Curriculum Guide

Mrs. Melissa Landau

2016-2017

Reading
(Heres the BIGGIE!)
Move on When Reading

In 2010, Arizonas revised statue A.R.S. 15-701 established the requirement that a
pupil not be promoted from the third grade if the pupil obtains a score on the reading
portion of the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards test (AIMS) or a successor
test, that demonstrates that the pupils reading falls far below the third grade level.

Gulp! No worries! Weve got this covered! Our classroom is filled with many, rich,
skill- leveled literacy experiences that will allow your child to succeed with this goal!
Heres how;
English Language Arts (ELA): This year, our school has been chosen to pilot the Core
Knowledge English Language Arts program. This program will provide your child with skills
that will build off of prior knowledge and prepare them to be successful in the future. This
program encompasses reading instruction in areas of phonics, spelling, grammar, writing,
and comprehension. We look forward to using this new program with your child.
Read to Self
After lunch will be our quiet reading time to cool down and get ready for our busy afternoon.
During this 15 minute period, your child will be expected to read independently building
stamina and focus. I will be working with small groups of students, or one on one with
students at this time.
At Home Reading
I will be sending home materials so you can support what is being learned in the classroom.
I highly encourage you to talk to your child about what he/she reads and take the time to sit
with your child and read with him/her. I also encourage your child to read both fiction and
non-fiction text independently and use effective reading strategies while reading.

Math: 3rd grade students will be using the Engage New York math resource to develop
critical thinking skills and fluency. In alignment with the Common Core State Standards
(Arizona College and Career Ready Standards), Engage New York will allow students to
understand why math works and be able to apply their thinking to real life hands-on
projects. Your child will be using math manipulatives as well as other resources such as
technology and cooperative group work to explain thinking. Please check the classroom
website for an ENY homework helper website.
Main Concepts for the year are;
*Multiplication/Division

*Geometry

*Telling Time

*Rounding

*Measurement

*Area & Perimeter

*Problem solving

*Addition/Subtraction with regrouping

Math Facts
Fluency of math facts is essential in todays 3rd grade classroom. Because students are
asked to apply deeper thinking, they need to have fluency of the math facts. Coming into
3rd grade, your student should have addition and subtraction math facts mastered. The first
weeks of school we will assess these facts and quickly move on to multiplication and
division, but I need your help! Please take time to practice the facts at home. Some
suggestions;
Computer games
Paper and pencil tests
Flash cards any time- on the way to after school activities, before bed, etc.
Earn electronic time with 15 minutes of facts practice
Around the dinner table fact fluency

Writing
This year our writing genres are;
Argument/opinion
Informative/explanatory
Narrative
During the writing block, students will
participate in Writers Workshop. They will work through the writing process of
brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing original works including letter
writing, poetry, folktales, and procedural. Students will apply the Six Traits of writing to
assess their work and that of their peers.
Cursive Handwriting is alive and practiced in our class. Cursive writing helps the
development of fine motor skills, thinking skills and reading skills. Plus, kids LOVE learning
how to write in cursive. It makes them feel so grown up!

Quarterly Writing Projects: Each quarter students are responsible for reading a given text
and writing a paragraph in response to the writing. The paragraph may be informational or
opinion with instruction given well in advance of the due date.

Social Studies: Through reading and research, students learn about Greek & Roman
Civilization, Early American Exploration, Civil War, Immigration, Civil Rights, National
Symbols, Functions of Government, and Economics.

Science: Science in our classroom will be hands-on and integrated with literacy and math.
Each quarter our class will receive a FOSS kit provided by the district with all the supplies
we need to make science come to life. As well, your child will be encouraged to participate
in the Science Fair by learning the Scientific Process.
Inquiry Process
Sound & Light
Ecosystems
Earth Materials
Water

OMA: The halls are alive with the Sound of Music! 3rd grade is RECORDER year. Your
child will learn how to read music and keep in time and rhythm within a musical group. Our
OMA teacher will meet with the class twice a week for 45 minutes each. Students will need
to have the recorder on the two days so if you see a recorder at home, please make sure it
comes back to school.
Technology: Fruchthendler has a complete computer lab, 5 computers in our classroom,
and a COW-Computers on Wheels, which is available for our classroom use. Students will
have weekly technology lessons including instruction in keyboarding and basic functions of
the computer.

.
Korean: Students will be introduced to the Korean culture through song, movement,
and art in preparation to understanding language to prepare them for their high school
experience at Sabino.
PE: Students will receive weekly PE class with our PE teacher. Students will also
participate in structured play where I can teach them how to play to have fun while
learning strategy and skill.

Art: Students will participate in an hour art lesson supported by our PTA. Volunteers
and I will collaborate on art skills and integration with academic content areas.

Library: Once a week, students will visit our school library which is filled to the brim
with many award-winning pieces of literature. Students are encouraged to check out
books to support at home reading.

Restorative Practices: Sometimes getting along and solving conflict is difficult. When a
problem occurs I will guide the students involved in a problem solving method called
Restorative Practices. During this time the following questions will be addressed:

Who has been hurt?

What are their needs?
Whose obligations are they?
What are the causes?
Who has a "stake" in this?
What is the appropriate process to involve stakeholders in an effort to make things
right?

We will also hold restorative circle time, which allows every student a chance to voice
concerns, give advice on how to solve problems and celebrate the great choices being
made.

The Firebird Way

The Firebird Way is the PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) matrix. Children
are taught the behavior expectations, a common language is applied, and children are
recognized for positive behaviors.

Kind Kids Campus

Fruchthendler is a Bens Bells Kind Kids Campus. Students will participate in Kind Kids
Campus activities such as Kind notes, a class community project, and brainstorming ways
our class can encourage intentional acts of Kindness with others. At the end of each day our
class will read notes from our random acts of kindness drawer, and pass along the kindness
coin to a deserving student who then gets to keep the coin on their desk the entire next day
and pass along the coin to someone in our classroom modeling exemplary kindness.