THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM
RELIGION
Voyages: Exploring God’s Word is a chronological study of Bible stories beginning with creation. Students learn of God’s love and how to apply forgiveness and grace at school and at home. Third graders memorize selected Bible verses, hymns, prayers, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed. Each Wednesday students attend a school chapel service. Each morning the day begins with devotions and prayer. Prayer and sharing from God’s Word are intertwined throughout the day.
PHONICS
In Sadlier and Economy phonics series, third graders review consonant sounds, and long and short vowels. Students advance in their skills with compound words, digraphs, contractions, plurals, prefixes, suffixes, diphthongs, synonyms, antonyms, and learning sight words in the English language. All these skills lead to improved reading.
HANDWRITING
Students are provided a foundation of basic strokes for correct cursive writing with daily practice for the goal of developing legible handwriting.
READING
Third graders use the Houghton Mifflin Literary Reader. Students are introduced to writings by a variety of authors and are encouraged to read more of the author and different genres. The writings include fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, poetry, and biographies. Comprehension and vocabulary are especially emphasized, along with analytical and phonics skills being reinforced.
SPELLING
Spelling patterns and practice in context help students spell better. Weekly tests include list words used in a sentence to encourage good grammar, punctuation, and capitalization skills as well as to reinforce good listening to dictation. Phonics geared lessons tie cross-curricular topics together. Challenge words are included in the lists each week. The text used is Houghton Mifflin Spelling and Vocabulary.
MATH
The Heath Mathematics Series introduces students to math concepts and problem-solving strategies. Students learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, geometry, estimation, place value, measurement and graphing, time, money, fractions, decimals. Memorization of multiplication tables is studied.
ENGLISH
Houghton Mifflin English text is used to apply writing and learn grammar skills such as punctuation, capitalization, usage, parts of speech, and composition skills. A greater understanding of the nature and function of the English language is the long term goal for the year.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Macmillan third grade social studies is about Communities. Students learn about the people, government, history, and resources in communities. Different types of communities are studied such as rural, city, and suburban. Map and globe skills, chart and graph skills, and critical thinking skills are also included.
SCIENCE
Third graders use Scott Foresman Discover Science to study Life Science, Matter, Work and Machines, Forms of Energy, Sound, Rocks and Soil, Weather, Sun Moon and Planets, Human Body, and Good Health. Students learn about science from the Christian perspective emphasizing the wonders of God’s creation.
ART
Focus of the art curriculum in third grade is for students to learn an appreciation of art and creativity through the study of artists and their work and through their own creative artwork. Personal artistic ability is not required or emphasized. Understanding artistic interpretation and viewpoint is a year long process.
MUSIC
Students have music instruction twice each week with the school’s music teacher. Music classes involve singing, listening, playing simple instruments, and activities which teach fundamental elements of theory. The class periodically performs for parents and sings in chapel services. All students prepare and present the Children’s Christmas Service and put on a Spring Musical.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Third graders have P.E. twice each week with the school’s P.E. teacher. Students participate in activities to develop strength, endurance, and flexibility. They develop basic skills in individual and team sports. Emphasis is placed on cooperation as a team and good sportsmanship. President’s Challenge skills are developed throughout the year in preparation for evaluation at year’s end.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Students go on field trips which are related to units and learning activities in class. They also go to performances at the Performing Arts Center which are sponsored by the Alaska Junior Theater
THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM
RELIGION
Voyages: Exploring God’s Word is a chronological study of Bible stories beginning with creation. Students learn of God’s love and how to apply forgiveness and grace at school and at home. Third graders memorize selected Bible verses, hymns, prayers, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed. Each Wednesday students attend a school chapel service. Each morning the day begins with devotions and prayer. Prayer and sharing from God’s Word are intertwined throughout the day.
PHONICS
In Sadlier and Economy phonics series, third graders review consonant sounds, and long and short vowels. Students advance in their skills with compound words, digraphs, contractions, plurals, prefixes, suffixes, diphthongs, synonyms, antonyms, and learning sight words in the English language. All these skills lead to improved reading.
HANDWRITING
Students are provided a foundation of basic strokes for correct cursive writing with daily practice for the goal of developing legible handwriting.
READING
Third graders use the Houghton Mifflin Literary Reader. Students are introduced to writings by a variety of authors and are encouraged to read more of the author and different genres. The writings include fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, poetry, and biographies. Comprehension and vocabulary are especially emphasized, along with analytical and phonics skills being reinforced.
SPELLING
Spelling patterns and practice in context help students spell better. Weekly tests include list words used in a sentence to encourage good grammar, punctuation, and capitalization skills as well as to reinforce good listening to dictation. Phonics geared lessons tie cross-curricular topics together. Challenge words are included in the lists each week. The text used is Houghton Mifflin Spelling and Vocabulary.
MATH
The Heath Mathematics Series introduces students to math concepts and problem-solving strategies. Students learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, geometry, estimation, place value, measurement and graphing, time, money, fractions, decimals. Memorization of multiplication tables is studied.
ENGLISH
Houghton Mifflin English text is used to apply writing and learn grammar skills such as punctuation, capitalization, usage, parts of speech, and composition skills. A greater understanding of the nature and function of the English language is the long term goal for the year.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Macmillan third grade social studies is about Communities. Students learn about the people, government, history, and resources in communities. Different types of communities are studied such as rural, city, and suburban. Map and globe skills, chart and graph skills, and critical thinking skills are also included.
SCIENCE
Third graders use Scott Foresman Discover Science to study Life Science, Matter, Work and Machines, Forms of Energy, Sound, Rocks and Soil, Weather, Sun Moon and Planets, Human Body, and Good Health. Students learn about science from the Christian perspective emphasizing the wonders of God’s creation.
ART
Focus of the art curriculum in third grade is for students to learn an appreciation of art and creativity through the study of artists and their work and through their own creative artwork. Personal artistic ability is not required or emphasized. Understanding artistic interpretation and viewpoint is a year long process.
MUSIC
Students have music instruction twice each week with the school’s music teacher. Music classes involve singing, listening, playing simple instruments, and activities which teach fundamental elements of theory. The class periodically performs for parents and sings in chapel services. All students prepare and present the Children’s Christmas Service and put on a Spring Musical.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Third graders have P.E. twice each week with the school’s P.E. teacher. Students participate in activities to develop strength, endurance, and flexibility. They develop basic skills in individual and team sports. Emphasis is placed on cooperation as a team and good sportsmanship. President’s Challenge skills are developed throughout the year in preparation for evaluation at year’s end.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Students go on field trips which are related to units and learning activities in class. They also go to performances at the Performing Arts Center which are sponsored by the Alaska Junior Theater