Our objectives for the school year are to ensure that each of our Third Graders:

In Scripture:

1. Recognize the list of Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) Books and the list of New Testament Books found in the index of a Catholic Bible.
2. Describe the Old Testament as writings about God's relationship with his chosen people, the Hebrews
3. Describe the New Testament as writings about Jesus who shows us how to love God and love others.
4. Locate passages in the Bible according to books, chapters, and verses.
5. Retell the stories of creation, the life of Jesus and his Passion, Death, and Resurrection using word, art, and/or drama.
6. Identify how the writings in the Bible help us to better know, love, and serve God.
7. Recite the great Commandment and how it applies to their lives.
8. Identify what the Ten Commandments call us to do and not to do.

In Doctrine:

1. Identify that God is the Trinity – one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. Describe revelation and the many ways God is revealed to us. (Scripture, the Church, creation, families, people, events in life)
3. Recall that God sent Jesus to teach us how to live lovingly, justly, humbly, and prayerfully.
4. Identify that Jesus is both true God and true Man.
5. List examples of how God expresses love for us.
6. Discuss the concepts of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.

In Sacraments:

1. Recite the names of the seven Sacraments.
2. Identify that Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are Sacraments of initiation.
3. Identify that Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick are Sacraments of healing.
4. Discuss how Eucharist helps us remember and be thankful for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
5. Participate in the celebration of the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time.

In Community:

1. Recite and discuss the meaning of the two great commandments.
2. Recite and discuss the meaning of the first three commandments.
3. Describe how sinful acts interfere with their relationships with God, others, and self.
4. Relate appropriate Catholic responses to situations of social injustice (homelessness, hunger, poverty)and practice ways to stand up for what is right.

In Service:

1. Tell stories from the gospels of people serving others.
2. Report on ways they can be of service in their families and in their schools.
3. Plan and participate in a service activity.
4. Give examples of different kinds of work people perform and how that work helps other people, (parents' work at home, farmers, police, artists).

In Prayer:

1. Read an example of scriptural prayer.
2. Participate in praying the Rosary.
3. Describe the purpose of the Stations of the Cross.
4. Assume different roles in communal prayer experiences.
5. Compose prayers for different occasions (e.g. birthdays, taking a trip, beginning a new school year).
6. Compose their own morning and evening prayers.
7. Identify occasions of community prayer.
8. Explain the importance of private prayer.

In Spirituality:

1. Participate in the celebrations of the liturgical seasons.
2. Make a prayer journal and use it to write their thoughts to God.
3. Participate in a Lenten reflection on the Stations of the Cross.