Third Grade
Curriculum
Religion
Students learn about the Catholic Church and its many parts. Units cover the various sacraments, how they assist individuals in their spiritual progress and growth in holiness and contribute to the Church's growth in charity and in giving witness. We talk about the different parts of the mass, different types of prayer, and how Jesus was the perfect example for all people. Students also learn about an important saint through every chapter, along with feast days and seasons of the Church. Students are assessed through a chapter test and various activities and projects.
Language Arts (Maisa Reading & Writing Units),
Writing and English
The main focus of the year is teaching students to become strong, independent writers through teacher modeling and independent writing. The third graders write two personal narratives, an
opinion piece, a nonfiction piece and various types of poetry. Through mini lessons, students learn about generating ideas, drafting, editing, revising and publishing. They are able to receive
peer and teacher feedback from conferences and writing groups. Students also learn about the various parts of speech along with rules of capitalization and punctuation. Weekly spelling lists
are also part of the language arts program.
Reading
Our reading program consists of whole group lessons, along with small group and partner reading work. Students read independently each day and conference with the teacher about their reading multiple times a week. The units of focus are fiction stories (fantasy, realistic and mystery), nonfiction text and poetry. Students have partner or book club interactions each day and discuss the reading strategies that are being taught and applied to their independent
reading.
Math
Our Math program begins with a continuation of the addition and subtraction of 2 and 3digit numbers with regrouping. Multiplication and division, from numbers zero through twelve, is taught for the first time. Students are also introduced to fractions and addition and subtraction of fractions. Units of measurements including volume, length, time and money are taught as well. Problem solving and logic skills are reinforced with each of these topics. Students are assessed
on chapter tests, timed multiplication tests, and various other assessments.
Social Studies
The Third Grade Social Studies covers four main topics, the East, the South, the Midwest and the West. The year is devoted to studying the states and regions of the United States. Students learn about each region and the important characteristics for which each region is known.
Science
In Science we focus on the scientific process and its steps. We apply the method to experimentation. In the beginning of the year we focus on plants and animals. We complete ‘Endangered Species Reports’ to promote awareness of plants and animals that are being
compromised in our world for various reasons. As the year progresses we focus on the different ecosystems, food chains, and food webs. We cover minerals, rocks, and fossils. We also learn
about the water cycle. At the end of the year we study forces, motion, energy, and matter.
Students learn about the Catholic Church and its many parts. Units cover the various sacraments, how they assist individuals in their spiritual progress and growth in holiness and contribute to the Church's growth in charity and in giving witness. We talk about the different parts of the mass, different types of prayer, and how Jesus was the perfect example for all people. Students also learn about an important saint through every chapter, along with feast days and seasons of the Church. Students are assessed through a chapter test and various activities and projects.
Language Arts (Maisa Reading & Writing Units),
Writing and English
The main focus of the year is teaching students to become strong, independent writers through teacher modeling and independent writing. The third graders write two personal narratives, an
opinion piece, a nonfiction piece and various types of poetry. Through mini lessons, students learn about generating ideas, drafting, editing, revising and publishing. They are able to receive
peer and teacher feedback from conferences and writing groups. Students also learn about the various parts of speech along with rules of capitalization and punctuation. Weekly spelling lists
are also part of the language arts program.
Reading
Our reading program consists of whole group lessons, along with small group and partner reading work. Students read independently each day and conference with the teacher about their reading multiple times a week. The units of focus are fiction stories (fantasy, realistic and mystery), nonfiction text and poetry. Students have partner or book club interactions each day and discuss the reading strategies that are being taught and applied to their independent
reading.
Math
Our Math program begins with a continuation of the addition and subtraction of 2 and 3digit numbers with regrouping. Multiplication and division, from numbers zero through twelve, is taught for the first time. Students are also introduced to fractions and addition and subtraction of fractions. Units of measurements including volume, length, time and money are taught as well. Problem solving and logic skills are reinforced with each of these topics. Students are assessed
on chapter tests, timed multiplication tests, and various other assessments.
Social Studies
The Third Grade Social Studies covers four main topics, the East, the South, the Midwest and the West. The year is devoted to studying the states and regions of the United States. Students learn about each region and the important characteristics for which each region is known.
Science
In Science we focus on the scientific process and its steps. We apply the method to experimentation. In the beginning of the year we focus on plants and animals. We complete ‘Endangered Species Reports’ to promote awareness of plants and animals that are being
compromised in our world for various reasons. As the year progresses we focus on the different ecosystems, food chains, and food webs. We cover minerals, rocks, and fossils. We also learn
about the water cycle. At the end of the year we study forces, motion, energy, and matter.