the three R's

the three Rs

The three tenets of education traditionally considered the most basic or essential: reading, writing, and arithmetic. (So named for the prominent "R" sound at the beginning of each word.) When a school begins seeing major performance issues across the three Rs, then it is time to revise its curriculum and teaching style.
See also: RS, three
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

three R's

The fundamentals of education, as in It's a terrible school; the children are not even taught the three R's. It is widely believed that Sir William Curtis, an alderman who became Lord Mayor of London, once presented a toast to the three R's-reading, riting, and rithmetic-thereby betraying his illiteracy. In any event, the term was picked up by others and so used from the early 1800s on.
See also: three
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the three ˈR’s

(old-fashioned) reading, writing and arithmetic as the basic school subjects
When you say these three subjects, they all have the sound /r/ at or near the beginning of the word.
See also: three
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • RS
  • the three Rs
  • three R's
  • three Rs, the
  • get down to the nuts and bolts
  • be down to (something)
  • nuts and bolts
  • nuts and bolts, the
  • the nuts and bolts
  • the nuts and bolts of something
References in classic literature
"You shall teach me, and when I am a woman we will set up a school where nothing but the three R's shall be taught, and all the children live on oatmeal, and the girls have waists a yard round," said Rose, with a sudden saucy smile dimpling her cheeks.
Eight Cousins
I don't think you have read ten pages of Spencer, but there have been critics, assumably more intelligent than you, who have read no more than you of Spencer, who publicly challenged his followers to adduce one single idea from all his writings - from Herbert Spencer's writings, the man who has impressed the stamp of his genius over the whole field of scientific research and modern thought; the father of psychology; the man who revolutionized pedagogy, so that to-day the child of the French peasant is taught the three R's according to principles laid down by him.
Martin Eden
Most of them were clever, drunken critters who taught the children the three R's when they were sober, and lambasted them when they wasn't.
Annes House of Dreams
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the three R's of plastic usage.
Lukewarm response to UAE anti-plastic drive: study
With regards to whether UAE residents follow the three R's of plastic, the reduce, reuse and recycle formula to combat excessive plastic waste, the majority (83 per cent) believe reducing the use of plastics is the most ideal way to protect the environment.
Public have low awareness on UAE's plastic legistlations
They should be concentrating on the three R's: learning the Queen's English, how to speak it and how to spell, how to read and do their basic arithmetic.
Term-time holiday rule is nonsense [...]; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2DJ
He referred to his style of parenting as the three R's. Wade has three sons, Zaire, 15, Zion, 10, and Xavier, 3.
Sports Athletes Share Touching Father's Day Moments
BSB children set up an Eco-Stall to educate and promote sustainability and the three R's of the environment: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
200 join island clean-up
PPACA calls for two of the three R's programs, the PPACA reinsurance program and the PPACA risk corridors program, to go away next year.
Aetna: Saving the PPACA exchange system is a good investment
The three R's in the name of the initiative stand for recruitment, retention and recognition of employees.
Pennsylvania banking/securities launches workforce development initiative
Yes, and good for you for thinking about how to do your part for our environment You've heard of the three R's: reduce, reuse and recycle, right?
Earth girl
Primary education is the most important of all and it concerns me greatly that those in charge of it seemingly place higher importance on politically correct social engineering as opposed to the three R's. No joke.
Incompetent bunglers; Views of the North
"This workshop is in line with Tadweer's priority to develop and implement awareness programs that highlight the three R's of waste management.
Tadweer hosts educational workshop at Taweya 2014
CLINTON -- Education may come down to the three R's, but it also comes down to dollars and cents.
Clinton school budget trimmed by $432,500