Welcome to another year of first; first TAKS test, the first spelling bee and the first science fair. The third grade is a vital, pivotal year for students in both academic and social learning. Not only are students learning essential reading and math skills that will help them in all aspects of their life but, they are also becoming more responsible, respectful students while they develop their own independent work habits.

These are the most important objectives for the third grade.  We believe that each of these skills will endure and give leverage for future learning.

 

Reading and Language Arts

Organization

* Sentence and Paragraph composition-both spoken and written

* Graphic Organizers-recognition and basic usage of various formats

Vocabulary

* Study of root words and affixes

* Learn effective use of context clues

Comprehension

* Ability to locate facts within text.

* Print Fluency-recognition and usage of punctuation as related to meaning

Analysis of Text

* Identifying both Author's-and therefore, the reader's purpose for writing/reading    the text-and through that the type of the text

Multicultural Understanding

* Identifying and accepting diversity of lifestyles, opinions, dialects, ect., resulting from exposure to discussion of literature.

MATH

* The ability to add and subtract three digit numbers through 999 with multiple regroupings.

* Demonstrate understanding of multiplication and division using concrete and abstract examples.

* Reading and understanding place value through 999,999

* To understand concrete fractions and equivalent fractions

* Read, understand, and solve word problems using multiple processes, operations and steps

 

                                                Social Studies

* Our Earth-Students will identify continents, oceans, land and water forms

* Map Skills-use and interpret physical and political maps

* Communities-learn about similarities and differences in worldwide rural and urban communities

* History of the diversity of the United States of America

* Citizenship- Our Federal, State and local government

 

Science

* Understand and execute the scientific method through hand on experiments

* Understand our place in the universe and the planet we live upon

* To be able to identify and show various forces at work in systems

* How to manipulate an organism’s environment to show change

* Using safety methods and procedures when conducting laboratory experiments

 

March 4, 2008 is Reading TAKS and April 28, 2008 is Math TAKS

Two of the most important aspects contributing to the success on TAKS are focus and stamina.  Please encourage longer independent reading times as well as sustained mind engaging activities. Science Fair is in May 2008 (It is late this year) we will begin preparation during March and this will be an In Class project (Whew no homework for parents)

We enjoy our field trips!  Students already explored the beginning of mankind when we visited the Natural Science Museum to view the Lucy's Legacy exhibit.

We will continue our trip through history at the Museum of Fine Arts in February and end up in modern time at the Meniel Museum.

            Your child goes through incredible changes during their Third Grade year. They come to us as primary students, and leave prepared for upper Elementary! We enjoy the opportunity to guide your child through this exciting and challenging year.