Grade 3

English And Language Arts

The students in the third grade expand their knowledge of phonics and reading fluency. The students are taught additional strategies for reading comprehension. In units including fairy tales and fables, students choose “just right” books for independent reading and are taught in small groups. Story elements including setting, plot and characters are reviewed and independent reading time is increased. Students respond to literature in their journals. In Step Up to Writing, they are learning to write brief responses to the text using writing prompts, two column responses (notes) and quick sketch responses (drawing). Handwriting, spelling and word-processing skills are reinforced, practiced and applied. Continued work is done in the area of grammar with an introduction to nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs. Written expression of ideas in a more complete and sophisticated manner is expected and utilized. Students are involved in writing paragraphs, simple reports and letters throughout the school year.

History & Social Studies

Students in the third grade learn more about our connections to the past and the ways in which local, regional and national government and traditions have developed and left their marks on current society, providing common memories. Emphasis is also on the physical and cultural landscape of California, including the introduction to the study of Native Americans, the arrival of immigrants and the impact they have both had in forming the character of our contemporary society. Basic map skills are taught taking into consideration California regions, land vs. water and climate. An introduction to Rules and Laws and what it means to be a citizen is provided and there is a discussion of the economy of our region specifically and the kinds of resources we have and use.

Mathematics

Third grade math continues to involve operations with whole numbers including numeration, adding and subtracting whole numbers, and rounding. Students learn multiplication and division facts through 15. They learn how to multiply two and three digit numbers by a one-digit number. They also learn single digit division. Students also learn about patterns and relationships and concepts of fractions as well as adding and subtracting simple fractions. Students will deal with customary measurements, data probability, perimeter, area and volume, solids and shapes. Students focus on the ability to analyze information and choose the correct operation needed to solve everyday problems.

Religion Studies

The focus of the third grade religion curriculum is the Church. Students gain an understanding what the function of the Church is and what are the beliefs of the Catholic Church. They are introduced to the sacraments of Confirmation, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick and Matrimony. They gain familiarity with locating Bible passages, the Ten Commandments, works of Mercy and Jesus’ Law of love. Within Family Life, students will learn about how human Families are different from other kinds of families, and understand God ‘s plan for us as we grow in family life. Students will discover the attitudes that are important in family life, and identify the ways that our families celebrate being family. Student will also explore God’s gift of feelings, discover how to act on our feelings, and how to listen to our feelings. Students will learn to appreciate God’s gift of life and to recognize living things as signs of his love all around us.

Science

Third grade Science is broken up into 3 basic categories. In Life Science we study Living in Different Environments and Living Things in a world of change. We will explore the ways living things survive in their environment and how change affects the survival of living things. Within Earth Sciences we explore Objects in Space and Patterns in the Sky. We will explore what can be observed in the nighttime sky and how objects in the sky move in patterns. In Physical Science we study Energy, Light and Matter answering the questions, how does energy move and change form? What are some properties of light? What are objects made of and how do they change?

Foreign Language - Spanish

Spanish class begins with greetings, prayers, and today’s weather and date. Through music, games, and conversation, students review colors, alphabet, numbers, months of the year, days of the week, and body parts as warm up. Students learn new vocabulary weekly and perform oral and written activities using a workbook. Students begin to focus on spelling, developing sentences, and carrying on conversations. Assessment is based on weekly vocabulary quizzes, daily class work, and participation in class.