All About Third Grade

  Welcome to third grade at The American School in Japan.  To help you understand your child’s classroom and program I have put together this information.  Hopefully, it will be a good reference for letting you know all about the school year ahead for your child.  Don’t hesitate to ask questions about any of the information below.

Your Child’s Teacher

  A cheerful welcome to all of you as we start our 2003-04 school year!  I am privileged to be your child’s teacher this year, and look forward to the many memories I will share with them.  I received my elementary education degree from Boise State University with a masters degree in Reading and Language Arts from University of Oregon. I continue my professional growth by taking educational courses offered in Tokyo and as well as those offered at educational institutions in the United States.  Previously, I taught third grade at Taipei American School and this is my sixth year teaching third grade at ASIJ. I have much to share with your children and look forward to learning from them as well.

  Communication

  A vital part of a successful school year is open and consistent communication between home and school.  For my part, I will try to keep you informed of class activities with handouts and a periodic newsletter. This year the Parent Share day has been an opportunity for you to tell me about your child and ask questions during a short conference.  Your child’s progress will be formally discussed with you twice a year when we conference over report cards.  You will receive three written reports during the year: November, March and June.  Third grade has a combination narrative and progress report card.  Besides the formal conference times, I am available to discuss any aspect of your child’s learning throughout the year by phone calls, conferences, and emails. You can e-mail me at cborgen@asij.ac.jp

Parent Involvement

  Taking an active role in your child’s education is an important part of the home/school relationship.  In Third Grade there are a variety of ways to help.  A volunteer sign-up sheet will be in the room on Back to School day, or you may send a note with a particular interest in mind.  Homeroom Mom(s) or Dad(s) will be established and they will contact you regarding specific tasks and events.  You are also encouraged to contact me regarding special interests you can share with the class, including reading favorite books during story time, or sharing the culture and traditions of another country.

  Class Events

  Birthdays: We celebrate each child’s birthday at school with a short low-key party.  You may send in a small treat (cookies, fruit, ice cream bars, etc.) for the class if you wish to do so.  We will sing a birthday song.. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in early June.

  Parties:  We have four planned parties for the year: Halloween, Winter Holidays, Valentine’s Day and the end of the year.  Notices will be sent home regarding details on these parties.

  Special Events

  September Picnic in the Park: Early in the year we will gather as a grade level in order to renew friendships from the previous year and to celebrate the third grade year to come. 

Giving Days: Each third grader decorates a gift pocket out of felt in November. Parent volunteers assist with sewing.  These gift pockets are large enough to hold 21 small individually wrapped gifts.  Each student participating is assigned a Giving Day in early December and asked to bring in a small, inexpensive gift for each classmate.  We emphasize the request that gifts be inexpensive.  Some sample gifts of the past have included pencils, origami cranes, erasers, stickers, etc.

  Market Day: Students in each homeroom are “paid” weekly in their own make believe homeroom currency.  The earnings are saved up for Market Day, which occurs three times a year.  Market Day is a day when the students set up shop and sell, or sometimes rent, unneeded toys, snacks, books, or provide entertainment or services to students in other rooms.  International “banks” exchange money between classrooms and the children gain insight and experience with fluctuating exchange rates since one classroom traditionally suffers from inflation.  More information regarding the exact date will be coming soon.

  Field Trips: In the fall the class will go to the tropical green house at Jindaiji as part of our tropical plant study.  In the spring, the third grade goes to Tama Zoo for the day.  Parent volunteers will be requested to accompany us.  Details on both trips will be sent home ahead of time.

  Math Extravaganza: Near the end of the school year third grade holds a morning of measurement in Nogawa Park.  This event has several stations run by parent volunteers but is planned in advance by third grade teachers.  It takes the whole morning and is usually followed by a picnic.

  Third Grade Curriculum

  Language Arts

  Language arts is made up of reading, writing, listening and speaking.  Developing interests and skills in these areas is at the core of the class curriculum.  A two pronged approach is taken in teaching Language Arts.  Instruction and practice of skills are initiated, then applied and honed through a wide variety of reading and writing activities, in addition to opportunities to develop speaking and listening skills.

  Skill Building: Through direct instruction, knowledge of language structure, rules, grammar and punctuation are taught.

  Reading: Expanding on newly acquired reading skills is a primary objective in third grade.  Emphasis is placed on developing efficient decoding strategies, fluency and comprehension.  A multi-faceted program includes guided reading sessions,  literature circles, content reading for research and pleasure reading.  Additionally, students should read at home for at least 20 minutes each day.

  Writing: The writing process of brainstorming, story mapping, rough draft, editing, final draft and publishing is taught.  A variety of writing techniques are practiced through the use of journals, letter writing, writing for publication, response writing to literature, and research report writing.

  Spelling: All third grade classrooms teach spelling from a common list of words.  The spelling words are grouped according to linguistic structure and lend themselves to word and language analysis.  Spelling words will be tested each week and spelling homework will be provided.

  Handwriting: Cursive handwriting is taught from the very beginning of the year and practiced throughout the rest of the year. Near the end of the year, your child will be completing all written assignments in cursive.

  Social Studies and Science

  The central thematic focus in third grade are on the tropical rain forests and polar regions of the world.  These units integrate social studies concepts and science along with language arts, math, creative arts and music.  Children engage in a number of research projects. Children also study units on plants, water cycle, bats, and electricity.

  Math

  This is our fifth year with the Everyday Mathematics program. You have received parent letters on the overview of the program and Unit One. Two unique features of the program are its extensive use of mathematical vocabulary and the “spiraling” of concepts. Spiraling means concepts will be introduced, then reinforced from various approaches throughout the program. You will receive frequent correspondence (parent letters) regarding each unit and various homework assignments. We look forward to our fourth year of using this program.

  Technology

  All third graders are introduced to keyboarding near the beginning of the year.  Classes learn correct finger placement in a series of lessons and are expected and encouraged to use what they learn throughout the year.  Other technology skills such as outlining, publishing, power point,  the use of the Internet and contributing to the class web page are practiced. Multi-media programs are introduced in various classes.

  Third Grade Responsibilities

  Upon entering third grade, more responsibilities are assumed by the students. They will be required to take care of all their own supplies, clothing and lunch money. They are asked to take home notes and return papers from home. Daily homework needs to be taken home and completed the next day unless stated. Library books should be brought back each A-Day. You can help keep your child organized by establishing routines like having him/her empty backpack upon entering the house, putting homework folder in a safe place and giving you any papers. You can use a reminder sign to ensure that completed homework is put in your child’s backpack.

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