Our Lady of Humility School, Our Lady of Humility Parish, Zion/Beach Park, Illinois

Third graders at Our Lady of Humility School take the basic skills they have learned in first and second grade and apply them as they grow in their ability to work independently. During third grade, students take the Terra Nova and In View Tests for the first time and parents are given data regarding their child's academic performance in each of six areas.

In Religion, students take the teachings of Jesus Christ and try to use them in their daily lives. Our goal as young Christians is to care for and help our peers, understand we are called to live in community and begin to learn about the saints who are our models.

In Language Arts class, reading strategies, literature circles and guided reading are the foundation of our program. The goal is to have every child reading at or above grade level by the end third grade. Our Reading Specialist is instrumental in assessing every child in the Fall and Spring in order to assist where needed.

In Math, there is an emphasis on patterns as we memorize our multiplication and division facts and tackle large numbers as well as decimals and fractions. A broad range of mathematics topics are introduced and reinforced as children learn the world of math is all around them.

In Social Studies, students reinforce their understanding of community as they begin to look at the world around them. Citizenship is explored as are the rights and responsibilities of each person. Additionally, students learn the importance of natural resources and the beginning of our country.

In science, students investigate the world around them by taking a closer look into living things and how they respond to their environment. Third graders investigate the solar system and begin to understand our dependence upon and relationship with the sun. We also learn how to manipulate objects in an attempt to make work easier through the use of simple machines.