Curriculum Overview

Reading

• The emphasis in third grade is on improving critical thinking and comprehension skills, improving vocabulary, developing oral reading skills.
• Each student will be exposed to literary exploration.
• Students will actively participate in Read to Self, and Read to Partner in the Daily 3 program.
• Students should choose books to read at their reading level. The school library has a wide selection of chapter books appropriate to all reading levels. Our Goal is for each child to read books at their own level.  Please talk with your child’s teacher for individual reading levels.

• Writing will be integrated into reading, social studies and science.
• Students will spend time on writing mechanics, language usage, the writing process, expository writing, personal narratives, and handwriting.
• Students will be taught study and research skills.
• These skills will be accomplished through Being A Writer and other various activities.

• The emphasis in spelling is placed on spelling words correctly at all times in all writing.
• Students will be exposed to core words, word patterns, spelling generalizations and content words.

• Time will be spent reviewing basic addition and subtraction facts, subtracting with borrowing, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, measurement, and problem solving.
• Students will be given enrichment and/or accelerated assignments according to their individual needs.

• Topics covered are magnets, ecosystems, the scientific method, the solar system, and sound.

• Core concepts in social studies include map skills, government, changes in transportation and communication, economics, and Immigration.

• Students will be taught independent computer operation, basic computer editing skills, word processing skills, and Herzog keyboarding skills.
• Students will all be participating in the RITTS program.  They will learn PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Word.
• Students will participate in one or all of the following: Blogs, wikis, Discussion Boards, and Internet Research
• Students will learn how to use a laptop, and a scanner

• Instruction is differentiated through the use of tiered assignments, accelerated activities and projects, learning contracts, and cubing.

Grade Level Information

Homework Policy

• Students will have a structured homework assignment two nights
  per week.
• Students should also read for 15 minutes each night.
• All work not complete in class becomes homework.