COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of learning outcomes developed to prepare students for college and/or careers. The CCSS have been adopted by 35 states nationally and will be assessed using a test developed by the Smarter Balance organization each spring. Teachers have been working with the new English Language Arts and Math standards for the past couple years. New standards for Science and Social Studies are currently being developed. Click on the link below to view the 3rd grade CCSS.
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of learning outcomes developed to prepare students for college and/or careers. The CCSS have been adopted by 35 states nationally and will be assessed using a test developed by the Smarter Balance organization each spring. Teachers have been working with the new English Language Arts and Math standards for the past couple years. New standards for Science and Social Studies are currently being developed. Click on the link below to view the 3rd grade CCSS.
PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAM
Every year students at Helen Keller Elementary engage in 6 transdisciplinary instructional units. Each of these units teach a big, central idea about the world while connecting learning from all the different subject areas. They have been designed by the teachers to incorporate the CCSS as well as specific concepts, skills, attitudes and learner profile attributes that support student understanding of the central idea. The links below connect to each unit’s Report Card, which provides an overall description and details about the elements of each unit.
Example of PYP in the classroom
Check out the video below to see how PYP is used in the classroom!
Every year students at Helen Keller Elementary engage in 6 transdisciplinary instructional units. Each of these units teach a big, central idea about the world while connecting learning from all the different subject areas. They have been designed by the teachers to incorporate the CCSS as well as specific concepts, skills, attitudes and learner profile attributes that support student understanding of the central idea. The links below connect to each unit’s Report Card, which provides an overall description and details about the elements of each unit.
Example of PYP in the classroom
Check out the video below to see how PYP is used in the classroom!
REPORT CARDS
What is a standards based report card?
A standards based report card highlights the most important skills students should learn in each subject at a particular grade level. In our elementary schools, students receive marks that report student progress toward meeting content and performance standards four times a year. Benchmarks for each of the marking periods are used to determine if a student is progressing toward the end of the year standards.
4-Earning a “4” means the student has excelled at grade level expectations. The student consistently excels standards as demonstrated by a body of evidence showing a greater depth of understanding and flexible application of grade level concepts. A “4”is difficult to obtain and indicates unusually high achievement.
3-Earning a “3” means the students shows proficient progress and meets grade level expectations. The student demonstrates understanding of grade level skills and concepts. A student receiving a “3” is right on track with our high academic expectations.
2-Earning a “2” means the student is developing the skills and concepts but has not reached all of them yet. The student understands basic concepts and may need some extra time to practice/understand that concept or skill.
1-Earning a “1” means the student has an area of concern. The student is not meeting grade level expectations and is showing no progress toward meeting the expectation.
Click the button below to read a letter from the district explaining the report.
What is a standards based report card?
A standards based report card highlights the most important skills students should learn in each subject at a particular grade level. In our elementary schools, students receive marks that report student progress toward meeting content and performance standards four times a year. Benchmarks for each of the marking periods are used to determine if a student is progressing toward the end of the year standards.
4-Earning a “4” means the student has excelled at grade level expectations. The student consistently excels standards as demonstrated by a body of evidence showing a greater depth of understanding and flexible application of grade level concepts. A “4”is difficult to obtain and indicates unusually high achievement.
3-Earning a “3” means the students shows proficient progress and meets grade level expectations. The student demonstrates understanding of grade level skills and concepts. A student receiving a “3” is right on track with our high academic expectations.
2-Earning a “2” means the student is developing the skills and concepts but has not reached all of them yet. The student understands basic concepts and may need some extra time to practice/understand that concept or skill.
1-Earning a “1” means the student has an area of concern. The student is not meeting grade level expectations and is showing no progress toward meeting the expectation.
Click the button below to read a letter from the district explaining the report.
3rd Grade PYP Units
How We Organize Ourselves: Structure & Function
This unit explores why communities develop governments and the jobs related to each level of government in our community. As a result, students develop a list of classroom rights and the responsibilities that accompany those rights. Click on the link below for more information about this unit.
How the World Works: Dynamic Earth
This unit has students studying the Earth's every changing crust through the rock cycle and natural forces. Students work with a partner to field test and identify a number of different rocks and minerals.
Where We Are In Place and Time: Location, Location, Location
This unit teaches students about the elements of geography (location, landforms, climate, natural resources) and how the geography of a place impacts the way people live in that place (shelter/clothing, food, jobs, recreation).
Who We Are: Culture Clash
In this unit students learn about the Native American culture, the French voyageurs and the culture clash that occurred when Europeans came to live in the Great Lakes region. Students come to understand how these groups of people from the past impact our lives in this area today.
How We Express Ourselves: Storytelling
This unit has students reading and comparing myths, legends, folktales and fables, performing some reader’s theater and finally, publishing a fable of their own.
How We Organize Ourselves: Structure & Function
This unit explores why communities develop governments and the jobs related to each level of government in our community. As a result, students develop a list of classroom rights and the responsibilities that accompany those rights. Click on the link below for more information about this unit.
How the World Works: Dynamic Earth
This unit has students studying the Earth's every changing crust through the rock cycle and natural forces. Students work with a partner to field test and identify a number of different rocks and minerals.
Where We Are In Place and Time: Location, Location, Location
This unit teaches students about the elements of geography (location, landforms, climate, natural resources) and how the geography of a place impacts the way people live in that place (shelter/clothing, food, jobs, recreation).
Who We Are: Culture Clash
In this unit students learn about the Native American culture, the French voyageurs and the culture clash that occurred when Europeans came to live in the Great Lakes region. Students come to understand how these groups of people from the past impact our lives in this area today.
How We Express Ourselves: Storytelling
This unit has students reading and comparing myths, legends, folktales and fables, performing some reader’s theater and finally, publishing a fable of their own.
Reading and Writing
The reading and writing units are provided to provided by the ROSD to teach the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These units were developed by educators the Michigan Association of Intermediate School
Administrators (MAISA). Use the following link for more information about MAISA: Reading and Writing Curriculum
Math
We will be using Math Expressions Common Core for our math programs. Use the following link for more information: Math Expressions
The reading and writing units are provided to provided by the ROSD to teach the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These units were developed by educators the Michigan Association of Intermediate School
Administrators (MAISA). Use the following link for more information about MAISA: Reading and Writing Curriculum
Math
We will be using Math Expressions Common Core for our math programs. Use the following link for more information: Math Expressions