We will be using the Houghton Mifflin Language arts program.

This program includes:

• The use of literature to nourish the imagination, assist with mental imagery, and to promote a feeling of self understanding and awareness of other people.
• The development of the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• Using thematic units which incorporate the whole curriculum.
• Development of the writing process through four square writing, journal writing, creative writing, poetry, and reports.

Chapter books are used along with the Houghton Mifflin program to enrich our program and promote a love of literature. Grammar will be taught through Daily Paragraph Editing and the Houghton Mifflin text. Spelling will also be taught through Houghton Mifflin and will include spelling rules, word families, and phonics. In addition, twenty minutes a day is set aside for silent sustained reading to promote fluency in reading.

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The Scott Foresman Mathematics text will focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, problem solving, geometry, measurement, and algebra. We will also be using the Exemplars program which creates an atmosphere that encourages students to think, to invent, to investigate, and to make connections. Students will build meaning for themselves through challenges, observations, questions, and experiences. Students will learn that different ways of thinking are acceptable.

WHAT THIRD GRADERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MATH

WHOLE NUMBERS

• Add/subtract whole numbers up to four digits.
• Multiply basic facts.
• Count by multiples.
• Multiply two and three digits with regrouping.
• Divide basic facts.
• Divide two and three digit numbers with remainders.

FRACTIONS, DECIMALS & MONEY

• Concepts of parts and wholes.
• Write fractions for parts and wholes.
• Compare fractions using models.
• Add/subtract fractions with like denominators.
• Write decimals for 1/2 and 1/4.
• Compare fractions, decimals and money.
• Count money to $9.99.
• Compare money amounts.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide money amounts.

MEASUREMENT

• Tell time to the half hour, quarter hour, and minute
• Estimate future time and past time
• Count by inches, feet, and miles
• Count by centimeters, decimeters, meters, and kilometers
• Know area, perimeter, length, and width
• Know volume, and cubic centimeters and inches

STATISTICS & PROBABILITY

• Recognize, construct, and interpret pictographs, bar graphs, and circle graphs.
• Use appropriate problem solving skills for word problems.

GEOMETRY

• Identify and know the difference between plane and solid figures.
• Identify line segments, acute angles, obtuse angles and right angles.
• Identify parallel and perpendicular lines.

ROUNDING & ESTIMATING

• Use estimation to verify the reasonableness of calculated results.
• Indicate the relative advantages of exact and approximate solutions to problems.
• Know how to round 4-digit numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand.

CALCULATOR

• Use the calculator to perform basic operations for whole numbers.

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The Scott Foresman text will be used to study units within the three areas of Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. Topics will include: Sun, Moon, and Earth; Matter, Energy, and Forces; Earth’s Resources; and Roles of Living Things.

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We will be using the text book by Harcourt.  Students will learn about our connections to the past and the ways in which our govenment and traditions have developed and left their marks on our current society.  We will put emphasis on the physical and cultural landscape of  California, including the study of American Indians (especially those of our local region), the subsequent arrival of immigrants, and the impact they've had in forming the character of our contemporary society.

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Students will participate in a structured physical education program three days per week. Students are required to wear appropriate clothing (tennis shoes, pants, or shorts) on their assigned P. E. days. All physical workouts will begin with age appropriate stretching exercises followed by a series of small and gross motor skills development activities in the following areas:

Fitness Training:

• Improvement of strength, endurance, and flexibility
• Build on anaerobic, aerobic, and cardiovascular stamina

Neurological Efficiency Training:

• Improve hand-eye coordination
• Work on agility
• Improve balance, kinesthetic sense, and spatial awareness
• Improve listening skills
• Following directions
• Refine gross and fine motor skills
• Sharpen concentration and focus
• Improve thinking and memory skills

Sport Skills:

• Accurate ball catching
• Aiming
• Throwing
• Tracking
• Placement and handling skills
• Walking, running, skipping, galloping, side-sling
• Jumping, hopping, leaping
• Dribbling, kicking, batting
• Jumping rope
• Working as a group
• Working individually
• Team building
• Good sportsmanship

Health:

• Importance of proper nutrition
• Hygiene
• Taking care of mental and physical bodies

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