Third Grade Curriculum Mr. Elias, Mrs. Holloway, and Mrs. Talarico

Journeys Curriculum Designed to meet diverse needs of all students A balanced literacy approach Includes progressive skills in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension

Balanced Literacy: What does that mean? Teachers support each reader’s development as needed Allows for differentiation through whole group and small group instruction Follows a continuum beginning with a teacher’s read aloud, shared reading, and guided reading The ultimate goal is independent reading

Important Terminology Read aloud: Done by teacher to expose children to various types of literature; develops reading strategies Shared reading: Children participate with the teacher; learn critical concepts of how print works Guided reading: Students read text independently following an introduction; material selected based on an individual’s instructional level; discussion facilitated by the teacher

Assessment Observation Running records Small group instruction records Weekly phonics, vocabulary, and spelling tests Cold read assessments every 3rd story of each unit Unit tests Benchmark tests MAP testing (Measures of Academic Progress) DIBELS testing

Writers’ Workshop Emphasis on writing standards and process writing Narrative, informational, procedural, and response to literature are our genres Grammar and cursive writing are included Some exciting topics include animal research connected to science and our upcoming zoo trip, and a famous person report where each child becomes that person for our annual Wax Museum!

MTLSD Math Curriculum Our core resource is Investigations complete K-5 mathematics curriculum designed to help all children understand the fundamental ideas of number and operations, geometry, data, measurement, and early algebra.

Math Program Highlights Develops a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics Includes traditional learning of algorithms and math facts Works to substantially expand the pool of mathematically literate students Provides students multiple ways to prove that an answer is correct

Encourages student-centered work Provides whole group, small group and independent learning opportunities Utilizes real world problems Makes connections within and among concepts Provides students with strategies and tools to solve problems Math Program Highlights

MATH FACTS Gr 3 Quarter 1Quarter 2Quarter 3Quarter Maintain addition basic fact skills Subtraction facts with a minuend to 20 Multiplication facts with products to 50 connected to doubles, fives, ones and tens Multiplication facts with products to 50 connected to nines and helping facts Maintain addition and subtraction facts to 20 Multiplication facts connected to twos, fives, ones and tens Multiplication facts to 100 Division facts connected to twos, fives, ones and tens.

Social Studies Social Studies Alive! - Focusing on our community and beyond -Interactive use of maps, literature, and technology Pittsburgh History (Downtown Dragons Tour)

Science/ASSET Allegheny Schools Science Education and Technology Investigative inquiry-based approach Students engage in: Discovery Discussion Cooperative problem solving Asking and answering questions Developing higher level thinking skills

ASSET Modules Rocks and Minerals Chemistry Animal Studies

Character Education/Building Foster Friends (BFF) Attributes developed through meaningful literature: Respect Honesty Loyalty Love Hope Courage Justice Mrs. McClain or Mrs. Ketterman also visit to help students develop friendship building strategies. During weekly BFF meetings, children participate in an ongoing discussion about how to prevent bullying at our school.

Homework Monday through Thursday. Planner/Planning Sheet will be in their Take Home Folder. Please help your child to remember their homework nightly.

Homework Expectations If your child seems frustrated, confused, or is spending more than 30 minutes on homework, please have them stop! Send a note and their teacher will review with them. In addition to what is sent home, please have your child read 20 minutes per evening. Also, please continue to practice math facts.

Extra Reinforcement Differentiation done in small groups or one on one if needed during LEBO Time. Mrs. Phillips, Instructional Support Teacher, also works with children when needed.

Communication For general concerns or questions, is a great option: or For immediate response for concerns, please send a note to school with your child or call. When sending an , please make the subject recognizable because some s may be sent to our spam folders.

Thank you for coming to Curriculum Night!