Third Grade:

February 2013:
The students made Valentine’s Day cards for the Meals on Wheels recipients.  They created different animals and figures out of hearts to fill their buckets as they enjoyed their meals. In Science, students continued their unit on Water. They learned about erosion, weathering, and the formation of water. In Social Studies, students concluded the unit of study on William Penn and how he influenced the early development of Pennsylvania.
 
January 2013:
In Science, students explored a unit on Land and Water. They cooperatively worked together in small groups, and discovered erosion and weathering. Students used a “stream table” as a model that represented a large body of land and water. They recorded the results of what happens when different amounts of water are poured onto their tables. Students will create their own “towns” and try to protect their land from floods, erosion, etc. In Social Studies, students began a new unit on William Penn and Pennsylvania. They are learning about Quakers, and how William Penn influenced the early developments of Pennsylvania. During Language Arts, the children continued to learn the important reading strategies to promote a higher level of thinking, and stronger comprehension. These strategies included making connections to the text, comparing and contrasting stories, as well as, determining what is important while reading.
 
December 2012:

In Science, students completed the unit of study on chemicals by identifying five mystery chemicals. The chemicals included sugar, talc, alum, baking soda, and cornstarch. Third grade students created calendars for their partnership with Meals on Wheels. In Literature Circle, students read chapter books and then each had a different role to perform such as discussion leader, artist, connector, and question asker to complete while reading.


November 2012:

Third grade students learned all about the elections. They studied the responsibilities of the president, as well, as the voting process. Students wrote a persuasive paragraph stating what would make them an exceptional presidential candidate. Third grade partnered with Meals on Wheels. Students wrote Thanksgiving Turkey cards for the citizens in the community who receive Thanksgiving meals from this organization. The Franklin Institute visited Hillside and the third grade students learned about chemistry which is part of their Science curriculum. The presenter demonstrated various experiments while discussing key vocabulary terms such as variables, controls, and physical and chemical reactions.


October 2012:

A highlight for students was Pride Day. Students were able to work with students from all grades, be role models for the younger students, and also learn more about being respectful and perseverance. In Science, students are learning about chemicals. They tested, observed, and made hypothesis about five common household chemicals. Students read, synthesized, inferred, and wrote about light and electricity. Third grade started working on cursive handwriting. They are learning the proper technique used to make lowercase letters.  In Social Studies, students are learning about Native Americans. The unit will include studying the different regions, as well as five different tribes. Students will compare the similarities and differences between each tribe’s diet, habitat, and customs.


September 2012:
Students learned how to read different kinds of maps in Social Studies. In Science, students studied rocks and examined their physical properties. In Language Arts, the students discussed about different communities across the world and made connections to them. On September 18th students learned about and celebrated Constitution Day.