Third Grade

Third Grade Curriculum

Math - Saxon Math

Cathedral School's math program is distinctive in both its format and scope.  Using Saxon Math throughout all grade levels, students in grades K-2 experience instruction in fundamental concepts.  As each student enters grade 3, he/she, using placement test scores, previous teacher's input, is paced in the appropriate math level.  This allows for differentiated instruction for all students. Students at Cathedral have the opportunity to move through the math curriculum at their own pace, and many will complete courses in high school level Algebra 1 and 2 prior to graduation. Care is taken to ensure that students are challenged and yet comfortable in their math placements. 

Language Arts - Open Courts Units

Daily reading includes stories, read aloud for comprehension and language skills. Daily practice includes grammar skills, (correcting sentences; correcting spelling; analogies, etc.) and parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adverbs, prepositions). Spelling tests weekly.

Writing

Third graders write daily in a journal and practice the six traits of writing- ideas, organization, voice, conventions, word choice, sentence fluency.

Religion  

We Are the Church

Social Studies: Communities

Social studies in the third grade focuses on living in a community. Beginning with lessons in westward expansion, we learn economic concepts, the government system , constitutional democracy, and geography.

Science

Daily science includes the study of plants and animals, life cycles, inherited traits, the water cycle, states of matter and climates.

Geography

Geography Immersion

During the second semester, each class at Cathedral studies and prepares a presentation on a different county throughout the world.  Through this process, the children learn important lessons in geography, native cultural practices, religious beliefs, cuisine, attire, government, daily living, and much more. These presentations are showcased in an “open house” format for families and other students to come and enjoy.

Field Trips