Chagim This unit focuses on Jewish holidays including customs, rituals, mitzvot, blessings, and stories related to units. Torah (Genesis) This unit teaches the stories of Creation, Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, Noah –The flood and Tower of Babel. Students learn to use a Chumash, and also learn the language of the Torah. Parashat Hashavua These units present the weekly Torah portion according to the Jewish calendar. Shabbat Sheli Ve’shelanu This unit focuses on Mitzvot and rituals of Shabbat - from sunset on Friday through Havdalah services on Saturday night. THIRD GRADE OVERVIEW The primary focus of academic development in Third Grade is to create a framework of skills that build a foundation of competencies to promote independence for future learning. Third Grade is a cornerstone year as the students are transitioning from early elementary to upper elementary. This demands a much more diverse and prominent set of expectations. Through curricular integration and
repetition, the students build the following skills: • Follow routines and procedures independently • Take ownership of learning and provide evidence • Employ a variety of problem-solving strategies for tasks in reading and math • Develop responsibility, integrity, and character READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
English Language Arts instruction in Third Grade follows the Collaborative Classroom’s Making Meaning curriculum, which focuses on developing reading comprehension strategies and fostering the social-emotional development of the learner. This is achieved through a variety of mentor texts, engaging activities, and content extensions. We also integrate Social Studies concepts into our extension activities to promote cross-curricular connections. The students work within a modified Daily 3 workshop model, which includes independent reading, small group work with the teacher, and work time to complete assignments. The students have a weekly lesson on a grammar concept, which is reinforced and conceptualized through other English language arts workshops during the academic week. In lieu of a traditional spelling program, we use a Word Study model that not only addresses proper spelling and usage, but also focuses on specific spelling patterns and word rules. The students study the pattern while reinforcing this skill in a myriad of activities over a two-week period. Students utilize the Writer’s Workshop model developed by The Teacher’s College at Columbia
9 LOWER SCHOOL GRADES K- 4 | CURRICULUM GUIDE
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