3rd Grade at Holy Family School in New Albany, IN

Growing in Independence, Knowledge, and Faith

Third Grade is a pivotal year as students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. At Holy Family School, our 3rd Grade curriculum challenges students to think critically, work independently, and deepen their Catholic faith. Through hands-on learning, integrated technology, and faith-filled community, students are equipped to thrive academically and spiritually.

What Your Child Will Learn in Third Grade

Our Third Grade religion curriculum focuses on the building blocks of Catholic faith:

Understanding God’s unconditional love for His creation
Exploring the role of the Holy Spirit
Learning how to respond to God’s love through prayer, virtue, and service
Participating in twice-weekly school Mass, classroom prayer, and faith-based projects
Beginning to articulate personal faith and Catholic identity

We use CKLA Amplify, an Indiana-approved, knowledge-rich reading curriculum designed to meet and exceed state standards.

Reading instruction includes:

Engaging with complex texts that build background knowledge
Developing fluency and comprehension skills
Enhancing vocabulary through content-rich literature and nonfiction texts

Writing instruction is tightly integrated and includes:

Opinion writing with supporting reasons and evidence
Informative/explanatory writing to express and organize ideas clearly
Narrative writing to develop creative storytelling using descriptive details
Daily grammar lessons focused on punctuation, capitalization, and parts of speech
Collaborative speaking and listening exercises that reinforce communication skills

Students grow in confidence and skill through a rigorous curriculum aligned with the Indiana State Standards and reinforced by daily reviews.

Focus areas include:

Number sense, place value, and computational fluency
Algebraic thinking and multi-step problem solving
Geometry and spatial reasoning
Measurement (time, volume, mass)
Data collection and interpretation
Online programs enrich and support each student’s learning level

Third Grade students explore:

Real-world application through local history and community-based learning
What it means to be a citizen of a community, state, and nation
How government, geography, and culture shape society
Key features of regional communities and their historical roots

In alignment with Indiana Science Standards, students explore:

Earth & Space Science: rocks, minerals, fossils, and weather patterns
Life Science: plant and animal structures and survival mechanisms
Physical Science: sound energy and simple machines
Engineering: identifying design flaws and solving real-world problems
Hands-on experiments and STEM projects deepen understanding and excitement for discovery.

Third Grade students enjoy weekly classes in:

Art, Music, Spanish, Computer, Physical Education, and Library
Minds in Motion brain-body activities for physical and cognitive growth
Digital learning via Google Classroom, Chromebooks, and a classroom Sonic ViewBoard

3rd Grade Highlights

21st-Century Learning: Seamless tech integration and digital collaboration
Field Trip:
- Walking tour of Historic Downtown New Albany
- Visits include the Culbertson Mansion, Scribner House, and Town Clock Church, enriching local history lessons
Athletics Available: Basketball, soccer, cheerleading, football, volleyball, wrestling, track & field, cross country, and softball

Meet Our Third Grade Teachers

Mrs. Abby Gordon

Teacher

With 12 years of teaching experience and a Teacher of the Year award from her time in central Ohio, Mrs. Gordon brings energy and experience to her 3rd Grade classroom. She holds a degree from Indiana University Southeast and has taught all elementary levels K–4.

Miss Hannah Brady

Teacher

A proud graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, Miss Brady is in her second year of teaching. She’s passionate about Catholic education and creating a welcoming environment where students thrive. She loves reading and spending time with friends and family.

Take the First Step Toward Your Child’s Bright Future

We’d love to welcome you into our Holy Family! If you are interested in our 3rd grade program, contact our principal, Amy Huber at ahuber@holyfamilyeagles.com or (812) 944-6090.