About

Our Class Rules

  1. Stay safe.

  2. Be kind.

  3. Try our best to keep learning.

  4. Listen with an open mind.

Specials Schedule


Monday

Computer 8-8:45, Music 9-9:30


Tuesday

PE 9-9:30, Art 12:10-1


Wednesday

Library 8-8:40, PE 9-9:30


Thursday

Music 9-9:30


Friday

PE 9-9:30

Competencies Needed for Success

Cooperation

Responsibility

Empathy

Perseverance

Self-control

Assertiveness

About Mrs. Kennedy

I am so very excited to be teaching third grade at Birchwood Elementary School. My family and I moved to the greater Albany area three years ago for my husband's career. Over the past nineteen years, I have taught third grade in New York City, Baltimore, MD, and Guilford, CT. I have also taught eighth grade, sixth grade, second grade and served as a staff developer. I love being a classroom teacher because I love learning with and from my students. Together we will grow as mathematicians, scientists, historians, authors and readers.

When I’m not teaching, I am spending time with my family. I have three children. Sarah is thirteen years old, Patrick is ten years old and Elizabeth will turn two in December. We like to go for walks, bike rides and read books together.

Contact Information


About Grade 3 Curriculum

Language Arts

1. Reading emphasis is placed on comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, grammar and phonics using reading workshop and NYS ELA modules. Students will learn and apply reading strategies daily.

2. Writing emphasis is placed upon writing in all content areas and the use of the Writer's Workshop model. Students will be responsible for grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling skills. The writing process includes: gathering ideas, choosing an idea, developing an idea, drafting, revising, editing, publishing, reflecting, and celebrating student's work. The students will publish a personal narrative, fiction story and non-fiction pieces.

3. Spelling – Students instruction will be differentiated to meet the needs of students.

4. Handwriting - We will be using the Zaner-Bloser program for learning and practicing cursive.

5. Oral Expression - Students will share work with emphasis place on volume, expression, and proper eye contact. There will be several class presentations throughout the year.

6. Listening Strategies - Appropriate listening strategies will be modeled and practiced. Students will be expected to use "whole body listening," stay focused and ask appropriate questions.

Math

We are using Engage NY modules as our primary resource. We have a variety of additional resrouces that will be used to teach, remediate and enrich students. Math will be taught daily for 1 hour. Students will learn about place value, money, addition & subtraction, number sense, time, data, graphs, multiplication & division, geometry, measurement and fractions.

Social Studies

We will be using the NYS social studies inquiries for 3rd grade. Throughout the year, we will learn about how people live all over the world. At the end of the year, students will choose their own country to study and research as a final project that will be presented to the class.

Science

Emphasis is placed upon observing and recording data, knowledge of science vocabulary and concepts as well as self-discovery. Focus skills include predicting, questioning and observations.

Third grade units:

1.Weather/Climate

3. Forces and Patterns of Motion

4.Life Cycles