3rd Grade

Each 3rd grade class is taught by a licensed educator. Additional certified specialists instruct students in music, Spanish, physical education, technology, and library.

In 3rd grade, students become more independent learners with definite interests and lively curiosities.  They are capable of prolonged attention and more abstract thinking and reasoning. 3rd graders begin to use their acquired skills and apply them to learn about the world around them. Teachers set up an environment of both large and small group instruction, and implement varied teaching strategies to reach all learners.  Our small class sizes allow for individualized instruction.

MATH:
Our math curriculum develops new math skills and deepens the understanding of math concepts through practice, games, use of technology, and real world applications. 3rd graders work towards mastery of their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division fact families and use them in equations and two-step word problems. Mathematical learning includes place value, addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, measuring, geometry, time, money, fractions, and graphing.  

LITERACY:
Our language arts curriculum consists of small group guided reading lessons, partner reading and whole group instruction. High interest units incorporate vocabulary exposure, comprehension strategies, grammar skills, and writing.  Literature groups and author studies allow students to share their learning and love of reading.
   
SCIENCE:
Our science curriculum gives students hands-on opportunities to investigate scientific concepts  by creating hypotheses, setting up and observing experiments, and analyzing data.  Students explore the rock cycle, fossils, animals and habitats through time, invisible forces, simple machines, engineering, and inventions. 

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Third grade social studies curriculum allows students to learn about our country’s history as we compare three different Native American Tribes. The economics unit includes wants, needs, producers and consumers and the Junior Achievement unit supports and extends this unit. Creating and reading maps is another favorite third grade unit. The last unit teaches students about their learning strengths through the 8 “Smarts.”

RELIGION:
We strengthen our relationship with Jesus during daily devotions, Spirit Groups, prayer, and weekly mass. We enhance our 3rd grade curriculum’s focus on the church with hands on activities, Reader’s Theaters, and bible/scripture readings. We also introduce students to the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary and  praying before the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. 

TECHNOLOGY:
In 3rd grade we are fortunate to have 1:1 use of iPads. These are utilized throughout the day in various ways such as online reading, research, and apps to reinforce skills.  They access online programs such as Prodigy and Epic too. We also use apps such as Seesaw for creating projects, highlighting skills, and assessments that we share with parents in a portfolio showcase.  We also use Smart Boards to enhance learning through games, presentation and practice. Students also visit the media center 1-2 times each week, where they are given additional technology instruction and introduced to coding. 

ART:
The goal for 3rd grade Art  is to use various techniques, along with a variety of materials and mediums to enhance their creativity.

MUSIC:
Students receive instruction two-three days a week from a certified music teacher who addresses music learning standards. They participate in school concerts three times during the school year.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Students participate in a comprehensive PE program daily, taught by a physical education specialist. Students develop strength, flexibility, and endurance while engaging in group and individual learning.