Overview of Third Grade
Mathis a very important part of our school day. The skills for Third Grade are outlined in the workbook brought home each night. Please be aware that we consider the mastery of math facts to be important – important enough to include in the standards system. Each marking period I prepare a graph of the students’ progress. This year we are using the BUG incentive to Bring Up Grade on all math facts. Come, watch the trail of ladybugs grow!
Reading is another essential aspect of our curriculum. We use the balanced literacy approach of the Literacy by Design program by Rigby, which combines reading, grammar, writing, oral expression, and artistic responses to books and stories. To keep interest levels high, we use a variety of approaches: teacher-read/ student response; independent student read/response; cooperative group read/response. Please notice how science and social studies have been integrated into the reading program. It is also important for the students to begin to choose quality literature, and provision has been made for individual preferences. I assign a particular genre each month for logs/reports working toward the 25-book standard and require them to be returned on the due date.
Spelling will be taught using the Literacy by Design lessons. You will notice the Word Wall in our room, the list of words in your child’s writing folder, and the Quick Book. Words that are provided are to be spelled correctly EVERY time they are used. The report card reflects this ability to either copy the word correctly or have it internally in a word recognition “bank.” Spelling will also be evaluated within the writing context at all times and on the Friday assessments.
Social Studiesis very exciting in Third Grade. We are expected to incorporate news and current events into our program. Please refer to the specific handout when helping your child choose an appropriate article to share in our classroom of 8 & 9 year olds. The weekly reporting jobs help us to be aware of the global, national, and local issues. I will help with vocabulary, but content can become a problem for children.
The continent for examination is South America. We will divide into pairs to complete a country research report. The day before the winter vacation is Carnival. You are most welcome to join us for a day of sharing, food, music, dances, and games.
This year we will be meeting the PA standards study of the state of Pennsylvania. We will be looking at the geography, sports, animals, food, products and government of our state. Each child will be compiling a state folder, and there will be tests throughout the year.
Of course, the most famous part of Third Grade is the Native American study.The trip to the village at the Churchville Nature Center Lenni Lenape village is wonderful, and it is scheduled in the spring.
As a part of our study of local history, we will go to Craven Hall in Warminster for a tour by one of the Historical Society guides. This is an exciting opportunity for us to learn about our heritage in Southampton and Warminster. We also take a trip to the UpperSouthamptonTownship building where we speak with Mr. Golden and even make a presentation about a topic to improve our community.
Science will include the study of the physics of sound, plants, crayfish, Bess beetles, sound, measurement, ecology and water. During the winter I will be combining science + math into a SMATH unit to help us cover all the material necessary for the PSSA in April. We will be visiting the Upper Southampton Water Authority in the spring.
Writing is a major emphasis at our school. We believe children learn well when they can describe their activities with words. There will be MANY opportunities for writing and publishing throughout the year.
We keep a math journal that helps us practice using words in math. The PSSA contains a written component to math calculations, so it is important for us to “practice” using math vocabulary correctly.
Other Thoughts: Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time when you have a question concerning our work, your child, or any other school-related issue. Either send me a note, email me at or call (364-5980) and I will gladly return your call. You are welcome to visit our classroom during American Education Week in November, our Carnival in December, and at other times when you feel you would like to watch us work. Our days are full, so please schedule your visit with the secretary to be sure we are in class.
Homework is an expectation every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening unless we have no school scheduled the next day. The news reporting jobs are considered homework, and therefore, are very important to our classroom’s activities. Please sign the academic planner each evening to indicate you have seen the work for the day. I will sometimes include a note or special paper for you to sign/see.
Ticket jar provides us with a way to reward responsible behavior. A ticket is earned for returning homework, doing something special, returning signed forms and important papers, or as a class for extra-special behaviors. Every Friday, the jar is emptied and three tickets are chosen on an equal-chance basis, and the children may choose from the prize box.
Snacks are eaten in the morning, and we cannot totally stop our work in order to eat. Please do not send juice boxes – water from the fountain will be fine. Snacks that leave the fingers messy can be a problem, so please be aware of this concern.