St. Thomas More Cathedral School

3rd Grade

St. Thomas More Cathedral School follows the Curriculum Guidelines of the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools. The core curriculum consists of instruction in the following subjects: Religion, Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies

Students also participate in the following special classes: Art, Spanish, Library Skills, Technology, Physical Education, Music

A variety of instructional methods are used including cross-curricular units, cooperative groups, direct instruction, discovery learning and hands-on activities. Homework is assigned to review lessons and practice skills.

An optional after-school choir program supplements music instruction. The choir program is available for grades 3 - 8.

The instructional program is supported through the following: Title I Program, Resource Program, Educational Field Trips, Guest Speakers, Community Service

A word from the teacher about 3rd grade...

The third grade studies from sea to shining sea as we explore the regions of the United States. State projects include forming topical maps out of dough, as well as making state bird postage stamps and writing postcards and bumper stickers from various regions. We learn how to measure liquids and solids and practice these skills by making famous third grade recipes to share. We create paper quilts depicting animal life cycles, facts, and pictures. The students study biographies and become a saint at our wax museum where they share information about the life of their chosen saint. We also participate in book clubs and create picture books and write poetry in our language arts curriculum. The biggest math focus in third grade is multiplication tables. We take timed tests, we solve tricky word problems, and we learn how to relate multiplication to division by the end of the school year!

“Education is not the filing of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” - W.B. Yeats

Mrs. Morgan

Ms. Tracy

jmorgan@stmschool.org

I will be beginning my 13th year in teaching for the 2009-2010 school year. I previously taught 5th grade at St. Peter's Interparish School in Washington DC. My teaching career at STM began in 2002 in the kindergarten for two years, then trained as a Childcare Center Director for the new STM PreK program in 2004. After two years teaching in the establishing the successful PreK program I returned to the kindergarten classroom. I have a BA in Government from University of Maryland '87 and earned an MEd from Marymount University '89.

"Teaching and learning is more fun than someone should have, and still call it work!" - Mrs. Morgan