Grade 3

Grade 3 at St. Patrick's

Classroom: Miss Claire Jenkins
Reading & Math: Mrs. Alexandra Fieni

Grade 3 Highlights:

We use Chromebooks and iPads frequently throughout the year to reinforce skills, expand knowledge and research, and strengthen typing.

Students participate in many hands-on science experiments. For example, we create fossils and explore why they are important today. Students learn about the Pledge of Allegiance and how to appreciate those who protect us.

Math and reading classes are divided into two heterogeneous groups of mixed abilities and genders. The groupings allow for smaller class sizes providing individualized and differentiated instruction while allowing students greater access to the curriculum. We use a variety of manipulatives to better understand content. In reading, we study three novels each year.  Miss Jenkins and Mrs. Fieni collaboratively plan to make sure lesson plans are synchronized. The curriculum and grading philosophies are the same for the groups.

  • Journey to become better disciples of Jesus Christ
  • Learn what it means to belong to the Catholic Church by praying alone and with others
  • Celebrate Mass and the sacraments, especially Eucharist and Penance
  • Show understanding of “Preach the Gospel” at all times by living out God’s Two Greatest Commandments
  • Share the Good News of the Kingdom of God and live out the faith by working for unity and growing in holiness
  • Write narratives; descriptive pieces about people, places, things, or experiences; personal, persuasive, and formal letters that establish a purpose and include dates, paper salutations, and other elements of writing; write a piece to a specific audience or person using varied word choices to add interest
  • Write legibly in cursive
  • Write complete sentences of declarative, imperative, interrogative, or exclamatory sentences with final punctuation
  • Identify and use subjects and verbs that are in agreement
  • Read aloud grade-level, appropriate narrative and expository texts fluently and accurately with appropriate timing, change in voice, and expression
  • Determine the meanings of words using knowledge of antonyms, synonyms, homophones, and homographs
  • Use a dictionary to learn the meaning and pronunciation of unknown words
  • Ask questions and support answers by connecting prior knowledge with literal information from the text
  • Recognize different common genres of literature, such as poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction
  • Use words, models, and expanded form to represent numbers up to 100,000
  • Learn how to represent the concept of multiplication as repeated addition and the concept of division as repeated subtraction, equal sharing, and forming equal groups
  • Demonstrate use of inverse relationships between multiplication and division facts and addition and subtraction facts
  • Convert within the metric and customary measurement systems
  • Express solutions clearly and logically by using the appropriate mathematical terms and notations and supporting solutions with evidence in both verbal and symbolic work
  • Develop a strong number sense by engaging in Number Talks, which expand students’ thinking to problem solve with a variety of strategies

Third grade has multiple projects throughout the year. These are completed at school or independently at home. Some examples are:

  • Understand the process of an election from beginning to end by participating in a fall book election
  • Construct murals of the early Church
  • Design and present biomes in a shoebox
  • Explore other communities  by writing letters to children in other communities
  • Research an animal
  • Create a design and invention

Faith and Service in Our Classroom:

Third graders concentrate on how to be better disciples of Jesus Christ. We participate in many school and classroom service projects. The third grade has embraced Life Connection Mission, Haiti in their efforts to provide toiletries for over 500 children. We also write letters to soldiers, the sick in the hospital, and the elderly. We learn the importance of saying, “Thank you.” Students are challenged to complete one random act of kindness daily. Third graders, specifically, learn an Irish prayer in honor of St. Patrick among traditional Catholic prayers.

Expectations of Excellence


Students will strive to:

  • Be responsible
  • Be respectful
  • Be loving
  • Be honest
  • Use great manners
  • Always try their very best!

In third grade, we learn and reinforce Archdiocese of Washington academic standards and skills in an integrated curriculum. We strengthen friendships, discover new interests, and challenge ourselves in a fun and supportive learning environment. Much learning is done through hands-on experiences and STEAM-like activities.