Grade 3

Click here to see an overview of the curriculum of this grade.
Click here to view the School Handbook (general policies for grades K through 8)
Click here to see photos from 3rd Grade.

Classroom News - October 2008

Welcome Back!

As the leaves start to change colors and fall off the trees, Third Grade continues to make progress in learning new skills and routines. Things like filling out our assignment books and turning in homework on a daily basis are becoming more manageable to the students. We've started our check system and continue to earn money for links, so we can buy goodies from our Class Store which is coming soon! Thank you to all the parents who have donated items to our store.

Language Arts

We are almost at the end of our first Language Arts Theme, and we will end our theme with Readers' Theater. The students have done a wonderful job in their Grammar groups learning the four types of sentences. Now we are working on having the students use their knowledge in all of their work. Please remind your child at home to use complete sentences in their homework.

At this point, the Third Graders are reviewing manuscript printing, and they are learning cursive writing. They are quite excited about writing with "adult script." It is fun teaching the children an important skill that will carry them through their entire lives.

Math

Math classes are packed with challenges for our Third Graders. They are working with place value into the hundred thousands place, comparing numbers, rounding them, and writing numbers in three forms: standard, expanded, and word form. Soon the children will be testing their skills in adding and subtracting whole numbers including carrying and borrowing. They add excitement to these lessons by the use of small chalkboards and dry erase boards. Math can be fun!

The students will soon be expanding upon their Geometry lessons by learning about congruent figures, similar figures, lines of symmetry, transformations, and problem solving with visual thinking.

Religion

In Religion the children are learning about the origin of the Catholic Church on the feast of Pentecost. Jesus chose His Apostles to carry on the work He had begun, and God expects us, as members of His Church to also continue to spread the Kingdom of God on Earth. The Third Graders are amazed at the wonders and miracles performed by Jesus who manifests His love for us in a myriad of ways.

Science

We have finished our first Science Chapter of Grade Three. After our current Social Studies Chapter, we will return to Science to learn about the materials of our Earth. We even have a special interactive SMARTBoard lesson planned to explore the make-up of soil. Thank you to all parents who have generously donated items for our Science labs.

Social Studies

Our first Chapter of Social Studies introduces the students to the three types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural. We have been discussing ways which people can work, play, and live in communities. Our culminating activity will be the creation of a Shrewsbury Brochure that highlights the ways we work, play, and help in Shrewsbury. Another concept we are working on is problem solving in our lives. Ask your child about Hibbing, Minnesota!

Classroom News - September 2008

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to a new school year! Sr. Rosemarie and I are so pleased to be your partners this year in your child's education. We are off to a wonderful start learning routines, making new acquaintances, and earning links to earn our first classroom party.

Language Arts

In Language Arts, the students have finished the first two stories in our "School Days" theme. Through activities in small groups, they are building vocabulary and honing their comprehension skills; learning about proper grammar, mechanics, and usage; and adding to their repertoire of reading strategies. We have also written a descriptive paragraph and have learned to interview during Writing Workshop.

Handwriting

At this point, the Third Graders are reviewing manuscript printing, and soon they will begin learning cursive writing.

Math

The Third Graders are off on our journey through place value dealing with numbers into the hundred thousands place. It is quite a challenge for them to write six-digit numbers in standard form, expanded form, and word form. The children will be comparing numbers and putting them in chronological order. They have brainstormed the importance of numbers in our lives and have listed the various ways in which we use numbers in our day-to day lives. The students have also been exploring the realm of Geometry. We have discussed lines, line segments, rays, angles, and polygons. They will soon be introduced to solid shapes.

Religion

In Religion the class has been discussing the proof of God's love for us made manifest by sending His Son down on Earth to save us from our sins. The children are becoming aware that "we" are the Church. It is not a building, but rather Christ is the head and we are the members who constitute the Church.

Science

We are almost at the end of our first Science chapter, "Changes in the Earth's Surface." Our Chapter Test will focus on how volcanoes and earthquakes change the earth, landforms of the earth's surface, how water and wind change the earth's surface, and how living things affect the earth's surface. Please take a look at our wish list for Science. We appreciate anything you can donate to our class for hands-on projects.

Social Studies

Soon we will begin our Social Studies chapter in which we look at life in communities.

Notes

Finally, we will be opening our class store for the first time this quarter. The students will purchase items with class money. We appreciate any donations of non-food items you may have.