• In Scarsdale, we use a workshop approach to writing. Literacy is not solely reading. Students learn to read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding. They will develop and sharpen their skills in comprehension and critical analysis while immersed in various genres. Students will explore literacy with various levels of support and independence. Writing will be taught as a process, not as disconnected skills. Students will engage in thinking and talking about literacy and will observe modeling of good reading and writing skills and habits. A well-balanced literacy program includes several components.

      In third grade, our writing units of study aim to teach students three main styles of writing: narrative, personal/persuasive essay, and informational writing. Some of our reading units include character study, non-fiction, and mystery. The goal of the program is to lift the level of students' writing and reading. Each reading and writing period follows the workshop model. Lessons are centered around the teaching of a specific skill or strategy. This is introduced during a mini-lesson in which the skill or strategy is modeled and practiced. Then the students continue this work individually or with partners while the teacher supports this learning. Progress is monitored and assessed through conferencing, checklists, rubrics, and goal-setting. 

       

      Reading Units:

       

      Building a Reading Life:

      • Build up stamina

      • Learn to check comprehension develop strategies to deepen understanding of all genres

      • Identify traits vs. feelings

      • Summarize

      Mystery: Skills in Disguise: 

      • inferential thinking: predicting and revising predictions, continue summary skill



      Reading to Learn: 

      • Nonfiction texts “boxes and bullets” for synthesizing main ideas and giving supporting details.  Main idea is a tricky one!  Teach to give in the form of a statement:

        • “The main idea is that habitats are important for birds,” vs. “birds”

      Character Studies: 

      • Character traits!! Traits vs. feelings: a trait takes time to change (from shy to brave) vs. a feeling that can change in a heartbeat.

      •  Investigating patterns in a character’s behavior

       

      Research Book Clubs: - Partner with SS

      • Researching country in a club. synthesizing information across texts, organize what they are learning about on subtopic. 

       

      Writing Workshop

      • Writer’s notebook: A place to collect IDEAS.  Writing process: Generate ideas for several days/weeks in notebook. Choose an idea to explore further. Draft, Revise, Edit, Publish

       

       

       

      Art of Informational Writing: 

      • Students learn to write a main idea with supporting details on a known topic. (no research)

       

      Changing the World: Persuasive Writing: 

      • Intro to essay writing.  Making a claim with some supports.

       

      Literary Essay: 

      • Students will be introduced to the beginning skills for essay writing. Third grade essays include paragraphing, introduction, conclusions, evidence, transition words.

       

      Fantasy

      • Students explore what makes for fantastic creative fantasy writing.

      • They study mentor texts, recording their information using a story map. 

      • Students create characters, settings, problems and solutions.