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The third grade
teachers want to join you, the parents, in creating the best
learning experience possible for your child. Third grade is a
transition year. Students go from being primary students to
intermediate students during the third grade. We must work
together to help this transition be a rewarding and positive
experience.
Language
Arts
The language
arts instruction in the third grade encompasses oral and written
expression (including grammar and word usage), reading,
spelling, and handwriting. The Texas Essential Knowledge and
Skills required by the State of Texas are taught consistently
throughout the year in preparation for the TAKS test given in
the spring.
During the first
six weeks, the formation of cursive writing skills is reviewed.
By the third six weeks, all writing is done in cursive.
We hope that
third grade will be the transition year that takes the basic
skills taught in previous years and builds upon them for a
lifelong love of reading and writing.
Math
Third grade math
incorporates the Saxon Math program. This is a spiraling
curriculum that emphasizes problem solving and daily oral and
written practice of skills. This program is a hands-on,
success-oriented program that emphasizes the use of
manipulatives and mental math. It addresses a multisensory
approach to teaching and enables children to develop a solid
foundation in the language and basic concepts of mathematics.
Through the daily meeting board and the subsequent lesson,
students build new concepts upon old ones and achieve mastery at
an appropriate, yet challenging pace. Basic addition and
subtraction facts are practiced frequently and should be
mastered by the end of the first semester. Multiplication facts
receive strong emphasis later in the year and should be mastered
by year’s end. Saxon Math lessons are supplemented with other
high-quality resources and activities.
Science
In third grade,
students begin to do experiments and learn about the scientific
method. All students are encouraged to participate in the
annual Science Expo in which they can acquire practical
application of the scientific method.
Social
Studies
During social
studies, students examine their relationships, past and present,
physically and socially, to others in their world. One major
emphasis of study is our Kerrville unit. We study the history
of Kerrville and learn about our community and its leaders.
This culminates in a field trip to the Schreiner Museum where we
further explore our community’s rich heritage and history.
Weekly
Folders
Communication
with parents is kept open through the use of weekly folders.
These folders are sent home each Thursday. Parents are asked to
review the papers inside the folder with their child and
supervise any necessary corrections. Teachers’ notes are
written as deemed appropriate and special notices will often be
included in the Thursday folder. Parents should sign and return
the empty folder on Friday morning.
Assignment
Sheet
Teachers assign
homework on a regular basis. By using an assignment sheet, the
students are reminded of assignments and specific directions on
the front side of the sheet. Students are expected to assume
responsibility for homework and are held accountable for all
homework assignments. The back side of the assignment sheet
provides a daily discipline report and space for teacher
comments, as well as parent comments. Parents should sign the
sheets on Thursday and return them with the Thursday folder.
New sheets are given to the students each Friday.
Character & Citizenship
In order to
create the best learning environment, character and good
citizenship are woven into all activities in which third graders
are involved. Respecting rights and property of the school and
others is stressed. Interacting well with others, accepting
responsibility, and self-control are all part of third grade
citizenship. The six pillars of “Character Counts”
(trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and
citizenship) are emphasized and reinforced daily.
Work Habits
Third grade
works on developing lifelong study skills and effective work
habits. A student with satisfactory work habits uses time
wisely, listens to and follows directions, completes work
assignments, practices neatness, work well independently, shows
consistent effort, works without distracting others, and brings
appropriate materials to class.
STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVE
According to State Law, a third grade student must pass
the reading portion of the TAKS test in order to be promoted
to fourth grade.
The third
grade teachers’ conference time is 10:45 a.m.-11:35 a.m. Please
call the school office (257-2210) to schedule a conference.
THIRD GRADE FACULTY
Tammy Callcott Grade Level Chair
Tarleton State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science
E-mail: tammy.callcott@kerrvilleisd.net
Erin Falcon Crichton College
Degree: Bachelor of Science
E-mail: erin.falcon@kerrvilleisd.net
Chandra Verhalen University
of Texas at Austin
Degree: Bachelor of Science
E-mail:
chandra.verhalen@kerrvilleisd.net
Tami Saenz Southwest Texas State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science
E-mail: tami.saenz@kerrvilleisd.net
Stella Blocker Bilingual Teacher
University of Texas at Austin
Degree: Bachelor of Science
E-mail: stella.blocker@kerrvilleisd.net
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