We are starting third grade with a new reading program from, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Journeys is common core-based instruction integrated into every unit and lesson. The students will be challenged with learning from complex text. They will focus on repeated readings, developing academic vocabulary, and close-reading skills.
Weekly Routine
The students text books will come home on Mondays so that they can read through the story with you. Please go over the highlighted vocabulary words with your child to make sure they understand the meanings. Weekly tests will be given each Friday to go over comprehension, vocabulary, phonics and grammar.
SCROLL FROM THE BOTTOM UP TO FIND THE DATE AND LESSON
April 28- May 2
Dear Family,
This week we’ll look at the Aloha State,
Hawaii, and ask, “What changes do
volcanoes cause?” In the realistic fiction
selection Dog-of-the-Sea-Waves, we’ll read
about a boy who forms a special bond with
an injured seal he rescues. We’ll also read
the informational text The Land Volcanoes
Built, which explains how volcanoes helped
form the land of Hawaii.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll look at the Aloha State,
Hawaii, and ask, “What changes do
volcanoes cause?” In the realistic fiction
selection Dog-of-the-Sea-Waves, we’ll read
about a boy who forms a special bond with
an injured seal he rescues. We’ll also read
the informational text The Land Volcanoes
Built, which explains how volcanoes helped
form the land of Hawaii.
April 21-25
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question “How can
people communicate over long distances?”
In the fantasy selection The Journey of
Oliver K. Woodman, children will read about
how Oliver travels across the country with
the aid of friends he meets along the way.
Students will also read the informational
text Moving the U.S. Mail, which provides
a historical overview of mail delivery in the
United States.
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question “How can
people communicate over long distances?”
In the fantasy selection The Journey of
Oliver K. Woodman, children will read about
how Oliver travels across the country with
the aid of friends he meets along the way.
Students will also read the informational
text Moving the U.S. Mail, which provides
a historical overview of mail delivery in the
United States.
April 7-11
Dear Family,
This unit begins by exploring the question
“What was life on the prairie like for
pioneers?” In the historical fiction selection
Sarah, Plain and Tall, students will read
about two motherless children on a prairie
who hope they will gain a new mother, and
their father a new wife, in the form of plain
and tall Sarah, from faraway Maine. The class
will also read Wagons of the Old West, an
informational text that tells how old wagons
were specially designed to help pioneers
make their long westward treks.
March 24-28
Dear Family,
In the final week of this unit, we’ll ask, “What
are the coldest places on Earth like?” In
the informational text Life on the Ice, we’ll
read about Earth’s polar regions and learn
how animals survive in extreme cold. We’ll
also read The Raven: An Inuit Myth. This
readers’ theater piece is a myth that tells how
the sun and the moon were placed in the sky.
Dear Family,
In the final week of this unit, we’ll ask, “What
are the coldest places on Earth like?” In
the informational text Life on the Ice, we’ll
read about Earth’s polar regions and learn
how animals survive in extreme cold. We’ll
also read The Raven: An Inuit Myth. This
readers’ theater piece is a myth that tells how
the sun and the moon were placed in the sky.
Dear Family,
This week’s reading explores the question
“How do members of a community help
each other?” In the play Two Bear Cubs,
adapted from a Miwok myth, we’ll read
about how a community of animals—and
a heroic worm—help a mother bear find
her lost cubs and safely bring them back
home. We’ll also read the informational text
Whose Land Is It? to find out how people
and animals can share the same habitat.
Dear Family,
Nature presents us with wondrous plant life.This week we’ll explore the question “What are some differences among types of trees?” In the informational text A Tree Is Growing, we’ll read interesting facts about trees found around the world. We’ll also read Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, a vivid poem by Robert Frost.
Nature presents us with wondrous plant life.This week we’ll explore the question “What are some differences among types of trees?” In the informational text A Tree Is Growing, we’ll read interesting facts about trees found around the world. We’ll also read Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, a vivid poem by Robert Frost.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll ask, “What can fossils tell us about the past?” In the informational text The Albertosaurus Mystery: Philip Currie’s Hunt in the Badlands, students will read about a paleontologist who searches for dinosaur bones. Students will also read the informational text Finding Fossils for Fun, which has tips on where to make your own discoveries.
This week we’ll ask, “What can fossils tell us about the past?” In the informational text The Albertosaurus Mystery: Philip Currie’s Hunt in the Badlands, students will read about a paleontologist who searches for dinosaur bones. Students will also read the informational text Finding Fossils for Fun, which has tips on where to make your own discoveries.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll begin by asking, “Why is it important to take care of our environment?” In the humorous fiction selection Judy Moody Saves the World, we’ll read about a girl who takes protecting the environment very seriously, to her family’s surprise. We’ll also read My Smelly Pet, another humorous fiction selection in which Judy Moody picks out a plant to be her favorite pet!
This week we’ll begin by asking, “Why is it important to take care of our environment?” In the humorous fiction selection Judy Moody Saves the World, we’ll read about a girl who takes protecting the environment very seriously, to her family’s surprise. We’ll also read My Smelly Pet, another humorous fiction selection in which Judy Moody picks out a plant to be her favorite pet!
Dear Family,
During the final week of this unit, we’ll explore the question “Why are safety
rules important?” In the humorous fiction selection The Extra-good Sunday, we’ll meet two sisters who attempt to please their parents by making dinner. We’ll also read Imagine a Recipe, an informational text that gives readers the steps involved in making flan, a popular dessert in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question “What
are some benefits of dogs interacting with
people?” In the informational text Aero and
Officer Mike, we’ll read about a specially
trained dog and a police officer. We’ll read a
second informational text, Kids and Critters,
which tells about the bond between children
and animals.
During the final week of this unit, we’ll explore the question “Why are safety
rules important?” In the humorous fiction selection The Extra-good Sunday, we’ll meet two sisters who attempt to please their parents by making dinner. We’ll also read Imagine a Recipe, an informational text that gives readers the steps involved in making flan, a popular dessert in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question “What
are some benefits of dogs interacting with
people?” In the informational text Aero and
Officer Mike, we’ll read about a specially
trained dog and a police officer. We’ll read a
second informational text, Kids and Critters,
which tells about the bond between children
and animals.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll explore the question
“Why are stories from different cultures
important?” In the legend Yonder Mountain:
A Cherokee Legend, a Cherokee chief
finds out which of three men is best suited
to become the new leader. We’ll also read
the informational text The Trail of Tears,
which tells about the forced migration of the
Cherokee to Oklahoma.
This week we’ll explore the question
“Why are stories from different cultures
important?” In the legend Yonder Mountain:
A Cherokee Legend, a Cherokee chief
finds out which of three men is best suited
to become the new leader. We’ll also read
the informational text The Trail of Tears,
which tells about the forced migration of the
Cherokee to Oklahoma.
December 9-13
Dear Family,
This week we’ll explore the question “Why is it important to grow food crops?” In the trickster tale Tops and Bottoms, students will read about how two clever and hard- working hares win back some lost land by tricking a lazy and greedy bear. Students will also read Goodness Grows in Gardens, an informational text that tells about community gardens and how they benefit communities.
December 2-6
Dear Family,
This week we look at how technology has benefitted the world of sports. Students will examine the question “How do inventions help athletes?” In the informational text Technology Wins the Game, students will read how sports engineers have helped athletes improve performance by inventing special equipment and clothing for different types of sports. Students will also read the informational text Science for Sports Fans, which explains how to find the “sweet spot” on a baseball bat.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll explore the question “Why is it important to grow food crops?” In the trickster tale Tops and Bottoms, students will read about how two clever and hard- working hares win back some lost land by tricking a lazy and greedy bear. Students will also read Goodness Grows in Gardens, an informational text that tells about community gardens and how they benefit communities.
December 2-6
Dear Family,
This week we look at how technology has benefitted the world of sports. Students will examine the question “How do inventions help athletes?” In the informational text Technology Wins the Game, students will read how sports engineers have helped athletes improve performance by inventing special equipment and clothing for different types of sports. Students will also read the informational text Science for Sports Fans, which explains how to find the “sweet spot” on a baseball bat.
November 18 - 22
Dear Family,
During the final week of this unit, we’ll think about how technology helps us share ideas and be creative in new ways. We’ll explore the question “What important traits must an inventor have?” In the biography Young Thomas Edison, students will learn about one of the world’s most brilliant inventors. Students will also read the informational text Moving Pictures, which explains movie technology old and new.
November 11 - 15
Dear Family,
This week we’ll explore the question “How is a live performance different than other kinds of entertainment?” In the realistic fiction selection Kamishibai Man, students will read about a storyteller from Japan who finds that his stories—told with traditional Japanese scenes on paper—still bring delight to a contemporary audience. Students will also read the informational text The True Story of Kamishibai, which tells about this elegant Japanese storytelling tradition.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll explore the question “How is a live performance different than other kinds of entertainment?” In the realistic fiction selection Kamishibai Man, students will read about a storyteller from Japan who finds that his stories—told with traditional Japanese scenes on paper—still bring delight to a contemporary audience. Students will also read the informational text The True Story of Kamishibai, which tells about this elegant Japanese storytelling tradition.
November 4-8
Dear Family,
This week we’ll ask “What do traditional tales tell readers about life?” In the folktale The Harvest Birds, we’ll read about how a young man, Juan, listens to nature to achieve his dream. We’ll also read the folktale The Treasure about a poor man who follows a dream to look for a treasure, but ends up finding it in his own home instead.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll ask “What do traditional tales tell readers about life?” In the folktale The Harvest Birds, we’ll read about how a young man, Juan, listens to nature to achieve his dream. We’ll also read the folktale The Treasure about a poor man who follows a dream to look for a treasure, but ends up finding it in his own home instead.
September 29-October 2
Dear Family,
This week we will explore the question“How do pictures help to tell a story?” In
the informational text selection What Do Illustrators Do? we’ll read about the methods and skills illustrators use to make stories come alive. We’ll also read the selection Jack Draws a Beanstalk and see how drawing makes this traditional fairy tale come alive.
Dear Family,
This week we will explore the question“How do pictures help to tell a story?” In
the informational text selection What Do Illustrators Do? we’ll read about the methods and skills illustrators use to make stories come alive. We’ll also read the selection Jack Draws a Beanstalk and see how drawing makes this traditional fairy tale come alive.
September 22-26
Dear Family,
During this first week students will explore the question “What makes bats interesting and useful?” In the narrative nonfiction selection Bats Love the Night, students will learn about the characteristics of bats. We’ll also read A Bat is Born, a poem with vivid descriptions of bats.
Dear Family,
During this first week students will explore the question “What makes bats interesting and useful?” In the narrative nonfiction selection Bats Love the Night, students will learn about the characteristics of bats. We’ll also read A Bat is Born, a poem with vivid descriptions of bats.
September 15-19
Dear Family,
During the final week of this unit we explore the question “What are the traits of a hero?” In the biography Roberto Clemente, Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates, students will read a tribute to this extraordinary athlete whose contributions transcended the playing field. Students will also read two poems about baseball: The Baseball Boom and Homer.
Dear Family,
During the final week of this unit we explore the question “What are the traits of a hero?” In the biography Roberto Clemente, Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates, students will read a tribute to this extraordinary athlete whose contributions transcended the playing field. Students will also read two poems about baseball: The Baseball Boom and Homer.
September 8-12
Dear family,
This week we explore the question “Why is everyone’s role on a project important?” In the historical fiction selection Pop’s Bridge,a boy learns about teamwork while watching his father help build the Golden Gate Bridge. The informational text Bridges offers an illustrated overview of different types of bridges.
Dear family,
This week we explore the question “Why is everyone’s role on a project important?” In the historical fiction selection Pop’s Bridge,a boy learns about teamwork while watching his father help build the Golden Gate Bridge. The informational text Bridges offers an illustrated overview of different types of bridges.
September 8-11
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question, "Why is volunteering good for a community and its people?" In the realistic fiction selection Destiny's Gift, students will read about how a young girl rallies her community to keep a neighborhood bookstore from closing. Students will also read the informational text Kids Making A Difference, which shows how young people can make their community a better place in which to live.
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question, "Why is volunteering good for a community and its people?" In the realistic fiction selection Destiny's Gift, students will read about how a young girl rallies her community to keep a neighborhood bookstore from closing. Students will also read the informational text Kids Making A Difference, which shows how young people can make their community a better place in which to live.
Week August 31-September 4
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question “Why are courts an important part of our government?” In the fantasy selection The Trial of Cardigan Jones, we’ll read about the trial of a moose wrongly accused of stealing a pie. Students will also read the informational text You Be the Jury, which introduces students to the jury process.
Dear Family,
This week we explore the question “Why are courts an important part of our government?” In the fantasy selection The Trial of Cardigan Jones, we’ll read about the trial of a moose wrongly accused of stealing a pie. Students will also read the informational text You Be the Jury, which introduces students to the jury process.
Week of August 24-28
Dear Family,
This week we’ll begin by exploring the
question “How is learning at school different
from learning at home?” In the humorous
fiction story A Fine, Fine School, students
will learn what happens when an overly
enthusiastic principal makes his students
stay at school all the time! Students will
also read the informational text One-Room
Schoolhouses, which looks at early American
schools.
Dear Family,
This week we’ll begin by exploring the
question “How is learning at school different
from learning at home?” In the humorous
fiction story A Fine, Fine School, students
will learn what happens when an overly
enthusiastic principal makes his students
stay at school all the time! Students will
also read the informational text One-Room
Schoolhouses, which looks at early American
schools.