Third Grade

BIBLE (ACSI-Purposeful Design)

This Bible series focuses on the foundational teachings from the Bible about the nature and character of God, the qualities of His people, and His church. Students are given an overview of the Bible, with an emphasis on God's attributes, biblical characters, the early Church, and what it means to know Jesus Christ and live for Him. Included in the series are these key features: 

HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY (ABEKA)

History is taught in a biographical format that has been arranged chronologically in order to teach a time line of important dates and events.  Studies of individuals from American heritage give the students heroes for role models.  Map studies are also included in the study of history.

LANGUAGE (ABEKA)

Students begin their formal study of English as an academic subject in third grade.  Students learn the basics of capitalization, punctuation, forming plurals, noun and verb usage, etc.  Students are introduced to dictionary skills as well as letter writing and creative writing.

MATH (ACSI-Purposeful Design)

The curriculum focuses on conceptual understanding, while providing appropriate drill and practice. The lessons include exercises that utilize skills and review concepts already taught.  Lessons are designed to help students think about what they are doing and make a judgment about the results, which helps the student recognize the connection between the math they are learning in school and the math they encounter in everyday life.  The greatest emphasis is on adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, number theory, place value, fractions, time and money, geometry and probability.

READING (ABEKA)

In the Reading course students read as a class rather than in reading circles.  Students read three novels as well as books that offer exciting stories from a Christian perspective.  They are given reading quizzes on material they have read as homework.  Read and Think booklets provide reading comprehension skills.

SPELLING (ACSI-Purposeful Design)

This series approaches spelling as a critical literacy skill that strengthens reading and writing ability.  Spelling strategies such as word sorting by phonetic pattern, developing vocabulary through word study, and using the writing process to compose original stories pervade the books.   The five-day instructional format of the word list lessons begins with the “Warm Up” (Pretest) on Day 1 and concludes with the “Wrap Up” (Posttest) on Day 5.  Day 2 is reserved for “Phonics” instruction, Day 3 for “Word Study,” and Day 4 for “Writing.” Lesson activities strengthen the students’ skills in decoding, encoding, vocabulary, word building, proof reading, and creative word application in daily writing.

SCIENCE (ACSI–Purposeful Design)

Level Three science helps students gain a deeper appreciation of God’s creation through age-appropriate scientific inquiry. Students will: acquire new information, gain proficiency in research, work collaboratively with other students, think critically, use scientific tools, do measurements, solve problems, and evaluate results. Lessons include: life science, physical science, earth and space science, and the human body.

CURSIVE WRITING (ABEKA)

Third graders continue instruction and practice of cursive penmanship skills.  A thorough review of letter formation with emphasis on correct slant, spacing and proportion is included.