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Third Grade Subject Overview
Reading The third grade reading program engages students in an active literacy classroom where the love of reading is fostered. Third grade students often read fluently, with expression and proper phrases. Our goal is for third grade students to continue to advance in the fluency already attained and increase comprehension. Through guided reading, book clubs, independent reading conferences, listening to reading, and paired reading, the students will learn to apply a variety of strategies for accuracy in reading, increasing fluency and comprehension. Our instruction is guided by assessment data so that we will meet the needs of each individual student. Our goal is to increase depth of understanding at each reading level as each individual student progresses. Writing The third grade writing program uses the Writing Workshop model to provide authentic life-like opportunities in which students can incorporate proper grammar, mechanics, spelling, and a broadened vocabulary. Using the writing process of brainstorming, first draft, revising, editing and publishing, the students author a variety of texts such as poetry, narratives, non-fiction and fiction stories. Through revising and editing, each writer learns the importance of writing with a specific purpose and for a specific audience. While following core standards, focused mini-lessons are given to the whole group, to small groups, and to individuals as needed. Individual and small group conferencing assures that grammar, mechanics and spelling are properly applied in all writing across the curriculum. Third grade utilizes the philosophy that writing promotes reading, writing is fun, and that writing lives on forever. Math Math in Focus, the United States version of Singapore Math, is the primary program used to achieve third grade math concepts. The program builds upon existing knowledge in each of the primary areas of math, and utilizes the CPA (Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract) approach. Realizing differentiation in math instruction is needed to meet the needs of all students, we utilize additional resources such as Marcy Cook, Math Facts in a Flash, Accelerated Math, and interactive math activities. Our assessment is continuous and guides the instruction given individually, in small groups, and as a whole group. Social Studies Third grade students study the concepts of community, geography, economics, and colonization. Through these studies we discover how geography influences where we live and the economics of a region, both in the past and the present. With small and whole group instruction, field trips, guest speakers and activities, third grade students discover how communities are alike and different. Studying the lives of the colonists helps us to realize the traits which are needed in today’s communities as well. Assessment includes quizzes, reports, and participation in class discussions. |
