THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM OVERVIEW TEACHERS: JULIE McLEAN AND CATHY SILBERHORN

SPELLING Required spelling homework and spelling sentences/word list (study sheet for home) will come home in your child’s weekly folder. Spelling homework is to be completed, corrected at home, and returned in your child’s weekly folder no later than the following Wednesday. Thank you for studying with your child and helping him/her do the very best he/she can do. The spelling test will be given every Thursday.

What are F.C.A.s? FCAs stand for Focus Correction Areas A FCA list may look like the following: FCAs 1. All sentences must have capitals and periods. 2. All word wall words must be spelled correctly. 3. The story must have a topic sentence. These are the only areas that will be corrected.

READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS The Macmillion/McGraw-Hill anthology (text) is set up in themes. Each theme includes genres ( fantasy, non-fiction, fiction, mystery, etc.). Daily/weekly lessons that coincide with each reading selection are: spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and various writing activities.

MATHEMATICS In math, we are using some lessons from the math series published by Scott Foresman to supplement our third grade math curriculum. We also use a Michigan Skills book, as well as teacher- created units. Homework assignments are required to be done at home. The assignments serve three purposes: 1) to promote follow-up to a skill taught, 2) to provide enrichment for a skill taught, 3) to provide a means of involving parents in their child’s math education.

HOMEWORK REQUIREMENTS Weekly spelling and math homework, studying weekly spelling words. An activity for either Science, Social Studies, or Marvelous Me (a third grade memory book) Completing monthly reading calendars Research project (2 nd trimester) Homework is an important part of school because: 1) the assignments encourage students to take responsibility for completing and returning assignments, 2) the activities help reinforce newly learned skills and concepts, and 3) the assignments communicate to parents what is taking place in the classroom. Please check your child’s work carefully. If a mistake has been made, have him/her make the correction at home before handing the assignment in. Make sure that the paper has been signed by a parent and turned in on time. REMEMBER: YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S BEST TEACHER!REMEMBER: YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S BEST TEACHER!

REQUIRED MONTHLY HOME READING CALENDARS AND PROJECTS Each month a home reading calendar IS REQUIRED to be completed at home with parental involvement. Students are asked to read a minimum of 15 days each month. Students failing to turn in their homework, monthly calendars, or research projects will miss recesses and/or other fun activities. Research Project (2 nd trimester) Extra creative and/or written book reports are strongly encouraged but not required. (See attached creative book report list.)

Learning Stations Reading/Math/Science Stations will start after MEAP testing is completed. We are asking for any volunteers to help us run our Learning Stations. Let us know if you are willing to help us run our stations on a REGULAR BASIS.

THIRD GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE Social Studies: Michigan Studies Science: Recycling Rocks and Minerals Living Things Energy-Light and Sound Force in Motion ALL-YEAR PROJECTS: Marvelous Me (3rd grade scrapbook) Cursive Handwriting School Social Skills/Character Education

SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES CONTINUED JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH Social Studies: Continue with Michigan Studies Science: A System in the Sky Our Solar System APRIL-MAY Social Studies: Continue with Michigan Studies Science: Pushes and Pulls Simple Machines Beaver Island Studies and Trip -- review plant parts and their functions ALL YEAR PROJECTS Marvelous Me (3rd grade scrapbook) Cursive Handwriting School Social Skills/Character Education

WEEKLY FOLDERS Please sign and date your child’s weekly homework. Return all homework WEDNESDAY (or before) in the provided homework folder.

REPORT CARDS Report cards are shared with parents 3 times a year.

Web site for: McLean’s Monkeys Silberhorn’s Slugbugs If you have internet access you may want to check out our web page. The address is: click on CES click Silberhorn/McLean on the bottom left-hand side of the screen

Mrs. Silberhorn’s Specials’ Schedule Monday-Library 1:40-2:20 Tuesday-Gym 1:10-2:05 Wednesday-Art 1:10-2:05 Thursday-Music 1:10-2:10 Friday-Computer 1:10-2:10

Mrs. McLean’s Specials’ Schedule Monday-Music 1:10-2:10 Tuesday-Computer 1:10-2:10 Wednesday-Library 1:40-2:20 Thursday-Art 1:10-2:05 Friday-Gym 1:10-2:05

Current Events (Show and Tell) Show and tell is a little different in third grade. Instead of bringing in items to share, your child is encouraged to read and summarize newspaper articles or books, research a topic that we are currently studying, or do anything that is of interest to him/her. Each child will be given an opportunity to share with the class. Thank you for your cooperation.

SPECIALS’ SCHEDULE SILBERHORN McLEAN______ Monday-Library 9:25-10:20 Monday-Art 9:25-10:20 Tuesday-P.E. 9:25-10:20 Tuesday-Music 9:25-10:20 Wednesday-Art 9:25-10:20 Wednesday-Library 9:25-10:20 Thursday-Music 9:25-10:20 Thursday-P.E. 9:25-10:20 Friday-Flex Day 9:25-10:20 Lunch 11:50-12:35