Reading/Spelling
Trophies Reading Curriculum: Harcourt School Publishers
Phonics; Modern Curriculum Press
Spelling; Trophies, Harcourt Publishers
Students apply the knowledge of phonics, syllabication and word parts to read fluently. They comprehend and analyze grade level text and are able to advance through “literature circles”. Students distinguish the literary terms: theme, plot, setting and characters. They use titles, table of contents and chapter headings to locate information in expository text. Reading and spelling become more complex.
Language Arts/Writing
Language; Harcourt School Publishers
Handwriting; Zaner-Bloser
Students distinguish between complete and incomplete sentences. They recognize and use the correct word order in written sentences. They identify and correctly use various parts of speech, including nouns and verbs, adjectives, etc. Students deliver brief recitations and oral presentations about familiar experiences or topics of interest. They become proficient readers and writers through our program.
Mathematics
Mathematics-California Edition, McGraw Hill Publishers
Students deepen their understanding of place value and skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They understand the relationship between whole numbers, simple fractions and decimals. Students estimate or determine measurement of given objects. They are able to express solutions clearly using appropriate mathematical terms.
Social Studies
History – Social Science: Communities, Houghton Mifflin School Publishers
Social Studies Alive! California’s Communities; TCI
Students begin to focus on the topography of the local region. They use this information to study the Native American who inhabited the local region. Students compare the past to changes that occur today. They gain valuable insight into the history of our community and our nation as a whole.
Science/Health
Science, Macmillan/McGraw Hill Publishers
Students begin to build a foundation for understanding the structure of matter and forces of interaction. They study the properties of light, extend their knowledge of ecology, and learn the relationship between the phases of the moon and changes in the position of the planets. They learn that their scientific predictions must be verified by experimentation.
STEAM/Enrichment Curriculum
STEAM principles promote critical thinking, asking questions, observation and exploration through hands-on, real world problem solving activities.
- Science – Focus on hands-on activities to promote collaboration and cooperation, incorporating science, technology, and engineering utilizing lab experiments, planting, gardening, and learning about the world around them.
- Technology – Focus on project based experiences incorporating technology with engineering and science and utilizing typing programs. Classroom iPads and AppleTV/projectors used to enhance curriculum and reinforce skills.
- Engineering – Practical, hands-on design and construction with a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to, Legos, Magna Tiles, Blocks, K’Nex, Connectors, and Lincoln Logs.
- Arts – The visual arts curriculum challenges and encourages students to actively participate in the arts. Students do an Artist of the Month study and develop an appreciation for artistic representation that they create, in addition to the pieces their classmates create. Specific instruction occurs in color, texture, design, and spatial relations. Our music curriculum develops a general knowledge of music vocabulary, movement, beat, interpretation, and rhythm which allows students to develop sensitivity to musical experiences. This is accompanied by a Composer of the Month study where students are introduced to various types of music.
- Mathematics – Focus on hands-on activities to promote collaboration and cooperation, using manipulatives, sorters, counters, and various other classroom materials to supplement the adopted grade level curriculum. Students have access to an individualized computer math program that assists them with strengthening core skills at their independence level.
Physical Education Curriculum
All Junior Kindergarten through Fourth Grade students at Primary Plus Elementary School are learning to move and moving to learn. This document outlines the skills and concepts presented throughout the year during our Physical Education classes.
The development of skills in Third Grade is reflected in the year’s collection of: Progress Reports, Weekly folders and Report Cards provided to parents throughout the Third Grade year.
