Are You Smarter Than a Third Grader

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Are You Smarter Than a Third Grader?

• A little taste of what your child will learn
  based on the Cherokee County Third Grade Standards

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Our Goal

• To provide students with the academic and social
  skills needed to progress to fourth grade.
• To provide a supportive and fun classroom
  environment which encourages learning and
  investigation.
• To help students develop strong study skills
  needed for academic success

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Promotion Requirements

• All students must pass the reading portion of the
  GCRCT that is administered in the spring in order
  to be promoted to the fourth grade.
• They will also be tested on language, math,
  science, social studies, and reference skills.

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Why is the transition so tough?

• Third grade is a challenge for all students.
• Pace is quicker and work is harder.
• Following directions is critical.
• Those who are used to school being easy may be
  most challenged.
• Low grades in the beginning are not unusual, but
  students should learn from mistakes.

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Off to a Great Start

• Students need to be in class by 745. Tardy
  students spend the day trying to catch up.
• Limit absences and make sure to complete make-up
  work in a timely manner.

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Our Classroom Community

• Students are expected to display behavior that
  shows
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Safety
• Honesty
• This allows for maximum instructional time during
  the day.

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How to Avoid the Pitfalls

• Be organized
• Put your name on your paper
• Listen and read directions
• Look over work before turning it in
• Learn from your mistakes
• Stay focused on the task
• at hand.

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How Do We Maximize Instruction

• Follow the school discipline code
• Plan lessons that align to the Georgia
  Performance Standards.
• Incorporate technology whenever possible
• Assign meaningful homework

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Homework

• Homework time will vary.
• Reading and math homework are assigned a minimum
  of 3 times a week.
• Advanced notice of tests
• Completion time will improve as the students
  adapt to routine.
• Communicate concerns via email or note

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Homework Policy

• Homework Assignments can be assessed via the
  class webpage and student agenda.
• Late homework will be accepted in the case of
  excused absences only. It is important for
  students to develop strong study habits and time
  management skills.
• Homework is graded.

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Reading SkillsTo Name a Few..

• Identify elements of the story such as main
  characters, setting, and plot
• Compare and contrast elements of the story
• Identify explicit and implicit facts
• Recall details and use sequencing to summarize.
• Know meanings of common prefixes and suffixes
• Understand figurative phrases, similies, and
  metaphors.
• Identify synonyms, homophones, homographs, and
  antonyms

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Focus on More Advanced Math Skills

• Using reasoning and mathematical knowledge to
  apply math skills in meaningful ways. (Lots of
  problem-solving)
• Develop mathematical proofs and evaluate
  arguments. (Im right because.. or That
  answer is wrong because)
• Geometry (identify and classify geometric
  figures, find diameter and radius, memorize
  different mathematical formulas)

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Math is doing not knowing.

• Numbers and Operations (multiplication, division,
  estimation, place value to millions)
• Relationship between Decimals and Fractions
• Elapsed Time
• Estimation
• Conversion of Measures

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Grammar/Writing

• Shurley English will be done 2 to 3 days a week.
  
• This is a program that teaches students to
  classify sentences. It also develops writing
  skills.
• Students learn to use synonyms, antonyms, and
  more descriptive language in their writing.

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Writing Instruction

• Students will receive writing instruction each
  week.
• These writings will follow the 5 step writing
  process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing
  and publishing).
• Students will be involved in peer editing, self
  editing and student-teacher conferences.
• The goal is to learn to write in different
  genres.
• Another goal for 3rd grade is for students to
  become better at editing and revising their work.

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Writing Genres

• Descriptive writing
• Friendly letters
• Business letters
• Personal narratives
• Poetry
• Expository writing
• Journal writing
• Persuasive writing

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Social Studies Topics

• Branches of Government (roles, responsibilities,
  roots, local, state, and national levels
• Important Americans who expanded the rights and
  freedoms in America
• Major geographical features of our country
• Read various types of maps
• Develop a basic understanding of economics

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Science Units of Study

• Magnets
• Fossils,
• Rocks and Minerals
• Heat
• Habitats

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What Can Parents Do?

• Help students establish a study routine at home
  with a set place to work and make sure homework
  is packed each night
• Check teacher web pages frequently to keep up to
  date
• Email questions and concerns
• Let your child know how much you appreciate
  his/her hard work.

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Parent Connect

• Parents can access grade information by signing
  up at the Cherokee County School Website.
• www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/ps/default.aspx

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Now.Are You smarter than a Third Grader????