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Third Grade Curriculum
ELA - Reading & Writing
The third grade classes will be following the Reader’s Workshop model that has been adapted by the Orchard Park School District. The program focuses on building comprehension, fluency and stamina while students are choosing books based on their interests. We will also be reading class novels from time to time in book clubs. The most common graphic organizer used for writing will be the 4-square. The students will be engaged in the writing process across the curriculum. We will focus on sentence variety, punctuation, editing and paragraph formation.
The focus of Unit is:
Unit 1 – Building a Reading Life
Unit 2 – Grasping Main Ideas and Text Structures
Unit 3 – Character Study
Unit 4 - Research Clubs
Our spelling program is based on the Words Their Way program, which involves differentiated word study. Students will be actively involved in word sorts which allows them to learn phonics, vocabulary and spelling skills at their own pace.
Math
The Orchard Park School District has adopted the Expressions math series and will use the NYS Mathematics Modules as supplemental material. The third grade team will be focusing on the below topics, but not necessarily in order. We will begin the year with place value to establish number sense and then move on to Multiplication and Division.
Module/Unit 1: Properties of Multiplication and Division and Solving Problems with Units of 2–5 and 10
Module/Unit 2: Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure
Module/Unit 3: Multiplication and Division with Units of 0, 1, 6–9, and Multiples of 10
Module 4/Unit: Multiplication and Area
Module 5/Unit: Fractions as Numbers on the Number Line
Module 6/Unit: Collecting and Displaying Data
Module 7/Unit: Geometry and Measurement
Third Grade mathematics is about (1) developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100; (2) developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator 1); (3) developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area; and (4) describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes.
It is extremely important for students to be able to fluently add and subtract upon entering third grade. We will work on mastering multiplication and division facts this year. Please utilize the following sites to practice facts.
Math Links Link - description
www.xtramath.com - Practice facts and keep track of progressAplusMath.com - Practice Facts and Various Math Skills AAA Math - Practice Facts and Various Math Skills Multilplication.com - Practice Multiplication Facts Rounding Practice Solve Math Libs
Social Studies
The third grade program focuses on the study of world communities. The students will expand their concept of community by discovering how geography, history, natural resources and economics have shaped the communities of our world today.
The countries we will be exploring are:
- United States
- India
- Japan
- China
- England
- Countries through Literature Group Studies
- Countries of Students' heritage through projects
Science
We will explore the scientific process with hands on kits. The kits will focus on the investigation of:
- ¨ Butterflies
- ¨ Buoyancy
- ¨ Rocks & Minerals
The Michigan Model Curriculum will be used for health.
The main areas will will be learning about this year are:
- Personal Wellness
- Safety
- Nutrition
- Body Systems
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