THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

LANGUAGE ARTS

The most important goal of language arts is to enable each child to communicate as effectively as possible. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities strengthen communication. Students are challenged through regular instruction to develop critical and creative thinking skills. In third grade, the five areas of Language Arts concentration are productive thinking, communication, forecasting, decision-making, and planning.

SPELLING

The third-grade spelling program is a part of the comprehensive Houghton Mifflin language program. Their curriculum promotes the formal teaching of reliable patterns and rules and enables students to spell a high percentage of English words without memorization.  High- frequency writing words and context words are added, as needed.  Third graders also gain experience in using dictionaries, arranging words alphabetically, and identifying compound words, base words, homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms.

LITERATURE/READING

The literature-based Houghton Mifflin Reading Series is our core reading program.  A combination of group and independent reading activities promote skill development in comprehension, word recognition, story analysis, vocabulary, and appreciation for literature. Students learn about a variety of genres, including realistic fiction, fantasy, folktale, poems, plays, mysteries, and biographies. Students are read to daily with emphasis placed on comprehension skills.  Library skills are taught during weekly lessons in our St. Mary's library.  Two additional programs, the computer-based Accelerated Reader and the self-paced SRA, provide additional practice in reading comprehension. As a class, third-grade students also read and participate in novel studies.

HANDWRITING

Students work toward mastery of upper- and lower-case letters in cursive.  Emphasis is placed on the proper formation of the cursive style, uniformity, and correct spacing as taught through the Handwriting Without Tears program.

SPEAKING

Third-grade students participate in class discussions, express opinions and ideas, and give oral book reports. They also take part  in dramatic presentations.  Emphasis is placed on developing fluent, organized, and meaningful oral expression.

GRAMMAR

Our instructional materials for grammar include the Silver Burdett and Ginn World of Language and the Daily Oral Language series. In third grade, we focus on the following parts of speech: nouns, subjects, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and prepositions. Through a variety of exercises and activities, students practice writing complete sentences, forming paragraphs, identifying and using the basic parts of speech, and using punctuation correctly. The Houghton Mifflin workbook also emphasizes language skills for writing and speaking.

COMPOSITION

Third-grade students will continually be involved with creative writing as they narrate their own experiences, describe their observations, and write from extended literature activities.  As their written expression develops, five steps to writing are implemented: prewriting, writing, revising, proofreading and publishing. During third grade, students will write summaries, book reports, stories, poetry, and three-paragraph essays.

MATH

The third grade math program uses Everyday Mathematics, a rigorous curriculum designed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics project. EDM builds a foundation of mathematical knowledge that, in time, enables students to move from the basics to higher-order thinking and critical problem solving. This program is supplemented by Rocket Math (a basic math-facts program), Math Flash (a computation software program), and “Arithmetic Done Daily.” Third-grade math focuses on the use of mathematics in real-life situations. Students use simulations and games to learn and practice new concepts. Emphasis is placed on connections with social studies and science.

SCIENCE

St. Mary’s science curriculum is a hands-on approach to learning the fundamental processes of science. Through direct laboratory, classroom, and outdoor experiences, students are exposed to observing, measuring, recording, classifying, interpreting, analyzing, inferring, predicting, and investigating.  The third-grade science curriculum focuses on the earth/space, life, and physical sciences. It has been developed with the National Science Education Standards as its foundation. Hands on Elementary Science, AIMS, Science Studies Weekly and Delta Science Modules have been used to develop activities and learning experiences. Topics covered in third grade include soil, Earth’s resources, classification of organisms, matter, light and sound energy.  Students are responsible for participation in outdoor education, conducting lab investigations, keeping lab notebooks, and completing various assessments throughout the year.

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY

Using reading strategies, thinking skills, class discussions, and interactive simulations, third-grade students are introduced to: history (world and American), geography, communities, humanities and citizenship. Students study communities in the United States, beginning with Edmond. Units on Ancient Greece, Rome, and Europe in the Middle Ages provide an historical perspective of how communities evolve. Third-grade American History studies also feature a unit on Native Americans. Students will be tested on the information and skills they have learned and reviewed. Third graders use Map Essentials (a map skills book), globes, worksheets, field trips, resource materials, class and individual projects to strengthen geography concepts. 

THIRD GRADE SPECIALS

SPANISH:

Third-graders have two 30-minute Spanish classes each week. The curriculum currently integrates themes and exercises from two programs designed specifically for young learners: Sube and Teach Them Spanish. Throughout the year, third graders study and participate in holidays and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world. Educational videos, library books, traditional music, and guest speakers are other “windows” through which they expand their world view in Spanish class. This year, third-graders will also explore the history, geography, and culture of Mexico.

ART

Weekly art classes provide third-graders with experience in drawing and painting, basic art techniques, imagery, guided art, and 3-dimensional art. Various arts activities are incorporated into their third-grade curriculum, as well.

MUSIC

Third-grade students experience rhythm, pitch, rhythm instruments, Orff instruments, elements of basic music theory, and a number of singing and movement activities using the Orff Schulwerk approach. They learn about orchestral families, cultural music, composers and their music. They also experience performance opportunities and have hands-on instrument experience. Third graders will be able to produce music with body, voice, and instruments, and read basic music notations. They are exposed to a wide variety of music and musical styles and also perform in front of others.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Our PE program provides third-grade students with unique fundamental knowledge, interaction, and physical skills appropriate for their age level.  Third-grade units consist of drills, exercise, physical activities, and games.  They include perceptual-motor development, President’s fitness challenge, dance and movement, archery, relays, volleyball, jogging, and cross country.  Our goal is to equip students with knowledge and a desire for life-long physical activity. Students are also encouraged to engage in physical activity outside of the classroom through team sports and individual exercise.

COMPUTER EDUCATION

Students will have the opportunities to work in the computer lab and experience a variety of age appropriate software and internet sites to enrich and compliment classroom learning.  The primary objectives and goals for the computer education at this level will be:  computer terminology, internet unit, keyboarding skills,  continued skills in word processing (Microsoft Word) and publishing (Print Shop) and introduction to presentation software(Microsoft PowerPoint).

RELIGION

Third-grade students attend Chapel twice weekly and actively participate in the service. Our Chapel curriculum is derived from The Bible and The Book of Common Prayer. On Wednesdays, the elementary chapel uses The Book of Common Prayer and focuses on the Lectionary Readings.  Monday morning chapel services are taken from The Book of Common Prayer Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families. This devotion follows the basic structure of the Daily Office of the Church. Portions of Psalms, scripture readings and collects (prayers) are read at this service, in addition to The Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed. Students take part in prayer and in song.

Religious education classes are based on the Episcopal Children's Curriculum, The Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, and The Bible. Our program includes a basic study of The Bible, and Bible stories that emphasize character development. Core value traits are taught to foster positive, healthy, and spiritual attitudes in our students.

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Third-graders attend class in the computer lab and experience a variety of age-appropriate software and internet sites that enrich and complement classroom learning.  Computer education at this level includes computer terminology; an Internet unit; Internet safety; keyboarding skills; continued skills in word processing (Microsoft Word) and publishing (Print Shop); and an introduction to presentation software (Microsoft PowerPoint).

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