Unit Overview: Read more about the unit and find all unit materials here on the Fishtank website

In this unit, students begin a year-long exploration of the seasons and how weather, plants, and animals are different depending on the season by studying the beauties of fall and fall harvests.. This unit is a chance for students to stop and think about the changes that are happening in the natural world around them and why the changes happen. It is our hope that by the end of the year, after studying winter and spring in subsequent units, students will have a deeper understanding of the unique features of each season.

This is students’ first introduction to informational texts and reading to learn information. Because the subject matter relates to students’ daily lives, they should be challenged to ask questions and make connections between what they are reading and learning and what they are seeing outside. Students will also begin to explore the idea of a main topic, identifying key details that tell more about the main topic. Additionally, students will begin to think about how details are connected. When discussing the text, students continue to work on clarifying and sharing their thoughts about texts read or information presented orally by asking and answering questions. Students also begin to learn strategies for continuing conversations through multiple exchanges.

Students continue to build their writing fluency by writing daily in response to the Target Task question. Students begin to learn strategies for how to craft different types of sentences, learning how to construct simple sentences orally and in writing, if they are ready. Students also begin to write informational texts by adding details to their drawings in order to explain key facts.  

Unit Calendar:

Unit 3 is 19 instructional days. It is recommended to run from October 14th - November 7th.