Curriculum
The third graders in Bellevue have a fun-filled, fast-paced curriculum. In spelling,, we use "Words Their Way", a program in which students are challenged to work on word lists at their own developmental level. We use lots of spelling games and word sorts to help us practice our words and master a variety of spelling patterns. "Words Their Way" encourages word study rather than list memorization and helps students carry over what they learn about spelling patterns into their everyday writing.
In reading, we begin to make an important transition as readers. No longer are we simply "learning to read" the words on the page, Our focus shifts more into developing a variety of comprehension strategies as we begin "reading to learn"! We use Pearson's "Reading Street" for our whole-group reading and language arts curriculum, coupled with Daily 5 during small-group instruction.
Language Arts is always a busy time as well. We spend time each week focusing on both grammar and writing skills. Our grammar lessons focus on sentences, nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. Our writing lessons allow us to explore many different modes of writing, as well as the Six Traits of Writing. The Six Traits help make writing fun for us to do and fun for others to read!
Our science curriculum is action packed with lots of cool investigations. We start out the year learning about plant and animal life cycles and traits. The students will even get to design their very own animal habitat! During second quarter, we continue our quest for knowledge by learning about fossils and animal adaptations. Third quarter brings us to a unit all about electricity and magnetism! Finally, fourth quarter kicks off our unit on weather. We might even have a special guest speaker during this unit!
Math is filled with exciting challenges as we learn to puzzle our way through all kinds of word problems and become more critical thinkers. We'll work with numbers up to the hundred thousands, learn about time and measurement, and (drum roll, please).... MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION! : )
In social studies, we'll hone our map-reading skills as we learn about North America and the Caribbean. Then we're off to explore different cultures around the world! Third quarter will find us learning about and creating our very own business ventures, and then we'll finish the year learning about our local government.
Health is always a favorite subject in third grade. We will learn about our different body systems and how to take good care of ourselves and our personal hygiene. We'll also learn how to keep our bodies healthy by saying "NO!" to drugs and alcohol, and all about the benefits of good nutrition and exercise.
Students are welcome to bring home their text books if you'd ever like to take a closer look at what we're doing in class. All I ask is that they are returned the following day so your child is prepared and ready to learn. Thanks! : )
In reading, we begin to make an important transition as readers. No longer are we simply "learning to read" the words on the page, Our focus shifts more into developing a variety of comprehension strategies as we begin "reading to learn"! We use Pearson's "Reading Street" for our whole-group reading and language arts curriculum, coupled with Daily 5 during small-group instruction.
Language Arts is always a busy time as well. We spend time each week focusing on both grammar and writing skills. Our grammar lessons focus on sentences, nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. Our writing lessons allow us to explore many different modes of writing, as well as the Six Traits of Writing. The Six Traits help make writing fun for us to do and fun for others to read!
Our science curriculum is action packed with lots of cool investigations. We start out the year learning about plant and animal life cycles and traits. The students will even get to design their very own animal habitat! During second quarter, we continue our quest for knowledge by learning about fossils and animal adaptations. Third quarter brings us to a unit all about electricity and magnetism! Finally, fourth quarter kicks off our unit on weather. We might even have a special guest speaker during this unit!
Math is filled with exciting challenges as we learn to puzzle our way through all kinds of word problems and become more critical thinkers. We'll work with numbers up to the hundred thousands, learn about time and measurement, and (drum roll, please).... MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION! : )
In social studies, we'll hone our map-reading skills as we learn about North America and the Caribbean. Then we're off to explore different cultures around the world! Third quarter will find us learning about and creating our very own business ventures, and then we'll finish the year learning about our local government.
Health is always a favorite subject in third grade. We will learn about our different body systems and how to take good care of ourselves and our personal hygiene. We'll also learn how to keep our bodies healthy by saying "NO!" to drugs and alcohol, and all about the benefits of good nutrition and exercise.
Students are welcome to bring home their text books if you'd ever like to take a closer look at what we're doing in class. All I ask is that they are returned the following day so your child is prepared and ready to learn. Thanks! : )