Curriculum Highlights

Third Grade Curriculum Highlights
http://tea.texas.gov/curriculum/teks/


Reading
We encourage reading in a variety of books both fiction and nonfiction, and we hope to instill a love of reading in our students.  We concentrate not only on improving reading fluency, but reading comprehension as well.  We want our students not only to learn to read but more importantly, read to learn.  We do this with individual reading, buddy reading, shared reading, guided reading, and written response to what is read.  We also teach reading strategies to improve comprehension.  The third graders in Texas are expected to pass the Reading STAAR test.
Writing
We encourage writing in a variety of modes (narrative, persuasive, how-to letters, poetry, compare/contrast, & classificatory).  We hope to instill a love of writing.  These modes will be taught and modeled in a variety of ways, and students will have the opportunity to select their own topics, respond to a story or article, and write to a prompt.  Students will be guided through the writing process and learn the important steps to a well-written piece.  Much of this learning will be individualized.  Editing and revision conferences will be held with the teacher, as well as, peers.  The Six Traits of Good Writing (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, & conventions) will be the target areas in revision.  Cursive is introduced during the 1st semester, and students will be given the opportunity to read and write in cursive during the 2nd semester.
Spelling
Our spelling program, Words Their Way, provides word lists that are tailored to meet each child’s needs.  We administered a spelling inventory the 1st week of school to determine your child’s spelling strengths and needs.  The word lists will become more difficult as your child progresses through each developmental stage of spelling. 
Spelling is part of each child’s weekly homework.  Your child will select an activity of their choice from the provided spelling menu to practice their weekly spelling words at home. 

Dictionary and computer spell-check skills will also be taught and implemented.  Students will also keep personal dictionaries in their writing binders.  These contain frequently misspelled words and words that your child has requested the teacher spell. 


Math
Problem solving is a major focus in math this year.  Students are allowed to solve problems in a variety of ways.  This is encouraged to increase understanding of math concepts.  Students share ideas during class and explain their thinking process.  Knowledge of math facts is also very important.  We hope that most third graders know their basic addition and subtraction facts.  Multiplication will be introduced early in the year, and students will have the opportunity throughout the year to memorize their multiplication facts to 12. Our goal is to have student be fluent in these facts between 3rd and 5th grades. Study at home is vital in this area, as each child learns at his or her own pace.  Third graders in Texas will be taking the Math STAAR test .
Positive Norms in Mathematics
In Round Rock ISD, high quality math instruction begins with establishing a positive classroom culture and environment from the first day of the school year to the last. The following seven norms are critical to student success and greatly influence students' attitudes toward learning and doing mathematics. Click here for a one page summary of the norms. Click each norm for additional information and suggestions for how to implement them. (Source)
  1. Everyone can learn math to the highest levels.
  2. Mistakes are valuable.
  3. Questions are really important.
  4. Math is about creativity and making sense.
  5. Math is about connections and communicating.
  6. Depth is much more important than speed.
  7. Math class is about learning, not performing.
Goals of Mathematics in RRISD
The Round Rock ISD Mathematics Department has established five goals for each and every learner, PreK-12:
  • Students learn to value mathematics.
  • Students become confident in their ability to do mathematics.
  • Students become mathematical problem solvers.
  • Students learn to communicate mathematically.
  • Students learn to reason mathematically.
Science/Social Studies
These subjects will be rotated every few weeks throughout the year.  Students will be doing many hands-on activities and working in small groups to complete experiments and other projects.  Specific units taught in these subjects can be found in the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills).  These are listed on the district’s website, as well as, TEA’s website.
Ways to Help Your Child at Home
  1.  Read to and with your child every day.
  2. Encourage writing for real-life purposes (letters to friends, family, or favorite authors; invitations; or thank you notes).
Thank you for your support and cooperation!  We are looking forward to working with your child and helping them each reach their greatest potential.

Sincerely,

Third Grade Teachers

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