Teachers: Ms. Maria Mank
Teaching Assistant: Mrs. Patty Kelly

Welcome to Third Grade

Click Here to download a PDF version of the Third Grade Handbook

Curriculum

Reading and Phonics:

We build on the skills previously learned. Improving vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension will be stressed. There will be a focus on reading for enjoyment. Long and short vowels, prefixes, suffixes,

digraphs, diphthongs, syllabication, rules, plurals, and contractions

Writing and Language Arts:

Correct usage, nouns/verbs as subject/predicate in a sentence, correct paragraph structure, practicing descriptive, persuasive, and research writing. Creative story writing emphasized, dialogue, proper sequencing, and conclusions. Techniques for written reports will be introduced and practiced.  This year I will be introducing a new method called Writer's Workshop.  Writer’s Workshop is an interdisciplinary writing technique which can build students' fluency in writing through continuous, repeated exposure to the process of writing. We will be journaling, drafting, editing and publishing our own works.  Children will learn the process of writing, inside and out.

Math:

Review addition and subtraction facts through 18. Learn times tables through 11. Addition and subtraction using two, three, and four digit numbers with renaming and regrouping. Review of time, money, measurement, graphs, and fractions.

Handwriting:

Traditional method cursive taught and practiced throughout the year.  We will be working with the Zaner-Blouser method of cursive.

 Spelling:

Phonetic word lists from reading stories. There will be weekly tests on Friday with two dictation sentences using words from previous lessons. Supplemental lists stress homophones, prefixes, suffixes, and contractions.  The spelling words are selected using a cross-curriculum method including Literature, Social Studies and Science.

 Grammar:

Introduction and review of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. Practice with subject and predicate.  Daily grammar practice with the G.U.M.  (Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics) book.

Music:

 Introduction to musical notation, independent and group singing, rhythmic activities, and preparation for mass songs. Implemented by our music teacher: Bill Allums

Computers:

Weekly use. Emphasis will be on writing, and printing written work. Classroom use coordinates with curriculum for enrichment. The children will also learn a variety of computer skills as instructed by our new Computer teacher: Clifton Noble (Mr. C)

Homework:

A homework sheet will be sent home daily. There will be homework Monday through Thursday. Please check and sign all homework.


Tests:

Please sign and return all tests and papers stamped "Parent Signature." Tests will also be enclosed in your  Friday packet.  There is a Spelling Test every Friday unless otherwise specified.

Religion:

The curriculum and text in the third grade focuses on developing an inner morality or Christian conscience.  We learn more about our faith and the role of the Church in helping us to be true Disciples of Christ.  In addition to reading text and completing the activities, we will do art projects, read scripture, and have small prayer services in the classroom.

In our second trimester, we will be exploring family life and conflict resolution, as well as the Diocese of Oakland’s Safe Environment for Children Project, a program for personal safety.  We look forward to having our third grade liturgy in May.

 

Social Studies:

The third grade Social Studies curriculum emphasizes the geography and natural resources of the United States and how they were used by Native Americans and early settlers.  Students learn the importance of natural resources in a country’s development and the multiple issues around sharing resources and protecting the environment.  Much of the new vocabulary covers geographical and environmental terms.

 

Science:

This year the whole school will be continuing with the FOSS Science curriculum in the form of hands-on curriculum from Lawrence Hall of Science.  There will be four main areas of study:  Measurement, physics of sound, structures of life, and ideas and inventions.    Through many multi-faceted and multi-sensory investigations, the students will touch upon all of the California Third grade standards.

 

Spanish:

 

The children will continue to learn Spanish vocabulary through song, rhyme, speech and art.  Mrs. Norma Santiago comes into the classroom weekly.