Teacher:
Mrs. Cathy Lillig Mrs. Donna Lynk

Third grade is an exciting year in which we see students transition from the primary to the intermediate grades. In third grade, we work on making students more independent and better organized.

Religion:

Our third graders receive a strong religious background. They cover many themes over the course of the year. These themes include Jesus and the creation of the church and their roles in the church community. Students will attend mass weekly and are required to learn several prayers during the year.

We also read and summarize Bible stories from the Old Testament.

Reading:

We use a literature-based reading program that includes both fiction and non-fiction texts. The students develop reading skills and strategies while enjoying high interest texts in areas such as fractured fairy tales, disasters, and cultural identity. We also use leveled reading selections, from ReadWorks.org, that help us dig deeper into topics that are presented, in our basal reading selections.

Students also participate in small-group literature circles. The literature circles give students the ability to delve into books based on their reading level.

Writing:

Writing is integrated throughout the curriculum, but writing instruction takes place during our Language Arts block. The Lucy Calkin’s writing workshop program is being implemented this year. Students learn to use the writing process, from prewriting to completing published final copies. The students will explore all types of writing. Special emphasis is placed on the development of ideas from single paragraphs into multi-paragraphed stories and essays.

Social Studies:

The overall theme for our social studies curriculum is communities. Students will participate in many kinesthetic activities relating to communities both past and present, American Indians, government, map and geographical skills, and Famous Americans will all be covered during the year.

Science:

The themes for the third grade science program are equally divided between life, earth, and physical science. Our science program is one that engages students in active investigations of scientific theory by providing hands-on activities that promote inquiry, scientific process, and understanding of the world around us.

Spelling:

Our spelling curriculum is derived from our spelling workbook. Word lists are based on phonics. Pretests are given on Mondays. Students that do not pass the pretest with 100% are given a post-test on Friday. Students that receive 100% on Monday’s pre-test, receive a list of challenge words to study. They are tested, on those challenge words, on Friday.

​Mathematics:

The Go Math series breaks down the subject material into 12-chapter books. Each chapter book has specific focus. The twelve chapters are listed as:

  • Chapter 1: Addition and Subtraction Within 1,000
  • Chapter 2: Represent and Interpret Data
  • Chapter 3: Understand Multiplication
  • Chapter 4: Multiplication Facts and Strategies
  • Chapter 5: Use Multiplication Facts
  • Chapter 6: Understand Division
  • Chapter 7: Division Facts and Strategies

Fractions

  • Chapter 8: Understand Fractions
  • Chapter 9: Compare Fractions

Measurement

  • Chapter 10: Time, Length, Liquid Volume, and Mass
  • Chapter 11: Perimeter and Area

Geometry​

  • Chapter 12: Two-Dimensional Shapes

We also use Simple Solutions as a supplement to our Go Math program. Simple Solutions gives daily practice in solving different types of math problems.