Developing responsibility and becoming self-directed learners
Thinking Skills
SCIS emphasizes skills for students to be productive, self-directed learners who can independently pursue excellence and life-long learning. Integrated into all subject areas is the emphasis on the processes of high-level thinking.
Critical thinking: Observe, analyze, classify, compare and contrast, sequence, determine cause and effect, find patterns, predict, infer, draw conclusions, main idea decision making, problem solving, goal setting
Creative: Fluency, Flexibility
Reading
Through the use of both phonics and whole language, with an emphasis on comprehension, students will explore diverse literature genres from around the world. Teachers will utilize a variety of grouping formats (individual, small group, whole class) and teaching strategies in order to meet the individual needs of students. Instructional materials include a wealth of literature books along with books on tapes, songs, big books, and a print rich environment. Instruction will emphasize the following areas:
- Reading for different purposes, building vocabulary, and understanding language structures and features
- Fluency and expression when reading
- Independent reading
Language Arts
Writing is essential for students to discover, develop, clarify, and communicate thoughts and feelings. Students will be writing different types of text for a variety of purposes and audiences. Using the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, publishing), students will focus on applying the traits that make writing effective: Ideas and content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and the conventions of spelling, grammar, and mechanics. Students will apply the writing process and writing traits in their oral communication as well as incorporating interpersonal communication skills and skills of presentation. Some of the student goals are as follows:
- To develop fluency in sentence and paragraph writing
- To explore features of writing
- To expand knowledge and application of writing genres and purposes
- To be guided through all stages of the writing process
Social Studies
Students will understand and appreciate their own cultures and backgrounds as well as respect and understand the history, geography, culture, societal organizations, and economic systems of other societies.
Topics covered at Grade 3 include the following:
- Map and atlas skills
- Asian studies
Science and Health
Knowledge of science is necessary for all students to understand the world in which they live, value the systems and processes that support life on our planet, and to make responsible decisions as citizens. Students will construct their own understanding of their world through discovery, inquiry, and interactive investigations to develop solid scientific processes. Topics covered at Grade 3 include the following: Desert, plains, and tundra, ideas and inventions, human body, Earth's materials, magnetism and electricity, dental health, safety, and friendship
Math
Mathematics is a language and science of patterns. Students will be provided a rich problem-solving environment filled with manipulative and hands-on activities. Students will explore the following areas: Number Sense, measurement, geometry, probability, algebra, problem solving strategies, and the ability to communicate their thinking and understanding of concepts and procedures. Grade 3 also highlights the following:
- Identifying and use of numbers up to thousands
- Addition and subtraction to four digits with regrouping
- Multiplication and division concepts and facts
- Comparing and selecting measurements units and values
- Construction and identification of solids and shapes
- Visual, written and verbal explanation of mathematical procedures and strategies
Homework
Students in Grade 3 should expect to have approximately 30 minutes of homework each school night. This is at the discretion of the teacher and may include unfinished work, skill practice, reinforcement activities, research, and project work.
