READING

Treasures from McGraw Hill is our new reading series.  The text is divided into six sections that focus on various topics.  Each week there is a main story that is done together as a class.  In addition there are leveled books that can be used for enrichment purposes.  The series is an all encompassing language arts program that develops reading, language, spelling, vocabulary, and writing skills.  Differentiation is encouraged to ensure the success of all students.

The Accelerated Reader Program is part of the reading curriculum.  We spend around thirty minutes each day engaged in AR reading.  Realistic goals will be set with your child the last three grading periods.  Your child will also be setting a challenge goal this year.  AR will be a small component of your child's reading grade.  As in past years, the class will be working towards a class goal.  If the goal is met a fun activity like "Pajama Day" will serve as the reward.

Different authors will be spotlighted throughout the year.

We will have a scheduled library time each week for book check out.  Mrs. Lang also allows us to check out AR books on an as needed basis daily.  Two books may be checked out at one time.

Reading grades are given on the third grade report card.

Several small books and chapter books will be read to the class.

In order to challenge those children who excel in reading, an independent student driven and teacher guided reading group may be formed.  This group will work together on teacher prepared novel units.  This group is typically self paced and has the opportunity to make choices about assignments and projects that are completed.

From time to time students may be part of a small language arts enrichment study group.  Our Title 1 and RTI aides will be working with these students.

MI (Multiple Intelligence) Shares may be incorporated into the reading curriculum and done on a rotating basis.  MI Shares are book talks that target the intelligences.  If your child is musical he/she can write a song about the book and sing it as the report.  If your child likes to act he/she can dress up in character and present to the class that way.  I will perform an MI Share to model how things can be presented before an MI Share is assigned.

MATH

Addition and subtraction of four digit numbers making multiple trades, time and money, graphs, probability, customary measurement, metric measurement, geometry, division, multiplication of both basic facts and multiple digit numbers, and fractions are among the concepts that will be taught this year.  We will also spend time on problem solving.

Math manipulatives will be utilized to assist each student in the understanding of various math concepts.  A math lesson typically includes a hands-on activity to reinforce the concept being taught.

Math centers are available around the room to be utilized during free time and Multiple Intelligence Center time.

The estimation jar will be changed on a regular basis.

Your child will receive a math grade on his/her report card.

Accelerated Math is a computer generated program that allows for individualized review, practice, and reinforcement of concepts that may be utilized.

Shape Bait is a daily geometry exploration activity that expands math vocabulary and develops critical thinking skills that may be utilized.

Bank at School is a real life math applications program that uses play money to positively reinforce desired behaviors and discourage the negative ones.  Children will be given several opportunities to make deposits and purchase privileges.  This year children will have debit cards instead of checkbooks.

Problem solving through exploration will be an integral part of the math program.     

LANGUAGE

Grammar and spelling skills will be reviewed using Daily Oral Language.

Dictionary skills will be taught throughout the year.

Several units will be taught that include the following topics: subject/predicate, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, synonyms/antonyms, fact/opinion, sentence types, and punctuation.

Mini lessons will be provided during class, small group, and individualized instruction as the need arises.

Narrative, persuasive, expository, and creative writing will be explored extensively.  A more creative approach will be taken when writing essays than in the past.  The state guidelines and expectations have changed to allow for creativity and individuality.

SPELLING

Words tested are from the McGraw Hill Reading Series.  Tests will be given on the last day of the school week.  Activities during the week involve pre-testing  and self correcting, independent learning and making choices about activities, and testing.  Spelling assignments are due the day of the test.

If we have a shortened week we may not have a spelling test.

We will be doing several activities throughout the year to strengthen spelling skills and increase vocabulary awareness.  Making words, building word banks, and juicy word activities will be done on an almost weekly basis.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our social studies series is Share Our World from Houghton Mifflin.  It centers on the idea of a community.  We will learn about different communities.  If the material covered allows us to recreate an aspect of that community such as a traditional celebration, we may engage in that activity.  Mrs. Swartzendruber and I have plans to do several special activity days together.

"Daily Detective" will be utilized to familiarize students with the 50 states.

Mrs. Swartzendruber will be teaching Character Counts on Friday afternoon to our class.

SCIENCE

Our science series from Macmillan McGraw-Hill takes a hands on approach to science exploration and discovery.  Different areas that we will investigate include looking at plants and animals, where plants and animals live, cycles on earth and in space, and looking at matter and energy.  If time permits we will also learn about forces and motion.  We are also planning to hatch chickens.

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE (MI) CENTERS

There are various centers around the room that address the multiple intelligences.  We will have center time in the morning after morning board work has been completed.  MI Centers are structured and rotate children through a sequence of activities every six or seven days.

ART

Seasonal projects will be done during MI Center time.  During the first part of the school year we will learn about and develop the art elements.  The second part of the year will be spent focusing on different artists and their styles.  We will create pictures similar to those that the artist created.  Some of these projects will allow for creativity and others will be very structured.  Some of the artists that third graders have studied in the past include: Monet, Picasso, Pollock, O'Keeffe, Michelangelo, Matisse, Klee, Kandisky, and Seurat.