Language Arts

        Our reading series, published by Houghton Mifflin, is a comprehensive language arts program. It includes reading, writing, grammar, and spelling. We tailor the spelling program to individual children.

Outside Reading

        Students are expected to read outside of school for 30 minutes each day.   Students are responsible for documenting their daily home reading on a monthly calendar provided by the third grade teacher. This monthly calendar will become part of your child's portfolio. During the months of October through March, third grade participates in the “Book It” program sponsored by Pizza Hut. Students are rewarded with an individual pizza coupon for reading 400+ minutes each month during these six months.   

        Students will be assigned book report projects to be completed on outside reading.

SRI and Reading Counts

        "SRI" stands for Scholastic Reading Inventory.  This is a computer test that students take quarterly.  By reading passages and answering questions, a reading level is determined for each student.  This is reported as a "lexile."  Third graders should be reading at a lexile between 500 -800.  This lexile helps teachers plan instruction and helps students with book choices.

        Reading Counts is a program designed to motivate students to do more outside reading.  The more students read, the better readers they become.  Books in our Learning Center and in our classroom have lexile labels indicating reading level.  Students should choose books at their level for outside reading.  Most books have short quizzes that students can take to check comprehension.  Students sign up to take quizzes at school when they are ready.  If a quiz is passed, points are earned.  We expect students to earn 25 points each quarter.  Certificates and rewards are given for every 25 points earned.

Spelling

        Third grade spelling is individualized.  Students are pre-tested in the fall to determine spelling lists for the year.  Each student has an individual list based on the words he/she needs to learn. 

        On Mondays students make an At-Home list that should be kept at home for study.  They also make a list to keep at school.  The homework assignment for Monday (or the first day of the school week) is to write each word in a sentence that shows the student understands the meaning of the word.  We will be doing other in-class spelling work throughout the week.  

Mathematics

        We are using the Math Central series. It stresses problem solving with the children using hands-on materials. They will practice the basic facts, review addition and subtraction with trading, and study place value, rounding, geometry, time, money, measurement, graphing, fractions, decimals, estimation, and probability. During the second half of the year, students will master the basic multiplication facts and use their knowledge to begin two-digit multiplication and division. 

Science

        Our science series is published by Scott Foresman.  We will cover life science (plants, animals, ecosystems, food chains), earth science (rocks, changes on Earth, natural resources), physical science (energy, sound), and space and technology. The content is rich and interactive. Students will participate in many hands-on activities and experiments in class.

Your student has the ability to access the student text online.  There is a  label in the Take-home folder with the site, user-name, and password.  Students will have assignments to complete online.  You may access the site here:  http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com

Social Studies

        Our social studies series is called Social Studies Alive! It focuses on communities while teaching geography, cultures, economics, and government.  Lessons include interaction and simulations. 

Art

        The children attend art class once a week for 60 minutes. Process creativity, self-expression, and self-satisfaction are the most important concepts introduced at the primary level. Proper use of materials, vocabulary, art appreciation, and development of new skills are also stressed.

Music

        Music is taught in two 30-minute periods each week. The curriculum develops the use of patterns introduced in the lower grades and provides experience with multiple sounds through the use of rounds. The children learn to both read and write music on the staff. Attentive participation and development of music reading and writing skills are the basis of student evaluation.

Physical Education

        The children attend physical education for three 30-minute periods each week. The teacher strives to foster a continued enjoyment of physical activity, focus on cooperation with group effort, and initiate an awareness of physical fitness.  

Learning Center

         Third grade students visit the Learning Center for 60 minutes once a week. While there they check out two library books and receive computer instruction.  School library books have a two-week circulation.  After check-out, students spend the remaining time in the computer lab with lessons provided by the Learning Center teacher.

S.O.A.R. (Special Opportunities for Achievement in Reading)

        Students have SOAR class daily.  This is a dedicated time for reading and language arts activities at a variety of levels.  During this time reading intervention activities are provided to students in need of additional reading assistance.  Other students are working on reading activities based on individual reading levels.  This time may also used for dictionary skills, grammar skills, vocabulary enrichment, or listening skills.