3rd Grade: Hebrew Stories & World Traditions
Ages 8-9 | Full Year Curriculum
Third grade explores Hebrew scriptures as literature alongside Pagan and world traditions, finding common wisdom across cultures.
📚 3rd Grade Resources
📚 Our Approach to Religious Texts
In third grade, we study Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament stories) as literature and cultural wisdom - not as literal truth or religious doctrine. This approach:
- 🌍 Compares traditions: Each lesson shows how Pagan, Abrahamic, and other traditions share common themes
- ⚖️ Finds connections: We discover the universal wisdom that all cultures share
- 🤔 Encourages exploration: Children learn to appreciate many paths to understanding
- 🌱 Ties to the Wheel: Stories connect to seasonal celebrations and the natural world
Year at a Glance
Language Arts Focus
- • Comparative mythology
- • Finding common themes
- • Writing original stories
- • Journal and nature writing
Math Focus
- • Multiplication mastery (2s-9s)
- • Division introduction
- • Fractions (halves, thirds, fourths)
- • Measurement and time
Stories & Traditions
- • Creation stories from many cultures
- • Hebrew patriarchs and prophets
- • Celtic and Norse mythology
- • Wheel of the Year celebrations
Practical Skills
- • Farming and gardening
- • House building concepts
- • Handwork: clay, weaving, crafts
- • Form drawing progression
Units by Sabbat
Lammas/Lughnasadh
Creation Stories & Harvest
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web
Mabon
Harvest, Balance & Home
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web
Samhain
Ancestors & Journeys
2nd Principle: Justice, equity, and compassion
Yule
Light Returns & Freedom
1st Principle: Inherent worth and dignity
Imbolc
New Beginnings & Sacred Flames
3rd Principle: Acceptance and spiritual growth
Ostara
Kings, Wisdom & Spring
4th Principle: Free and responsible search for truth
Beltane
Courage, Community & Fire
5th Principle: Right of conscience and democratic process
Litha
Summer Sun & World Community (Optional)
6th Principle: Goal of world community
🌍 Comparative Mythology Approach
Each week includes a "Stories from Around the World" section showing:
Pagan Traditions
Celtic, Norse, Greek, and Earth-based perspectives
Abrahamic Traditions
Hebrew scriptures studied as literature and myth
Common Wisdom
Universal themes that connect all traditions
📖 Key Stories This Year
Hebrew Literature
- • Creation (Genesis 1-3)
- • Noah's Ark
- • Abraham, Jacob, Joseph
- • Moses and Exodus
- • Joshua, Judges, Ruth
- • David, Solomon, Prophets
World Mythology
- • Turtle Island (Iroquois)
- • Ymir (Norse)
- • Brigid (Celtic)
- • Demeter & Persephone (Greek)
- • Eostre (Germanic)
- • Jack in the Green (English)