By third grade, we are already experienced readers and writers. We'll work hard to develop these skills throughout the year, and transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn".
In Reading, we are using the Reading Wonders program. We work with grade level texts in a variety of genres. These selections are the springboard from which we develop our reading skills. Students are expected to demonstrate comprehension both on passages that we read together and on those which are read independently.
Language Arts instruction includes the following elements:
~writing, where we learn general writing skills and grammar, as well as learn to write in different genres.
~spelling, which entails learning to spell the week's words, as well as activities that help us to develop our phonetic skills.
Like everything else in life, we get better by practicing! Students need to read independently every day.
We are using the Into Math program. We will review addition and subtraction, but spend most of our time learning about multiplication and division. We also learn about fractions, data collection and graphing, perimeter and area, geometry, and measurement.
We alternate between Science and Social Studies units during the year. Using Mystery Science, we'll learn about dinosaurs, forces, magnets, plant and animal life cycles, inheritance of traits, social behavior, weather prediction and more. Using TCI Social Studies, we'll learn about the globe, maps, monuments, immigration, cultural diversity, economics, budgeting, American government, and more.
Our "specials" are Gym, Library, STEM, Chorus and Art. They are taught by other teachers and are graded.