Welcome to Third Grade

Link to Poems by Mrs. Flynn's Class

As third grade teachers at Hemingway Elementary we work closely together to bring a balanced, developmentally appropriate curriculum to our students.   We believe that teachers and parents working together make a productive team.  We strive to create a stimulating, nurturing environment where each learner can reach his/her potential.

            

Reading

Our reading program is from Houghton Mifflin.  It is based on the belief that children learn to read and write by having many opportunities to do just that.  We read a variety of wonderful  literature, including adventures, mysteries, fantasy, and nonfiction selections, as well as poetry, cartoons, recipes, and much more.

Houghton Mifflin provides a complete program with instruction in comprehension, critical thinking and vocabulary development.  We also teach reading strategies, phonetic word analysis, oral reading, independent reading, research skills, and vocabulary skills.  Most initial instruction is taught in a whole group setting with assignments adapted to meet individual needs.  Due to the fact that every child has unique educational demands we also work with small groups and individuals

We love to introduce the kids to a variety of authors, read big books, share poetry, do readers' theater, and act out plays.  As Kenneth Goodman believes, "Children learn language by using it, writing it, thinking it, and reading it."  We will engage ourselves in meaningful language activities that integrate reading and writing as well as all other areas across the curriculum.

We go to the school library once a week and visit the Community Library three times throughout the year.  We are fortunate to have such an extensive, up-to-date resource for our children to enjoy.

Writing Workshop

Two to three times a week the children participate in Writing Workshop.  This is by far one of the most engaging subjects we teach.  Once a student writes a book, it is published in our school Publishing House.  This wonderful resource would not be possible without the support of parent volunteers.  Every child will publish books to read to the class and take home at the end of the year.

We learn to write by writing, reading, and talking about what good authors do.  It's a magnificent process, and one that makes each child a successful writer.  We teach the kids how to write using the Six Traits of Writing (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions) within the writing process.  We also use this time to conference individually with each child and to teach them what they need to learn at that time.  For example, some kids are ready to learn possessive apostrophes and some are learning to capitalize the beginning of the sentence.  This time allows us to meet individual needs.

Math

We use Houghton Mifflin's math program.  This is a unique math program that focuses on helping students make sense of mathematics in meaningful ways.  This series uses math in everyday activities in order to generate interest and show relevance.  Number sense is a driving force of the program, while reasoning and critical thinking (problem solving) permeate the program to deepen mathematical understanding.  This program goal is to build confidence and mathematical power that all children need to succeed in mathematics in the real world -- now and in the future.

Science

Our instruction is based on the inquiry theory, which includes the following steps:  conducting research, identifying the problem, building a hypothesis, project experimentation, and reaching a conclusion.  The topics covered lend themselves well to the application of this process.  They include the study of animals, matter, and the solar system.

       A look inside Ms. Atwell's classroom                  A look inside Mrs. Cey's classroom

Social Studies

As part of our program, students are given an introduction into the history and culture of our community. In addition, we study local government and expand on mapping skills.

Health

Students learn about the human skeletal and muscular systems.  We also discuss emotional wellness, personal safety, and drug abuse prevention.

     A look inside Mrs. Flynn's classroom                 A look inside Mrs. Remington's classroom

Handwriting

Cursive is taught in third grade.  The kids will be encouraged to use it after the letters are formally introduced.

Homework

Our Home Reading program is an important part of your child's academic development.  Your child is required to read, or be read to, for at least thirty minutes, five nights a week.  We also commit 25 minutes each day for your child to read independently in the class.  Your child will also be responsible to practice his/her basic math facts.  Occasionally there will be weekly homework.  We also require one book report each trimester.  Book report information will be sent home two weeks before the project is due.

Portfolios/Student-Led Conferences

To celebrate all of our learning, our young learners conduct student-led conferences.  Each week the kids select one piece of their work to evaluate and put in a portfolio.  The work is then saved for the entire year, at which time parents come in for a student-led conference.  This is a wonderful opportunity to sit down with your child and hear from them about how well they did in third grade.  It also gives parents the opportunity to see how much they grow and learn in one year.  In the past it has been a very positive experience for our students.

Field Trips

In third grade student field trips will be extensions of units taught in our curriculum and/or other appropriate performances for third graders.  Throughout the year students may visit the the Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Ketchum, the Liberty Theater and Company of Fools in Hailey, the Next Stage Theater in Ketchum.

Flags inspired by Jasper Johns

Our Team: