AN OVERVIEW OF THIRD GRADE

Students in third grade apply the foundational skills learned earlier automatically and flexibly to decode and comprehend fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. They use critical thinking skills which they apply strategically across the disciplines to comprehend and clarify information and ideas. They compose fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama for a variety of purposes and audiences. Third graders become increasingly independent and flexible in their use of communication skills and strategies. The learner will:

· Read with fluency and comprehension fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.

· Apply strategies flexibly and strategically for recognizing words, learning new words, and constructing meaning from text(s).

· Expand vocabulary through wide reading, word study, and discussion.

· Write for a variety of audiences and purposes using appropriate formats.

· Use active listening and effective oral communication.

· Use media, a variety of information sources, and technological resources as tools for learning.

· Apply grammar and language conventions to access and communicate information and ideas.

· Reflect upon and make connections among language, texts, and personal experience.

· Apply comprehension strategies and skills to a wide variety of genres.

TEXTS IN GENRE

Fiction

Nonfiction

Poetry

Drama

Grade 3

Short stories
Novels
Fantasies
Fairy tales & Fables

Biographies
Letters & Articles
Procedures/instructions
Charts

Proverbs
Riddles
Limericks
Simple poems

Skits
Plays

COMPOSITION PRODUCTS

· Simple narratives

· Short reports

· Friendly letters

· Directions

· Instructions

· Poems

· Earning logs

· Notes

MATH: Intermediate Grades 3 - 5

1) Number and Operations

Students in the intermediate grades study whole numbers, fractions, and decimals with concrete objects, pictures, and symbols in a variety of contexts. A firm understanding and use of the place value system and various properties of numbers is developed. Students recognize equivalent rational numbers and explain the basis for the equivalence. Fractions and decimals are compared and ordered.

A variety of tools is used to model operations with whole numbers and fractions, develop and apply different methods of computing, and relate models to standard symbolic expressions and algorithms. Students learn the order of operations, explore various properties of operations, and are able to estimate reasonable answers to computations. Students become fluent operating with whole numbers.

2) Measurement

Students estimate and measure temperature, length, mass, and capacity in both customary and metric units. They solve problems involving perimeter of plane figures and area of rectangles and develop the basic formulas for computing these quantities.

3) Geometry

In the intermediate grades, students compare, describe, classify, and analyze two- and three- dimensional figures. They investigate basic geometric relationships, such as parallelism, perpendicularity, congruence, and similarity, and recognize geometric transformations. Students plot points and read graphs on a rectangular grid.

4) Data Analysis and Probability

Students continue working with the process of statistical investigation, as the techniques for data collection become more sophisticated. The nature and kinds of representations used include tables, bar and circle graphs, and stem-and-leaf plots. Data are described and compared using median, mode, and range. Students design experiments and list all possible outcomes and probabilities.

5) Algebra

Students in the intermediate grades continue to identify and describe patterns in many situations. Tools, such as calculators and computers, are used to investigate and discover patterns. Patterns are used in geometry and other mathematics to develop new concepts. Tables and graphs are made to show relationships and then students verbally describe the patterns. Patterns are used to extend student data, suggest rules for relationships, and make predictions. Students begin to use symbols to represent unknown quantities. They use the symbols in expressions and open sentences when describing relationships and solving problems. Students begin to identify, describe, and analyze situations with constant or varying rates of change, and compare them.

SCIENCE

Crosscreek Charter School Third Graders are exposed to a science curriculum that integrates the unifying concepts of science.

These unifying concepts are:

· Systems, Order and Organization.

· Evidence, Models, and Explanation.

· Constancy, Change, and Measurement.

· Evolution and Equilibrium.

· Form and Function.

There are four strands that provide the context for teaching the goals and objectives. The strands include:

· Nature of Science.

· Science as Inquiry.

· Science and Technology.

· Science in Social and Personal Perspectives.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The third grade study is designed to expand the students' concept of "leaders" in relationship to their communities. Students study people of diverse groups, their cultures, religions, traditions, and contributions to the community. Students compare aspects of familiar communities with those of other cultures and other times. They are introduced to problems that "leaders" and communities confront and how conflicts are resolved.

Third graders discover how literature is integrated in the social studies discipline by reading about local, state, national, and global leaders (fictional and non-fictional). They investigate the contributions that these individuals have made to society. Students make connections between deeds leaders perform and the character traits each hero possesses such as courage, self-discipline, perseverance, integrity, respect, responsibility, kindness, and good judgment.

Strands

· Individual Development and Identity

· Cultures and Diversity

· Historical Perspectives

· Geographic Relationships

· Economics and Development

· Global Connections

· Technological Influences

· Government and Active Citizenship

HEALTH EDUCATION

The following bullets identify and define each of the health education strands present in Crosscreek Charter School ’s curriculum:

• Mental and Emotional Health (Goal 1 - achieving well being through anticipating and managing stressors; having positive and healthy self-esteem; controlling behaviors that are unhealthy for self or others; coping with failure and loss in a healthy manner; recognizing mental and emotional health needs; and accessing appropriate resources)

• Personal and Consumer Health (Goal 2 - recognizing and avoiding a variety of health risks; preventing disease and infection; managing the environment and community health; practicing preventive measures; demonstrating positive hygiene habits; understanding the growth and development process; and selecting and accessing appropriate health resources)

• Interpersonal Communication and Relationships (Goal 3 - having healthy social support and providing support for others; having effective communication skills, including empathy, listening, negotiation and conflict resolution; identifying and seeking help for unhealthy relationships)

• Nutrition and Weight Management (Goal 4 - achieving high-level wellness through wise nutritional choices and a variety of regular physical activity)

• Substance Abuse Prevention (Goal 5 - reducing health risks by avoiding and assertively refusing harmful and illegal substances, including alcohol and tobacco, and avoiding the misuse of prescription and nonprescription medications)

COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Focus Areas

· Awareness of Copyright Law

· Responsible and safe use of resources

· Exploring information technologies

· Building word processing techniques

· Using multimedia tools

· Exploring spreadsheets

GUIDANCE

Crosscreek Charter School ’s Personal/Social Development Program provides the foundation for personal and social growth which contributes to academic and career success. Personal/social development includes:

The acquisition of skills, attitudes, and knowledge which help students to respect self and others.
The use of effective interpersonal skills,
The employment of safety and survival skills,
The understanding of the obligation to be a contributing member of society, and
The ability to negotiate successfully and safely in the increasingly complex and diverse world of the 21^st century.

VISUAL ARTS

The study of visual arts is cumulative and sequential to include learning introduced and emphasized at previous grade levels.

The emphasis at this grade level is on:

· Reading

· Recognizing that mistakes can be turned into creative opportunities

· Repetition, pattern, geometric shapes and texture

· Telling and recording original stories through art

· Observing how artists tell stories through their art

July 28

CAPT Meeting

6:30 pm in Unit #2

Aug 4th

Open House (All Grade) @ 7pm

Aug 5th

First Day of School

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