Topic outline

  • General

    • General Classroom Information

      In this section you will find the weekly newletters, our class schedule and other important information.  There is also a link to the OSPI website that provides information about state standards and testing requirements.

    • How to Contact Mrs. Kelly

      Jefferson Elementary  509.332.2617

      ekelly@psd267.org

    • Classroom Procedures

    • NUTS and BOLTS Page

      A quick overview about our class

    • Daily Class Schedule 2014-2015 Page

      This chart shows you our daily routine and includes specialist class times. 

    • HOMEWORK PROCEDURES Page

      Helpful Info about HOMEWORK

    • Behavior Expectations - Respectful and Responsible Page

      This document outlines behavior expectations for third graders

    • Class Snack and Party Policy

      It is okay if your child wants to bring a closed, secure water bottle to keep on their desks is recommended during hot days.  However, because of vairous helath issues we cannot have snack or birthday celebrations with food.  Thank you for understanding.  We will celebrate birthday by honorlingk the student and singing happy birthday.  There will be four celebarations, Halloween, Winter Break, Valnetine's Day and End of the Year where food will be allowed.  Again, thank you for your understnading.

    • National Core Standards 

    • OSPI Learning Standards Page Website URL

      This website will take you to the home page of OSPI.  From there you can look up any information you need including what a third grader needs to learn in all content areas.  Please note that for Language Arts and Mathematics the state is transitioning between the old standards and the new core standards.

    • Newsletters

    •  

      Handwriting

    • Handwriting without Tears URL

      Good handwriting is essential for all content areas.  Therefore third graders are expected to writing legibly quickly.  All work will require neat  handwriting.  Handwriting without Tears is the program we use to achieve this handwriting requirement.  This link gives parents more information on the program and how to help third graders be sucessful.

       

    • Typing Camp

      Typing (word processing) is an important skill for your third grader to master as end of the year state assessments are comuterized.

    • Dance Mat Typing URL

      Keep practicing!

    • Power Typing URL

      Next Level of Challenge --  Please pick the Qwerty keyboard.

  • Topic 1

    Reading - Storytown

    • Overview

      Storytown is the program selected to teach Language Arts.  It includes reading comprehension strategies and skills, decoding, phonics, spelling, grammar and vocabulary development.  

      On Mondays a new unit introduces a new story/genre with new spelling words, vocabulary words, and reading skills.  Third graders will recieve a copy of these words to bring home along with a homework packet containing skill sheets to reinforce the grammar and spelling lessons. You can also access spelling words from the links below.

      On Fridays the homework packet is due.  Also on Fridays third graders have their spelling test and a short reading assessment to monitor progress.  Every fifth week (Lessons 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30) are review weeks.  On those weeks third graders take more comprehensive reading tests.

      More details will be provided in the weekly newletters.  Check those every Monday! 

    • Helpful Websites to Access at Home:

    • Quick Storytown Link - Just Follow Directions and Click URL

      This is a quick link to just the story.  Choose the Volume, Theme and then Lesson.

    • Storytown Website - Think Central URL

      You may access more resources to each week's lesson by logging into this website.  To login in please choose Washsington as the state and then choose Pullman School District.  For the name of the school please choose Jefferson Elementary.  Then please enter the following user name and password (please note these are case sensitive logins): 

      Username:  Jaguars  Password: third  

      Click on Things to Do and explore. 

      Once you are in, please select what you want to do.  Have fun!

    • Spelling City - Fun Ways to Practice Your Spelling Words URL

      To access this program, please do the following.  Click on this link. Then, type the following user name, Pullman Washington Third using the exact upper and lower case letters.  Please make sure you select “username” as the search will not work.  The lists will appear and your child can immediately scroll to the lesson for the week and start doing the activities. 

    • Spelling and Vocabulary Lists

      Spelling Words 1-15 are required. Words 16-20 are bonus.

      Children are expected to know the definitions of the vocabulary words and use them correctly in sentences.

      Third graders may wish to challenge themselves to learn to spell some or all of the words as well.

