3rd Grade
Barbara Stein, General Studies
Julie Pollack, Judaic Studies

General Studies
Social Studies
Social studies provides opportunities to study map skills and various communities in both the United States and foreign countries. Colonial America is studied and a trip to Schuyler Mansion rounds out our study. An integrated English/Hebrew program is program is presented for Father’s Day.

Math
The Everyday Math program is a hands-on, exploratory method of helping children to become math thinkers. There are many games and strategies that teach skills and concepts, as well as paper/pencil activities. The children study addition/subtraction with renaming, multiplication and division algorithms and are tested on multiplication facts. The children build on their knowledge of geometry, measurements, time, money and place value. A math enrichment program is provided for talented math students.

Science
The science program is largely developed through the use of science kits. The third grade topics are chemistry and plants. In addition, there are smaller units on vertebrates, the moon, the Earth's layers, weathering, and nutrition. The highlight is on our Science Fair class project.

Language Arts
Our Houghton Mifflin series is a tried and true favorite. It offers diverse and exciting literature and a practice book with essential skills in spelling, grammar, comprehension and writing. In addition to the series, the children write a variety of original pieces (stories, poems etc.), as well as learn research skills. Monthly book reports highlight a particular genre (fiction, mystery, biography, historical fiction, and poetry). The children begin cursive writing and we use a workbook, entitled “Blast Off”, this supports the skills tested on the fourth grade ELA test. The program is enriched through more challenging books for advanced readers.

Judaic Studies

Hebrew Language Arts
We are using the new TalAm 3 curriculum for the first time this year. The curriculum builds upon the material studied in second grade, and expands the student’s competence in reading, oral and written expression, comprehension, grammar and syntax.

• Reading- The goal is to achieve fluent, accurate reading of the Siddur, Bible and Hebrew Language texts. Students will read short books on their reading and comprehension levels. Instruction will be tailored to the ability of each student and will allow each child to progress at his or her own pace.
• Oral expression- Students will learn new vocabulary words and use them in oral language exercises. The ultimate goal is the ability to converse in Hebrew.
• Written expression- Students will incorporate new vocabulary in a variety of written language exercises. The ultimate goal is to converse in Hebrew.

Holidays
Students will increase their knowledge of the history, customs and prayers associated with the Jewish holidays. Lessons will involve music, art, dance and drama.

Torah
We will use the MaTok curriculum to learn selections of the book of Genesis, from Parashat Lech-Lecha through Parashat Vayishlach. Language constructions unique to the Torah text will be taught, and students will develop a vocabulary of frequently occurring words and phrases in Biblical Hebrew. Knowledge of the “Pshat” (actual biblical narrative) is stressed, but commentaries (especially Rashi) will be introduced occasionally. Students will be encouraged to ask questions about the text, and to offer their own comments and interpretations. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the Biblical personalities, and conflicts and moral issues they face, and the lessons learned that could be applies to our own lives.