3rd Grade focuses on the project based learning model to help students fully understand and experience content that is taught in the grade level. Below is a summary of each project for the entire year along with what you will need to provide as a parent for each project:
Animal Research- October
Students will pick an animal and learn researching skills to help them build a google slide presentation on that animal. They do their research through using their Chromebook and through books from the library. Majority of the work is done in the classroom. As much time in school as we can is provided for the students to complete research and their presentation. When done, they present to other grade levels to practice their presentation skills.
Parent support: Your child may bring it home as extra homework if they are cutting it close to the deadline and still not finished, otherwise most is done in school.
Government- November
Students learn about the three branches of government through note taking of slides and videos shown in class. Students then pick a role they would like to apply for and they write a speech to give to the class as to why they should vote for them for that position. Students can run for house of representatives, senator, president, supreme court justice, and other government roles. Students write their speeches in class and do their voting in class. We then go through a government day simulation where each student is seated with their branch of government and we go through a cycle of what it would be like to pass a bill for the classroom. Any bills that get through all three branches are put into place the following week.
Parent support: Helping your child practice their speech, having possible nice dress up outfit for government day. We do not let students hand out anything during voting.
Ellis Island- January
Students learn about immigration to the united states and the journey the first immigrants took from their home country to Ellis Island. Students learn about the topic of immigration and are also given a character profile. They write daily journals as that character about their journey from their home country to Ellis Island. After some weeks of journal writing, the students go through a simulation of Ellis Island in the library as their character and experience what it would be like to go through the full check in process.
Parent support: A time period (1800s) outfit for your child for the Ellis Island simulation day. You can buy something or just pull some things from your closet you already have!
Family History- January
Students research their own family history after learning about Ellis Island and immigration. They then put this information in a slide show and present to other classmates or other grade levels (time permitting).
Parent support: Completing the survey your child brings home on their family history in the most detail as possible, supplying your child with photographs from your family history (can be printed or emailed to your child's teacher), letting your child bring in any family artifacts they could share and show classmates during their presentation.
Expo- May
Students learn about what it takes to run a business and what it means to be an entrepreneur. Students will pick a product with their partner or by themselves to build and will sell it on the final expo day. They will be given ample time in class to build their product and will be given guidance on how to price their item. On the day of the expo, students will set up a table in the gym and sell their product to grades K-5. The money collected goes to a charity chosen by the 3rd graders.
Parent support: guiding your child on picking an idea that makes sense, sending in your child with money on the expo day, helping buy materials for your child's project
