Curriculum

Here is a current list of the curriculum used in our 3rd Grade program at Calvary Christian Academy. Using these links, you can find objectives, standards, and overall sequence of the materials taught this school year.

Bible Curriculum

Our 3rd Grade Bible curriculum focuses Old Testament Character Studies and how God worked in and through their lives. The Bible curriculum is written by the Calvary Chapel Philadelphia staff pastors.

In addition to studying the Bible three days a week as a class, we also memorize a Bible verse as a school each month and participate in Elementary chapels in the main sanctuary.

Math

This year, we will be using McGraw-Hill's My Math program at CCA.

Reading

There are two components to our reading program at CCA. The first is Center for the Collaborative Classroom's Making Meaning program (3rd Edition). This is a reading comprehension program that focuses on research-based best practices to foster student's growth. We will read one book aloud each week over the course of two school days and discuss the book in partners. The discussions will revolve around one of the following comprehension skills:

Making Connections to Real-Life

Retelling

Visualizing

Wondering/Questioning

Using Text Features

Making Inferences

The second component of our reading program is called Guided Reading. At the beginning of the year, I will assess each child's reading level. Then, students will be grouped into small groups (2-5 students) to meet with me once or twice a week to build fluency and comprehension skills.

Spelling

We use Spelling Connection. The Spelling Program is designed to further a student's competence in authentic usage of language. Students will study sound, spelling patterns, syllable patterns, word structure, and word meanings. It is structured to provide differentiated instruction for all levels of students.

Writing

We use Center for Collaborative Classroom's Being a Writer Program at CCA. This is a yearlong writing program that uses guided instruction/modeling to teach the writing process to beginning writers. Three days each week, we will spend time as a "writing community" looking at popular books and analyzing the way author's express their ideas. Then, I model answering prompts or writing on certain topics based on the selected book for the week. Finally, students independently work on their own writing pieces for the week and share with their partners/the class.

Social Studies

We use the textbook Scott Foresman Communities. The course of study is designed to focus on integrating the student's everyday lives with lessons about the world around them, while reinforcing a biblical worldview that is grounded in scripture. Through projects the students will interact with the history of U.S. Presidents, create a neighborhood map of where they live, design a community poster, learn about the 50 States, and research the life of a missionary.

Social Studies is taught through Quarters 1 and 2.

Science

We use the textbook McGraw-Hill Science. The course of study is designed to afford all students with the opportunity and the support necessary to experience life, earth, and physical sciences. Through projects, experiments, and class collaborations, students will learn how to interact and foster an appreciation for the world around them.

Science is taught through Quarters 3 and 4.