Third grade is a year of growth and development in many ways, which is reflected in the structure of the curriculum.
Students are becoming more independent workers and thinkers. Cooperative group work skills are also emphasized and third graders are given many opportunities to collaborate with their classmates throughout the disciplines.
While reading instruction continues to focus on the basic skills of good reading, students are expected to read, comprehend, analyze and summarize longer pieces of fiction, both classic and contemporary. Students are also asked to go beyond the text and make connections to themselves and to the world around them. Reading instruction also focuses on non-fiction, poetry, and the myths and legends of the Ancient Romans and Norse. Similarly, writing classes continue to emphasize the basics, while allowing students opportunities to apply those learned skills to many different genres of writing including personal narrative, expository, poetry, persuasive and fiction. Weekly spelling lists are created and assigned to meet the individual needs of these young authors.
Math instruction continues to build on the basics while emphasizing the importance of reasoning and critical thinking. The basic facts of multiplication, division, addition and subtraction are continually stressed for mastery. Spiral review techniques are also used to keep learned skills and concepts always before the students.
Our history content takes us through a sequential study of the Ancient Romans, Vikings, Native Americans and their encounters with the European Explorers, and the year ends with a study of the 13 Colonies. Geography skills are also honed throughout the year as we study maps of each historical setting, as well as learning the major rivers of the world. Basic map skills are also introduced and reviewed throughout third grade.
Science is approached mainly through inquiry as we study the “why” and “how” of the world around us and the universe far beyond, understanding God as the Almighty Creator of all. The curriculum focuses on animal classification, ecology, astronomy, light, optics and sound. We take every opportunity for hands-on study to help us better understand through experience.
Drama is a part of the third grade language arts curriculum primarily through the use of Readers Theater. Role playing is used in the third grade history, science and Bible curricula to bring the content to life. Third grade students read, rehearse and present an excerpt of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, which is integrated with biblical teachings and the history unit on ancient Rome. Since 2002, five of our classes have presented this excerpt using the original text at the Folger Shakespeare Theater in Washington, DC.
Our Bible curriculum takes us through the Gospels and the Epistles of Paul as we study the life of Christ and the growth of the early Church. We also study the lives of many missionaries who continue to spread the Good News of Christ around the world. Weekly Scripture memory is taken from the content of our lessons.