Memory

Textbook/ Publisher: Concordia Publishing House
Summary: As prepared by the Board for Parish Services Staff . The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, third grade students learn and recite the following from memory: daily prayers, the books of the Bible, the Ten Commandments, and the Creed. Students also learn and recite related Bible Scriptures.

Religion

Textbook/Publisher: Faith Alive/ Concordia Publishing House

Martin Luther Grades 3 & 4/ Concordia Publishing House

Summary:  In accordance with the Missouri Synod’s Board of Parish Education goals, third grade students learn key concepts of faith such as law, Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace. The lessons (1) confront us with the Law, showing us our sin and need for a Savior; (2) lead us to see God’s grace in sending Jesus to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil; and (3) encourage us as we daily live in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
 The lessons are based on selected, sequential Bible stories that span Biblical history from Creation through Pentecost. These lessons include a study of the Ten Commandments and the explanations written by Dr. Martin Luther in the Small Catechism (1986 translation). In addition, the Martin Luther text by Concordia Publishing House brings students a greater understanding of their Reformation heritage.

Spelling

Textbook/ Publisher: Spelling Vocabulary and Writing/ Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Publishing Company
Summary: Third grade students learn to spell 15 words each week. In the process, students receive a realistic view of the organization of the English spelling system as they are guided through a logical developmental progression of learning to spell. Students are also encouraged to build on the spelling strategies that they already have and are prepared consistently with the integrated role of spelling in the development of literacy.

Reading

Textbook/ Publisher: Accelerated Reader books/ Advantage Learning Systems Inc.
Summary: The Reading Renaissance program gives third grade students a pathway into the marvelous work of books, the time to become better readers, and experiences that will develop critical-thinking skills. As part of the program, students are tested at the beginning of each quarter to determine their zone of proximal development so that their reading practice is at the most productive level. Students choose books at their level that interest them and spend 45 to 60 minutes daily reading. Student then take computerized tests which evaluate their comprehension of the books they read. As students progress, their reading levels increase along with the level of books they read.
 The teacher employs motivation strategies that get students excited about books. She instructs students with reading skill lessons and confers with students regularly. The teacher also monitors students’ progress and intervenes by quickly diagnosing problems and helping with difficulties.

Phonics

Textbook/ Publisher: Phonics Level C/ Modern Curriculum Press
Summary: Third grade students learn strategies to master letter-sound relationships. Students concentrate on the following: consonants, short and long vowels, syllables, consonant blends, digraphs, r-controlled vowels, contractions, plurals and suffixes, vowel pairs, vowel digraphs, diphthongs, prefixes, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, dictionary skills and homographs.

Math

Textbook/ Publisher: Saxon Math 3 Incremental Development/ Saxon Publishers Inc.
Summary: Third grade students develop a solid foundation in the language and basic concepts of all areas of mathematics. New learning is presented in increments, with time provided between increments for practice. Mathematical strands are integrated throughout the year rather than taught in isolated units. Third grade students concentrated on the following: number sense and numeration, concepts of whole number operations, whole number computation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), fractions and decimals, money, geometry and spatial sense, measurement (linear measure, weight, capacity, temperature, perimeter, area, and time), and statistics and probability.

Language Arts

Textbook/ Publisher: World of Language/ Silver Burdett & Ginn
Write on Track/ Houghton Mifflin Company
Summary: Third grade students become aware of the parts of speech as well as the writing process. Students concentrate on sentences, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs. They also learn about word usage, capitalization, and punctuation. Third grade students become familiar with the five step writing process as their writing develops from sentences to paragraphs and finally to other expository forms.

Handwriting

Textbook/ Publisher: D’Nealian Handwriting/ Scott, Foresman and Company
Summary: Third grade students begin the year printing in D’Nealian. Proper handwriting form and cursive D’Nealian handwriting are learned during the first quarter. Students are required to write in cursive D’Nealian handwriting during the second, third, and fourth quarters.

Science

Textbook/ Publisher: Science Discovery Works Concordia Edition/ Concordia Publishing House
Summary: Science Discovery Works is a science program that engages students in active investigations of scientific concepts. The program also reflects the belief that the best science education for students is one that gradually introduces them to the knowledge, methods, skills, and attitudes of scientists, while simultaneously recognizing and respecting the educational, developmental, and spiritual needs of students.
 Third grade students learn about life science by studying life cycles and the roles of living things. Students also learn about physical science as they study forms of energy. In addition, students learn about earth science as they study the sun, moon, earth, and the earth’s water.

Social Studies

Textbook/ Publisher: From Sea to Shining Sea/ Houghton Mifflin Company
Summary: The goal of the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies is the development of literate citizens—individuals with the knowledge, skills, and civic values they need to become active and reflective participants in the world of the twenty-fist century. The program weaves together knowledge, skills, and citizenship to form an integrated program.
 Third grade students learn about the natural landscape of the United States, the lifestyles of the Native Americans, and the European settlement of the United States. Students also learn about the land, government, holidays, and symbols of the United States today.

Health

Textbook/ Publisher: Your Health/ Harcourt Brace & Company
Summary: Your Health promotes health literacy by providing students with the knowledge, life skills, and thinking skills necessary to make informed decisions about their health. Third grade students learn about the following: emotional, intellectual, and social health; family life, growth, and development; personal health and physical fitness; nutrition; disease prevention and control; drug use prevention; injury prevention; and community and environmental health.

Art

Summary: Various art projects provide third grade students different mediums as outlets to their creativity.

Computer Science

Summary: Besides knowing how to take care of a computer, these students are able to identify the parts of the computer.  They begin to learn proper fingering to build keyboarding skills.  Reinforcement of classroom objectives continues with the use of educational software.  As students work on word processing skills, they learn to use the computer as a valuable resource as they understand how to edit their own stories before they print them out.  Desktop publishing continues with making cards and posters that incorporate the use of various fonts and graphics.
 

Music

Summary: Playing instruments allows students to be actively involved in rhythm.  Playing recorders begins at this level and students begin to use their knowledge of notes to aid them in their playing.  Chords and rounds provide more opportunities for students to experiment with harmony.  Creating simple songs and learning more about instruments open new horizons to them.

Physical Education

Summary: Exercises for aerobic and kinesthetic training are fun for these students.  Further development of muscular strength occurs as they are provided more opportunities for activity.  Throwing and catching a variety of balls are challenging and rewarding as more accuracy is possible with this age group.  Their attitudes towards physical activity are important as they learn courage to try new things, develop self-control, and understand the importance of playing not just to win but to have fun.