3rd-5th GRADE CLASSES (2008-2009)

Third grade students rotate through 5 classes each day. These classes are:

Art (Tamara Bellcock)- This Fall we will be working on practice and mastery of basic drawing techniques.  In the Spring we will be studying each of the 7 art elements—line, shape, color, value, texture, form and space.  We will also be learning about famous artists who were known for their mastery of each element.
(supplies:  $8 art fee to be paid at Parent Meeting; drawing pad (newsprint type is fine!  Please do not spend a fortune on a sketch pad); at LEAST 3 sharpened pencils and a good eraser as well as a pocket folder for managing handouts and homework assignments)

History (Marie Aldrich)- We will start the year with studying the presidents (special items will include showing some video of the presidents, making posters, giving a report, having a mock presidential election the week before Election Day, having a food day).  Following this, we will do a genealogy unit, talking about immigration and why America is a "melting pot.” (supplies: $10 fee for copies and monthly publication to be used in class; notebook paper; sharpened pencils)

Science (Lanette Stewart)- First Semester:  Magnets and Electricity; Second Semester:  Solar System (supplies: $5 supply fee to be paid at Parent Meeting, sharpened pencils, notebook paper, folder for papers/homework)

Sign Language (Pamela Taylor)- Students will learn the sign language alphabet and basic signs and sentences in American Sign Language.  Class discussions will focus on the lives of individuals who are Deaf and technologies and strategies they use every day.  (supplies: No text is required, but it is highly recommended that you purchase Learn to Sign the Fun Way by Penny Warner)

Writing (Cathy Lee)- This year, we will once again use the workbook, Wordsmith Apprentice from Common Sense Press. The 3^rd grade will start at the beginning learning the parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc), while the 4^th and 5^th grades will pick-up where we left off.  If the 4^th and 5^th grades finish the book we will complete the year with a study on poetry. (supplies: Wordsmith Apprentice- $13 at Academy – siblings can share book and can use book from last year; pencil, and notebook paper, access to a newspaper, a thesaurus, and dictionary will also be needed for some assignments.)  

Report Report cards will be given for each semester for grades 3-5. Students will be given two grades, on for class participation and one for conduct (E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactoy, U=Unsatisfactory).