      Challenge and Bonus Words never count against the score they only add on!

  • Topic 2

    Writing

    • Overview

      Third graders write every day across all subject areas for a variety of purposes. Each day there is a topic on which to reflect and write on.  There are also longer writing assignments that range from story writing to research papers.  Each writing piece must be well organized with supporting details.  Third graders use age appropriate transition and descriptive words, as well as correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. 

    • Our Summer Vacation 

    • How - To  Paragraph

  • Topic 3

    Mathematics - EnVisions

    • Overview

      EnVisions is the program selected to teach Mathematics.  It focuses on the National Core Standards for developing Number Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Problem Solving, Geometry, Measurement and Statistics/Data Analysis.  Third graders will progress through the program at a pace that is appropriate for the learners.  

      In the Monday homework packet you will find worksheets to support the new skills being taught or reinforce previous skills. Homework packets are due on Fridays.

      Check the weekly newsletter to see what we are doing and when progress monitoring quizes and unit assessments will be given.

      Because each of us learns differently there are a variety of websites listed below that are helpful.  Some of these websites may be required as homework and will be marked at such.

    • Helpful Websites to Access at Home:

    • On-Line Math Textbook and Homework Assignments URL

      This is the website you can click on to access the math program.  Please use the login that was sent home to you in a parent letter.  Unfortunately this login is different.

    • Moby Max- Fact Practice URL

      This is the new on-line math support program purchased for all three elementary schools.  When you  connect choose "STUDENT"  then proceed to log on to your account.  Work at your current level and move up as fast as you can.  Also work on your math facts.  This is the first year we are doing this program promises be helpful!!!

  • This topic

    Topic 4

    Social Studies - Geography Unit  

    • August - September

      This is our first Social Studies unit.  Third graders learn how to use political and physical maps and other geographic information (land use, population, climate, and land formations) to acquire, process and record information.

      We use the Rand McNally Junior Classroom Atlas Instructional materials.  This program systematically teaches children to obtain and analyze information from maps, graphs, and legends.  Third graders will also learn essential academic geographical terms and vocabulary.

      Your child will be bringing home completed activity sheets.  Please engage in a discussion about what he or she has learned today.

    • Websites You Can Explore at Home:

  • Topic 5

    Science - FOSS Metric Measurement Unit

    • September - October

       

    • Measurement Unit Website

  • Topic 6

    Social Studies - Australia Unit

    •  November - December

    • In this unit we will learn about the:

      1. Geography of Australia - Using an Atlas to get information

      2.  Culture of Australia - How people live in rural and urban areas

      3.  Economics of Australia  - Coober Pedy - An opal mining town

      4. Prepare a reseach project/paper on an Australian animal

    • Research Paper/Project

      Each student will collect information, organize the information in categories and write a short paper on an Australian animal of choice.

      There will be sufficient class time provided so that all work can be completed at school. If you are falling behind I will ask you to do some of the work at home.  Use your class time wisely! 

      After your paper is done you can design a scrapbook with pictures you have collect of your animal.  Be sure to include a map that shows where your animal lives and captions for your pictures.

      Challenge  -- You can also do a powerpoint if you wish.  Just ask me!

    • Outline for the Research Project Page

      The following document is the outline we discussed in class.  Remember that not all the questions can be answered for each animal.  Yours may be different.  Also remember that you can add more information especially interesting facts.  This outline is just to help you get your facts organized.  

      As your finding information remember to write just on fact one each note.  Use short phrases not complete sentences.  Spell correctly and write neatly or you won't be able to read your notes.

  • Topic 7

    Science - FOSS Properties of Water (Earth Sciences)

    • Topic 8

      Social Studies - Native American Unit

      • Topic 9

        Social Studies/Economics -- Economic Trade Routes

        • Topic 10

          Science - FOSS Physics of Sound (Physical Sciences)

          • Topic 11

            Social Studies - Asian Countries Unit

            • Topic 12

              Science Unit -- FOSS Human Body (Life Sciences)