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I'm moving from First to Third Grade
- Thread starter TXTeach
- Start date
Eagle3
Junior Member
I teach 3rd in TX
Hi there! - I've taught third grade in TX for four years now and enjoy it very much (apart from the stress of TAKS). The best thing you can do first is to get very familiar with the 3rd Grade TEKS. Then, think about how you want to set up your day with Math, Literacy, etc. You might want to check with your new school to see if they use any particular reading or math programs that you need to begin to familiarize yourself with. I teach only the reading/language block and can give you some titles of excellent resources if you like. I'm happy to offer some advice for any specific questions you may have!
Carrie
Hi there! - I've taught third grade in TX for four years now and enjoy it very much (apart from the stress of TAKS). The best thing you can do first is to get very familiar with the 3rd Grade TEKS. Then, think about how you want to set up your day with Math, Literacy, etc. You might want to check with your new school to see if they use any particular reading or math programs that you need to begin to familiarize yourself with. I teach only the reading/language block and can give you some titles of excellent resources if you like. I'm happy to offer some advice for any specific questions you may have!
Carrie
SusanTeach
Senior Member
3rd grade
I LOVE 3rd grade! I've taught several different grades, and 3rd is by far my favorite. In fact, I've requested to stay in there next year (I was supposed to loop). I guess some things that come to mind include:
*higher level books (intended for 3rd graders)
*read the state benchmarks - and print a copy - that helps you see what you'll be teaching, and you can start getting ideas for lessons.
*get a "Mailbox Superbook for Grade 3" - well worth the $29. I get one for every grade I teach.
Enjoy!
I LOVE 3rd grade! I've taught several different grades, and 3rd is by far my favorite. In fact, I've requested to stay in there next year (I was supposed to loop). I guess some things that come to mind include:
*higher level books (intended for 3rd graders)
*read the state benchmarks - and print a copy - that helps you see what you'll be teaching, and you can start getting ideas for lessons.
*get a "Mailbox Superbook for Grade 3" - well worth the $29. I get one for every grade I teach.
Enjoy!
MissO
Senior Member
Some friendly advice...
I teach 3rd Language Arts in Texas. I love the age and the material, except for TAKS of course.
Be sure to ask other 3rd grade teachers at your campus what exactly they do for TAKS preparation. At my school, we all have specific strategies that we use for the test and we do pretty much the same thing. We work on TAKS preparation all year, not just close to testing time.
Also, something I've learned is not to forget about writing. 3rd graders are at an age where things start coming together for them - sort of a synthesis of everything they've learned so far in school. This is a great time to connect reading and writing, vocabulary, spelling, etc.
Good luck!
I teach 3rd Language Arts in Texas. I love the age and the material, except for TAKS of course.
Be sure to ask other 3rd grade teachers at your campus what exactly they do for TAKS preparation. At my school, we all have specific strategies that we use for the test and we do pretty much the same thing. We work on TAKS preparation all year, not just close to testing time.
Also, something I've learned is not to forget about writing. 3rd graders are at an age where things start coming together for them - sort of a synthesis of everything they've learned so far in school. This is a great time to connect reading and writing, vocabulary, spelling, etc.
Good luck!
I teach 3rd in Texas
I have been in the same grade in the same school for 19 years!!! I've been through, TABS, TEAMS, TAAS, "son of TAAS" (TAAS 2), and TAKS. I've hated them all, but they have all been survivable. I love 3rd graders. They are still sweet, love-their-teacher kind of kids, but by and large they can tie their own shoes, zip and snap, work more independently, etc.
For preparing for TAKS math, I STRONGLY recommend TARGET the TEKS and TARGET the Question. Both are bulletin board programs available only to Texas teachers. I can't remember the company name or website, but if your interested I can look it up for you.
My school is not departmentalized-still self-contained classes. We have the hardest time covering social studies/science TEKS. Next year we are looking to incorporate most of them into language arts and math. Teaching cross-curricular is about the only way I know of to get in all the TEKS. I'd love to know how some of the rest of you do it.
As for "one of the best districts", I think I'm in one of the best ones, too. We have a lot of kids whose families moved here specifically for the school district. This year, our 3rd grade had 94% passing on the 1st TAKS reading test. Haven't gotten math scores yet. Two years ago we had 98% on reading and 100% on math and were an exemplary school.
I have been in the same grade in the same school for 19 years!!! I've been through, TABS, TEAMS, TAAS, "son of TAAS" (TAAS 2), and TAKS. I've hated them all, but they have all been survivable. I love 3rd graders. They are still sweet, love-their-teacher kind of kids, but by and large they can tie their own shoes, zip and snap, work more independently, etc.
For preparing for TAKS math, I STRONGLY recommend TARGET the TEKS and TARGET the Question. Both are bulletin board programs available only to Texas teachers. I can't remember the company name or website, but if your interested I can look it up for you.
My school is not departmentalized-still self-contained classes. We have the hardest time covering social studies/science TEKS. Next year we are looking to incorporate most of them into language arts and math. Teaching cross-curricular is about the only way I know of to get in all the TEKS. I'd love to know how some of the rest of you do it.
As for "one of the best districts", I think I'm in one of the best ones, too. We have a lot of kids whose families moved here specifically for the school district. This year, our 3rd grade had 94% passing on the 1st TAKS reading test. Haven't gotten math scores yet. Two years ago we had 98% on reading and 100% on math and were an exemplary school.
Eagle3
Junior Member
Hi Tweet,
I have a huge amount of TAKS resources but have never heard of the two you mentioned. Could you post the company name or website when you get a chance? I'd like to look into it! Thanks!
At my school we are departmentalized. I don't know how you do it all with self-contained. It would be extremely difficult. I team teach with another teacher. I teach the literacy block (reading, writing, language, spelling) and my partner teacher teaches math, science and social studies. We switch classes halfway through the day. It's still hard, but we manage to get everything in because each of us can concentrate on doing "our subjects" well, rather than feeling like we are spreading ourselves thin and just barely covering the subjects to get by. I feel for you. Once my principal suggested we think about going self-contained in third and we all revolted! 
Carrie
I have a huge amount of TAKS resources but have never heard of the two you mentioned. Could you post the company name or website when you get a chance? I'd like to look into it! Thanks!
At my school we are departmentalized. I don't know how you do it all with self-contained. It would be extremely difficult. I team teach with another teacher. I teach the literacy block (reading, writing, language, spelling) and my partner teacher teaches math, science and social studies. We switch classes halfway through the day. It's still hard, but we manage to get everything in because each of us can concentrate on doing "our subjects" well, rather than feeling like we are spreading ourselves thin and just barely covering the subjects to get by. I feel for you. Once my principal suggested we think about going self-contained in third and we all revolted!
Carrie
RE:Target
The web address for Target the TEKS is www.lonestarlearning.com. I just learned that they now have a new reading program as well as the math. A similar math program is Mountain Math, which you can find by typing that into your search engine. I forgot to make note of the actual web address.
The web address for Target the TEKS is www.lonestarlearning.com. I just learned that they now have a new reading program as well as the math. A similar math program is Mountain Math, which you can find by typing that into your search engine. I forgot to make note of the actual web address.