One of the major concepts taught to third-graders, who are generally 8-years-old, is the mystery of the Holy Trinity: God as a faithful Father; as Jesus, his son who came to Earth and gave his life for the redemption of humankind; and as the Pentecostal incarnation as the Holy Spirit. Catholics teach that God is one but three entities, a difficult concept for children to grasp. The lesson can be taught with the use of shamrocks or by drawing a triangle to demonstrate that there are three leaves or sides contained in the same figure. Also, some teachers cut an apple down the center to show that it is made of skin, flesh and seeds -- three parts all needed to make one apple.
Third graders memorize some of the church's prayers that encompass basic Catholic beliefs. Children should know the Sign of the Cross, the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Act of Contrition and the Apostles' Creed. They should also be instructed about the grace, or blessing, said before meals. Why we pray -- petitioning God for forgiveness, offering thanks, giving praise and asking for intervention in our lives -- should also be explored. Third graders also learn to say the rosary and know the four sets of the Mysteries of the Rosary (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous). Also to be taught are the 14 Stations of the Cross, which are recited during Lent.
Third-grade pupils learn to function in a caring community. The foundation of these lessons is learning the 10 Commandments, their meaning and how to put them into practice. It is also a time when children can start to perform simple community service such as visiting the elderly in nursing homes during the holidays and helping support food drives and other charity events. Children can also learn about saints who gave their lives in service to others. These role models could include St. Dominic Savio, St. Blaise, St. Martin de Porres and more contemporary, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Archbishop Oscar Romero.
Parents have a role to play as well, assisting children with their daily prayer, making sure they go to church services on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and, if they attend public schools, ensure they attend religious instruction classes at local Catholic parishes.