3rd Grade Curriculum
Christian Studies
Christian Studies is not just head knowledge, but more importantly a heart knowledge for the Lord. Christian studies is not just a subject but a time to nurture the faith that is growing inside each child. Students will hear God’s Law and His Grace. Using the Bible, students will see the sinful rebellion of His people and as learn to identify our own rebellion toward God. We will also see the mercy and forgiveness that God shows to us through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Themes that are covered in Christian Studies:
· God and His Word
· The Holy Spirit Blesses the Church
· God the Father’s Gracious Gifts
· Jesus Brings Salvation
· God Hears and Answers His People
· God’s Love Leads Us to Respond to His Love
· God Comes to Us through the Means of Grace
· God Works in Me to Follow His Ways
· God Makes Us His Witnesses
Students will have memory work throughout the year using a variety of Bible verses which help create an understanding of God and His plan for us. We will be using the ESV (English Standard Version) Bible.
C.I.A
In reading we be using the C.I.A. approach—Collect, Interpret, and Apply and will be using different novels. This method will aid in developing an understanding of story and character development, themes, vocabulary, author’s message and allowing students to evaluate and reflect.
The novels that we will be using this year are:
· Poppy—Fantasy
· The War with Grandpa—Realistic Fiction
· Martin Luther King Jr.—Biography
· Glory Be—Historical Fiction
· Maniac Magee—Legend
Social Studies
Focus will be on understanding
concepts and ideas in the areas of:
· Mapping our World
· Communities
· US Geography
· People and the Environment
· Protecting Resources
· Inventions
· Ancient Civilizations
· Native Americans
· Early Explorers
· Citizenship
· How America Works
· America: Heritage and Culture
· Culture: Expressions Around the World
· Producers and Consumers
· Saving and Spending
Science
Third grade uses two hands on science kits from Smithsonian that are used in 3rd grade:
· How do Weather and Climate Affect our Lives
· What explains similarities and differences between organisms?
Math·
Understanding Multiplication
· Relate Multiplication and Area
· Multiplication strategies
· Apply multiplication properties as strategies
· Multiplication with multiples of 10
· Understand division
· Relate and apply multiplication and division
· Addition and subtraction strategies
· Add / Subtract within 1,000
· Understand perimeter
· Time measurement and intervals
· Understand fractions as numbers
· Relate shapes, factions, and area
· Compare fractions
· Understand equivalent fractions
· Liquid volume and mass
· Represent and interpret data
· Define 2-dimensional shapes
· Categorize 2-dimensional shapes
Writing and Language Arts
In language arts we will be studying the following:
· Parts of Speech
· Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives, Articles, Verbs, Adverbs
· Sentences
· Subjects and Predicates
· Statements, Questions, Exclamations, Commands
· Compound sentences
· Mechanics
· Capital letters, Abbreviations, commas, colons and apostrophes, contractions
· Vocabulary and Usage
· Synonyms and Antonyms, Prefixes and Suffixes, Homographs and Homophones, Subject/verb agreement
· Writing
· Research Skills
· Using a dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia
· Fact / Opinion
· Taking Notes
· Creating a summary, rough draft, report
In writing, students will use a variety of strategies to work through the writing process such as brainstorming, and using graphic organizers, outlines, and rough drafts in order to create a final draft. Students will develop a variety of techniques in developing structured sentences and paragraphs.
Students will create a variety forms within writing:
· Narrative writing
· Opinion / Argument writing
· Informative / Explanatory writing
· Poetry
Spanish
3rd graders will have an opportunity to develop their Spanish vocabulary. Students will learn Spanish using a variety of activities and games.
Technology
Technology is a tool which 3rd graders will be using in many of the curricular areas. Students will continue to develop their skills in word processing, use of spreadsheets, and create PowerPoint presentations, and build skills in picture editing . Students will create reports, essays, PowerPoint book reports, graphs and tables. Students will learn how to use Google Docs and how to create a “share” to a file. Students will learn how to effectively use technology and how to apply it in their daily lives.
P.E.
In PE, students will be developing different physical skills which will be important for living out a healthy lifestyle. 3rd graders will learn a variety of indoor and outdoor games some of which focus on teamwork.