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Scope and SequenceThe following links list an overview of the topics taught in each subject at each grade level. Please keep in mind that the scope and sequence is subject to change depending on the needs of the students, teacher sharing of available materials, etc.
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Third Grade |
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| A Note on Spelling
Our goal is to individualize the spelling program as much as possible for each child so students can increase their spelling ability to their full potential. Towards this end, each student will be given two spelling tests in the fall. The first will narrow their spelling ability to one of eleven levels. Once that level is determined, each student will be given a test within that level to further pinpoint his or her instructional level. Each child’s unique starting point is important, and success in the spelling program will not be gauged by where they child starts in the program, but rather by how they progress once that starting point is determined.
Spelling words are divided into eleven levels. Within each level, there are various spelling rules that are addressed, but the difficulty of the words used to demonstrate the rule increases at each level. For example, the short-a sound is addressed at all levels, but at the lowest level, this may be taught with words like cat, map, ham, etc. While at higher levels the short-a sound may be reinforced with spelling words like bacteria, paragraph, associated, etc. You may wonder why one week your child comes home with long words like “weighed” and “stranger” and the next week he comes home with a list of seemingly easier words like “key”, “seed”, “easy”, and “seize”. But these “easier” words demonstrate four different ways to spell the long-e sound.
Click here to view a list of the 47 spelling rules our program encompasses. Not all levels address all 47 rules, but the rules are consistent between levels, meaning that Rule 1 (the short a sound) or Rule 21 (q is always followed by u) is the same no matter what level your child is working on. It is not important that your child remember the number of each rule. However, they are included here in case you, as the parent, want to refer to them for any reason while helping your child with spelling. |
