THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK PARENT BULLETIN
Dear Parents and Guardians,
At
Our students not only receive instruction
in the core academic subjects, Mathematics, Language Arts, Science and Social
Studies, but they also experience an extensive related arts curriculum that
includes Art, Music, Physical Education, Media Skills, World Languages,
Synergistics, Technology, Guidance and Health.
Each subject area curriculum is reviewed and revised on a five year
rotation plan.
Our dedicated highly qualified staff is
committed to the goal of academic success and student personal growth. Instruction is delivered with consideration
of the various learning styles amongst the students. Technology and character education are
integrated in the lessons. We offer
numerous enrichment opportunities through assemblies, field trips, clubs, band,
chorus and after school courses.
We will continue to work hard to provide a safe and supportive environment that enhances a joy of
learning for all of our students.
Sincerely,
Dirk
Phillips, Principal
LANGUAGE ARTS
Language Arts is
an integral component of the third grade curriculum.
While enhancing writing skills, third
graders will learn to communicate thoughts, opinions, and facts through several
different forms. Friendly letters, book reports, essay questions, summaries,
and journal responses offer opportunities for the students to generate ideas
and transform them into quality written work.
Additional writing activities encourage students to write for a variety
of purposes such as to persuade, inform, record, or entertain. With most writing activities, the writing
process is implemented and the six traits of good writing are developed. Cursive writing is also introduced at this
grade level.
Third grade is the time when independence
and responsibility are keys to a child’s progress. The development of listening skills increases
the child’s ability to become an independent learner. Children listen critically to a variety of
speakers, and listen to obtain information or for enjoyment purposes. When participating as the speaker, students
are encouraged to speak clearly with eye contact and an expressive voice. Our students are given opportunities to speak
for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Language skills appropriate to all grade levels will be integrated into
the curriculum.
Third graders
continue their exploration of mathematical concepts through the newest edition
of the Everyday Mathematics
program. This program builds on
students’ prior mathematical experiences and ideas. Hands-on activities, cooperative learning
through partner and group activities, practice through games, and on-going
review are key elements to the success of the program. Students are introduced to a concept then
share their thinking with peers through class and small group discussion. Concepts are reinforced through games,
projects, and independent practice.
Parents are encouraged to become involved with the student on Home Links
pages. The Student Reference Book is a
useful tool for children and parents.
At this level, Everyday Mathematics revisits adding and
subtracting of whole numbers, linear concepts, multiplication, division, and
place value, geometry, fractions, and measurement. These concepts, which previously have been
explored with concrete materials or pictorial representations, are now
presented through oral descriptions and symbolic representations. Children learn to choose models that are most
appropriate. These skills are applied to
realistic situations helping to enhance students’ understanding. Special emphasis is placed on applications in
science and social studies and on relationships between mathematics and the
visual arts.
In preparation
for standardized testing, additional problem solving skills are
reinforced. Complex story problem
requires students to rewrite the problem in their own words, use pictures
and/or number models to solve, and then explain the process they used in
finding the answer. Pupils are encouraged to write clear and concise
explanations and to use critical thinking skills to solve the multi-task
problem.
Everyday Mathematics encourages
students to expand their mathematical abilities and incorporate math into their
daily routines.
SOCIAL STUDIES
The third grade
social studies curriculum focuses on the theme of communities. The third graders will study the three
different types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural. Strands of history, economics, government,
citizenship, culture and geography will be incorporated into their study of
these various national and global communities.
The Harcourt
program will be used to develop these concepts.
Science lessons
are centered on a study of matter, energy, and forces, the sun, moon and the
earth, and the role of living things.
Students are engaged in investigations and discovery activities. The hands-on, motivational approach captures
the natural curiosity of children and stimulates their interest.
All themes
incorporate activities to address the multiple intelligences. Researching, hypothesizing, observing,
analyzing, critical thinking, comparing, contrasting, and drawing conclusions
are important skills addressed.
Both science and
social studies curriculums encourage students to become more aware of our world
and its resources. In this awareness,
students develop an appreciation and respect for other cultures, our country,
and our environment. They gain better
understanding of their role as future citizens and members of the human race.
