The Third Grade classroom provides a nurturing environment which encourages all children to grow and learn at their own rate. Instruction is designed to be developmentally appropriate, and to meet the needs of the diverse learning styles of children ages 6-9. Academic instruction is accomplished through a variety of activities, such as...
Readers, Writers, & Math Workshop Model
Shared Reading
Classroom Discussions
Learning Centers
Small Group Instruction/Reteaching
Individual Conferencing
Independent Practice
Ongoing Informal and Formal Assessments
English Language Arts
Introduction: EL builds around texts that students love to read and teachers love to teach. Knowing that engaged readers become better readers, we start with texts that excite learners. As students tackle compelling topics, we build compassionate, thoughtful citizens while deepening learner engagement. We build substantive content knowledge. The EL Education curriculum is based on the Science of Reading, including structured phonics, which empowers all students to read complex grade-level texts and master literacy standards, providing all students with an equitable outcome.
EL Education Literacy Overview: EL Education builds deep knowledge by using content-rich, authentic texts on real-world topics in social studies, STEM, and literature. Students leverage their learning for social justice and environmental stewardship while building habits of character that help them contribute to a better world.Our curriculum includes conscious, research-based supports for ELLs and MLLs, with lesson-level guidance, frequent ‘Language Dives’ to unpack the structure and meaning of compelling sentences, and ‘Conversation Cues’ to promote equitable discussions. Routinely embedded, structured formative assessments are paired with scaffolded differentiation guidance based on specific assessment outcomes. Our use of high-stakes testing formats is paired with a culminating real-world performance task.
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Module 1
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Module 2
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Module 3
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Module 4
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Title
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Overcoming Challenges Near and Far
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Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others
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Considering Perspectives and Supporting Opinions
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Gathering Evidence and Speaking to Others
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Focus
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Becoming a Close Reader and Writing to Learn
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Adaptations and the Wide World of Frogs
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Exploring Literary Classics
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Water Around the World
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Fundations Overview:
Informed by an extensive research base and designed to achieve success with a variety of learners, Fundations® stands out for its presentation of all skills in a systematic and sequential manner across the Levels (a Pre-K Activity Set is also available): • Print Concepts • Phonological & Phonemic Awareness • Phonics & Word Study • High Frequency Words • Accuracy, Automaticity & Fluency • Spelling • Handwriting & Cursive Writing Additionally, it significantly reinforces other English language arts standards using an integrated approach, particularly vocabulary and comprehension. Fundations is delivered to all students in the general education classroom. Learning is made fun while laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy.
Fundations K-3 teaches accuracy of decoding, spelling, and handwriting in a carefully integrated and scaffolded sequence that is taught to mastery. For an integrated, comprehensive approach to reading and spelling, implement Fundations alongside a core or literature-based language arts program that includes a variety of text experiences. This will ensure students apply decoding with connected text and apply transcription skills (handwriting and spelling) in their writing. Both Fundations and the core curriculum should be implemented with fidelity, reinforcing literacy activities throughout the school year.
Mathematics
Introduction: Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive K-5 mathematics program that equips teachers to fully implement the common core state standards in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners. The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. The program taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.
Bridges Overview: In third grade, students focus on multiplication, fractions, and area. Throughout the year they:
-Multiply numbers from 0 to 10 with fluency
-Multiply with numbers greater than 10
-Add and subtract with numbers to 1,000
-Work with unit fractions (fractions with a 1 in the numerator like 1/3 and 1/6) and add and subtract fractions
-Explore division
The math might sometimes seem unfamiliar or different than you remember, but there are many ways you can help!
-Invite your child to talk about math by asking questions like, “Did you do a problem like this at school? How did you think about it?”
-Focus on the pictures. Bridges uses visual models to make the mathematics accessible to all learners. Talking about the pictures is a great way to get started.
-Ask questions like, “Can we draw a picture of this problem? Now how can we use the picture to solve the problem?”
-Get more information and ideas about how to help your child by visiting this website for families: www.mathlearningcenter.org/families
-By being open to learning and talking with your child, you can help your child develop strong skills and a love of math.
