Third Grade Curriculum
 
Religion:  

-Catholic faith development based on the life of Christ 
-Mass planning and participation 
-Reading of Scripture and Bible stories 
-Role playing and completion of activities based on Bible lessons 
-Discussions of students’ roles as Christians in school, home and community
-Development of students' faith journies by strengthening their respect for others, honesty and love for God and each other

Spelling:       
-Weekly lists (plus challenge words) based on phonics skills and  independent practice 
 
English: 
-Daily oral language practice in grammar skills  
-Workbook practice focused on parts of speech, punctuation and mechanics of language

 
Reading:          
-Literature circles based on reading level, interest or literary skills using novels such as “Class President,” “Adaline,” “Falling Star,” “Sarah, Plain and Tall,” “4th Grade Rats,” “Muggie Maggie,” “The Littles,” “Abel’s Island” and “Ramona and her Mother” 
-Accelerated Reader incentives to promote independent reading at appropriate ability levels 
-Reading comprehension, vocabulary and literacy skill development

Math : 
-Basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division 
-Time and money, data, graphing and measurement 
-Geometry (including perimeter, area and volume) and algebraic terms and patterns 
-Fractions: vocabulary, comparing, adding and subtracting mixed numbers   
-Daily math that reviews and practices above math skills

Social Studies:         
-Studies, comparisons and contrasts of communities within the United States and other countries 
-Geography and map skills 
-Region history from the 1700s and 1800s

Science:  
-Questioning and exploration of science through the textbook, science literature, journals and hands-on activities 
-Introduction to lab report format, note taking and use of scientific tools 
-Units including the water cycle, weather, plants and animals, earth science, soil, minerals and rocks, resources, and matter

Computer: 
-Basic word processing skills 
-More advanced drawing and painting techniques 
-Development of critical thinking skills through simulations, problem solving and conclusion drawing 
-Introduction to the Internet and computer reference materials