We welcome you to join us as we live the Ten Commandments and beatitudes along with daily prayer in our lives at Nativity Catholic School. Our ministry in third grade includes helping give back to the community by collecting items for those who need our help. We as God’s children are called to serve and be compassionate to all others.

Leader In Me
Nativity is proud to be a Leader In Me School. We learn about the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Students, and learn to put those habits into practice each and every day; in the classroom, with classmates, teachers, and visitors. Even at this age, it is exciting to see students take charge of their choices and actions. They learn that they can create and own their attitude, choice, and consequences. Students see how their choices affect others around them. Learning respect and taking responsibility for their choices and actions, not only makes for a stronger character but Christ-like character.
 
Language Arts
Our third-grade language arts program takes a comprehensive approach, specifically using the five components: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. We instruct using large group, small group, and independent student work. We have focused on reading stories incorporating the five components and a weekly learned strategy. English includes parts of speech, sentence structure, grammar and usage, spelling, and the writing process

Social Studies
We focus on four units in our third grade Social Studies curriculum. These units are History, Civics and Government, Geography, and Economics.  We explore many facets of our community beginning with our neighborhood and city. We discuss the meaning of rural, urban or suburban communities, and we expand upon cities and jobs, people and businesses, goods and services, and the use of economics in everyday life. We move on to cultures in our country showing communities at work, and understanding the government’s role in our communities. We learn and develop skills in understanding maps, globes, cardinal directions, and latitude and longitude. Our cross-curricular approach to using timelines, bar graphs, and reading skills in social studies encourages a better understanding of differentiation in learning and teaching.
 
Science
There are four units in our third-grade science curriculum. They are Physical, Earth and Space, Life and Engineering. The students are encouraged to participate in different types of scientific investigation learned through hands-on experiments and different projects relating to the units being studied. Students are asked to use the scientific method including a hypothesis, investigation, and conclusion during each interactive experiment. Students are also asked to develop their own hypotheses and higher-level thinking skills. We take a cross-curricular approach to incorporating science in all of our third grade daily subjects.
 
Math
In third grade, we use a hands-on approach accessing prior knowledge to learn and develop new skills to achieve growth and success. We introduce, practice, learn and assess many different skills and problem-solving strategies. We work on writing to explain, justifying our answers, and developing new meaningful strategies individually and within a group setting. We aspire to master all third-grade math curriculum and work daily on textbook practice, computer-based math programs such as IXL, centers, group work, and problems of the day. Practice and mastery are assessed in many different forms. We focus on the understanding of number sense, solving equations, adding and subtracting whole numbers, multiplication fact strategies, and division meanings, patterns, geometry, decimals and money, graphs and probability, perimeter, area, and volume. We discuss daily how mathematics is used and incorporated into our daily lives.
 
Visual Arts
Third-grade students at Nativity explore the elements and principles of art such as color, line, shape, form, pattern, and texture as part of their visual arts education. The artistic exploration of these elements and principles is chosen to be appropriate for their age and expands on the skills they have already learned. Third graders discuss the importance of artists in history and how their art continues to influence us today. Best of all, art is a time for third graders to make a mess...and express!
 

Religion
We learn about the Bible verses and passages to understand the Creation of the birth and life of Christ, his death, and to learn of God’s eternal love for us. We practice the Ten Commandments to guide us in making good decisions. We believe Jesus is the model of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit is our guide, Mary is our blessed mother, and the Saints are models of God’s love. Many new prayers are incorporated into our religious teaching. We celebrate the Creed, Trinity, Eucharist, sacraments, and join together in our student-prepared weekly Mass.
 
Music
Music provides our third-grade students with an opportunity to explore rhythm, melody, and harmony with song, instrument, movement, and games. By this age, we are teaching music notation as well as increasing the complexity of what has been learned before. Third-grade students put to practical use the theory as they begin to play recorders. We endeavor to implant a life-long love of music through all types of hands-on experiences. Our third-grade students participate in one of two major concerts each year.
 
Spanish
Spanish class provides students the opportunity to learn a new language and culture. The students learn basic vocabulary words and expand their knowledge by singing songs and playing various games in Spanish. Students are introduced to the traditional celebrations of El Dia de Muertos, Cinco de Mayo, and Los Posadas

Technology
Our use of technology in the third grade will include continued familiarity with the keyboard, IXL Math Program, Accelerated Reader Program, guided online research and activities, Microsoft PowerPoint, and publish creative writing using Microsoft Word and online program.
 
Physical Education
Third-grade physical education standards are incorporated into games and activities. Special emphasis is placed on basic motor skills - running, jumping, skipping, throwing and catching. Activities are designed to be non-competitive and fun!!
 

Click Here to Learn More About Our 3rd Grade Teachers.