What to Expect in 3rd
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14
Classroom
Bible (Veritas): Students read selections from Judges through II Kings, as well as selected Psalms and Proverbs. Students commit to memory verses related to their study of the Bible and history, such as Romans 12:9-21.
History (Veritas, D’Aulaires): The students' exploration of history begins with the study of Minoan civilization and continues to units on ancient Greece and Rome, where they are exposed to the foundational history and culture of these civilizations.
Reading: Students read Detectives in Togas, Aesop’s Fables, D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths, Hour of the Olympics, Trojan Horse, Charlotte’s Web, Pompeii—Buried Alive, and poetry. Teacher read-aloud books may include The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, The Buried City of Pompeii, and The Story of the World, Volume 1.
Language (D’Nealian, Shurley Grammar, ACSI): In language arts students review cursive penmanship, practice spelling, review grammar jingles, write, label and classify sentences, and continue to write simple paragraphs.
Science: Having learned in history the stories of Greek and Roman myth and the characters for which the planets are named, science students apply this knowledge to the study of planets and the moon. Also, students learn the fundamentals of plant cycles, sound, and geology and continue classification from second grade.
Math (Singapore): Represent numbers to 10,000 in different equivalent forms. Understand the meanings and uses of fractions including fraction of a set. Understand that the size of a fractional part is relative to the size of the whole. Compare fractions using models, number lines. Identify equivalent fractions through the use of models, multiplication, division, and number lines. Add and subtract like fractions. Solve real-world problems involving addition and subtraction of money. Multiply and divide with 6, 7, 8, and 9. Divide 10’s and 1’s with and without regrouping, no remainder. Use bar models to represent multiplication and division situations. Solve addition and subtraction problems with greater numbers by using a bar model. Represent multiplication in different ways. Multiply 1’s, 10’s, and 100’s with and without grouping. Use addition and multiplication properties to multiply. Solve one and two-step multiplication and division problems. Add and subtract money amounts. Use mental math strategies to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
Enrichment
Technology: Third through sixth grade students travel to the Mac lab for 40 minutes of instruction once a week and the technology will integrate with their subject areas. All students receive developmentally appropriate keyboarding and basic computer skills as well as instruction in Internet safety, identifying trusted and reliable sites, and research skills.
Music: History and Bible studies are further reinforced in Music class, as students learn to aurally and visually identify the instruments of the orchestra; listen to The Planets, a suite by Holst; learn about Handel; and listen to the Messiah. Students perform hymns at a local senior facility, play classroom rhythm instruments, and continue to learn to read music via solfege.
Spanish (Viva el Espanol): Students practice useful Spanish in areas such as seasons, weather, clothing, school items, places in the city, transportation, and Galatians 5:22-23. Students will also learn basic Spanish sentence structure and vocabulary words in sentences. Students learn the books of the bible (old and new testament) in Spanish.
Art: Students learn about Greek and Roman art, as well as study the lives and artwork of Kandinsky, Cezanne and Rockwell.
Physical Education: Students have P.E. every other day.
Library: Students visit the library weekly.
Special Events, etc.
Special events include Trojan Horse Day, where students present model Trojan Horses they have constructed, Speech Meet, Roman Luncheon, and Greek Olympics.
Third grade students visit the residents at an assisted living home, where they deliver Christmas cards and ornaments.
Our field studies enrich our existing curriculum and may include visiting the Planetarium and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Students enjoy playing outside during recess for 30 minutes daily.
