Third Grade Curriculum

Religion

The focus of this year’s study is faith - belief and trust in an all-knowing and all-loving God. The children are presented with the mysteries of faith that Catholics profess in the Creed. Through Old and New Testament events, they learn of God’s saving love for his people and the truths of the faith. Third graders will memorize the Apostles’ Creed and will study the mysteries of the rosary. Service projects include sponsoring a child from the Children of God Project, participating in a 3rd grade choir at Friday and some Sunday masses, and managing recycling for the elementary building.

Text: Loyola Press, Christ Our Life, 2009

Social Studies

Third graders analyze the multiple roles that individuals perform in families, workplaces, and communities. Classes are planned so that the students can use different types of maps, discuss the qualities of good citizenship, identify people who made a difference in the community, and gain a basic understanding of structure of government. Students benefit from a weekly Time for Kids magazine and a monthly lesson involving the Raleigh News and Observer newspaper. Other activities incorporated in this subject area include a field trip and possibly theme days.

Text:  Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, Communities, Adventures in Time and Place, 2005

Language Arts

The revised Language Handbook book is designed to include the major areas of the language arts curriculum: writing, grammar, correct usage, mechanics, dictionary and library skills, speaking and listening skills, and literature.

The writing component covers paragraph writing, writing a friendly letter, addressing an envelope, writing about you, and writing a book report.

Text:  Harcourt Trophies, Language Handbook, 2007
         Harcourt Collections, Grammar Practice Book, 2007

Reading

The reading program for third grade exposes the students to quality children’s literature. Skills covered in this text include: vocabulary development, comprehension, phonics and word study, writing, oral language, and critical thinking. The class will read several chapter books together including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

Text: Harcourt Reading, Trophies - Changing Patterns, 2007
        Harcourt Reading, Trophies - On Your Mark, 2007
        Curriculum Associates, Inc., Quick-Word Handbook for Everyday Writers, 2010

Phonics

This year the focus is on long and short vowels, vowel pairs, diphthongs, and digraphs, as well as compound words, prefixes, and suffixes.

Text:  Modern Curriculum Press, Phonics, Level C, 2003

Spelling

The spelling program emphasizes learning principles and patterns rather than on simply learning individual words. High-frequency words are included for study as well. Words are compared and contrasted through categorization activities, explorations of synonyms and antonyms, analogies, their use in context, and their origins. Proofreading, writing, dictionary, phonics, and vocabulary practice are included in each weekly unit. Approximately 450 words are studied.

Text:  Houghton-Mifflin, Spelling and Vocabulary, 2006

Handwriting

The cursive handwriting program is based on Zaner-Bloser’s newest series. It emphasizes the four keys to legibility: size, shape, slant, and spacing. Lowercase letters are covered first followed by uppercase letters. Connecting the letters with the proper joinings is also stressed. Once the keys to legibility are mastered, effective written communication is the end result.

Text: Zaner-Bloser, Handwriting, 2012

Science

Third grade focuses a hands-on approach to life, earth, and physical science. Students use the tools and processes of scientific inquiry in every lesson, which usually includes a hands-on investigation.

Text: Scott Foresman, Science, 2010

Math