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Third  Grade Curriculum

Growing With Mathematics: Presently our district is using the Addison Wesley Math series.  Starting in Sept. 2004, 3rd changed to the  Growing with Mathematics series presently being used in K-2.  This series  equips students with a variety of thinking strategies they can use to solve problems effectively and confidently. It supports NCTM Standards and NAEYC guidelines.  Social Studies:  We are presently using the book, Comparing Communities (Silver Burdett Ginn).  The third graders learn about their communities -past and present, natural resources, communiy and state governments, maps and globes. Science:  We are presently using the Addison Wesley Destinations in Science book.  Our students have been learning about matter, forces and machines, and weather.  Our science curriculum is presently being rewritten and will reflect the new State of CT Science Standards which will be finalized this summer.  This year the Barnes Nature Center from Ansonia presented lessons to the children on mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. CMT Practice:  Thoughout the year, our staff teaches and practices the strategies which  will be presented to the students on the fourth grade CMT in the areas of reading, math and writing.  Many resources are used that provide practice and understanding for our students.

Reading-  This year we are incorporating all the parts of a good literacy based program into a blocked time.  Guided reading is now in place in 3rd and 4th grade. Our students are taught reading  on their instructional level using the Rigby Series,  Scholastic books,  many non-fiction resources from Newbridge and  National Geographic,  as well as Newberry Medal winners and Great Books. Placement in a level depends on the assessment of your child at the start of the year and then throughout the year through running records which assess word attack and comprehension and DRAs (Diagnostic Reading Assessments). Strategies and skills are taught in small groups of 5-7 students. Movement into the next level happens as each child progresses.  In addition, the whole class participates in group reading experiences using Treasures. Literature circles, Reading Workshops, DOL (editing/revising skills) and enrichment groups are also part of the literacy block. Writing- Writing goes hand in hand with our reading program.  Students  create more complex  sentences and  create longer  stories. Students work on adding details and giving their stories an interesting beginning.  The students are taught narrative writing and how to write a piece for the CMT writing sample. We use the Empowering Writers Program to support our activities.  In addition, the students write in journals, do poetry, answer open ended comprehension questions and incorporate writing across the curriculum. Handwriting:  We are presently using the Zaner Bloser Cursive handwriting series.