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Trinity Lutheran School |
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Offering Quality Christian Education Since 1893 |
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Course Description |
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GRADE THREE
BIBLE STUDY: Textbook: Voyages, Exploring God’s World Memory verses are assigned and recited each week. The third-grade curriculum will help teach students about key concepts of faith, such as Law, Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace. The lessons are a chronological study of Bible stories beginning with the creation of all things by God. The lessons are designed to confront us with the Law, showing us our sin and need for a Savior: lead us to see and encourage us as we daily live in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
LANGUAGE: Textbook: A Beka Book Language Series 3 Through the use of the A Beka Language book students gain knowledge of grammar. It is with knowledge that students learn to express themselves clearly and creatively as they communicate with others. It also enables them to think in a logical, orderly manner and assists in the development of analytic ability. When students see the orderly structure of their language, it reminds them of God’s orderly plan for the world and for their life. Key concepts covered in the Language curriculum include: complete sentences, types of sentences, capitalization rules, using commas, quotation marks, forming plurals, writing letters and letter parts, correct word usage, nouns, subjects, verbs, diagramming sentences, and adjectives.
READING: Textbook: Open Court/SRA Stories are grouped into themes about friendship, perseverance, courage, and research. Along with reading and comprehension other skills that will be taught include: sequencing, predictions, author’s purpose, summarizing, classifying/categorizing, author’s point of view, the difference between fact and opinion, and recognize folktales, biographies, informational texts, fiction, and non-fiction stories. Students will learn this information through worksheets, discussions, and hands-on activities. A comprehension and vocabulary test is given after reading and discussing each story.
SPELLING: Textbook: Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Everyday Spelling The Spelling workbook consists of thirty-five lessons. One lesson a week is covered and a Spelling test is given following completion of the assigned unit. Lessons include key concepts such as: words with dr, sc, ft, nk, ch, sh, th, ng, w, wh, kn, wr, st, consonant sounds, adding suffixes, short and long vowels, homophones, words with double consonants, adding prefixes, compound words, and contractions.
PHONICS: Textbook: Modern Curriculum Press Phonics Level C The Phonics curriculum will help emphasize key concepts, which will help students with Reading and Spelling skills. Concepts which will be taught include: hard and soft c and g, short and long vowels, compounds, blends, digraphs, y as a consonant and a vowel, r-controlled vowels, contractions, plurals, suffixes, vowel pairs, digraphs, diphthongs, prefixes, base words, suffixes, syllables, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, and dictionary skills.
MATH: Textbook: Saxon Math Math is a success-oriented program that enables all children to develop a solid foundation in the language and basic concepts of all areas of mathematics. This math program utilizes a multisensory approach to teaching and is designed to encompass a variety of learning styles and builds on prior learning and knowledge. New learning is presented in increments, with time for practice. Mathematical concepts are integrated throughout the year rather than taught in isolated units.
HANDWRITING: Scott Foresman D’Nealian Handwriting Book Three The handwriting program provides an easy transition from manuscript to cursive. Students review manuscript, learn connecting strokes from cursive letters and then learn each cursive letter in the alphabet. Students will practice, review, and evaluate each new letter they learn.
COMPUTERS: Third grade students play educational games until January when Keyboarding basics and terminology are introduced.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Textbook: Our American Heritage from A Beka Books The Social Studies book surveys American history in a Christian perspective through the biographies of great Americans. The emphasis is on patriotism, character development, and the variety of contributions made by Americans to this country. Geography is also covered within the Social Studies curriculum through map studies. Students will learn the location of the seven continents and the fifty states.
SCIENCE: Textbook: A Beka Book “Exploring God’s World” The purpose of Exploring God’s World is to stimulate students’ interest in science through a study of the wonders of creation. Students will enjoy studying about themselves; the plant world; vertebrates and invertebrates; the desert, ocean, pond, forest, and farmer’s field; and the weather.
ART: Third grade students will explore the use of color, line, and texture in art through a wide variety of activities. Students will create unique and individual art projects to help further their understanding of these concepts.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: P. E. is held twice a week outside or in the gym. A variety of games are played to foster team building, gross motor skills, leadership, and to teach students the importance of physical activity in their lives. Students learn the importance of stretching and warming up before starting physical activities. Each student will have the opportunity to lead the group during warm-up exercises and lead their team during the P. E. class. This helps build leadership skills in each student. Students also gain understanding of the importance of exercise in keeping their bodies physically fit and healthy.
EXTRAS (PROJECTS): Third grade students participate in several additional activities throughout the school year. Additional activities include: participating in a Christmas program and a spring musical, Fun Olympics, and Pioneer Day. Fun Olympics is a school wide track and field day. This day is an important part of building unity, teamwork, and leadership within our students. Teams are formed which include students from K-8. An 8th grade student leads each team. Teams decide on team names, t-shirt designs, and team cheers which are completed during several scheduled meetings during the month of May. On the actual day that Fun Olympics is held, each team participates in a variety of fun events and is able to display their teamwork, cheers, and Christian spirit for fellow teammates and other teams. Pioneer Day is a third grade tradition and is held in the spring for one entire day. During this day students may dress as a pioneer and several hands on activities are done throughout the day. Students make their own pioneer lunch consisting of beef stew, biscuits, lemonade, and homemade ice cream. Several other pioneer activity stations are set up for students to participate in during the day, such as gold panning, raffia doll making, butter churning, bean snapping, making a leather journal, making a leather pouch, and making a rag rug to mention only a few. Special guests are invited for story telling and to sing pioneer songs with the students. |
