Reading/ELA

Spelling/Phonics/Grammar

Third grade's spelling words shift from primary levels (k-2) focus on memorizing sight words to a phonics based/word analysis-based curriculum. You will not see a grade for spelling on the report card but rather a grade for your child's ability to take phonic skills and apply them correctly to words so that they can spell correctly in daily writing. In order to implement this shift,  the third grade has decided to modify our program to better meet this standard. 

Instead of getting a weekly spelling list to memorize, your child will work throughout the week on applying the phonic skill of the week. In addition to working on the phonic skill they will be asked to study several sight words for review from the (K-2) program. 

On Friday, they will be tested on the reviewed sight words and on applying the phonics and grammar skill. 

Reading Side By Side 

Using read aloud and independent book club novels, students will explore the topics of conflict-at home and school, in the community and world-and understand themes of the Civil Rights Movement. To bolster students' text comprehension skills, teachers will provide explicit whole group reading instruction in conjunction with the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model. Using this model the students will move from teacher modeling toward independence through guided practice, peer practice, and finally independent practice.  An approach to reading called C.I.A which models the authentic habits of expert readers will be used. This approach breaks down the reading process into manageable steps of collecting critical information (C), interpreting the text (I) and applying the text's to one's own life (A).