Third Grade Curriculum
Bible
We utilize Biblical Choices for a New Generation, which is divided into four sections, each having a theme. Students learn of God’s love and how He can help them make the best choices in life. Third graders, every week, memorize selected Bible verses and recite them. Each week, students attend a school chapel service. Prayer and sharing from God’s Word are intertwined throughout the day.
Reading/Phonics
Third graders use the Bob Jones University Press reading text Once Upon an Open Book. Students are introduced to writings by a variety of great authors and are encouraged to seek out the book to read the rest of the story. The reading selections include fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, poetry, and biographies. Comprehension and analytical skills, as well as vocabulary and phonics skills, are reinforced. Third graders review consonant sounds and long and short vowels. Students advance in their skills with compound words, digraphs, contractions, plurals, prefixes, suffixes, diphthongs, synonyms, and antonyms. All these skills lead to improved reading.
Spelling
In third grade, students use ACSI’s spelling curriculum. Weekly activities include using list words in a sentence to encourage good grammar, punctuation, and capitalization skills. Challenge words are included in the lists each week.
English
Third graders use English Writing and Grammar. Students apply writing and grammar skills such as punctuation, capitalization, usage, parts of speech, and composition skills. They demonstrate an understanding of the nature and function of the English language. Strategically placed in the curriculum are writing assignments for students to practice the skills learned. Students write a friendly letter, a biography, persuasive essay, and a research project on a famous American.
Mathematics
The ACSI Mathematics series introduces students to math concepts and problem-solving strategies. Students learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Geometry, estimation, place value, measurement and graphing, time, and money. Third graders also begin to learn their multiplication by memory.
Science
Third graders use FOSS Science Kits to introduce scientific discovery in units about rocks and minerals, the structures of life, and the physics of sound. Students learn about science from the Christian perspective, emphasizing the wonders of God’s creation.
Social Studies
Heritage Studies is about the people and events that shaped America. American Heritage surveys American history through the biographies of great Americans. The emphasis is on patriotism, character development, and the contributions made by Americans to this country. Practice exercises are also given in map and globe skills, chart and graph skills,
critical thinking, and research.