3rd Grade Curriculum Page

Religion–We are using the “One in Christ” Concordia series.  It consists of 9 thematic units including 108 lessons with related Bible verses and catechism for Memory Work.  The hymnal “All God’s People Sing” is used in daily worship. The students are taught about God- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and His works as found in the Bible.  They will use tools to help study the Bible, like Bible maps and dictionaries. Law and Gospel are taught. They will learn about the Six Chief Parts of the Christian doctrine: The Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, the Sacrament of the Altar, and Confession.  God’s Word will be applied to their lives through prayer, praise, discussion, witnessing and daily worship.

ELA – The English Language Arts (ELA) block is a ninety-minute period Monday-Friday.  During this time every student is encouraged to engage in reading and writing by making personal connections to literature in order to become life long readers.  A balanced literature approach is used in alignment with the Common Core Standards. 

 The components of the program are a daily spelling series from Zaner Bloser, weekly grammar, reading and writing instruction from Journeys Common Core curriculum along with supplemental books throughout the year for specific themes. The Journeys curriculum includes weekly vocabulary to help enrich the children’s vocabulary expanding their word bank knowledge of words used in the context of word phrases. Journeys also focuses on important Common Core Standards such as paired passages in which students learn to compare and contrast different pieces of literature. The students read and write every day in a variety of genres using selected literature that support and reinforce our Christian faith.  A variety of teacher delivery techniques are implemented using classroom computers and document camera.

  Weekly homework is assigned in spelling and reading. The students are expected to write daily assignments in a school issued agenda. Students are also expected to complete a Reading Response Log daily about the books they have read. Students are expected to read 20 minutes per night and write a minimum of 3 sentences in their Reading Response Log about what they read. The New York State ELA Exam is administered in the Spring. It is a two-part standardized test that assesses the students reading and writing skills. 

Math– In third grade, math involves mastering basic facts, addition, subtraction and multiplication, and learning to read, understand and solve word problems. The major topics are:  Number Sense and Operations (place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, odd/even numbers), Algebra (equations =, inequalities < >, patterns), Geometry (2-dimensional shapes, quadrilaterals, area of shapes, symmetry), Measurement (customary and metric, length, mass, capacity, perimeter, area, bar graphs, line plots, clocks, and money), and Statistics and Probability (collect and analyze data, make predictions from data in pictographs and bar graphs).  The mastery of addition and related subtraction facts is expected Addition and subtraction with regrouping up to 3 digits is mastered. Fluency with single digit multiplication is developed. Mastery of multiplication with factors up to 9×9 is the standard in third grade, but we practice and learn multiplication facts up to 12×12. Students will have weekly homework on multiplication facts for part of the school year. Each week students will receive a packet on a different set of multiplication facts to help them learn and master the facts. The concept of fractions as part of a whole, unit fractions, equivalent fractions, comparing fractions and the meaning of numerator and denominator are developed. There is a major focus on reading, understanding and solving word problems. Students learn and practice skills and strategies associated with solving word problems. Manipulatives are used to aid in instruction.  The math series by Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley and other supplemental materials are also used. www.ixl.com is one of the programs that we use to review and reinforce the concepts being taught. We also use www.xtramath.org to help students improve fluency of basic math facts. A state test is given in the Spring.

Science–  The subject matter is divided into four units:  Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Space and Technology.  It is cross-curricular with links to literacy and math. Each chapter has vocabulary words to learn (ex. friction, energy, gravity).  Students are also taught about science careers, which relate to the chapter. Each chapter in the book (Scott Foresman Science) has science investigations-some teacher demonstrated, some individual student hands-on, and some small group hands-on.  Our Christian faith is also linked to science as God is taught as the Creator, and He is glorified through the wonder of His creation.  

Social Studies-The students are taught about the present and past history of communities in their country from a Harcourt textbook. Global connections are made to other country’s communities.  Related geography skills are taught (globes, maps, map scale, intermediate direction, time lines). They will learn about the economics and government of a community. Vocabulary words will be learned (ex. plateau, geography, democracy). Students will also learn the location of the 50 states. Students will learn the states by regions (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West). The unit will culminate in a test on all 50 states. 

Physical Education–Warm-ups, exercises, and running laps for physical fitness and endurance are done weekly.  Games and skill development in sports helps to further develop gross motor skills, students working as part of a team, cooperation, and molding the behavior of good Christian sportsmanship. Sneakers are needed.

Test/Homework–Folders are used by the student for Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies to organize and keep vocabulary word definitions and important papers to help in studying and with learning.  A study guide will be provided for Social Studies and Science tests at least a week before the test. Math homework is regularly assigned and is due the next school day. Students record their homework assignments in a daily assignment book, which is kept in a binder.   Memory verse tests are once a week. Homework should not exceed 30 minutes per night, on average.