Curriculum

Reading
SRA Open Court is a research-based program that provides systematic, explicit instruction through organized lessons that include the teaching of reading     skills and strategies that are arranged from the simplest to the most complex. Open Court focuses on the five main components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The daily 90-minute uninterrupted block of reading includes:
                  › whole group direct instruction
                  › small group differentiated instruction
                  › computer (literacy software)
                  › individualized seatwork
                  › literacy centers

Mathematics

Go Math! provides a research-based instructional plan that includes a wide variety of strategies and activities to differentiate instruction so that all students can experience success in mathematics. Go Math! includes daily intervention strategies for skills and for problem solving that diagnose students' difficulties while providing intervention resources that will bring success for all learners. Daily math instruction includes:
      › whole group direct instruction
      › hands-on activities using manipulatives and "real
        life" learning opportunities
      › literacy based activities
      › small group (teacher-led) remediation

Science

Scott-Foresman Science contains four units - a new one each 9-week period, including: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Space and Technology. Through this curriculum students will be given the opportunity to apply what they learn through hands-on activities and real-life experiences. Lessons are designed to prepare students for more detailed science concepts in the secondary grades.

SRA Snapshots - Simply Science is a supplemental science program that engages students with a fun, flexible program that includes read alouds, videos, songs, and more! Simply Science serves as a bridge between our reading series and regular science curriculum.

Social Studies
We use Florida Studies Weekly in our classroom to address the Social Studies Sunshine State Standards that are required for first grade. These newspaper-style publications are a hit with the children and incorporate reading fluency and comprehension into our studies of Florida history, as well as current events.

Writing
Third Grade uses Just Write: All Year Long in the classroom. Just Write uses a systematic approach to skills and techniques that make writing effective and enjoyable. Through the teaching of target skills, students are given the opportunity to build on previous knowledge and share their work through student and teacher conferences.

Grading Scale for Third Grade