Units and Modules:
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Unit 1
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Community Building & Addition Facts to Twenty
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Subtraction Facts to Twenty
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Double-Digit Addition
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Story Problems & Strategies
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Unit 2
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Multiplication in Context
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Multiplying with Arrays & Number Lines
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Ratio Tables & the Multiplication Table
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Story Problems with Graphs & Multiple Operations
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Unit 3
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Rounding & Multi-Digit Addition
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Multi-Digit Subtraction
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Estimating to Add & Subtract
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Exploring the Algorithms for Addition & Subtraction
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Unit 4
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Measuring Time & Mass
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Measuring Volume & Solving Measurement Story Problems
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Fractions as Fair Shares
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Fractions on a Line Plot
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Unit 5
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Linking Multiplication & Division
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Multiplication & Division Families
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Division Practice
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Introducing Area
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Unit 6
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Investigating Polygons
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Quadrilaterals
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Perimeter & Area
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Shapes & Fractions
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Unit 7
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Multiplication Beyond the Basics
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One- by Two-Digit Multiplication
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Fractions as Parts of a Whole & Parts of a Set
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Fractions at Work
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Unit 8:
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Introducing Bridges
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Investigating Structures in Bridges
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Planning, Building & Analyzing Bridges
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Demonstrating Our Learning About Bridges
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Number Corner Workouts:
Number Corner is a program of skills practice as well as ongoing encounters with broader mathematical concepts. It features daily 20-minute workouts that introduce, reinforce, and extend skill and concepts related to the critical areas of study at each grade level.
Number Corner Workouts: The five Number Corner workouts are the springboard for whole-group skills practice. Each is organized into daily activities that support a range of learners and tightly align with Common Core mathematical content and practice standards. Activities incorporate discussion, demonstration, games, and the Number Corner Student Book. The workouts give students many ways to participate: through working with a variety of math models, choral response, or sharing ideas with classmates.
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Calendar Grid:
Algebraic patterns and structures that introduce and reinforce a variety of key number and geometry skills.
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Calendar Collector:
Collections that promote deep understandings of estimation and counting, value, measurement, and data.
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Computational Fluency:
Activities, games, and practice pages designed to develop and maintain fluency.
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Number Line:
Activities that promote counting and skip-counting skills, number sense, and comparing and ordering whole numbers and fractions.
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Solving Problems:
Activities that promote mathematical reasoning and writing equations; problem solving designed to elicit strategies and ideas.
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Science
Mystery Science Overview:
Mystery Science is a unique, standards-aligned science curriculum for grades K-5 designed to help students stay curious! Mystery Guides lead engaging lessons with hands-on investigations and activities that explore scientific phenomena using common classroom items.
Children are naturally curious. Elementary school years are the time to nurture that curiosity. These are the years when children form habits of thinking that will live with them for the rest of their lives. This is when they form their view of the world. This is the time to teach children how to think critically, how to solve problems. This is the opportunity to nurture each child’s burning curiosity, guide them as they explore their world, and ensure that they develop the most important skill of all: the ability to figure things out for themselves.
Third grade students engage with 5 different units to explore science concepts and think through the scientific process.
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Fossils and Changing Environments
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In this unit, students develop an understanding of how animals and their environments have changed through time. Fossils provide a window into the animals and habitats of the past. Analyzing the traits of animals that are alive today and comparing them to fossils, provides evidence of how these ancient organisms and environments of the past may have appeared.
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Life Cycles
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In this unit, students compare and contrast the life cycles of both animals and plants. Students create models to build an understanding that all organisms share certain stages in their life cycles: birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Students also explore how an understanding of life cycles can aid in solving problems that occur when there are too many or too few organisms in a particular environment.
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Heredity, Survival and Selection
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In this unit, students explore the inherited and acquired traits of plants and animals. Analyzing traits provides evidence for how those traits vary, how they are inherited, and how they have changed over time through both artificial and natural selection. Students also examine how a particular environment can affect traits, including inherited traits that provide animals with an advantage for survival.
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Weather and Climate
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In this unit, students investigate and make predictions about the weather through careful observation of the clouds and wind. Students also learn to differentiate between weather and climate and use models to reveal global climate patterns.
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Forces, Motion & Magnets
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In this unit, students explore the forces all around them. They investigate the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces, the pushes and pulls of bridge structures, and the effects of gravity and friction on the motion of objects. Students also explore the power of magnetic forces and design solutions to everyday problems using their knowledge of these forces.
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Social Studies
Social Studies concepts are integrated into the EL program. Units revolve around science and social studies topics. Students simultaneously acquire reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while developing knowledge about the words and the world.
Extra Curricular Activities
- Third grade students get the opportunity to participate in chorus to build knowledge of and understanding of music. Chorus takes place one recess per week. Students participate in two concerts per year and also attend a Soundtigers hockey game to sing the national anthem.
- Students are enriched in each classroom through academic challenges that stretch and challenge them.
- Students are provided academic support in each classroom through supports that have been put in place for them to succeed.
- If students need counseling for well-being or educational success, counseling is offered through Community Health Center.
Third Grade Classroom Teachers: All third grade teachers teach students cursive, writing, science and social-emotional learning.
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Team 3A
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Team 3B
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Laura McGuire: Fundations and Math
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Echo Damiano: Fundations & Number Corner
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Amy Ruzzo: Literacy and Number Corner
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Tammy Drena: Literacy
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Whitney Madura: Math
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