Parents, guardians, and students,
You will notice that we are adopting many new curricula's this year. As teachers, we are very excited! Research and our teacher instincts know that these new programs are great ways to teach the common core standards and prepare your students for their future. The new curricula's are also hands-on, inquiry- based, and engaging for all! Let us know if you have any questions!
Reading and Writing Interdisciplinary Units
This year our 3-5th grades are adopting Expeditionary Learning (EL) curriculum. EL's mission is to, build teacher capacity and ignite each student’s motivation, persistence, and compassion so they become active contributors to building a better world and succeed in school, college, career, and life. These units encompass both reading and writing. The 4 modules we will implement this year are The Power of Reading: My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children around the World, Culture Then and Now: Connecting Literary and Informational Texts to Study Culture “Then and Now”, Wolves: Fact and Fiction, Freshwater: The Role of Freshwater around the World. For more information on EL's curriculum and philosophy visit: About EL Science with Ms. DinnerLast year we began implementing new science curricula from the Smithsonian Institute. All of Asbury's science teachers attended a 3 day training 2 summer's ago and a 5 day training this past summer to bring science education to life. The Smithsonian science process is inquiry based. While we know that actively engaging children with "hands-on" science is important, it isn't enough. Inquiry-based science employs the diverse practices scientists use to study the natural world. .Thus far we are implementing 2 new units per grade level. A great way to understand inquiry based science is to watch this "Good thinking" video.
Look here for games and Apps from Smithsonian This year in 3rd grade we will study: Electric Circuits: In Electric Circuits, students investigate electricity by wiring a circuit to light a bulb. They come to understand that a circuit must form a complete circle through which electric current can pass in order to light the bulb. Students use this knowledge to explore other electrical concepts, such as what conductors and insulators are and how they work and how diodes affect the flow of electricity. Students also learn about the symbolic language of electricity and use it to read and draw diagrams for wiring circuits and constructing a flashlight. Students apply what they learn about electricity and electrical safety to a final activity in which they design and implement a wiring plan for a cardboard house. These activities cultivate students’ abilities to analyze problems, think critically, and develop solutions. Rocks and Minerals: In Rocks and Minerals, students are asked to explore the differences between rocks and minerals by observing the properties of rock samples, and sorting them based on those properties. Students also investigate minerals, on which they perform tests similar to those conducted by geologists to determine luster, hardness, color, and ability to transmit light, strengthening their ability to conduct experiments and record and interpret their data. Students compile a Mineral Field Guide, which is the sum total of their observations and discoveries. They use this field guide and their new knowledge of rocks and minerals to identify several unknown samples at the end of the unit. Throughout Rocks and Minerals, students read about different minerals and how they are used. Students continue to practice recording data and interpreting their scientific findings to draw conclusions based on evidence. I will continue teaching the BCBS curriculum on: Life cycles: In order to study life cycles and the lifespan of species, we will have some new classroom pets. We will be observing them as they hatch and sprout. After making daily observations, collecting data, we will analyze our results and report our findings on power point. |
Math
As a school we are switching from Everyday Math to a curriculum called Engage New York ( NY). This math curriculum is a shift and so Mrs. Tanner will be holding a math info night. We highly encourage you to come! Third Grade mathematics is about (1) developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100; (2) developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator 1); (3) developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area; and (4) describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes. Key Areas of Focus for 3-5: Multiplication and division of whole numbers and fractions—concepts, skills, and problem solving Required Fluency: 3.OA.7 Multiply and divide within 100. 3.NBT.2 Add and subtract within 1000. The year's Modules include: 1: Properties of Multiplication and Division and Solving Problems with Units of 2–5 and 10 Module 2: Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure Module 3: Multiplication and Division with Units of 0, 1, 6–9, and Multiples of 10 Module 4: Multiplication and Area Module 5: Fractions as Numbers on the Number Line Module 6: Collecting and Displaying Data Module 7: Geometry and Measurement Word Problems Social Studies with Mrs. TannerOur Social Studies this year focuses on regions of our country. Social Studies Alive! Regions of Our Country presents five regions of the United States through the lens of four social sciences — economics, geography, political science, and history. The first assignment has this homework. We will be tying social studies to literacy many times throughout the year. To learn more about the TCI Regions unit, visit the website!
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