Third Grade
Third grade at St. Louise is an exciting place to learn. Walking through the door of one of our two classrooms will reveal a variety of differentiated instruction methods that are geared to the individual learner. At any time, there may be small groups working together, on hands-on activities, or whole group instruction using the Smart Board. It is a time for students to begin to assume responsibility for their education as they become lifelong learners. Each of the two classrooms has an average of 15-18 students.
The third-grade team fosters behaviors that support learning. These behaviors are centered around the characteristics of cooperative workers, quality workers, and self-directed learners. Families play an important role in helping teach and reinforce these behaviors at home: Be respectful of all; respect all property; allow others to speak, be heard and to learn.
In the fall and spring, students take MAP Growth assessments, which are used to drive instruction throughout the year. The third grade teachers have the support of the instructional assistant, during reading.
Curriculum
Religion
Text: Sadlier We Believe: Catholic Identity Parish Edition
Focus: Jesus gives us the church; We are members of the church; The church leads us to worship; We are called to discipleship.
Text: Sadlier We Believe: Catholic Identity Parish Edition
Focus: Jesus gives us the church; We are members of the church; The church leads us to worship; We are called to discipleship.
Reading
Text: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Catholic Identity Edition Journeys
Focus: Apply decoding strategies, recognize and read high-frequency words, compare and contrast literature, determine cause and effect, note important details and identify story structure, recognize and write a main idea, topic, and supporting details, predict and infer, recognize fact and opinion, write with comprehension, and follow oral and written directions.
Text: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Catholic Identity Edition Journeys
Focus: Apply decoding strategies, recognize and read high-frequency words, compare and contrast literature, determine cause and effect, note important details and identify story structure, recognize and write a main idea, topic, and supporting details, predict and infer, recognize fact and opinion, write with comprehension, and follow oral and written directions.
Language Arts
Text: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Language
Focus: Complete sentences: statement, question, exclamatory, command; Dictionary skills; Parts of speech; Paragraph format: Narrative, Descriptive, Compare/Contrast; Creative writing.
Text: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Language
Focus: Complete sentences: statement, question, exclamatory, command; Dictionary skills; Parts of speech; Paragraph format: Narrative, Descriptive, Compare/Contrast; Creative writing.
Math
Text: Big Ideas Math, Modeling Real Life
Focus: Understand multiplication and division of whole numbers, apply properties to fluently multiply and divide facts, understand area and perimeter, represent and interpret data, add and subtract within 1000, apply 4 operations to problem solve, understand fractions and attributes of 2 dimensional shapes, and calculate time, capacity, and mass.
Text: Big Ideas Math, Modeling Real Life
Focus: Understand multiplication and division of whole numbers, apply properties to fluently multiply and divide facts, understand area and perimeter, represent and interpret data, add and subtract within 1000, apply 4 operations to problem solve, understand fractions and attributes of 2 dimensional shapes, and calculate time, capacity, and mass.
Science
Text: FOSS Science Kits, Scott Foresman Science and Mystery Science Mini Lessons
Focus: Use inquiry method to predict, classify, and hypothesize physical science and earth science.
Text: FOSS Science Kits, Scott Foresman Science and Mystery Science Mini Lessons
Focus: Use inquiry method to predict, classify, and hypothesize physical science and earth science.
Social Studies
Text: McGraw Hill Sudden Impact Our Communities and Story Path: Democracy in Action
Focus: Map and globe skills, U.S. History, Government and Citizenship.
Text: McGraw Hill Sudden Impact Our Communities and Story Path: Democracy in Action
Focus: Map and globe skills, U.S. History, Government and Citizenship.
Spelling
Text: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Spelling
Focus: Recognize sound and letter patterns, understand word structure, and frequently misspelled words.
Text: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Spelling
Focus: Recognize sound and letter patterns, understand word structure, and frequently misspelled words.
Handwriting
Text: Zaner Bloser Handwriting
Focus: Introduction and daily practice of cursive writing.
Additional Subjects:
Text: Zaner Bloser Handwriting
Focus: Introduction and daily practice of cursive writing.
Additional Subjects:
Physical Education, Tech, Library, Art, Music, and Personal Safety Curriculum.
Service Projects
The third-grade students participate in service for the St. Louise Parish community by preparing the church pews for the weekend Masses. Each week, the students organize the Missals, Breaking Bread books and replace envelopes/pew art so the parishioners can celebrate Mass together in a clean, welcoming environment. This service opportunity provides the students with a sense of belonging to the St. Louise community as a whole.
In addition to their grade level service projects, the 3rd grade classes work together with the entire school on school-wide annual service projects.
- Our November Thanksgiving Food Drive teaches the importance of stewardship and giving to others. The entire student body creates about two dozen “baskets” that include non-perishable food items and gift cards to create a great Thanksgiving meal and help stock the family pantry. Together with the help of the Parish and St. Vincent de Paul, the baskets are distributed to families in need right here in the St. Louise Community.
- Throughout the year, students support New Bethlehem Programs – a part of Catholic Community Services. New Bethlehem Programs offer day center and shelter services for families that are experiencing homelessness. During Advent students and families support the program by collecting much needed supplies for them.
- During Lent, students learn the importance of fasting and almsgiving. This 40-day season of giving begins on Ash Wednesday with a school-wide “Rice and Beans Lunch,” when all the students and staff give up their usual lunch for rice and beans. The money they would have spent on an ample meal is donated to New Bethlehem Programs.
Classroom Enrichment, Special Projects, and Events
There are many exciting enrichment opportunities in third grade. Every year, third-grade students may attend at least one local play and take a visit to the Bellevue College Planetarium while they’re studying the planets in Science.
Every other year, third and fourth graders participate in a two day, in-school enrichment grant called “Of Cedar and Salmon” lead by Ronn Wilson. Over the course of two days, students are taught in depth about Native American culture and customs through lectures, storytelling, games, dances, crafts, and receive exposure to various artifacts including pelts, traditional clothing, cooking utensils, and jewelry. Students not only silk screen shirts as an activity but also preform a traditional potlatch for their families in the evening.
Third graders also experience being “big buddies” for the first time to a kindergarten student. They meet with their buddies to help them practice basic skills, read to them, and complete thematic or seasonal activities. Third graders also sit with their buddies at all school Masses to help model appropriate church behavior.
