Third Grade
Overview
Third grade is an important transition as students build upon the foundational skills developed during the primary elementary years and become increasingly independent learners.
At Oasis Christian Academy, third-grade students are challenged to move beyond simply recalling information toward analyzing, applying, and communicating what they learn. Students strengthen critical-thinking, problem-solving, reading, writing, mathematical reasoning, and communication skills while developing greater responsibility for their education.
OCA utilizes BJU Press curriculum throughout the third-grade academic program, providing challenging, age-appropriate instruction taught through a Biblical worldview. Biblical truth is intentionally integrated throughout academic and classroom life as students are encouraged to recognize God's truth, think critically, ask meaningful questions, and develop the gifts and abilities He has given them.

Bible
Using BJU Press Bible curriculum, third-grade students continue developing their knowledge and understanding of God's Word and its application to everyday life.
Students explore significant Biblical truths, people, and events while developing a deeper understanding of God's character, mankind's need for redemption, the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and God's work throughout Scripture.
Bible instruction incorporates Scripture memory, prayer, worship, discussion, and practical application as students are encouraged to grow in their relationship with Christ and demonstrate Biblical truth through their choices, relationships, attitudes, and actions.

Reading
Using BJU Press Reading, third-grade students continue developing fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, literary analysis, and critical-thinking skills.
Students read a variety of age-appropriate literature and informational texts while learning to identify central ideas and supporting details, analyze characters and events, recognize literary elements, make inferences, compare and contrast information, determine meaning from context, and communicate their understanding of what they read.
Reading aloud, independent reading, classroom literature, and opportunities to use the school library help students strengthen fluency and comprehension while encouraging a lifelong enjoyment of reading.

Mathematics
Using BJU Press Mathematics, third-grade students strengthen mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills while developing greater computational fluency.
Instruction emphasizes multiplication and division, place value, fractions, measurement, geometry, area and perimeter, data, probability, time, and other grade-appropriate mathematical concepts.
New concepts are introduced through direct instruction and reinforced through guided practice, hands-on learning, collaborative activities, independent application, and purposeful technology when appropriate.

Language Arts & Writing
Using BJU Press English Language Arts curriculum, third-grade students apply previously learned grammar and writing skills to increasingly complex forms of written communication.
Students develop and publish age-appropriate personal narratives, opinion pieces, poetry, informational writing, and other compositions while strengthening grammar, spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, organization, capitalization, and punctuation.
Students participate in the writing process through planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing and continue developing oral communication skills through classroom discussions and presentations.
Zaner-Bloser Handwriting provides systematic handwriting instruction as students continue developing legible, fluent cursive handwriting with proper letter formation, spacing, alignment, and appropriate handwriting habits.

Science
Using BJU Press Science, third-grade students investigate God's creation while developing scientific knowledge, inquiry skills, and critical thinking.
Students explore topics including plants, matter, motion, electricity, magnetism, rocks and minerals, Earth's surface, landforms, the solar system, and space exploration.
Students are encouraged to observe, question, investigate, gather and analyze information, and communicate conclusions while recognizing God's design, order, creativity, and sustaining power throughout the natural world.

Social Studies
Using BJU Press Social Studies, third-grade students explore geography, government, economics, citizenship, communities, and American history through a Biblical worldview.
Students develop their understanding of North America and the United States, including natural resources, geography, economic concepts, national, state, and local government, the three branches of the federal government, and the United States Constitution.
Students also explore how people from different backgrounds and cultures have contributed to the development of the United States and are encouraged to understand the responsibilities of citizenship, service, and participation in their communities.

By the End of Third Grade, Students Will: