Language Arts

Language arts goals are to foster creative and meaningful expression of ideas by developing vocabulary, increasing reading and writing fluency, and furthering comprehension. Numerous techniques to support comprehension are shared and practiced in whole class lessons, guided reading groups and literature circles.

Students read for pleasure and to gain information, also developing research skills. In writing, students will strengthen their use of mechanics, improve sentence structure, learn proofreading skills, and develop their voice. Applying the writing process emphasizes the importance of brainstorming, creating an outline, revising, editing for content, and proofreading for spelling accuracy, punctuation, and clarity. Students learn grammar both formally and in context. Vocabulary development is accomplished through weekly vocabulary study, the literature program, and is fostered during writing. Written expression is addressed through Writer’s Workshop, journaling, reports, letter writing and research. Students publish their written work in many different forms, including using iPad apps and digital story telling. Manuscript/print is practiced early in the year. Cursive handwriting instruction is reinforced and practiced extensively in the third grade.