3rd Grade
St. Mary's Third Grade class is taught by Mary Stratman.
Please review how the following topics have been prepared for the Third Grade school year.
RELIGION
The third grade religion series Faith First focuses on a deeper understanding of the sacraments, liturgical seasons, commandments, saints and Sacred Scripture.
Third grade participates in the planning of selected Masses and daily devotionals.
Students are challenged to find Bible passages and are required to take the Diocesan Religion Exam second semester.
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LANGUAGE ARTS/READING
Our reading series at St. Mary’s is Macmillan McGraw-Hill and it utilizes a guided reading program so that each student is able to succeed at his or her reading level. The students continue to study the rules of English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and syntax for both written and oral contexts.
Students use daily oral language and literature circles to extend the learning experience.
Spelling is incorporated in writing as separate lists that are tested as themed units. The spelling and vocabulary words are also reinforced as part of reading tests. Students are challenged to use research skills such as the dictionary and encyclopedia. Letter writing, sentence structure, parts of speech and reading for content are emphasized.
Students participate in daily journaling and “Flying Horse” as an extension to their writing.
Social studies and science are integrated into the curriculum, as well as art and poetry.
Reading comprehension skills are tested at the completion of each unit. Overall, the curriculum challenges our students to grow in reading comprehension and writing proficiency.
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MATHEMATICS
In the third grade the students work with a hard-cover text for the first time. They have to take responsibility for their own learning to a much greater degree than in second grade.
The knowledge of basic facts is critical to their success as they move through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
The learning is text driven and begins the year in review of data and graphs, works through place value, time, and then into adding and subtracting whole numbers.
Multiplication and division concepts begin the second semester. The students use problem solving and multiple strategies to develop concepts and learn facts.
The remainder of the year is spent exploring fractions, linear measurement, decimals, and probability.
Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley is the text used.
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SCIENCE
Third grade science explores classifying animals, the skeletal, muscular, digestive and nervous systems of the human body through activities, internet research and experiments.
The third grade participates in the University of Illinois Extension “Chick It Out” program and Prairie State study units. Study includes appropriate field trips to enhance curriculum.
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SOCIAL STUDIES
The third grade social studies focuses on the history of the exploration of the United States by our forefathers. Students will use mapping skills, charts, graphs, and diagrams.
Continuing their development of study skills, third grade will study in-depth comprehensive units on the state of Illinois and immigration that includes: research, written reports, and oral presentations.
Local, state and national government analysis is included as part of the third grade curriculum.
McGraw-Hill National Geographic is the text used.
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Art
St. Mary's art is taught by Carrie Jimenez.
Students will be introduced to the elements of the visual arts. These include: line, shape, color, value, texture, form, and space.
Students will do exercises that will help them understand how these elements are used to create works of visual art.
Exercises include mixing colors/paints, rendering objects, sculpting from clay, and using one-point perspective.
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MUSIC
St. Mary's music is taught by April Myers.
In third grade, students continue singing, reinforcing steady beat concepts, playing instruments, and rhythm patterns.
Rhythms of ties and single eighth notes and eighth rests are introduced.
Dynamics are developed, and the understanding that high and low is different than low and soft. Musical motion and direction is developed.
A unit of musical games from different cultures is included.
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION
St. Mary's physcial education is taught by Susan Bassie.
The physical education curriculum has five focus areas: locomotor skills, manipulative skills, physical fitness, moving rhythmically, and cooperative learning.
Students learn and practice skills such as balancing, jumping rope, tumbling, striking, kicking, throwing, catching, and dribbling. Students are expected to apply rules and safety procedures in physical activities.
Fitness principles are taught and practiced through daily cardiovascular, strength, and stretching routines. Sportsmanship is addressed and practiced.
Exercise/equipment safety procedures are demonstrated.
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COMPUTERS/TECHNOLOGY
St. Mary's computers/technology is
taught by Sharon Swanke.
Third grade computer/technology curriculum focuses on expanding and building upon computer/technology terminology along with using age-appropriate software.
Students learn the punctuation keys and build upon their accuracy and speed. Students will be able to type 5-9 wpm with 90% accuracy.
Word processing software will be used to create basic reports and students will learn how to use the spellchecker, insert graphics, delete text, and use the keyboard to navigate through a document.
Third graders are introduced to the basic concepts of spreadsheets.
The Internet will become more of a research tool and the students will build upon their Internet searching knowledge.
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