As the year begins, we will be doing most things together. I will show the kids how to do third grade work. We will focus on understanding directions, and strategies like identifying key words and using process of elimination. Gradually, the kids will become independent. My guide for all subjects are Michigan's State Standards. I attached the PTA’s Parent-Friendly Guide to the Third Grade Standards to help you understand what we are expected to teach and what your child should know by the end of this year.
Spelling
Each unit centers around a phonetic pattern such as short or long vowel sounds. There will be a new unit most weeks. Typically on Mondays the unit is introduced and we sort the words by the vowel patterns. Your child will bring home the list to study. Your child will be expected to practice the words by using the games on Spelling City. There will be a test on Friday. The test will be taken in Spelling City and a graded print out will be sent home each week.
Math Facts
The state expects third graders to be fluent with all the addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 9 x 9 by the end of the school year. Fluency is defined as knowing the answer within 3 seconds. The kids will begin with the addition and then the subtraction facts. One proven way for kids to learn their multiplication facts is to skip count.This is something you can practice at home. Your child will bring home a practice page on Monday and Wednesday for homework. Then the quiz will be Tuesday and Thursday.
Math
Your child will be using a math program called Engage NY. In order to help your child at home with homework, I will have your child staple sample problems that we complete together to their homework. Use the attached pages called, Problem Set, as a guide to solve the word problems. In addition, there is a website called Zearn that your child will use. If your child has difficulty remembering how to do the homework, they can go to Zearn and watch the direct instruction again.
Reading Contracts
Each Monday the kids will bring home a weekly Reading Contract. Your child should pick four days to read an AR library book in their zone for 20 minutes. Then they should retell what they read to an adult. Please circle the rating of how your child did retelling. Next your child should write the title of the book in capitals and use one or two complete sentences to tell something important that was read. The Reading Contract is due on Mondays. The purpose for doing this is for your child to practice reading. Research shows that the more a child reads, the better they will be at reading!
Unit Tests
There will be a test at the end of each unit in all subjects. As an attempt to teach good study habits, studying will count as homework for that day and your child can receive bonus points for studying with an adult! Just sign the review stating that you studied for the test with your child. Your child will bring home vocabulary cards to help them learn important words. In addition, there will be a review that has key concepts that your child needs to know for the test that will be sent home as a guide.