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<p class="fontlook">LANGUAGE ARTS
<p class="fontlook">The program provides the students with the continuing development of technical reading skills, with versatility in word attack methods, and with practice in understanding context clues. Students also continue to develop these comprehension skills through exercises in paragraph interpretations, in making references, predictions, and drawing conclusions. Students are encouraged to read for pleasure. This is supported by weekly visits to the library and silent reading for enjoyment. Reading the American Girl Series provides additional material for reading for pleasure, vocabulary and contextual reading. Grammar and Spelling are developed for effective writing. Students are taught how to write several kinds of sentences and practice developing paragraphs. The writing of short stories, book reports, and social letters is introduced. Continued work is done with the skills for listening and speaking.
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<p class="fontlook">MATHEMATICS
<p class="fontlook">The objectives of the math program are to teach the language and operation of mathematics as applied to whole numbers, multiplication and the beginning of division, simple decimals and fractions. Basic problem-solving skills are stressed. To develop these skills, students will efficiently compute and/ or apply analytical techniques. Some concepts will be taught using technology. Understanding mathematical skills comes with the use of various manipulatives such as counters, base ten blocks, fractional parts, money, and clocks.
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<p class="fontlook">RELIGION
<p class="fontlook">Students learn the guidelines for Christian living through the study of Jesus and his teachings. Special emphasis is given to the study of the Apostles Creed, the Mass, and Church leadership. Students study the life of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, patroness of the school. They are encouraged to investigate how the Sacred Heart goals apply to their every day life. The intellectual basis of our social justice program is strengthened by reading stories of the American Girl series necessity to help others. 
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<p class="fontlook">SCIENCE
<p class="fontlook">The Third Grade science is all about teaching the girls to think like scientists, that is to explore, to make a hypothesis, to test it, and to understand the use of controls and variables. The units used to understand these concepts are lifting heavy things, rocks and minerals and habitats.
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<p class="fontlook">SOCIAL STUDIES
<p class="fontlook">The program is a study of different communities and things they share in common. Basic needs, environment, occupations, customs, the rules by which communities live, and change within communities are topics studied. Map skills and study skills are important program components. The American Girl Series time periods of 1764, 1774, 1824, 1854, 1864, 1904,1934, and 1944 are studied as a part of the Social Studies program. 
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<p class="fontlook">ART
<p class="fontlook">Teaching Art from grades one through three is a sequential process. Having had a formidable background in grades one and two, third graders have reinforced numerous basic skills. Third graders work on interdisciplinary projects which weave together concepts from science, computer, language arts and art. These projects foster cooperation and compromise.
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<p class="fontlook">COMPUTER
<p class="fontlook">Third Grade students develop more advanced computer skills.  We focus on using Microsoft Office and the Internet.  Computer Ethics and Internet Safety are ongoing important topics we discuss with the students. This year the students begin e-mailing using their school created accounts, and netiquette is stressed as well. Wanting to ensure that the students see the computer as a learning tool, they now use the computer more and more as a support in projects such as creative writing. Keyboarding skills are strengthened as students use a range of software products in various disciplines. 
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<p class="fontlook">MUSIC
<p class="fontlook">The Third Grade music classes emphasize music reading and sight singing. Students will be putting their knowledge of music into practice by beginning soprano recorders. Students study two operas:  The Barber of Seville by Rossini and Pagliacci  by Leoncavallo.  Students participate in special music programs throughout the year including the "the World's Largest Concert", a program sponsored by the National Association for Music Education.
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<p class="fontlook">VIOLIN
<p class="fontlook">In Third Grade violin class, beginner students will learn, and experienced students will continue to master basic violin technique needed for good sound production.  This includes learning proper placement of the bow, correct posture and good violin tone.  The students will also learn basic note reading, various rhythms, and how to play songs together in groups.  Students will present what they have learned in concert at the advent prayer service.
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<p class="fontlook">SPANISH - NON-SPEAKERS 
<p class="fontlook">In this group oral production is encouraged by introducing new vocabulary and structures. This will help them further develop their writing skills allowing them to write short paragraphs.
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<p class="fontlook">SPANISH - SPEAKERS 
<p class="fontlook">The Third Graders will further enhance their vocabulary and structures, orally and begin to develop writing skills by being aware of basic sentence structure and basic verb tenses in Spanish.
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<p class="fontlook">LIBRARY 
<p class="fontlook">Growing independence in the use of library materials is the primary aim of the 3rd grade program. Students use the computerized catalog to locate fiction books on the shelves and are introduced to the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Basic research tools, such as the dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas, and web-based resources are used in two social studies projects on rain forests and deserts of the world. Students continue to explore different genres including mysteries, pioneer stories, and Cinderella tales from around the world.
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<p class="fontlook">STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
<p class="fontlook">Third Grade students develop knowledge and skills to resolve conflicts, communicate effectively, build self-esteem, and develop empathy.  Stories and activities play an important role in the curriculum. Emphasis is placed on students' practicing the skills.
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<p class="fontlook">PHYSICAL EDUCATION
<p class="fontlook">Physical Education in the third grade includes continued skill development and mastering of skills as well as "lead up" games in the areas of swimming, physical fitness activities, locomotors, fine and gross motor skill development. Skill development and "lead up" games are introduced in the areas of basketball, soccer, T-ball, and gymnastics.
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