Third Grade - Mrs. Sykes
Hello! My name is Ellie Sykes. This is my fourth year teaching at St. John School, and I have loved being a part of this wonderful school and community. I believe that a love of learning is fostered when students are interested and involved in their learning. In my classroom, we learn through hands-on experiences. We collaborate when possible and are always actively engaged in learning. I believe that learning should be fun yet balanced with academic rigor. But, above all, nothing is possible without truly knowing my students. Classroom community comes first and foremost. Relationships are the foundation upon which academics will be built. My main goal as an educator is to provide a welcoming, safe environment and where each student feels known and loved.
When I am not in the classroom teaching, I’m spending quality time with my husband and my daughter. We love taking our Labrador Retriever on walks or dancing around the house to “Let it Go”.
Religion Book: Christ Our Life
Prayers: Know the Apostles' Creed and the prayers of the rosary. Know the Mysteries of the Rosary.
Write daily in a prayer journal.
Third Graders go to weekly Adoration on Thursday at Church.
Attend monthly First Friday Masses and Masses on Holy Days.
Learn about God's Kingdom of Love through study of the sacraments and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Experience the traditions of the church year with a special focus on the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.
Learn first hand about a Patron Saint by role playing with a dramatic presentation and saint report for "SAINTS ALIVE"
Math:
Students will use a textbook, worksheets,and manipulatives.
This math program in 3th grade focuses on these different content areas; Numbers & Operations, Algebra & Geometry Connections, Data Analysis, Measurement and Problem Solving.
Reading: McGraw Hill text books and workbook, S.R.A. Reading Lab.
Grade 3 instructs reading in both whole group and small groups.
Strategies for decoding, vocabulary recognition, comprehension, and oral fluency skills are taught and assessed.
The goal is to help students enjoy reading and focus on reading to learn.
Supplement: S.R.A.
Individualized, Indendent Reading Program
Monthy book reports/projects for different reading genres:
Historical fiction, mystery fiction, adventure fiction, biography non-fiction, science related non-fiction, poetry, and seasonal.
Read Aloud Program
Grade 3 enjoys the weekly visit of a retired reading teacher volunteer, Mrs. Gwizd. She reads a classic book aloud to the children once a week for 30 minutes.
Grade 3 and Grade 7 join monthly for activities and sharing.
English:
Written Expression:
Begin to learn the process skills; Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit and Publish for the different forms of writing; Persuasive, Narrative, Descriptive and Expository based on the 6 traits of writing; Focus/Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentences, Conventions; Maintain a Writing Traits Portfolio and a Daily Journal
In addition to an extensive Maps and Globes Geography Unit using both Textbook and Geography series, the students learn about and explore the 3 different types of communities, rural, suburban, and urban through the study of the following communities: Old Saybrook and Hartford, Ct., Mexico City, Native American Communities (ancient tribe of the Anasazi and Ct. Woodland Native Americans) English Colony at Jamestown, Spanish Mission in San Francisco, and Building a Government in Washington D.C.
Science:
Learn Science by using Saxon Student Booklets, Teacher created Units, Field Trips and Science Lab
Use the Saxon Hands-On Kits to study the following: Exploring Our Solar System, Investigating Elements and Compounds, Observing Physical Changes, Investigating Changes in Our Atmosphere, Exploring the Earth's Structure Examining the Structure and Function of Parts of Seed Plants, Investigating Amphibians and Reptiles
Cursive: Zaner Bloser Handwriting Program.
Grade 3 cursive is taught using the Zaner Bloser guidelines.
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