Third Grade Curriculum Overview

At the beginning of each school year, students are assessed utilizing the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) to determine the course of curriculum for each individual child for the upcoming year. Testing is done again in the middle and end of the year to determine if we are meeting the needs of each student.

Using students’ MAP benchmark assessments and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) results from the end (spring) of the previous year, we focus on creating differentiated curricula and custom learning programs for each child.

To this end, our curriculum pulls resources from a variety of sources depending on the student’s needs. Below is an overview of materials and resources we use during the year:

Religion

Textbook: Blest Are We, Faith in Action

  • What We Believe
  • How We Worship
  • How We Serve Others
  • How We Pray
  • Preparation for First Holy Communion and Sacrament of Confirmation
  • Living Rosary
  • Prepare and Lead School Masses
  • Catholic Holiday Observations, Activities and Learning (Advent, Lent, Christmas, Easter)
  • Both classes co-host All-School Mass

Language Arts

Textbook: Benchmark Advance

  • Literature Studies
  • Small Group Instruction
  • Reading Centers
  • Phonics and Spelling
  • Grammar
  • Accelerated Reader
  • Zaner- Bloser Cursive
  • Writer’s Workshop (Variety of Genres)
  • Poetry
  • Technology-Based Leveled Skill Practice

Math

Textbook: Saxon MathLevel 4

  • Operations and Algebraic Thinking
  • Number and Operations in Base Ten
  • Number and Operations Fractions
  • Decimals and Percents
  • Measurement and Data
  • Geometry
  • Computation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
  • Technology-Based Leveled Skill Practice

Social Studies

Textbook: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Into Social Studies: Communities Near and Far

  • Arizona History
  • Geography
  • Communities and Natural Resources
  • Economics
  • The Role of Local, State, and National Government Branches
  • Holidays Around the World

Science

Textbook: Science Dimensions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

  • STEM Activities
  • The Weather and Patterns
  • Life Cycles and Inherited Traits
  • The Engineering Process
  • Forces & Motion
  • Fossils

Technology

Our classrooms are equipped with 1:1 student Chromebooks and a OneScreen touchscreen. We use the following technology-based programs in various subjects:

  • IXL (reading and math)
  • Accelerated Reader
  • Xtra Math
  • com
  • Chromebooks used during math and reading
  • Understand how to use a keyboard to enter data
  • Use interactive and skill-building software
  • Recognize and locate letters and numbers on a keyboard
  • Use drawing software to create pictures
  • Navigate through a multimedia presentation
  • Use internet sites to play appropriate learning games, color pictures, etc.
  • Demonstrate correct care and use of the computer
  • Identify the computer as a device that helps people work and play

Discipline with Purpose Skills

  • Listening
  • Following Instructions
  • Asking Questions
  • Sharing
  • Social Skills
  • Cooperation
  • Understanding rules
  • Completing a task
  • Leadership
  • Communication

Student Learning Expectations (LASER Skills)

  • Life Long Learner
  • Active Catholic
  • Self-Aware Individual
  • Effective Communicator
  • Responsible Citizen

Enrichment

Students attend at least one of the various enrichment classes each day:

  • Physical Education
  • Library
  • Music
  • Spanish
  • Art

Diocesan Standards