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 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

Language Arts

Textbook: Benchmark Advance

  • literature studies (e.g., ​Charlotte’s Web, Frindle, Boxcar Children​),
  • identifying, describing, and reading a variety of genre
  • self-monitoring comprehension when reading and listening
  • distinguishing fact and opinion
  • comparing and contrasting relationships among characters, events, and key ideas
  • understanding/using prefixes, suffixes and root words
  • D’Nealian cursive in third grade

Math

Textbook: Houghton Mifflin, Saxon Math Level 4

  • adding and subtracting 2-, 3- and 4-digit numbers correctly
  • estimations
  • multiplication and division
  • memorizing fact families
  • solving word problems
  • applying math to everyday situations

Social Studies

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

  • Geography
  • Explorers
  • Economics
  • locating communities
  • describing community characteristics
  • explaining the role of local
  • state and national government branches
  • organizing and presenting information using maps, graphs, and tables
  • 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

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