CLASSROOM INFORMATION:
Reading
We do a lot of reading in third grade. Our goal is to move from "learning to read" to "reading to learn". As the year progresses students are expected to be able to read and recall facts in their science and social studies texts as well as our reading books. 20 minutes a night of at home reading is good practice. Third graders should be reading chapter books in order to build their comprehension over the course of a longer, more complex story.
Guided Reading
Each student works in a small Guided Reading group with other students at their ability level. We focus on reading strategies for both narrative and informational texts based on each student's individual needs.
Daily Five
As students in the Guided Reading group work with the teacher, the other students are working independently using the Daily Five program. During Daily Five, students are working to improve different language arts skills through independent practice. These skills including Read to Self (comprehension of a self-selected book), Read to Someone (oral reading fluency), Work on Writing (self-selected genre writing/editing), Word Work (spelling and phonics), or Listen to Reading (fluency).
Writer's Workshop
Third graders will progress through a weekly, or sometimes bi-weekly, writer's workshop process. The writer's workshop model flows through the following progression: step 1) prewrite, step 2) rough draft, step 3) revise, step 4) edit, step 5) publish. Grammar skills are taught during the editing step and in separate mini-lessons based on the needs of the class.
Spelling
In third grade, we will be using the spelling program embedded in our new language arts series from McGraw-Hill. A new word list will be sent home on Friday attached to your child's scored spelling test. In class, students will work with the teacher to learn the week's spelling pattern and sort their words. Students are expected to work on their word patterns during Daily Five word work, but still need to study their words at home to be successful on their weekly tests.
Cursive
Proper formation is practiced for printed and cursive letters on a daily basis using a practice workbook. As we continue this throughout the school year more cursive work will be expected.
Math
This is an exciting year for math as we prepare for multiplication! It is never too early to start studying the multiplication facts with your student. Memorizing multiplication facts early will help their understanding of division concepts later in the year.
In our classroom, math is taught in a math workshop approach. The class is divided into two groups by student needs and lessons are tailored to help all learners achieve. Each day, we begin our math lesson as a whole group discussing the day's topic in a mini-lesson. Then, half of the class logs into their Dreambox account working to complete lessons at their ability level. The other half of the class works with the teacher for direct instruction and work time on the day's topic. The groups then switch half way through our math time.
This year, your students will learn many topics such as, place value, addition, subtraction, division, estimation, measurement, perimeter, area, telling time, geometry, and fractions. Daily Math Masters, centers, and manipulatives are also used to practice math concepts on a daily basis.
Science
Discovery Education is a Science Techbook computer program that uses videos, animations, and interactive experiments. It is built on the the 5E model - Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Students with explore science concepts by conducting experiments and logging into their Discovery accounts. The Discovery Techbook is a great place to learn vocabulary, work on virtual labs, and study using quick check assessments.
Social Studies
In third grade, we study all about our great state of Michigan. We will cover geography, economy, history and map skills. Our favorite is the study of government and our end of the year trip to Lansing!
Reading
We do a lot of reading in third grade. Our goal is to move from "learning to read" to "reading to learn". As the year progresses students are expected to be able to read and recall facts in their science and social studies texts as well as our reading books. 20 minutes a night of at home reading is good practice. Third graders should be reading chapter books in order to build their comprehension over the course of a longer, more complex story.
Guided Reading
Each student works in a small Guided Reading group with other students at their ability level. We focus on reading strategies for both narrative and informational texts based on each student's individual needs.
Daily Five
As students in the Guided Reading group work with the teacher, the other students are working independently using the Daily Five program. During Daily Five, students are working to improve different language arts skills through independent practice. These skills including Read to Self (comprehension of a self-selected book), Read to Someone (oral reading fluency), Work on Writing (self-selected genre writing/editing), Word Work (spelling and phonics), or Listen to Reading (fluency).
Writer's Workshop
Third graders will progress through a weekly, or sometimes bi-weekly, writer's workshop process. The writer's workshop model flows through the following progression: step 1) prewrite, step 2) rough draft, step 3) revise, step 4) edit, step 5) publish. Grammar skills are taught during the editing step and in separate mini-lessons based on the needs of the class.
Spelling
In third grade, we will be using the spelling program embedded in our new language arts series from McGraw-Hill. A new word list will be sent home on Friday attached to your child's scored spelling test. In class, students will work with the teacher to learn the week's spelling pattern and sort their words. Students are expected to work on their word patterns during Daily Five word work, but still need to study their words at home to be successful on their weekly tests.
Cursive
Proper formation is practiced for printed and cursive letters on a daily basis using a practice workbook. As we continue this throughout the school year more cursive work will be expected.
Math
This is an exciting year for math as we prepare for multiplication! It is never too early to start studying the multiplication facts with your student. Memorizing multiplication facts early will help their understanding of division concepts later in the year.
In our classroom, math is taught in a math workshop approach. The class is divided into two groups by student needs and lessons are tailored to help all learners achieve. Each day, we begin our math lesson as a whole group discussing the day's topic in a mini-lesson. Then, half of the class logs into their Dreambox account working to complete lessons at their ability level. The other half of the class works with the teacher for direct instruction and work time on the day's topic. The groups then switch half way through our math time.
This year, your students will learn many topics such as, place value, addition, subtraction, division, estimation, measurement, perimeter, area, telling time, geometry, and fractions. Daily Math Masters, centers, and manipulatives are also used to practice math concepts on a daily basis.
Science
Discovery Education is a Science Techbook computer program that uses videos, animations, and interactive experiments. It is built on the the 5E model - Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Students with explore science concepts by conducting experiments and logging into their Discovery accounts. The Discovery Techbook is a great place to learn vocabulary, work on virtual labs, and study using quick check assessments.
Social Studies
In third grade, we study all about our great state of Michigan. We will cover geography, economy, history and map skills. Our favorite is the study of government and our end of the year trip to Lansing!