Elboya School
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the
filling of a vessel.”
Socrates
Welcome to the second term of Grade 3! Here
is a preview of some of the things your child will be studying in the next few
months. We have highlighted the major units of focus in each of the core
subjects. For information about the secondary subjects, please refer to the programs
of studies available online at http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/program.aspx
The Grade 3 classes will continue to explore
the inquiry question “How does the
environment shape our lives?” Our
inquiry question will guide our studies throughout the year as we explore the
role that the environment plays on how different cultures meet the needs of
their communities. This overarching
question draws from the topics in both the Science and Social Studies
curriculums. We encourage parents to explore their class’s blog for weekly
summaries. Ms. Rutland’s can be found
at: rutlandgrade3.blogspot.com
and Ms. Hardacre’s is at: hardacregrade3.blogspot.com
Language Arts – Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure, and Descriptive
Writing
Reading
Reading is a daily activity. We continue to visit the library once per
week and students are encouraged to select books at an appropriate level for
them. We are currently reading the novel “The Miraculous Journey of Edward
Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo as a class.
This novel provides opportunities for rich discussions around the topics
of emotions, change, and quality of life.
When reading, students are encouraged to demonstrate their comprehension
by making predictions, asking questions, making inferences, connecting the text
to their own experiences and summarizing.
Students will be participating in book clubs this term, where small
groups will be reading the same novel and have discussions and activities that
they will complete.
Writing
Writing is also a daily activity. This term students will be participating in
journal writing, poetry, fiction and non-fiction writing. In Grade 3 we are focusing on editing for
spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
We will be exploring the writing process. We will focus on finding juicy
words, using a variety of sentence styles, and considering our audience in creative
writing. This term we will focus on
poetry and descriptive writing, then move into fiction and story-writing in the
last term.
Math – Number Sense and Measurement
Throughout the year improving speed, accuracy
and confidence with basic addition and subtraction facts; multi-digit addition
and subtraction with and without regrouping; and problem solving will continue
to be a focus. Students will begin working
with multiplication and division facts and relating those to addition and
subtraction. In the spring we will explore measurement, geometry, and data
analysis. These concepts will be
developed through problem solving and students will continue to work on their
Problem of the Week assignment.
Science – Rocks and Minerals and Building Things
Students kicked off their Rocks and Minerals
unit with a trip to the Glenbow Museum to explore geodes and gems. In this unit, students become mini geologist
and study the defining properties of rocks and minerals. They will be comparing various samples,
categorizing samples based on their properties, learn about the rock cycle and
how rocks and minerals are used in every-day life. In the spring we will be building with a
variety of materials as well as testing various materials and designs. In this unit, students learn that materials
and designs are related to purpose. They
will explore concepts of design by becoming architects themselves. This unit lends itself to problem solving and
reinforces the importance of the scientific process.
Social Studies –Communities in the World
In Social Studies, students in Grade 3 will
continue to explore the diverse countries of Peru, India, Tunisia, and
Ukraine. Students will inquire into how
the geographic characteristics and economic factors shape communities in other
parts of the world through a variety of individual and group projects. In the
final term students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of
Canada’s roles and responsibilities in global citizenship in relation to those
communities. Throughout the year,
students will be encouraged to engage in relevant current affairs through
discussions of local and global issues.
Physical Education and Health
Grade 3 students continue to further develop
ball handling skills through basketball and handball variation games. Next we will be moving into badminton and
table tennis. In the spring, students
will be taking swimming lessons!
In Health, the curriculum is organized into
wellness choices, relationship choices, and life learning choices. Students will continue to be encouraged to
set personal goals, make positive choices, and solve conflicts using
appropriate strategies.
French as a Second Language and Music
Each Grade 3 class will receive one period of
FSL/week. For Ms. Rutland’s class, Mr.
Bard will be the French teacher and Ms. Hardacre’s FSL teacher will be Mlle.
Plesu. Mr. Irwin provides one period of
music instruction/week to each class.
We thank you for your continued support and
invite you to speak with us if you have any further questions.
Mandy Rutland and Lydia Hardacre
Grade 3 Teachers
Elboya School
t | 403-777-7760 (ext. 2006 for Ms. Rutland;
ext. 2007 for Ms. Hardacre)
f | 403-777-7769
