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CURRICULUM NOTES
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Language Arts
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In Readers' Workshop, we are focusing on comprehension strategies such as retelling and visualizing. As readers we are also working to increase our reading stamina. We are analyzing characters by exploring character traits and characters' feelings.
In the coming weeks, we will continue our work in our phonics based spelling program. In our "word work" block, we will study spelling patterns, personal words and phonics. We will extend our thinking about words by exploring roots, prefixes and suffixes. Sometimes these segments of words are Greek and Latin roots. Latin and Greek derived words make up approximately 60% or more of the words used in text. Greek and Latin roots are emphasized in math, science and social studies texts. Word analysis work on roots, prefixes and suffixes will provide students with valuable tools for reading in these areas. Our word analysis also helps build spelling, vocabulary and decoding skills. These skills will help strengthen students' reading comprehension in all areas of the curriculum.
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Math
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We are in the process of completing Unit 2: Adding and Subtracting Whole Numbers. Some of the sub-topics we explored in this unit were: fact families, extending the facts to solve multi-digit addition and subtraction problems, number rules, parts and total word problems, change word problems, partial sums and traditional algorithms for addition and subtraction.
Next, we will turn to Unit 3: Linear Measures and Area. Be sure to read the Family Letter in an upcoming homework syllabus. We will investigate units of measurement (both U.S. customary and metric units), using a ruler as a measurement tool, perimeter, area, number models for area, diameter and circumference. There are some exciting literature links about these topics which we will integrate into our math work.
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Social Studies
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After completing our study of the Lenape people, we began our exploration of the life of William Penn. Penn's life, his actions and his ideals have left us with a wonderful legacy. Our visit to Pennsbury Manor, William Penn's home, served as a springboard for our study of William Penn. We recently turned our classrooms into a William Penn Museum & Photo Gallery of key historical moments in William's Penn's life. Third Grade Historians went through the "museum" and found information on a variety of documents, photos and captions. We also explored "persuasive writing." We put ourselves in William Penn's shoes and wrote letters to the people of England persuading them to come to Pennsylvania. To do this, we discussed and compiled a list of "pros" and "cons" for coming to Pennsylvania.
The 3rd Grade class met with Dr. Ford to learn more about William Penn and the history of our school. Dr. Ford shared information about William Penn's thoughts about education and equality, which were at the core of Penn's decision to found Penn Charter in 1689. Dr. Ford invited 3rd graders into his office to see the actual Charters hanging on the walls. Third Graders had a chance to ask Dr. Ford questions about William Penn and the Charters. We will always remember that day when we met with Dr. Ford to learn about William Penn together!
Third Graders Meet with Dr. Ford
to Talk About William Penn
Here are some photos from our
visit to Pennsbury Manor
___________________ Technology
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We are beginning the year in 3rd grade with a structured approach to teaching keyboarding. Mrs. Miles, Lower School Technology Coordinator, leads this keyboarding class with 3rd graders twice a week. Through a variety of activities, students are making progress in navigating the keyboard and "typing without looking." Our work has been peppered with several fun and creative activities. We hope that this keyboarding work will support and enhance our students' abilities to do research for upcoming projects. |
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10th Grade & 3rd Grade Partnership
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In keeping with our yearlong focus on the Testimony of Community, the 3rd grade class has partnered up with Lee Payton's 10th Grade Social Studies classes. We are excited to make cross-divisional connections as a way to deepen and extend our sense of community.
We met our partners at the end of October. At this meeting, we focused on some "getting to know you" activities. Partners shared their special objects and the memories that go with the objects. Partners also worked together on a Me Circle activty. The goal of the activity was to find out a bit more about eachother, discover things we have in common and things that are unique about each person.
We hope to have 3rd Graders and 10th Graders work together on a service project this year. We are in the process of planning a pie making service project. Click on the "pie service project revised" attachment at the bottom of this page for more information about this project and ways families can support this endeavor.
Meeting Our 10th Grade Partners
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Quaker Focus for November:
Testimony of Compassion
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The Testimony we will focus on for the month of November is Compassion. We will reflect on:
1) Words that connect with the idea of compassion such as: caring, love, kindness and empathy.
2) Queries or questions such as:
3) Quotes such as:
"You never reallly understand a person until you
consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
- Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's
To Kill a Mockingbird
"The Heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there?
- Jack Kornfield
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Homework Scoop
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One of our goals for homework in third grade is to help our students develop good homework routines and habits. We strive to prepare our students for the increasing homework demands and responsibilities they will face as they move through Lower School, Middle School and beyond.
To support our third graders, we have a homework review session on Mondays when teachers review the new homework assignments for the week and distribute a typed weekly homework syllabus. We also have students write the assignments in their yellow student organizer booklets. This "belt and suspenders" system is designed to ensure that every student knows exactly what assignments they are responsible for each week.
A "must do" assignment for all third graders is reading for at least 20 minutes every night. We expect students to be able to share their thoughts about the independent nightly reading at any time during the school day. Students also enjoy recommending their independent reading books to their peers.
We suggest that students use the homework syllabus as a checklist each night to make sure they have completed their assignments. It is each student's responsibility to speak to their teacher if they have not completed a homework assignment or if they have specific questions. In instances when homework is not completed by the due date, students will be asked to complete missing assignments either during flex time or in some cases during recess.
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Upcoming Events and Reminders
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November 2009 |