LIBRARY
Appreciation for the printed word is a
priority at the
Additionally, the librarian provides
instruction for all grades in research skills and computer skills. It is also an “open library” in that teachers and students may use the resources within
whenever necessary. Students are
scheduled for library at least one period every six-day cycle.
Starting in the third grade, students
begin developing their research skills.
They use dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, and atlases. Gradually, they become more comfortable with
finding answers on their own. By the
time they are sixth graders, students should be quite comfortable using print
sources as well as databases and the Internet.
At all levels, emphasis is placed on the
accuracy and reliability of information sources. Information literacy grows significantly
during their years at
Physical education is part of a
school-based program that promotes social, emotional, and physical well-being.
The purpose of physical education is to develop and enhance gross motor skills,
social and life skills, and the learner’s thinking and problem solving skills.
Third grade physical education
encompasses teaching students the skills that foster participation in physical
activities throughout life. Students
will learn and apply movement concepts, health related
fitness concepts, as well as social concepts.
These skills and concepts are taught through a variety of activities and
units including dance and movement, individual and team sports, and integration
of other discipline areas such as health, geography, mathematics and science.
Health education is part of a
school-based program that provides information to foster student skills,
attitudes, and behaviors that will result in lifelong healthful
decision-making. Health education promotes student physical, mental, emotional,
and social well-being.
Through a variety of activities and
lessons students gain information on consumer health, mental and emotional
health, illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco, physical health, and social
health. Decision-making and refusal
skills are also reinforced in third grade health.
WORLD LANGUAGES
The third grade
world language curriculum begins with greetings, courtesy words, the Spanish
alphabet, classroom commands, classroom objects, and the beginning
numbers. Next, students learn the days
of the week, months of the year, and color words. After this, youngsters will be introduced to
some food vocabulary words and how to express likes and dislikes. Finally, family vocabulary is taught.
Effective
communication in Spanish is the primary goal.
Language is taught mainly in the target language. Pictures, stuffed animals, gestures, acting,
and music help to convey meaning and reduce or eliminate the necessity for
direct translation. Homework is a
written reinforcement of language concepts taught in class. Periodic assignments are given to determine
the students’ level of comprehension.
Students are also
introduced to the Spanish-speaking people of the world. Each of the twenty Spanish-speaking areas is
located on the world map. Students make
passports to use each time a culture lesson is taught. Classes next “visit”
Classes meet two
times in a six-day cycle with a teacher who comes into their classroom. A grade for world languages will appear on
each child’s report card.
The music program opens new and exciting
doors to all of our third graders. There
are two different avenues of musical studies students at this grade level may
take. First is a continuation of the
general studies. Students will
participate in a number of kinesthetic, auditory, and vocal skills in an effort
to better understand and appreciate music.
The chorus is a performing group open to
all students in Grades 3 through 6. This
group meets before school twice a week and performs in two main concerts during
the year. The chorus will also have
several other performances over the duration of the school year.
As youngsters enter the third grade, they
embark upon an ambitious and exciting year in art class. Students acquire knowledge of skills that
will increase an aesthetic awareness in the visual arts. At the same time, they develop and define
design through the use of perceptual, intellectual, and technological skills in
the utilization of the art elements and media. Students develop a working
knowledge of the elements of art criticism based on aesthetic criteria. As art students, the third graders are taught
to identify and describe various art forms from different historical and
contemporary periods and cultures. An
appreciation and recognition of the impact of the visual arts in daily life is
gained as well.
GLEN RIDGE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Ms. Betsy
Ginsburg, President
Ms. Karen Eisen,
First Vice President
Ms. Julie Raskin,
Second Vice President
Mr. Thomas Agnew
Ms.
Mr. Jeffrey
Kobernick
Ms. Suzanne
O’Connor
Ms. Gwen
Schoenfeld
GLEN RIDGE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Kenneth Rota
Interim
Superintendent of Schools
Mr.
Principal,
Mr. Michael
Donovan
Assistant
Principal,