Jacoby

Welcome to Ms. Jacoby's third grade class wiki.

Below is a review of the Third Grade Curriculum toc

__Mathematics__
The Everyday Mathematics program is a spiraling curriculum that provides repeated exposure to concepts, skills, and procedures in a variety of different contexts. Some key features of the Everyday Mathematics program include: problem solving, developing readiness through hands-on explorations, cooperative learning, mastery of skills through games, ongoing review throughout the year, and daily routines. This program is aligned with the NCTM standards.

Developing proficiency with math facts is an important component of the New Franklin School (NFS) Mathematics program. At the beginning of the year, we begin with addition and subtraction math facts; mid-year, multiplication and division facts are introduced. Facts are practiced through oral practice and the use of worksheets, card and dice games, and games on websites. I encourage students to practice math facts at home by playing these and other games (see Website Link page).

__Language Arts__
• Reading is taught in a Readers’ Workshop format. During the Minilesson portion of this time, a skill or strategy that can help students improve reading comprehension or fluency is taught in a mini-lesson format. Skills taught include comprehension strategies, fluency and decoding strategies. Lessons are short, leaving time for the students to practice these skills in book clubs, partnership discussions and Reader’s Theatre. Read Alouds provide another opportunity for strategies to be modeled in front of the students and practiced interactively.

• The Self-Selected Reading Block (aka Super Quiet Uninterrupted Reading Time or SQUIRT) often follows the minilesson. This Block provides a time when the students can practice the skills and strategies introduced in the Guided Reading Block on their own. Key to the success of this block is teaching the students how to select “just right books”. These are the books which are most appropriate to their own independent reading level. Conferences with students provide a formative assessment tool that allows me to identify the strategies and skills that they need to focus on to help them progress.

• Word study is taught using the LRR (Learn to Read by Reading) Phonics Components program. This block focuses on a systematic instruction in phonics. The National Reading Panel has noted that this instruction provides significant benefits for reading, spelling and text comprehension. Each week, students will have 5 anchor words and 5 sight words. The anchor words are used to illustrate spelling patterns that the students will learn that week. The goal is for the students to understand how to apply this knowledge to similar words. A spelling assessment will be given each Friday.

• Writing is primarily taught using the Lucy Calkins Writer’s Workshop program. This program builds fluency in writing by teaching the writing process and encouraging students to think like writers. A selected writing skill or strategy is taught in a mini-lesson. Writing will include personal essays, persuasive pieces, realistic fiction stories and practical text.

__Handwriting__
The D’Nealian method of handwriting continues in third grade. This method builds upon manuscript. Therefore, we begin the year with a brief review of manuscript, and then begin learning the cursive letters.

__Social Studies__
Some of the units we will be covering this year are community, mapping, historical Portsmouth, holidays around the world, and geography. Many fun projects are included in this area.

__Science__
Topics of study include rocks and minerals, chemistry, plants and magnets. Science is taught using a hands-on, inquiry based model.

__Computer Lab__
This year, computer will be taught as a formal class for one trimester. For the remainder of the year, computer use will be integrated into project work. Our technology integrator, Sara Zoe Patterson, will support me in the classroom for these projects.

**Homework Expectations** A homework packet is sent home every Monday consisting of:

• __A Home / School Reading Log__ – Each night your child will bring home the book that they are reading at school as well as a reading log. This will allow your child to really get into their book by reading it at home and school. **It is key that the reading log goes home AND comes back with the book every day!** I ask that your child read at least 5 out of 7 days. The suggested daily reading is 20 minutes per night. Of course your child is encouraged to read as many additional minutes as time allows! **The Reading Log is due on Monday.**

• __Weekly Word Work Sheets__ – Students will be given a word work sheet that is **due on Friday**. This worksheet will enable your child to practice the spelling patterns for the week.

• __Math Home Links__ – These are sent home on most weeknights and are **due the following day**. It is crucial that your child complete this assignment as it serves as additional practice of that day’s lesson. When a class lesson is not completed, the homework will not go home until the concepts are taught during our math block. A Family Letter will be sent home at the beginning of each unit. This letter provides an overview of the unit **and** provides the answers for each of the upcoming Home Links in the unit.

• Projects – There are a few projects that are given out over the year. Students are required to complete most of these assignments at home. Although some parental support is expected, it would be most beneficial to your child’s learning if they completed the work as independently as possible.

**Recommended Website Links** **Check these Math Web Sites Out**

***Sharpen Your Math Fact Skills at these Sites

// Subtraction Facts // When you are ready to try subtraction math facts, scroll down to Timed Subtraction and then follow the same directions, however enter 20 for your highest number.
 * __ Math Fact Practice __**
 * * Go to || è Kidsnumbers.com ||
 * * On left side of page, click on Addition || è Addition ||
 * * Scroll down under Let’s Practice Addition to click on || è Timed Addition ||
 * * What numbers do you want to add? || è Enter 10, Next ||
 * * How high should the timer be set to? || è Enter 300 (5 minutes), Start ||

// Multiplication Facts // When you are ready to try multiplication math facts, scroll down to Timed Multiplication and then follow the same directions, however enter 10 for your highest number.

[] /
 * __ Math Fact Practice Site __**
 * * Go to || __ http://www.playkidsgames.com/ __ ||
 * * On left side of page, click on Addition || è Math Games ||
 * * Scroll down to click on || è Math Fact Practice ||
 * * Choose your operation, level and time || è Start! ||

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A great website for skill practice.

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There are lots of fun games on these websites!

[|http://www.funbrain.com/]

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Everyday Math Resources and Games Unit by Unit

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Challenge Yourself with These Math Games!

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Many more links can be found at the New Franklin School Kid Tech Wiki space

http://portsmouthkidtech.wikispaces.com/Math

**Looking for new books?**

Get ideas for new books to read at these two websites

[|http://www.kidsreads.com]

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**Science** Be a Rock Hound! Identify the rocks that you find at:

http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/rockkey/index.html

**Related Arts Schedule**

**Monday** Music: 1:45 - 2:30

**Tuesday** Library 1:45 - 2:30

**Wednesday** * = = Art 10:25 - 11:10

**Thursday** Art 10:25 - 11:10

**Friday** Physical Education 10:25 - 11:10

Each trimester, we will have one “rotating special”. Our rotation day is Wednesday. First trimester is Physical Education, second is Art and third is Computer.