Third Grade
  
Third grade is a wonderful year where students grow academically, socially, physically, and spiritually.  It is a time of new discoveries where students explore Bible, math, grammar, science, history, reading, spelling, and creative writing.  What fun they have as they build upon the past preparing them for new and exciting things in the future.  Not only do students enjoy a variety of subject, but they also enjoy art, music, physical education, library, and computer.  In these classes, they learn and perfect many different skills.  This is a fun and enjoyable time away from the normal routines of the classroom. Chapel is also a special time each week.  Students enjoy worshipping God through songs, prayer time, and the study of His Word.  This time allows them to focus on God and thank Him for His many blessings. Through these third grade experiences, students will make lasting memories that can be cherished for a lifetime!
 
Bible
The third grade Bible program takes the students on a journey through the life of Christ, the book of Acts, and missions.  While studying the life of Christ, the students will read and become familiar with the Gospels.  They will learn and make daily applications from Jesus’ parables, miracles, messages, and life.  As the students read throughout the book of Acts, the students will see the beginning and the growth of Christianity’s early church.  The importance of being a daily witness in their own lives is stressed as they learn about the missionary journeys of the faith who lived throughout history.  The students memorize weekly Bible verses, which is an important part of the Bible program.
 
Social Studies
In Heritage Studies 3 for Christian Schools, the students will recognize that God not only has a plan for individuals, but also for families and nations.  History is not only a study of man’s actions, but it is a record of the way God deals with men.   By learning about the history of former generations, the students will see how God has led mankind all along the way.  Learning history will help the students more fully appreciate and comprehend their own times.  They are able to gain some understanding and a connection from the past to current days.  By learning where America’s heritage comes from , the students can make better decisions which will help them to be responsible Christian citizens themselves.
 
Mathematics
The goal of the mathematics program is to help students build a solid foundation.  Students begin by reviewing simple addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems.  By completing these simple problems, the students are able to move on and solve more complex problems.  Students are introduced to the concepts of long division, fractions, geometric shapes, measurement problems, story problems, averaging, and algebra equations.  In our measurement study, they learn the English and metric measures where they are taught how to convert measures.  Story problems enable them to use their critical thinking skills and logical reasoning skills to solve for the answer.  Students develop a conceptual understanding and skill proficiency in participating in all these various concepts.
 
Science
Through the textbook, “Exploring God’s World”, children will discover the wonder of the workings of the human body through a thorough study of the five senses.  They will also develop an awareness and an appreciation of God’s wonderful, creative power as they study plants, the animal classifications, deserts, oceans, ponds, forest, and weather.  They will see that a perfect design must have a designer and that all created things must have a creator.  They will recognize God as that perfect “designer” who not only created them, but who created everything in this world for their enjoyment, pleasure, and benefit.
 
Language Arts
The third grade language arts curriculum focuses on the following areas:  reading, grammar and writing skills, and spelling and vocabulary building.  The reading curriculum from Bob Jones University will continue the development of oral reading.  The student will be taught biblical truths and principles by reading about the lives of people just like them from “not so long ago.”  Students will also practice and review decoding of words, listening skills, critical thinking skills, and analyzing skill through different types of literature and novels.
The Language 3 curriculum will teach the rules of writing and communicating.  The rules of grammar enable students to think in a logical, orderly manner.  Students learn that each part of the sentence works together to express a complete thought.  Students learn how to develop, improve, and edit their creative writing.  Students then learn how to convey their ideas through writing letters, and through various types of creative writing.
 
Health
The health program shows us that our bodies are designed to work together.  The students discover that certain foods contain substances that our bodies need and eating the proper balance of these foods will give them strong, healthy bodies.  The students also examine their spiritual life to make sure it is edifying and pleasing to the Lord.
 
Penmanship
Penmanship class is a time for students to improve their penmanship, creative writing, and dictionary skills.  The habits formed in third grade will greatly influence a student’s handwriting skills throughout his life.  Therefore, an emphasis on proper slant, correct size, correct spacing, and smooth connecting strokes is stressed and demonstrated.  A Dictionary of Animal Life and a Character Notebook is included at the back of the book.  These pages are helpful in reinforcing concepts learned in Bible, History, and Science.