Students learn the deeper meaning of our Catholic faith. Children understand the Apostles’ Creed, the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, how people become saints, the Liturgical Calendar, as well as learning important events in the Bible. Beyond learning and understanding these areas, the children put footsteps to their prayers. We participate in the Liturgy as well as in service projects for mothers and babies in need by making baby blankets and helpful packages for Birth Choice. The children embrace their faith, live their faith, and the presence of God permeates the curriculum.
Students learn skills and then apply them in their writing. Students utilize the skill of editing their own work and peer editing others using ICHOPS (indent, capitalization, homophones, omissions, punctuation, spelling) and rubrics. During this process children utilize their growing skill set of: grammar, proper mechanics, correct and expanded word usage, and strong paragraph format. We also provide students with the opportunity to read their pieces to the class. This encourages public speaking and good listening skills.
Our reading program incorporates a variety of texts including: Open Court basal reader, leveled readers, novels, and nonfiction supplements. Reading is taught in both the whole class and small group setting to meet the needs of our diverse learners. During reading practice time, students will meet with the classroom teacher and our reading specialist. When working independently, students read to self, work on writing, read to someone, complete phonics activities and word work, or listen to reading through the use of technology. These practices have been adopted from the Daily 5 program and altered to fit our classrooms. Students are assessed on reading skills as well as their reading comprehension.
Our focus is on all syllable types. Students work on short and long vowel patterns, diphthongs, compound words, contractions, silent letters, homophones, prefixes, and suffixes. Third-grade students have weekly practice with spelling high frequency words and use word sorts and syllabication activities for word study. Students also exercise these skills with the use of iPad apps, spelling websites, dictionary and thesaurus practice, as well as reading vocabulary.
Students continue to master handwriting legibility. Cursive is used in all content areas. Third grade uses the text, Writing our Catholic Faith, during our weekly practice.
In mathematics we focus on place value, operations and algebraic thinking, measurement and data, fractions, and geometry. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division fact fluency is a priority. Students use the textbook, workbook, small group practice, and technology to exercise classroom concepts. Each section incorporates word problems to encourage students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Third graders enjoy the wonders of space, how the body works (skin, bones, and muscles), and plant life. We do hands-on projects that incorporate collaboration, the scientific process, and a science-based field trip.
The children learn about citizenship and communities through reading stories and biographies then apply the information through projects. We also learn about how the branches of government work and why the United States chose this type of government. Geography is also incorporated, as well as reading Scholastic News to be better informed about current events near and far. A field trip to a Raleigh historic home helps the third graders to better understand our history.
Students learn to listen, speak, read and write in a more advanced stage. Students will focus their oral and written expression on the incorporation of grammar, vocabulary and conversation. Students will be taught the Hispanic culture through videos, celebrations and presentations.