3rd-5th Grade

Third Grade is a crossover for students from lower to upper elementary grades. In addition to diving deeper academically, students deepen their communication, organizational and study skills, which empower them to be life-long learners. Taking on greater responsibility and independence, students gain confidence in their abilities and accomplishments. They engage in challenging material in a supportive learning environment, growing as individuals in their collaboration with other students and teachers.

Third grade curriculum emphasizes connecting their understanding of math to how it relates to the world around them, integration of technology in learning and discovery, and growth in writing and reading as they learn to interpret language. A love for reading and writing is fostered through encouragement from passionate teachers, combined with fun projects like writing a personal poetry book.

Science and math are a key focus, and a fun one, with interactive experiments, games, and engineering challenges.

Students study the development of America and how it has changed throughout history, forming an understanding of the importance and challenges faced by the nation's first Americans, explorers and early leaders, and characteristics that made them successful. They also participate in many activities that explore different aspects of living in a community.

In this environment the children also grow in their faith as they participate in activities such as helping to plan and lead masses.

Fourth Graders grow in their academic and social skills as they creatively take on new challenges and responsibilities! Letter grading is used for the first time! They move to higher levels of reading comprehension skills and take on long division, multiplication, and algebraic equations. Creative writing activities abound, such as the Western town unit. They grow in their knowledge of the regions of the United States and many areas of science. Students creatively solve engineering challenges in the LEGO technics and Mindstorms unit! The Bible comes to life through a wonderful tour of Old and New Testament stories in religion class!

Curriculum Summary
Religion: We grow in our understanding of Bible stories and teachings of the Catholic faith using the Ignatius Press Faith and Life Series. Our textbook, Jesus our Guide, provides a simple introduction to Bible stories and uses them to teach about our Catholic faith. We celebrate God’s gift of love through prayer, meditation, discussion, and the sharing of Scripture.
Reading: The Houghton Mifflin Reading program is used to build phonics, comprehension, and study skills and to allow students to respond to different types of literature through writing and discussion.
Language/Writing: The Houghton Mifflin Reading program is used to explore and practice various forms of writing using the 5-step writing process. Grammar concepts are further developed and practiced. Spelling: The Houghton Mifflin Reading program is used to study various spelling patterns through weekly 20-word lessons that incorporate words found in the program’s selections.
Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Handwriting is used to reinforce various elements of cursive handwriting through workbook assignments and practice worksheets.
Math: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions continues to strengthen skills in whole number operations and word problem solving and further introduces and deepens skills in fraction and decimal use, geometry, measurement, statistics, probability, and pre-algebra work.
Social Studies: Houghton Mifflin States and Regions is used to study the history, people and natural features of the four regions of the U.S. The students will discover what makes each region unique and how each region contributes to the cultural and economic fabric of the United States.
Science: The 2010 Scott Foresman Level 4 Science program is used to cover science concepts found in the state and national science standards for grade 4. LEGO Robotics sets are used to teach basic engineering concepts and computer programming.

Fifth grade develops skills sets to include personal, academic and spiritual instruction transitioning them toward middle school success. The vibrant religious instruction includes performing our historical Living Stations of the Cross, delving into Family Life education, and interactive activities to enhance their knowledge of our Catholic history, identity and commitment to our Catholic way of life. Fifth graders engage in many cross-curricular, student-led activities. An example is our small group novel studies in Reading and Writing. In addition, our Science curriculum includes opportunities for constructivist learning through hands-on laboratory and dissection units. Our rigorous Math curriculum includes higher level fraction knowledge, real word problem solving, algebraic reasoning, measurement and geometry. United States History exploration chronicles the early explorers and settlements through the Civil War period. Students participate in a celebrated, annual Wax Museum unit.

Curriculum Overview
Religion: The Ignatius Press Faith and Life Series, St. Paul Archdiocese Out of Harm’s Way, PURE-ly You Growing God’s Way, Living Stations of the Cross
Math: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions
Science: Scott Foresman Science The Diamond Edition
Social Studies: Houghton Mifflin Unites States History
Language: Silver Burdett Ginn World of Language
Reading: Scott Foresman Fantastic Voyage SPELLING- Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop