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    Curriculum and Core Knowledge
       
     
    Reading:
    Phonemic Awareness is the understanding that spoken words are made
    of individual sounds (syllable,s rimes, onsets, and larger units
    of sound).
     

    Phonics:         Decoding is the process of translating written words into speech
    (word blending, word building).
     
    Fluency is reading with speed, accuracy, and expression
    at an appropriate rate. Fluency sounds like natural speech.
     

    Vocabulary:     The more words a student acquires, the better chance
    they will have success in reading, writing, and spelling.
    In 3rd grade, they will use knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, contractions,
    compound words, synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms to 
    determine the meaning of words.
     

    Comprehension         is the complex process of constructing meaning
    from texts. Students will read informational, expository,
    functional, persuasive, and fictional texts. They will learn a
    variety of strategies to understand the text. 
     
     
     

    Writing - We use the Write From the Beginning program
    Throughout third grade students will use the writing traits and writing
    process to publish a variety of writing pieces such as:
     
    Narrative
    Narrative Writing: Expressive writing includes personal narratives
    (personal experience), stories, poetry, songs, and dramatic
    pieces. Writing may be based on real or imagined events.
     

    Informative/Explanatory
    Persuasive Writing: Persuasive writing is used for the purpose of
    influencing the reader. The author represents an issue 
    and expresses an opinion in order to convince the audience
    to agree with the opinion or to take a particular action.
    Persuasive writing projects will include writing advertisements
    and persuasive paragraphs.
     

    Expository Writing: Nonfiction writing that describes, explains,
    informs or summarizes ideas and content.  The writing supports a
    thesis based on research, observation and/or experiences.
    Students will be writing summaries, newspaper articles,
    reflections, and keeping journals.
     

    Functional Writing    :     Functional writing provides specific directions or
    information related to real-world tasks.  this includes friendly letters,
    thank you notes, invitations, schedules, procedures, recipes, directions,
    for specific content areas.
     

    Research:  Research writing is the process in which the writer identifies
    a topic or question to learn more about.  The writer locates and evaluates
    information about the topic or question and synthesizes the information.

    Literary Response:     A literary response is the writer's reaction to a
    literary selection. The response includes the writer's interpretation,
    analysis, opinion and/or feelings about the piece of literature and
    selected elements within it. Students will write reflections, journal
    entries, book reviews, and responses that connect text to self,
    text to world, and text to text.
     
    Students will also learn cursive and be required to use it for much of
    their writing starting in the second quarter.
     
    Mathematics
    Components of our Mathematics Program
    Saxon Math
     
    In third grade, we teach math accelerated one year, so third graders are working on fourth grade skills and concepts.

    Students love the challenge. I think this will be an exciting year for your child in math.

    		  
     

    Math
     
     
    Cursive
    We will begin learning cursive during the first quarter. By the end of the year your
    child will be able to write in Spalding cursive. They will learn upper and lowercase
    letters, proper connections between letters, and how to form words and 
    sentences.
     
     
     
         
    Core Knowledge:  Science/Social Studies
        
     
          This is an outstanding curriculum that will expand your child's mind in learning.
    Core Knowledge builds on prior knowledge from grade to grade which avoids
    repetition of material. The Core Knowledge curriculum stems from the idea that
    all students should attain a "core" or common body of knowledge. This knowledge
    base includes a strong understanding of all curriculum and concepts.
     

    *   E - It eliminates gaps and repetitions in student learning

    *   P - It provides an important foundation for future learning

    *   P - It promotes fairness and excellence for all students

    *   H - It helps provide a common ground for communication
     

    Core Knowledge:Science and Social Studies Units of Study
     
    SCIENCE / SOCIAL STUDIES SEQUENCE

    July/August

    Maps/Rivers/Arizona
    Light/Optics/Hearing/Sound

    September

     
    Arizona/Earliest Americans
    Human Body
     

    October

    Native Americans
    Human Body

     
     

    November

     

    Thirteen Colonies
    Animal Classifications

    December

    Thirteen Colonies

    Ecology/Habitats

    January

    Spanish Exploration
    Canada
    Food Chains/Pollution

    February

    American Symbols/Government
    Plants
     

    March

     Ancient Rome

    Earth Layers 
     
     

    April

    Ancient Rome
     

    May

    Vikings
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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