In addition to reviewing parts of speech,
students gain grammar knowledge of word order, subjects, and predicates in order to build
solid sentences, short stories, and various forms of creative writing. Oral reports
are often given in the form of speeches in order to give early confidence speaking in
front of a group.
Cursive handwriting is introduced.
Students are encouraged to practice and use cursive handwriting on paper and the
chalkboard.
Accelerated
Reader
Students move forward with new concepts
building on the past years' learning. Students are expected to add and subtract
using numbers in the thousands. Multiplication tables are learned and practiced
through drills. New concepts are added to the topics of place value, time, money,
temperature, measurement, and geometry.
Study in grade three focuses on life
science, physical science, and earth science. Lessons move beyond the book with
experiments, use of microscopes, home projects, science fair involvement, guest speakers,
and field trips.
Linking knowledge from grade two, third
grade students begin the study of the St. Jude neighborhood and move out to study
different regions of the United States and the world. Students look at how the
natural resources, climate, history, government, and geography of each region interact
with the population. Endangered species and rain forest issues are topics of
discussion.
Students delve further into learning about
the Church and why we honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. Further study is given to the
sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist as well as basic prayer. Students explore
through the Word the life of Jesus and his love for us. Students attend Mass twice a
week.
Emphasis is placed on continuing to work
on word processing skills. With exposure to a variety of software, students often
explore word processing and multimedia. The Internet is introduced through
demonstrations and guides.
Art is taught using Discipline Based Art
Education (DBAE) which includes art history, art production, development of the ability to
describe and express your own feelings about a piece of art, development of the ability to
criticize a piece of art constructively. Each grade level "scaffolds" or
builds on the grade level before it. Vocabulary and techniques used increase in
difficulty with the cognitive abilities of that grade level.
In grade three, students produce new
projects that expand their knowledge on the art theories and techniques reinforced in
previous grades: perspective, color, shading, texture, 2-D art, 3-D art, line, and
painting techniques.
Students begin to use the card catalogue
and call numbers in order to find the books they want. This leads to study of the
Dewey Decimal system. Students discover what parts make up a book and how to find
information in an encyclopedia. Learning to listen and exposure to literature
continues as books are read to them.
Study continues with an introduction to a
music style, more difficult note values, meter, and more composers added to their
knowledge base.
Activities are planned to help children
achieve their full capacity through physical fitness and motor skills. Health is
emphasized as a life value which enhances critical thinking, decision making, problem
solving, and behavior skills.
