Trinity Lutheran School
Third Grade
Teacher: Mrs. Sheryl Williams
For more information about Trinity's third grade class, please call the school office at 507-231-6646 or email Mrs. Williams.
Curriculum Overview
RELIGION
Third graders work through a chronological study of Bible stories, beginning with the creation of all things by God. First semester lessons are from the Old Testament, and second semester lessons are from the New Testament. In October, students study a supplemental unit on Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. In each lesson the students learn about the key concepts of faith, such as Law, Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, grace, and growing in the faith.
MEMORY WORK
Students memorize Bible verses, selections from Luther's Small Catechism, selected hymn verses, and the names of the books of the Bible. Catechism sections introduced in previous grades are reviewed. The Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed and Bible passages from the Baptism section of the catechism are introduced at this grade level.
READING
During the first three grades in school, students are "learning to read." Thereafter, they are "reading to learn," using their reading skills in order to learn in other content areas. In this regard, third grade is pivotal in launching the students into the latter. The literature-based text includes both fiction and nonfiction selections. Students learn how to use structural analysis (base word, prefix, suffix) as well as context clues in order to read and understand unknown words. Skills in summarization, identifying story elements, and using reference materials are developed. These and other reading skills are taught, practiced, and reviewed with the intent of helping the child become an independent learner. Attention is also given to developing reading fluency and expression. The text is supplemented with fiction and nonfiction chapter books and picture books. Each student has the opportunity to improve his comprehension skills at his own level using the Accelerated Reader computer program.
HANDWRITING
Students review and refine the cursive skills that they have already been taught in second grade. Skills such as pencil grip, pressure, and placement are concentrated on. Skill is developed through practice. Students are encouraged to continued development of these skills by earning the privilege to use cursive on their daily work in other subject areas.
ENGLISH
Third graders continue to develop their traditional grammar skills and to improve in their writing skills. Unit studies cover sentence structure, parts of speech, grammar, usage, and mechanics. Following each unit, students practice the writing process, learning how to write various types of paragraphs, a book report, and a short research project. Writing skills are also taught and practiced in conjunction with reading instruction.
SPELLING & PHONICS
A nontraditional approach to spelling instruction is used in the third grade. While there are no weekly lists to be memorized or tests to be taken, there is a strong emphasis on the importance of spelling correctly at all times. The phonics instruction teaches the students to look for patterns from words they know and then to use these patterns to read and spell unknown words. The students are held accountable to spell words correctly when they are copying from a printed source. Use of these skills is integrated throughout the curriculum.
SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE
Instruction in reading skills and development of vocabulary continue throughout our social studies and science classes. The skills of reading and interpreting graphic aids (graphs, charts, time lines, flow charts) are applied in these content areas. Using reading skills to compare and contrast, to classify, and to determine cause and effect, the third grader becomes more proficient in his quest to become an independent learner. The skill of reading nonfiction text for information is developed as the students complete study sheets. They also learn how to study for tests.
Social studies is taught first semester. The curriculum is organized around eight categories: history; geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and social studies skills. Unit themes include: People Build Communities, Communities Have History, Communities at Work, and Communities Have Governments. Map skills include using special kinds of maps, understanding hemispheres, intermediate directions, and using a map scale.
Science is taught second semester. Religion is integrated into our science curriculum as the students approach the entire universe as a creation of the one true God. Third graders study the life cycles of animals and plants; the sun, moon, and earth, their motions, and the effects of their motions; forms of energy, heat and temperature, and using and saving energy. Instruction includes reading the text and supplemental resources as well as doing hands-on activities to learn about God's wonderful creation and our role as stewards of this creation.
ART
Third graders are instructed in the elements of art (line, shape, color, space, texture, composition) as well as art history and appreciation. While emphasis usually is on the process rather than the end product, the children also do some craft projects at holiday times. As students learn about artists or do craft projects, they are given experiences with a variety of media and techniques in both two- and three-dimensional work. They will continue to learn the vocabulary of art and develop their "seeing" skills as they look at works of art as well as the world around them.
CHOIR/MUSIC
In third grade the students review and continue to build on their music theory skills as they learn to play the recorder. By the end of the school year they will give a recorder concert. In choir they will work on a variety of songs in one and two parts as they prepare to sing in worship services. Some students will also have the opportunity to do solo work.
Physical Education
Students at this age are rapidly developing both fine and gross motor skills. Physical Education classes are used to help that development continue. We want to stress the practical applications of fitness skills and concepts; consequently the health related fitness components of cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition are emphasized. In addition, games and activities help develop agility, balance, coordination, speed, power, and reaction time. A variety of team, individual, and duel sports are taught. Social and personal skills are also developing at this age and so we continue to work on cooperation, leadership, integrity, respect, fair play, initiative, responsibility, effort, self-discipline, and decision-making. Students are encouraged to view fitness in terms of lifelong activities and fun.