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Our theme for 3rd grade is "God's Awesome Creation: From the heavens, to the earth, to the seas."  As a foundation for our theme, we memorized Nehemiah 9:6 - "You alone are the Lord.  You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to everything and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Highlights for our year include exploring Mammoth Cave, visiting the National Weather Center, and being Junior Docents at The Hermitage.

Language Arts

Reading
In 3rd grade, we introduce Foundations & Frameworks as our reading program.  The children develop a more complex understanding of concepts taught through the use of process questions and visual tools.  This process systematically promotes critical thinking and problem solving that lead to Biblical discernment.  Novels and non-fiction books used in reading instruction fit the skill being practiced.  Some novels we read are Tornado, Stone Fox, Sarah, Plain and Tall, The Chocolate Touch, and Shoeshine Girl.  Daily reading small groups allow for meaningful interaction with every child and promote accountability.  Each grading period, students create a book report about a book of their choice. 

Grammar
Our grammar program provides students with instruction and practice in grammar skills that will improve their ability to communicate clearly and correctly in their writing. 

Spelling
Lifelong spelling ability is developed through skills instruction (phonics, word origins, spelling rules, usage), through everyday writing, and through word study.

Writing
We use the Lucy Calkins curriculum and write a variety of genres including personal narratives, friendly letters, how-to paragraphs, fiction, and poetry.

Math
Students learn addition and subtraction, money and time, number sense, multiplication and division facts, data, graphing and probability, geometry, fractions and decimals, measurement: customary and metric, and multiplying and dividing by one digit.  Over the course of the year, students memorize their multiplication facts.  Students are taught the absolute consistency of mathematical principles and that God is the creator of them.

Science
Third graders learn about weather, rocks and minerals, landforms and volcanoes, oceans and the solar system.  A field trip to Mammoth Cave is part of the geology unit and a trip to the National Weather Center is made during the study of weather.  Within all science units, students are encouraged to marvel at the wonders of God's awesome creation.

Social Studies
Third graders learn about the regions of the United States. There is a special emphasis given to the study of Tennessee History. The children learn about the origins, structure and functions of government in Tennessee and the United States. Students also learn about the major Native American cultural groupings of the United States. Map and globe skills are integrated throughout the year.