3rd Grade Curriculum

Religion

The Religion Curriculum focuses on the theme of “Church, the Christian Community, and the Continuing Mission of Jesus.” It provides the children with:

  • A deeper awareness of the true God
  • A deeper understanding of each child’s role as a Christian in the church community
  • An understanding that the mission of Jesus is our mission
  • A continuing understanding of how to live the true mission of the Church
  • A more detailed understanding of the parts of the mass and knowing the significance of the mass as a celebration in our lives as Christians
 English / Language Arts

Language

  • Use a dictionary or other reference books to locate spelling, meaning and pronunciation
  • Use common prefixes, suffixes, and root words
  • Identify and write simple, compound, imperative, interrogative and exclamatory sentences
  • Identify ad use verbs, adjectives, nouns and proper nouns
  • Understand and apply the rules of using commas in a friendly letter or series of words
  • Identify the different ways in which certain words are related (synonyms, antonyms, homophones, etc.)

Composition

  • Organize ideas using graphic organizers. Proof-read and self-edit for punctuation and spelling
  • Revise writing to improve detail

 Literature

  • Distinguish characteristics of narratives
  • Identify and list main ideas and supporting detail in what has been written, heard or read
  • Compare/contrast information
  • Read and communicate facts collected from non-fictional sources
  • Explore various forms and patterns in poetry
  • Extend the meaning of text by making connections and predictions, identifying cause and effect, and having discussions
  • Read different genres of literature
  • Provide evidence from a story to support the understanding of theme
 Math

Number Sense and Operation

  • Understand use of decimals as they relate to money
  • Add and subtract up to 4 and 5 digit numbers
  • Know multiplication facts through 12×12 and use them to solve problems
  • Understand the concept of division
  • Round whole numbers through 10,000
  • Identify place value through the one hundred thousandth (100,000) place

 Patterns, Relations, and Algebra

  • Use pictures, models, tables, charts, graphs, words, number sentences, and mathematical notations to interpret mathematical relationships

 Geometry

  • Describe and compare two and three dimensional shapes

 Measurement

  • Identify time to five minute intervals on analog and digital clocks using AM and PM
  • Identify and use appropriate tools to measure length, width and weight

 Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability

  • Represent the possible outcomes for a simple probability situation
  • Collect and organize data, and identify appropriate ways to display the data
 Science

Earth and Space Science

  • Identify various forms of precipitation
  • Explain how temperature, humidity, precipitation, and air pressure are all factors in determining the weather
  • Make connections to the weather in a particular place and time
  • List some causes of air pollution and tell why it is harmful to many of the Earth’s ecosystems

 Life Science

  • Understand that animals have unique physical and behavioral characteristics that help them to survive and interact with all parts of their environment
  • Classify animals according to the inherited characteristics they share
  • Recognize that animals go through predictable life cycles including birth, growth and development, reproduction and death
  • Describe the life cycle of a plant and describe the importance of plants to life on Earth

 Physical Science

  • Compare and contrast the basic properties of water in the solid, liquid and gas state, and know that one can move between the states by adding or taking away heat
 Social Studies

Geography

  • Use cardinal directions, map scales, legends, and titles to locate places on contemporary maps
  • Identify and locate the continents and major oceans
  • Understand the differences between maps and globes and know when to use one as opposed to the other

 Civics and Government

  • Give examples why communities need to have governments
  • Give examples of the different ways people in a community can influence their government
  • Develop an understanding of the three branches of the Federal Government

 History

  • Explore the meaning and use time periods in historical narratives (decade and century, etc.) and use them in speaking and writing
  • Distinguish cause from effect and fact from opinion. Separate main ideas from details in reading
 Spanish

One-half hour per week

Review and reinforce material covered in Grade 2.

Introduce:

  • Verbs: “Doing Things”–verbs used to play charades
  • Clothing: Dress figures with appropriate clothing, use “Clothing Bingo”
  • Body Parts: Building on parts of the face, cover major body parts, use “Body Part Bingo”
  • Concept of masculine/feminine: Using definite articles with nouns
  • More detailed conversation segments: Oral and written

Enhance:

  • Simple 2-way conversations using name, age, where one lives, phone numbers, likes/dislikes in order to ask questions and make statements
  • Culture through stories, videos
  • Vocabulary through special projects
 Art
  • Studying the meaning and mixing of the full spectrum of colors
  • Introduce pencil, water color, opaque paints, crayon resist, pastels, printing, collage and other mixed media for 2-D works
  • Introduce skills and techniques for 3-D media including clay, wire, paper and soft sculpture
  • Develop fine motor skills
  • Develop observational and analytical skills
  • Learn about cultures and history through artwork
  • Encourage the individual expression of the students

Art skills are also integrated into the regular classroom curriculum.

 

Music

The Music Curriculum focuses on the following six standards:

  • Sing a varied repertoire of music
  • Improvise melodies, variations and accompaniments
  • Listen to, analyze, and describe music
  • Understand music in relation of history and culture
  • Evaluate music and musical performances
  • Understand relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
 Information Computer Technology (ICT)

The Technology Curriculum is designed to ensure that the student has mastered the appropriate beginning and intermediate computer knowledge and skills as defined by New Hampshire state ICT standards. Students will learn:

  • Basic operations and technology concepts
  • Introductory keyboarding and word processing skills
  • How to create and edit graphics and images
  • Open, save, and print documents
 Physical Education

The Physical Education Curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students to grow physically, cognitively, and socially.  Students should be able to do the following:

  • Improve coordination by using mature form in object control, and by demonstrating basic sport-specific skills for a variety of activities (kick, run, strike, throw)
  • Use control in weight-bearing and balance activities
  • Use sportsmanship strategies for net and invasion games, demonstrating the understanding of personal challenge, cooperation and competition
  • Develop an appreciation and enjoyment of physical activity
  • Identify the benefits of good health habits and an active lifestyle, engaging in activities that increase cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and physical flexibility
 Library

Children come to the library weekly.  They learn to explore the reading materials and find books to take home.  Library and listening skills are introduced.  Children learn the responsibility of borrowing and returning books on a weekly basis.

The Librarian works in conjunction with the classroom teacher on class projects.  Children are guided to select appropriate materials at their level.

 

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