Third Grade

Third grade is a special year of learning, discovery, and growth at Notre Dame School. Students strengthen their academic skills, develop independence, and learn the importance of teamwork, kindness, and respect for others. Through engaging lessons, creative projects, and faith-filled experiences, students continue to grow both spiritually and academically.

Mathematics

Third-grade Math focuses on building a strong foundation in multiplication, division, fractions, data and graphing, area, perimeter, and geometry. Students develop problem-solving skills through collaborative math games, group activities, and hands-on projects. Creative classroom favorites include multiplication strategy balloons and fraction kites, which bring mathematical concepts to life and make learning fun!

English Language Arts (ELA)

Students explore a wide variety of reading materials and literary genres, including biographies, informational texts related to Science and Social Studies, folktales, poetry, realistic fiction, and fantasy. Through reading, discussion, and writing activities, students strengthen their comprehension, vocabulary, and communication skills.

A highlight of the ELA curriculum is the classroom book club, where students read chapter books together in small groups. They practice answering questions, summarizing stories, illustrating important scenes, and using a dictionary to explore unfamiliar vocabulary. Students also write about a variety of topics in their journals while continuing to develop their grammar and spelling skills.

Religion & Faith Formation

Religion is an important part of daily life at Notre Dame School. Students learn about God's plan for humanity and discover that every person is created in His image and likeness and deserves dignity and respect. They explore the Bible as the written Word of God and learn how Jesus reveals God's love to us.

Students also study the seasons of the Liturgical Year, celebrate holy days, and discover the inspiring lives of the saints. As part of their learning, each student selects a saint to research, creates a poster, and presents their findings to the class.

One of the most cherished third-grade traditions is the annual Christmas Prayer Service. Students bring the Nativity story to life through a beautiful prayer service held in church for the entire school community, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.

Social Studies

Students explore the importance of acceptance, cooperation, and respect within their communities. They learn how communities change over time and study American symbols and the foundations of government.

Each year, third graders visit Safety Town at Eisenhower Park, where they participate in educational activities that teach pedestrian and vehicle safety. This memorable experience helps students develop practical skills and understand the importance of making safe choices.

Science

Third-grade Science encourages students to explore the natural world and develop curiosity about God's creation. Topics include changes in weather, living things and their needs, ecosystems, and the ways people use Earth's resources. Through classroom activities and discussions, students build an understanding of the world around them and the importance of caring for our environment.