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 donating pasta and rice to Second Helpings in conjunction with contributing to all the monthly service projects through the school year. We as God’s children are called to serve and be compassionate to all others.

Language Arts
Our third-grade language arts program takes a comprehensive approach, specifically using the five
models; phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency. We instruct using a 90
minute Reading block that diversifies these skills in various ways using centers, independent student work, Accelerated Reader, and our many assessments that gauge the level of comprehension and the growth we wish our students to attain. We have focused reading stories incorporating the five models and a weekly learned strategy. English includes subject and predicate correlation, base words, sentence structure and parts of speech. Spelling strategies are integrated while reading the text.

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.

Spanish
Spanish class provides the 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, 5 de Mayo, and Los Posadas.

Social Studies
Beginning the new school year we introduce the students to the first chapter “Communities”. 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, latitude, and longitude. Our cross-curricular approach to using timelines, bar graphs, and reading skills in social studies encourages better understanding and differentiation in learning and teaching.

Science
There are four units in our third-grade science curriculum. They are Space and Technology, Physical,
Life, and Earth Science. The students are encouraged to participate in different types of scientific investigation learned through hands-on experiments and different projects relating to the unit 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 hypothesis and higher level thinking skills. We take a cross-curricular approach in incorporating science in all
of our third grade daily subjects.

Technology
Our use of technology in third grade will include:
• Continue familiarity with keyboard
• IXL Math Program
• Accelerated Reader Program
• Guided online research and activities
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Publish creative writing using Microsoft Word and
online program

Music
Music provides our third-grade students with an opportunity to explore rhythm, melody, and harmony
with song, instruments, movement, and games. By this age, we are teaching music notation as well as increasing in complexity 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.

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 that 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!

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 noncompetitive and fun!!

Religion
We learn about the Bible verses and passages to understand 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.

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 everyday; in their classroom, with classmates, teachers and visitors. Even at this young age it is exciting to see them 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 effect others around them. Learning respect and taking responsibility for their choices and actions, not only makes for a strong character but Christ like character.

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