Welcome To Third Grade

Third Grade is an exciting time in a Meadowbrook student's life. Children learn to become independent thinkers and to take responsibility for their learning. At the same time, students are encouraged to take part in many group activities, to gain an understanding of what it means to be a "team player".

One of the highlights of the Third Grade curriculum is the relationship that is formed between our students and the residents of a local adult community named Redeemer Village. Each child forms a special bond with one of the residents, as they recite poetry, take part in crafts and play games during their monthly visits. In between visits, children often send cards and letters to their "buddies" in order to maintain their relationships. Everyone involved exchange in the friendship and the learning that takes place.

Third Grade is full of activities that utilize learning outside of the classroom. Throughout the year we take many trips to enhance our unit of study. We travel to Pennsbury Manor to visit the home of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania. We venture to the city of Philadelphia as well, during our Pennsylvania unit. During our study of Native Americans, we travel to Peace Valley Nature Center in order to take a firsthand look at how the native Lenape tribe lived. We sit in a wigwam, learn the Lenape methods of hunting and learn to play games of skill that Lenape children often played.

During our reading of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the children learn how chocolate is produced, the history behind it, and participate in many hands-on activities including a tour of a local chocolate factory.

Third Grade is a special time in a Meadowbrook student's life in which learning is not restricted to the book, but is made to come alive. We believe that learning should be a time for children to interact, to question and to enjoy!

Language Arts Philosophy

The philosophy of the third grade language arts curriculum is to create a classroom of community readers and writers. We continue to develop an appreciation of various authors' works, styles of writing, and genres of literature and apply these words effectively in both written and oral contexts. In addition, we want our students to leave third grade with an appreciation of language and the ability to use it properly.

In using trade books and an anthology of short stories and novels, students will learn how to apply skills such as in-depth character understanding and development of plot. In order to further their level of comprehension. students learn to identify themes, problems and solutions, main ideas, and drawing conclusions. Students will develop greater fluency and increase their motivation to read. With the use of the books provided, students will have opportunities for vocabulary and concepts studied, allowing them to use their word identification skills. The children become aware of a variety of literary forms available to them through the reading of non-fiction, poetry, myths, legends, and drama.

Spelling

Spelling is an important component of the third grade language arts program. The students integrate spelling with listening, as they listen for various phonetic patterns. They apply spelling to speech as they apply new words daily in their conversations. In addition, spelling will be integrated in reading and writing during creative or expository writing. Students will learn how prefixes and suffixes change the meaning of a word as well as how base words are the root of multiple new words. Students have a plethora of writing opportunities to improve spelling and accuracy in everyday writing. In addition, students learn phonetic, visual, and semantic skills. They develop proofreading and dictionary skills as well.

Through in-classroom projects and oral presentations students integrate their understanding of both language arts and social studies units such as friendship, biographical studies and Native Americans.

Language Skills

in order to develop language skills, students practice various oral techniques such as retelling, poetry reading, discussion and description of personal experiences. Written language skills are practiced as children write predictions, dialogues between characters, sequels to stories, and answers to literal comprehension questions as well as higher levels of comprehension such as inference and detail questions. Additionally, students learn to express themselves freely through journals, letter and poetry-writing.

Math

The third grade math curriculum stresses a belief that math is a skill used everyday. Therefore, we believe that math should be taught in a real life manner, using manipulative and genuine examples from the world in which we live. It is our desire that our students will see math as more than merely a content area, but as a key to solving problems in their daily lives.

Social Studies

We believe that it is important for students to understand their world, and to become informed, responsible, compassionate citizens of that world. Contact with the diversity of people in their school, community, and state will help students to appreciate differences and learn how to fairly treat others. By gathering information about the state Aden reading about global issues, they will learn to be better decision makers. The social studies curriculum provides the children with many opportunities in all of these areas. The curriculum is divided into two major themes: the State of Pennsylvania and the importance of friendship. These are year-long themes that intertwine the language arts programs with the social studies curriculum.

Special Events

Senior Friends

As part of a year-long study of senior citizens, students become pen pals with a grandparent or senior friend with whom they exchange stories and information through the mail. As a culmination to this year-long project, students compile information about their pen pal's life and create an original book dedicated to their special friend. The books are wrapped and given to their pen pals at the end of the year.

Redeemer Village

Another important component to this intergenerational study occurs throughout the year when the third graders visit a retirement community, Redeemer Village. Students learn about older people and create lasting friendships with an elder who is not a member of their family. Students enjoy the time spent with their friends sharing stories, reciting poetry, conducting interviews, and collaborating on various creative projects.

Grandparents Day

As a culmination to the study of older people, students participate in the planning of a unique day shared with their grandparents. Students memorize and recite poems, write letters and design painted flower pots which are given to their grandparents.