St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary and Middle School

Our St. Francis School Elementary program continues to nurture the Catholic values instilled at home while providing students with a strong academic curriculum. Students learn about God’s love through daily religion lessons and classrooms experiences. Parents and teachers work cooperatively to build a partnership between home and school.

A strong core academic curriculum is the main focus of the third grade. In addition to the core curriculum, wide ranges of instructional methods are offered to help the children learn both formally and informally.

For the student's personal growth, third grade incorporates the Catholic faith into each day's program to provide a basis for personal team growth. We focus on:

Respect for others
Following directions and rules
Responsibility for one's own actions

St. Francis offers a strong and varied academic curriculum for third grade students.

Religion: Catholic faith is taught daily with the assistance of a text book, Faith First that encourages the lessons and lifestyles that Catholics should practice. In addition to classroom prayer and teacher guidance, the text provides a historical perspective on the Catholic faith.

Math: We practice a hands-on approach for learning math skills with the help of manipulatives and games. Topics in our Scott Foresman math text include adding and subtracting whole numbers and money, geometry multiplication and division, fractions, decimals, and linear measurement.

Phonics and Spelling: A strong phonics-based program is used to develop the skills necessary for reading. The spelling program reflects the skills introduced to provide greater opportunities for mastery. Students use Zaner-Bloser's Spelling, which give them a chance to expand vocabulary and learn spelling strategies that they can apply to both familiar and unfamiliar words.

Reading: We work to develop a more in-depth understanding of literature through structured literature circles and guided reading sessions with novels and classroom readers. Reading instruction consists of developing vocabulary, comprehension of material read and appreciation of various types of literature.

Handwriting: All third grade students receive instruction in cursive handwriting and are given ample time to practice and develop their newly acquired skills. Students are encouraged to use cursive in their daily work by January. The Zaner-Bloser curriculum guides the instruction and growth of cursive handwriting.

English/Writing: In third grade students use the Write Source curriculum developed by Houghton Mifflin. The students practice the writing process of prewriting, first drafts, revision, editing, and publishing. The students also build on previous knowledge of the traits of writing. In third grade students work to integrate ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions into their writing pieces.

The writing curriculum is supplemented with instruction in grammar. The students use the Houghton Mifflin text English to learn and develop their understanding of the English Language. Throughout the year, students focus on sentence development, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, punctuation, and pronouns. The integration of grammar and writing provides a strong foundation for success in writing and speaking.

Science: The science curriculum is taught through a balance of hands-on activities and solid content knowledge. The scientific process, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning are used to solve problems and answer questions.

Social Studies: Social studies is an integral key to becoming active citizens of our world. We use the Meet Michigan textbook. This text focuses on Michigan history themes, economics, geography, and other Michigan historical and present-day themes.

Specials and enrichment opportunities enhance the third grade core curriculum.

Spanish: Beginning this year, Spanish is being taught to all students. Third grade will build vocabulary and develop beginning reading, writing, and conversation skills. Students will also learn about the Hispanic culture and Catholic faith with short prayers, songs, and traditions.

Specials: Each week our third graders participate in art, music, and PE. The children also benefit from participation in the Christmas program and Elementary School Choir.

Library and Computer Lab: The students visit the library each week to select various texts that enhance learning and the enjoyment of reading. Students also visit the computer lab to practice advanced technology strategies. Third graders receive instruction in keyboarding for five weeks during the school year.

Center-Based Activities: Throughout the week students participate in center based activities. Various stations and centers are provided for the children to enhance classroom instruction. T.O.P.S. is offered one day per week.

Parent Volunteers: We encourage parent volunteers. With the assistance of our parents, students participate in a variety of centers and stations.

Field Trips: Third grade field trips focus on museums. Visits may be made to the U of M Art Museum, the National Shrine of the Little Flower and other locations.

Homework: Homework is assigned on a daily basis during the week and occasionally on weekends.

Newspapers: On a weekly basis, students create a class newspaper sharing the events and lessons throughout the week.

Looking Ahead: Every Monday students post a weekly newsletter, from the third-grade teachers highlighting the curriculum for the upcoming week, on Edline.

Web Page: The third-grade web page on Edline shares valuable information about the curriculum and events throughout the year.

Classroom Management: Students are encouraged to be responsible members of a small community that works together. Our philosophy is to recognize positive behavior on an individual or group basis. We believe it is important to reward students when they are behaving well and to provide consequences when responsibility is lacking.