Curriculum Statement - Third Grade
Parameters
- Students attend school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Admission is based on the previous teacher's recommendation, achievement testing, and previous school records.
- SJES offers childcare services for both before and after school hours.
Central Theme: Early America – Becoming a Nation
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Third grade students expand their understanding of the United States through the study of exploration to the "New World" by the Vikings and the other European explorers. The thirteen colonies are studied as well as the westward movement of people across the nation.
Reading includes original journals, letters, and essays of the earliest explorers, adventurers, colonists, settlers, and pioneers. Third graders participate in class simulations in which they participate as explorers, colonists, patriots, and later pioneers making the daily decisions facing these people.
Students learn basic elements of research by looking up general information in reference books, using an index, taking simple notes, summarizing in their own words, organizing information, and writing on a report topic.
The goal of the reading program for third grade is to help children become independent readers with a lifelong love of reading. Students respond to selections, write about them, and use all of their language arts skills to interpret selections. The teacher also reads to the class on a daily basis. Individuals have class time to read silently each day. In addition, all students are expected to read out of class for thirty minutes each day.
MTA – Multi-Sensory Teaching Approach is a highly specialized reading and spelling program for students who have experienced difficulty learning to read using conventional methods. A very structured and detailed phonetic approach helps to develop skills. Students take each step sequentially and do not move on until the current step is thoroughly mastered. For most students this is a three-year program. Classes are typically limited to five students. Classes meet for one hour each day during literature circle time. Additional reading instruction is provided by the classroom teacher. All MTA teachers have been specially trained in the MTA instructional program.
Language
The purpose of the third grade language program is to teach students to use language effectively in oral and written communication. The Balanced Literacy approach is used. Students develop thinking and organizational skills that will be applied in writing extended compositions. Students apply proper grammar, syntax, and vocabulary to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Third graders write daily. The writing program emphasizes the process of writing. Students develop writing skills by selecting their own topics, drafting, revising, redrafting and publishing.
The spelling program emphasized phonics and the recognition of word patterns. Spelling rules and word families are taught and reinforced through small group instruction, games, dictation, tests, word banks, and writing assignments.
Mathematics
The third grade math program develops the student's ability to think mathematically. Math concepts are taught through modeling, cooperative activities, and practical application. A gradual progression that builds on previous skills and concepts is emphasized. Students are expected to master grade-appropriate mathematical vocabulary, memorize basic facts in the four operations, and use mathematical instruments appropriately.
Manipulatives are used in order to present and practice concepts concretely before the children perform problem solving at an abstract level.
Science
Third grade science includes the study of the Earth, astronomy, plants, electricity, birds and insects. A continued use of experimentation which focuses on the process skills of scientific studies is an important focus of this class. Students attend a Science Lab from time to time.
Spiritual Formation and Growth/Life Skills
Third grade students attend Chapel twice a week. A thirty minute Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. Spiritual values are taught an emphasis on how to live a Christian life through familiar Bible stories is encouraged. Third grade students also participate with other students in kindergarten through grade four as a family group in the "Educating the Heart" curriculum. Each morning begins with a devotional time.
Physical Education
Third graders participate in a P.E. class each day. Students meet in the gym and participate in activities that develop and strengthen motor and manipulative skills along with large and small muscles. The benefits of good nutrition and practice of sound health habits are encouraged. Instruction in manners and good sportsmanship is an important component of the physical education program.
Spanish
The overall objectives for Spanish at the third grade level are to refine and further develop listening and speaking skills, reinforce and improve reading skills, and introduce writing skills. Students learn to write familiar words and sentences in Spanish using spelling, capitalization, and punctuation conventions.
Spanish class is taught by a Spanish language specialist. Vocabulary picture cards, games, hand puppets, posters, filmstrips, stories, and songs are used to teach and reinforce Spanish vocabulary.
Music
A music specialist teaches music to third graders twice a week. The class provides for multiple experiences, which enable students to express themselves musically. Third grade students participate in several programs related to Central Theme during the year under the direction of the music specialist and classroom teacher.
Library
Third grade students have a regularly scheduled library period. During the scheduled library time the students listen to a story, and select a book for personal reading. The Librarian reinforces library skills. In addition to the scheduled library time, students may visit the library as needed or desired for pleasure reading and research.
Computer
Word processing and typing skills are extended and drawing skills are continued. Projects usually relate to Science and Central Theme topics.
Art
Third graders are scheduled for formal art instruction with the art specialist in painting, print making, design, ceramics and other media for fifty minutes each week in the Art Studio. Students have numerous opportunities to experiment with a variety of media, including paints, chalk, crayons, clay and others.
Parent Communication
Parent Orientation is held to introduce the room, teacher and curriculum to the parents. Parent conferences are held each year.
Each Monday a packet will be sent home with classroom communications.
Curriculum Statement - Third Grade
Parameters
- Students attend school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Admission is based on the previous teacher's recommendation, achievement testing, and previous school records.
- SJES offers childcare services for both before and after school hours.
Central Theme: Early America – Becoming a Nation
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Third grade students expand their understanding of the United States through the study of exploration to the "New World" by the Vikings and the other European explorers. The thirteen colonies are studied as well as the westward movement of people across the nation.
Reading includes original journals, letters, and essays of the earliest explorers, adventurers, colonists, settlers, and pioneers. Third graders participate in class simulations in which they participate as explorers, colonists, patriots, and later pioneers making the daily decisions facing these people.
Students learn basic elements of research by looking up general information in reference books, using an index, taking simple notes, summarizing in their own words, organizing information, and writing on a report topic.
The goal of the reading program for third grade is to help children become independent readers with a lifelong love of reading. Students respond to selections, write about them, and use all of their language arts skills to interpret selections. The teacher also reads to the class on a daily basis. Individuals have class time to read silently each day. In addition, all students are expected to read out of class for thirty minutes each day.
MTA – Multi-Sensory Teaching Approach is a highly specialized reading and spelling program for students who have experienced difficulty learning to read using conventional methods. A very structured and detailed phonetic approach helps to develop skills. Students take each step sequentially and do not move on until the current step is thoroughly mastered. For most students this is a three-year program. Classes are typically limited to five students. Classes meet for one hour each day during literature circle time. Additional reading instruction is provided by the classroom teacher. All MTA teachers have been specially trained in the MTA instructional program.
Language
The purpose of the third grade language program is to teach students to use language effectively in oral and written communication. The Balanced Literacy approach is used. Students develop thinking and organizational skills that will be applied in writing extended compositions. Students apply proper grammar, syntax, and vocabulary to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Third graders write daily. The writing program emphasizes the process of writing. Students develop writing skills by selecting their own topics, drafting, revising, redrafting and publishing.
The spelling program emphasized phonics and the recognition of word patterns. Spelling rules and word families are taught and reinforced through small group instruction, games, dictation, tests, word banks, and writing assignments.
Mathematics
The third grade math program develops the student's ability to think mathematically. Math concepts are taught through modeling, cooperative activities, and practical application. A gradual progression that builds on previous skills and concepts is emphasized. Students are expected to master grade-appropriate mathematical vocabulary, memorize basic facts in the four operations, and use mathematical instruments appropriately.
Manipulatives are used in order to present and practice concepts concretely before the children perform problem solving at an abstract level.
Science
Third grade science includes the study of the Earth, astronomy, plants, electricity, birds and insects. A continued use of experimentation which focuses on the process skills of scientific studies is an important focus of this class. Students attend a Science Lab from time to time.
Spiritual Formation and Growth/Life Skills
Third grade students attend Chapel twice a week. A thirty minute Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. Spiritual values are taught an emphasis on how to live a Christian life through familiar Bible stories is encouraged. Third grade students also participate with other students in kindergarten through grade four as a family group in the "Educating the Heart" curriculum. Each morning begins with a devotional time.
Physical Education
Third graders participate in a P.E. class each day. Students meet in the gym and participate in activities that develop and strengthen motor and manipulative skills along with large and small muscles. The benefits of good nutrition and practice of sound health habits are encouraged. Instruction in manners and good sportsmanship is an important component of the physical education program.
Spanish
The overall objectives for Spanish at the third grade level are to refine and further develop listening and speaking skills, reinforce and improve reading skills, and introduce writing skills. Students learn to write familiar words and sentences in Spanish using spelling, capitalization, and punctuation conventions.
Spanish class is taught by a Spanish language specialist. Vocabulary picture cards, games, hand puppets, posters, filmstrips, stories, and songs are used to teach and reinforce Spanish vocabulary.
Music
A music specialist teaches music to third graders twice a week. The class provides for multiple experiences, which enable students to express themselves musically. Third grade students participate in several programs related to Central Theme during the year under the direction of the music specialist and classroom teacher.
Library
Third grade students have a regularly scheduled library period. During the scheduled library time the students listen to a story, and select a book for personal reading. The Librarian reinforces library skills. In addition to the scheduled library time, students may visit the library as needed or desired for pleasure reading and research.
Computer
Word processing and typing skills are extended and drawing skills are continued. Projects usually relate to Science and Central Theme topics.
Art
Third graders are scheduled for formal art instruction with the art specialist in painting, print making, design, ceramics and other media for fifty minutes each week in the Art Studio. Students have numerous opportunities to experiment with a variety of media, including paints, chalk, crayons, clay and others.
Parent Communication
Parent Orientation is held to introduce the room, teacher and curriculum to the parents. Parent conferences are held each year.
Each Monday a packet will be sent home with classroom communications.