relevant rules may also appear in other statutes, regulations, local policies or case law not covered here, and your situation (for example, a child with special needs, a move between states or districts, or enrollment in a scholarship, charter or umbrella program) may be governed by additional rules. Before acting, consult the official sources listed for your state and, where applicable, your local school district or county office. For advice about your own situation, consider consulting a qualified attorney licensed in your state. For updates, check thirdgrade.com/states.

    Sources

    Verified 2026-10-08