Third Grade at St. John Regional Catholic School

Third grade is a wonderful year of exploring, investigating, creating, and growing as individuals.

There are many opportunities for students to challenge themselves academically and personally. It is an exciting year of learning about our world and our environment.

There are many fun activities that take place during the school year. For example, within our Social Studies curriculum, students learn about map skills and create their own map for the teacher to follow to receive a special treat. Some of the themes we look at are Families & Communities, the History and Government of the U.S., and other countries.

In our Religion classes, students develop a deeper appreciation of their faith. They come to understand and apply Jesus' teachings to their own lives and recognize their unique gifts and their role in the Christian community. We do scripture readings, writing prayers, designing posters, word games, share our gifts and talents with the surrounding communities, and many other faith-filled activities.

Our Reading program consists of using basal readers as well as chapter books. We do monthly reading projects through the Pizza Hut "Book It Club" where students can earn a free personal pan pizza. We study fairy tales or Maine topics for Halloween.

Students review their addition and subtraction facts in Math as well as learning their multiplication facts 1-10. Then we venture forth through geometry, fractions, multiplication and division.

Third graders study animals, the weather, how things work, and water systems in Science. We do many hands-on activities as we look at these topics. In the spring, we take a field trip for a true hands-on experience about one of our units.

Throughout the year, students work on writing skills using the 6 Traits, paragraphing and other grammar exercises.

The students keep monthly homework charts to earn rewards for having good study skills. There are weekly letters or "updates" that go home to keep parents aware of their child's work, behavior, and what's going on in and around the classroom. A lot of fun and learning take place here in third grade!