3rd Grade

Mathematics

My Math, published by McGraw-Hill, is the text used to support the third grade math curriculum. This text correlates with the Common Core. The primary foci in third grade include: solidifying place value, especially with the use of double and triple digit addition and subtraction; understanding and applying multiplication and division of facts through ten; becoming familiar with fractions as a part of a whole or set and beginning to work with comparing fractions; understanding and applying mathematical properties; representing and interpreting data; determining the area and perimeter of rectangles and composite figures; and working with mass, telling time and basic geometric shapes.

Science

Third grade science covers topics related to the human body, physical science, life science and earth science. Topics may include: germs and how our bodies fight them; properties of solids, liquids and gasses; weather and the water cycle; force and its impact; food chains; physical characteristics of plants and animals; and the solar system. Mystery Science is used as a primary resource.

English Language Arts & Literacy

A Writer’s Workshop curriculum is used to explore three strands of writing: narrative (personal), opinion (persuasive), and informational. Students experience mini-lessons focused on particular strategies, have independent writing time, conference with the teacher and have an opportunity to share their work. Eventually notebook entries are developed into published pieces. Reader’s Workshop is also utilized in a similar format with the independent reading time and reading responses focused on specific mini-lessons. Literature circles are used to more closely analyze texts. Spelling for Writers, published by Houghton Mifflin, and Grammar Workshop, published by Sadlier, are used to reinforce lessons on spelling, sentence structure, parts of speech, and writing mechanics such as capitalization and punctuation. In addition, vocabulary is more deeply developed with the use of a series entitled Latin and Greek Roots Challenge created by The Rooted Mind –  Scholarly Enrichment Programs.

Social Studies

Third grade social-studies topics include: location (continents, oceans, hemispheres, map skills), communities (effects of geography, history, culture, resources and human choices on their formation, growth and change), citizenship and government (law and order, branches of government, responsibilities/duties), economics (supply and demand, producers and consumers, needs and wants, saving and spending). The program used is Communities, Near and Far published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Religion

Our religion curriculum in third grade focuses on the Church. Students learn how Jesus is the inspiration and foundation of the Catholic Church. In addition, they come to recognize that his public ministry, as portrayed in the gospels, is the greatest model for our relationships with others and with God. Students learn how the Church supports them in their growth as Christians to become disciples of Jesus. In addition students focus on prayer, the sacraments and the seasons of the Church. A program entitled Discover Finding Faith in Life published by St. Mary’s Press is used.The Circle of Grace program is also used to educate and empower the children to be safe participants in their environment.