Subject Areas
Reading/Spelling

Our school uses Storytown for reading and spelling work. In third grade, we
concentrate on story elements (characters, setting, plot), spelling patterns,
vocabulary strategies, research and literary analysis skills. Skills are
covered 2 weeks at a time for 4 weeks. Every 5th week is a review week of
the previous 4 skills and spelling words. Classwork is done using review
worksheets which go home with students and spelling and reading
workbooks which are not sent home with students. Written tests and oral
two textbooks.

English/Grammar/Writing

In addition to using elements of the Storytown grammar workbook, we also
use an old series called Language Arts Today (which is no longer
published). The L.A. Today textbook is for the main in-class instruction and
practice. The grammar workbook from Storytown is primarily used for
homework as additional practice. Tests are given for whole units, half-units,
and for groups of lessons depending on their difficulty.

Science

Harcourt Science is our source for science instruction. In third grade, we
cover life, earth, and physical science. We occasionally perform small
experiments in the classroom to help make connections in concepts. The
workbook provide opportunities to make inferences, and gives practice in
discussion and writing using non-fiction texts. Tests are given for single
sections and multiple sections depending on their content and depth of
information. Study guides are provided for tests.

Social Studies

I choose not to use our third grade textbook Communities from Harcourt
Brace Social Studies, however, I do teach the same topics and add others
using in-class videos and projects. For the first part of the year, we discuss
our world and country by looking at maps, exploring geography, and
learning the basics of government and communities. Then, we use those
new concepts as we take a tour of the continents of the world. Each
continent study helps us learn about land's geography, government, and
culture while we practice mapping and graphing skills. Study guides are
provided for tests.

Math

Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, we will be using a new textbook,
HSP Math from Harcourt. This new series is much more challenging than
the outdated series we have been using. Areas covered include place
value, addition/subtraction, money, time, graphs, probability, basic
multiplication/division, geometry, measurement, fractions and decimals.  
Tests are given at end of chapter, end of unit, and some lesson groupings.
Also new this year will be our use of Rhymes 'n' Times. It's a 3 week
program for mastering multiplication facts using sayings and hands-on
activities. During the 3 week Rhymes 'n' Times program, a weekly pretest
and post-test is given along with special home and class worksheets.