Third Grade

Our goal for children in third grade is to improve their work and study skills, which will enable them to continue on the road to becoming strong thinkers and learners, as well as responsible citizens.

Language Arts:
 
Our goal in Language Arts is to foster a love for reading, increase facility with written expression, and strengthen your child's ability to communicate verbally. We individualize our program as much as possible to meet the needs of all our students.
 
When essential, we regroup for the teaching of specific skills.
 
Language Arts are reinforced throughout our core curriculum studies.
 
  • Reading - We use the basal reading series, Houghton-Mifflin. Along with these readers, we have many supportive materials such as workbooks, class sets of classic and contemporary literature, skills books, learning centers, games to reinforce skills, etc.
  • Language - Each child on the team is taught grammar skills using Houghton Mifflin lessons, editing, and presentations.
  • Spelling - The third grade team is currently using the Houghton-Mifflin spelling program which focuses on spelling words by identifying patterns in words. The goal of this program is to create lifelong spellers.
  • Handwriting - All third grade children receive instruction in cursive handwriting, with stress on readability. Students are given ample time to practice and are expected to work toward the development of cursive skills. Children are encouraged to use cursive by January.
  • Creative Writing - Every teacher on the team emphasizes and encourages creative writing activities. We spend a considerable amount of time on these activities with a variety of approaches and presentations. Our Publishing Center publishes students' original work.
  • Literature - We read to the children and discuss the literary works recommended for developing appreciation and critical thinking at their level. Topics include: adventure, biographies, poetry, mystery, historical fiction and informational fiction.
    Throughout the year each Language Arts class meets regularly with the Librarian to learn and reinforce specific literary skills.
Mathematics: 

The Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Series is being used by our children this year. We use a variety of supplemental materials in our math classes as well.
 
Our major areas of concentration are the four basic operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Other areas include place value, geometry, fractions, metric and standard measure, number theory and word problems. When time permits, your children will have their math concepts reinforced through games and learning centers.
The computers are also used for reinforcement of skills.
 
Social Studies:

The third grade social studies program explores the question, "Who Am I in my State?" beginning with a study of maps and globes. We then explore Native Americans. Students learn about the earliest inhabitants of North America and Pennsylvania, focusing on their customs and regional differences. Students study the history and geography of Pennsylvania.
 
This includes learning about Chester County and local townships.

 
Our ongoing projects in the Social Studies units help the child's thinking andworking skills. Current Events, Holidays, Pennsylvania Weekly and Time News for Kids are also an important part of our program. It is always enjoyable and meaningful to have parents share their experiences through slides and other pertinent material with the children.
 
If you are interested in participating in our Social Studies program, please contact your child's core teacher.
 
Science:

The third grade science curriculum consists of units developed by Science and Technology for Children. Each third grade class is scheduled in the science room for two 45 minute periods per week.
 
Many concepts are extended through integration with other curricular areas. Our units for 2009-10 are as follows: Rocks and Minerals, Land & Water, Chemical Tests, Plant Growth and Development.
 
Computer Technology: 
All children will be given instruction by their core teacher. We will extend our students' experiences in all subject areas through the use of computers. Through the use of Web Quests and Research Quests, students explore in greater depth concepts found in social studies and science.
 
Social Skills:

All students will participate in classroom meetings throughout the year to develop and encourage good social skills as well as problem solving skills. We will continue our Life Skills program again this year.

This year a major focus for our school is the integration of curricular areas. The integration of curriculum takes place in our core groups. Connecting content helps students see relationships between areas of study.
 
Students will have opportunities to work with all third graders and, when appropriate other grade levels in our school.