We begin our day with prayer and a chance to offer personal petitions. The Leader of the Day and his/her helper lead a decade of the rosary. Our text, We Believe helps us to know Jesus better and learn what it means to be active members of the Church. Our Student Learning Expectations are evident during Religion and throughout the day.
Math
National Standards of Mathematics are followed at the 3rd grade level which includes: number and operations, data analysis and probability, algebra, geometry, measurement, and problem solving. There are also standards of competency in memorization of basic math operations. At the 3rd grade level, the addition/subtraction timed facts goal is 97% correct in 3 minutes by December. The multiplication/division timed facts goal is 97% correct in 5 minutes by May. The students will be time-tested for math facts on a regular basis and this assessment will account for a small percentage of the math grade on the report card. We will start multiplication/division late Fall. Computation skills will include one and two-step division by the end of the year. Smartboard math activities and manipulates encourage hands-on learning.
Reading (Spelling, Phonics, Vocabulary)
The students will read stories from many genres and we will concentrate on oral reading with expression and comprehension. Our Spelling words will coincide with our reading series. I have a link to www.spellingcity.com, a website that will have the lists and review tests and games each week if you want to have your child study in this way. The spelling test will be given on Wednesday.
Cursive
The students will begin a thorough review of the letters in cursive writing. After that time, we will begin to use more cursive, except spelling tests.
Language Arts
In 3rd grade, the students practice further development of writing conventions (complete sentences, punctuation, spelling, etc.). In grammar, we concentrate strongly on the study of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
The major steps of the writing process will be put into practice: pre-writing (brainstorming), first drafting, revising, editing, and publishing (producing the final product). Throughout the year, the students will be applying the following writing applications: 1) Expressive: personal narrative 2) Expository: oral note taking skills on the inventor report, 3) Functional: set of directions 4) Persuasive: persuasive essay or advertisement campaign, 5) Literary Response: reflection on a book, 6) Research: Students will also write a 5-paragraph report, using note cards and citing sources, create a simple Power Point and give an oral presentation on an American inventor. This report will be part of our curriculum in Social Studies.
For every piece of writing, emphasis will be placed upon creativity, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and complete sentences.
Science
Some of the units of study during the school year will be: living organisms; habitats/ecosystems; rocks/minerals; the solar system; taking care of our bodies with regard to nutrition; and preventing disease. The students will participate in a classroom science investigation for the Science Fair.
Social Studies
The 5 standards in social studies taught in 3rd grade are: American History, World History, Civics/Government, Geography, and Economics. Some examples include: the use of timelines and maps; cultures that influenced our country’s development; important Americans and their contributions; our American rights, responsibilities, freedoms, rules and laws; conservation of our natural resources; the production of goods and services in our economy; and respect for cultural traditions throughout the world. There will also be an emphasis on current events happening in our country and around the world.
Part of our economics study will include a unit using Bizworld, a program where students work together to create "companies", produce and sell a product,(friendship bracelets), market and advertise these products, keep accounts, and pay employees.
As part of a project in Social Studies and Language Arts, students will research an American inventor, take notes, write a first draft and complete a 5-paragraph report on the chosen inventor. They will draw pictures to illustrate a simple Power Point presentation that will be used as part of their oral report presented to the class.
Literature and free reading
Students may read books from the classroom library or bring in appropriate books of their own.
SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR MRS. SCHAEFER'S CLASS
1 green vinyl/plastic 2-pocket folder with prongs-resupply as needed 6 (wide-ruled) one-subject spiral notebooks-resupply as needed 1 pkg. wide-ruled notebook paper 1 pkg. sheet protectors 1 pkg. 9x12 brown clasp envelopes 1 medium pencil bag with zipper (soft preferred). No large cases 48 #2 pencils (no mechanical)-resupply as needed 12 red ball point pens-resupply as needed 2 pink erasers-resupply as needed 1 pocket pencil sharpener w/shavings catcher-resupply as needed 1 box regular size crayons-resupply as needed 1 box regular size markers-resupply as needed 1 box colored pencils (12)-resupply as needed 8 dry erase markers-resupply as needed 1 dry eraser or sock or felt square 2 highlighters-resupply as needed 1 pair of scissors-resupply as needed 8 – 10 glue sticks-resupply as needed 1 roll paper towels 2 containers of antibacterial wipes 1 container of baby wipes 2 boxes of Kleenex 1 set multiplication/division flash cards