Third Grade Curriculum Night

Agenda

● Overview of Third Grade Curriculum● Homework Expectations● Classroom & School Expectations● Overview of Specials● Question and Answer Session

Reading & Writing Workshop● Workshop Model Framework:

○ Minilesson

○ Independent Practice

○ Partner Work & Share

● Why Workshop Model?○ Students are…

■ Engaged in authentic, student-centered learning

■ Becoming independent readers, writers, and thinkers

Reading Curriculum● We follow the Teacher’s College Reading Workshop

Model.● Units that will be covered this year will include:

○ Building a Reading Life○ Mystery○ Navigating Nonfiction○ Character Studies○ Poetry/Test Preparation ○ Biography/Series Book Clubs○ Research

Writing Curriculum● We follow the Teacher’s College Writing Workshop

Model.● Units that will be covered this year will include:

○ Crafting True Stories○ Informational Writing--Expert Unit○ Persuasive Writing○ Poetry○ Informational Writing--Research Unit○ Baby Literary Essay

Math Curriculum● We follow the Bridges math program.● Content Focus Areas:

○ Multiplication and Division○ Fractions○ Rectangular Arrays and Area○ Two-Dimensional Shapes

Parent Tips● When you are helping your child, the math might sometimes seem

unfamiliar or different than you remember, but there are ways you can help!

● Invite your child to talk about the math by asking questions.● Focus on the pictures. Talking about the pictures is a great way to

get started.

Please visit the Bridges website for families: www.mathlearningcenter.org/families

Reading & Math Intervention● Why would my child qualify for intervention services?

○ Your child would qualify if…■ He/she is significantly below grade level expectation■ He/she is not making adequate progress

● When and where does my child receive intervention services?○ 30 minute Intervention Block○ 2-5 days per week, depending on your child’s needs○ Push in or pull out of classroom

● How will I know if my child qualifies for intervention services?○ Letter will be sent home with your child

● Will my child continue to receive intervention services for the entire year?○ Based on your child’s performance, he/she may have their services…

■ Dismissed, Increased, Decreased○ You will be notified of any changes to your child’s intervention program by letter

● Who are the interventionists?○ Literacy: Kathy Bienkowski, Jessica McEleney & Amy Duff○ Math: Nancy Powell

Science & Social Studies Curriculum● Science Topics:

○ Matter○ Recycling ○ Animal Habitats○ Rocks and Minerals

● Social Studies Topics:○ Ellington’s Past and Present○ Connecticut’s Geography and Economy○ Connecticut’s History and Government

Homework Expectations● Every night students are expected to read 20 minutes

(in a “Just Right” book) and complete 10-15 minutes of additional homework.

● Students are to complete a homework log each week,

and have a parent/guardian sign it to indicate the required work was completed.

Just Right Books● The student’s independent reading level is assessed

using the Fountas and Pinnell Reading Assessment.

● Students should be able to read the majority of the words fluently and comprehend the text.

● Please utilize the resource: scholastic.com/bookwizard to help find “Just Right” books.

Classroom Expectations

PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports● School-wide system that outlines expectations of student behavior:

R.I.S.E.● Focuses on positive reinforcement and teaching expected behaviors● Individual raffle tickets (weekly drawing)● Whole class ‘Whale Done’ notes (class reward when goal of 25

reached)● School-wide reward when K – 6 reaches goal● Critical Thinking Center (CTC)● Office Discipline Referrals (ODR) for misbehavior

Art● Third grade students will engage in

projects promoting their abilities to think abstractly while stressing fundamental techniques.

● Projects will include materials such as pastels, watercolors, printmaking, clay and paper sculpture.

Health Education Is Great!September - Beginning of November - 8 lessons.

Lesson Overview:· Personal Safety and Wellness - “What is Health?” Physical, Emotional, Social, Mental, Spiritual, Environmental· How the Body Works - Muscles, Bones· Nutrition - MyPlate and Food Groups· Infection Prevention Review· You D. E. C. I. D. E.

· Brain Power = NO DRUGS!

Movie “Why I Won’t Do Drugs”

Library Media Center

● 30 minutes weekly for lesson and book exchange

● Topics covered:○ research skills/information literacy○ literature appreciation○ digital citizenship○ technology

Third Grade General Music● fosters an understanding of music● develops musical skills through singing, listening, playing instruments and movement● introduces learning to play the recorder

Physical EducationGYM- Get Yourself Moving● Fun● Fitness● simple games● locomotor skills● jump rope● scarves● hoops● dance● and so much more…..● Sneakers and clothes so you can get yourself moving.

Thank you for attending!If you have any questions,

please feel free to contact me.