Third grade (called Year 4 in the UK) is the fourth year of primary education in most countries. It is the third school year of primary school. Students are usually 7–9 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs. In some school districts, it is the final year of elementary school.
Grade 3 students learn how to work on projects on their own and with others. This may start as early as second and first grade as well. Social skills, empathy and leadership are considered by some educators to be as important to develop as the academic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic.
In Brazil, children begin their first year of elementary school at age 6 or 7 depending on their birthdate. Therefore, the 3rd year of elementary school is typically for students of 8–9 years of age.
At the same age, Scottish and Welsh pupils are in their fourth year of compulsory education. In Northern Ireland pupils are in their fifth year of compulsory education.
In England, the year of school that is the same age as 3rd Grade is Year 4, which is the fourth year of compulsory education. Most children start one year earlier however, in the Reception class.
In Canada, the year is called Grade 3, and the pupils are known as "3rd grade".
In France, children aged 8 join CE2 ("Cours élémentaire deuxième année"), the third school year of primary school. It was formerly called "neuvième" (ninth year before Terminale, the "baccalauréat" year).
In India children enter Class 3 or 4 at ages 8 to 9.