What to expect in Third Grade

Third grade is a very busy and active year of learning and growing intellectually, physically, and spiritually. It is filled with meaningful learning experiences. Third grade is a year of transition as our students assume more responsibility in their learning and become more independent learners.

Chapel is once a week. Enrichment classes with specialized teachers include music and Spanish twice a week. Students visit the library to read and check out books regularly.

Weekly computer class includes lessons in research.  Familiarity with technology is encouraged through the use of different computer lessons.

Every week our art teacher takes us on an expressive journey into art history and theory.

Students attend P.E. daily and recess daily.

Spelling lessons come to life with Sitton Spelling. Sitton brings together unique elements which enable students to master spelling, language and word skills. These skills strengthen the students’ word knowledge and help them become better writers.

In literature students read books like: My Father’s Dragon; Stuart Little; Sarah, Plain and Tall; The Best Christmas Pageant Ever; Who Was King Tut? Poetry by various famous poets; Number the Stars; The Chocolate Touch.

Each day the student will participate in a wide variety of mathematics activities using the textbook, Saxon Math 4/5. Students will learn through hands-on experience, discussion and exploration. The new learning will be continually reinforced through on-going practices. Skills and concepts in Saxon Math 4/5 include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division computation as well as problem-solving strategies, pattern identification, measurement, geometry, money, time, fractions and graphs.

In the 3rd grade, students write in cursive, and practice with the Zaner-Bloser methods.

In science we use the Harcourt publications book studying the subjects of Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science.  The science lab is used regularly to conduct experiments. All students will participate in the Science Fair.

In social studies students will study geography, history and citizenship, with special lessons on: communities; countries & cultures; the American Revolution; Native Americans; modes of transportation, the western expansion of the U.S. Our exciting field trips may include: the Old Fort Bliss Living History Museum, UTEP, and area cultural events.