List of 15 items.

• Art

  Teaching art from grades one through three is a sequential process.  Having had a formidable background in grades one, two, and three, third graders have reinforced numerous basic skills and are now prepared to expand on the use of the principles of art; specifically their drawing, painting, and three-dimensional skills using different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas.  Grade three art students will describe their response to specific works of art using an expanded visual arts vocabulary. In addition, third grade art students will collaborate with their core teachers to create interdisciplinary art projects that weave together concepts from science, computer, music, and language arts.  These projects foster cooperation and compromise.

• Creative Expression

  Through exercises in the arts, students will be discovering, nourishing, and expressing their own unique creative abilities. The third grade will be given texts to perform, understanding the basics of storytelling through various characters, places, and theatrical elements such as props and scenery. Most sessions will take place in the outdoor classroom, providing space and a suitable environment for students to move freely. Listening and observing are essential to these exercises. Creative Expression will collaborate and reinforce other disciplines when possible. The process of creative enlightenment is a gentle experience promoting harmonious individual and group interaction, developing consideration, understanding of different cultures, different points of view, and appreciation of art in all forms.

• Music

  The third grade music classes combine listening to music, studying composers, instrumental playing, and singing. Throughout the year, students will explore several classical pieces of music to learn the historical significance of these artworks. In the third grade, students will devote much of their music time to learning to read music while playing the recorder. With this instrumental experience, the class can put their music reading skills into action. The students will also prepare special performances throughout the year, including the Advent Prayer Service and Spring Arts Showcase.

• Computer

  Third grade students develop more advanced computer skills using the Google Suite products. They also learn to be creative using different apps like Adobe Spark Page. Through videos, activities, and lectures, they are taught what it means to be a Digital Citizen.  This year they are expected to take care of their new Chromebooks and properly put them away.  Students reinforce their Science, Math, Technology, and Engineering skills by learning to build and program an autonomous robot, coded using Scratch and www.code.org tutorials, using JavaScript to draw a house, and applying the Engineering Design Process to find solutions to real-life problems.  Students also spend three days per trimester going to the Innovation Space in the Junior High campus to build robots and two days in our Maker Space on Barat campus learning how to hammer, drill and use wood to create things. It is recommended that students also practice their keyboarding skills for half an hour a week at home. These lessons can be found on www.learning.com. At the end of third grade, the goal is to type 25 words per minute using proper posture and finger placement.

• French

  The students will further acquire french vocabulary to continue developing their communication skills; reading and writing skills will continue to be developed. The introduction of french sentence structures, simple grammar structures, and verb conjugations will allow students to use their critical thinking skills to build semantic bridges between their first language and any other language they might know. The oral component of this class will facilitate and foster effective communication in the target language.

• History

  The Story of the World Volume 3 is a chronological narrative of history. It begins with Charles V, and finishes with the California Gold Rush. The students have an opportunity to learn about the stories of different leaders and their countries. They understand why other governments and countries succeed or fail and discuss the pros and cons of various rulers and historical events. Students also develop map skills while studying the geography of different regions.

• Language Arts

  The Reading Workshop provides students with the continuing development of technical reading skills, versatility in word attack methods, and practice understanding context clues. Students also continue to develop comprehension skills through exercises in paragraph interpretations, making references, predictions, and drawing conclusions. This is supported by weekly visits to the library and classroom libraries which enhance and support all reading levels. Reading various classroom novels provides additional materials for reading for pleasure, vocabulary, and contextual reading. Grammar and Spelling are developed for effective writing. The Writing Workshop will develop their paragraph writing and short story skills and support increased writing stamina. Students will understand the writing process through daily writing and teacher conferencing.  Continued work is done with the skills for listening and speaking.

• Library

  The Primary library provides an engaging program that instills a love of reading through weekly storytimes. The building of information literacy skills focuses on the Dewey Decimal system and ensures that students are exposed to literature that promotes self-discovery and self-direction.

• Mandarin Chinese

  The third grade students will continue developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Class discussions and activities will focus on increasing the students' communication skills. They will learn to enjoy Chinese culture. The students will continue using a web-based curriculum as their primary resource.

• Mathematics

  Envision (Savas) math incorporates a balance of instruction throughout. The program includes a balanced approach to mathematics by: investigating concepts and building conceptual understanding; developing, reinforcing, and mastering computational and procedural skills; and applying mathematics to problem-solving situations. Online support is available, providing students and parents with additional support. Programs offer opportunities to apply math skills and solve problems using visual thinking, logical reasoning, number sense, and algebra. Multiplication skills are developed.

• Physical Education

  Physical Education in the third grade includes instruction and activities in swimming, physical fitness activities, locomotors, and fine and gross motor skill development.  Skill development and lead-up games are introduced in basketball, soccer, and t-ball.  Health and wellness are integrated throughout the year.

• Religion

  Students learn the guidelines for Christian living through the study of Jesus and his teachings. Particular emphasis is given to studying the Apostles Creed, the Mass, and Church leadership.  Students learn about the life of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, patron of the school, and Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat. They are encouraged to investigate how the Sacred Heart Goals apply to their everyday lives.

• Science

  The third grade science is about teaching the girls to think like scientists to explore, make a hypothesis, test it, and understand the use of controls and variables. The units used to understand these concepts are lifting heavy things, rocks, minerals, and water.

• Spanish

  Spanish I
  The students continue developing their oral and listening skills and enhancing their reading and writing abilities. The use of digital technology allows the students to have the opportunity to interact with different components of the language via web presentations, listening activities as well as interactive games. Reading comprehension and active class discussions bring new light to learning a second language. Sentence structure and its components, punctuation, and more advanced grammar are introduced at this level. The oral piece of the class creates opportunities to use the language and develop their communication skills in Spanish.
  
  Spanish II
  The students continue to develop their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills in the target language through multiple activities. They start to write simple and participate in class discussions. They put into practice their ability to ask and answer questions. Basic grammar and verb conjugations in the present, past, and future tenses are introduced and developed, providing the students with the knowledge to continue expanding their communication skills in Spanish.
  

• Student Development

  The third grade students develop knowledge and skills to resolve conflicts, communicate effectively, build self-esteem, and develop empathy. Students are expected to practice their peacemaking and conflict resolution skills inside and outside the classroom. Stories, role-playing, and small group activities are essential in the curriculum. The third graders will continue to have lessons from Peacemaking Skills and the Cloud 9 World stories. The following topics taught in first and second grade are reinforced in third grade: cooperation, respect, kindness, empathy, feelings, emotional regulation, problem-solving, assertiveness skills, friendship skills, responsibility, personal safety, bullying prevention, and drug and alcohol prevention.