Assessment Throughout the year, classroom teachers will assess each student's growth and progress toward achievement of the learning goals specified in the state curriculum (GPS or QCC if GPS have not been implemented). These classroom assessments will be used to guide instruction in order to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and to succeed. Students will be made aware of the performance expectations for 3rd grade and will acquire selfmonitoring and self-assessing skills to help them maximize their achievement. In the spring, Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies will be administered to 3rd graders in order to provide a standardized measure of student learning. Beginning in the year the Georgia Performance Standards are implemented for a content area, the CRCT will directly align with those GPS. The writing of all 3rd graders will also be assessed. This assessment is based on teacher judgment of the developmental stage most representative of student writings collected throughout the year. Georgia law also mandates the administration of a norm-referenced test to all 3rd grade students sometime during the school year. The state provides the Iowa Test of Basic Skills; a school may choose to administer an alternate norm-referenced test at the system's own expense. Dear Parents, Thank you for all you do as parents to guide your children's learning! I am confident that the future of all our children will be bright because of your continued support of public education in Georgia. We are beginning the most extensive improvement in Georgia education undertaken in the last 18 years-- the implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The new state curriculum sets high standards, maintains clear expectations, and will place our schools and our students not just at the top of the Southeast, but at the top of the nation. As a parent, I personally understand that this kind of change may generate questions and concerns: Why do we need a change? How will this impact my child? What will be different in my child's classroom? For this reason, I have made communication and keeping you informed an absolute priority. Georgia's teachers and administrators have been preparing for this change, and they will be able to answer many of your questions at your local schools. I also encourage you to visit the Georgia Department of Education website to find out more about the new curriculum: www.georgiastandards.org. It is a great day for education in Georgia. Like never before, our state is unified behind a mission to raise the achievement level of all students in our public schools. Toward this aim, we have rallied together and successfully tackled many challenges, ushering in a new level of accountability and quality in education. Thank you for your support as we continue to raise the bar for our state's most precious resource, our children. Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Implementation Schedule for the Georgia Performance Standards in 3rd Grade 2005-2006 English Language Arts 2006-2007 Science 2007-2008 Math 2008-2009 Social Studies Contact Information Dr. Eloise Barron, Director Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services Gerald Boyd - English Language Arts Claire Pierce - Mathematics Stephen Pruitt - Science Dr. William Cranshaw - Social Studies (404) 656-4059 or (404) 656-2608 Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools www.georgiastandards.org The Georgia Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer 3rd Grade THE NEW GEORGIA PERFORMANCE STANDARDS We will lead the nation in improving student achievement. Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools www.gadoe.org 3rd Grade Language Arts Third grade students will receive instruction in reading, writing, and listening, speaking, & viewing. By the end of 3rd Grade, students will be able to: Read aloud with fluency and comprehension Read more thoughtfully, discover more details, and extract deeper meaning from what they read Summarize main points from fiction and nonfiction texts Work independently on research projects Practice, with some guidance, the steps of the writing process in order to produce compositions and reports Use more abstract skills of synthesis and evaluation in writing Respond to questions with logically developed answers Vary language patterns in both speaking and writing Engage in abstract discussions as they respond to text and to life experiences 3rd Grade Mathematics All students will be actively engaged in developing mathematical understandings in real and relevant contexts. By the end of 3rd Grade, students will be able to: Understand place value of numbers through the ten thousands Apply skills of addition and subtraction to problem solving Use mental mathematics and estimation strategies, and use logical reasoning to solve problems Understand the relationship between division and multiplication and between division and subtraction Know multiplication facts and multiply and divide whole numbers (2-3 digits by 1-digit) Model addition and subtraction of decimals and common fractions Use mathematical expressions to represent relationships between quantities Understand the concepts of, and measure, length, perimeter, area, and time Draw and characterize previously studied geometric shapes Solve problems by collecting, organizing, displaying, and interpreting data in tables and bar graphs 3rd Grade Science Third grade students will use inquiry to focus on questions about the world around them, including questions related to earth science, physical science, and life science. By the end of 3rd Grade, students will be able to: Investigate how heat is produced and the effects of heating and cooling Investigate magnets Observe things with many parts and describe the ways in which the parts influence or interact with one another Represent objects in the real world with geometric figures, number sequences, graphs, diagrams, maps, and stories; and compare/contrast these representations to their objects Observe and compare objects, record findings accurately, and analyze data in order to answer their own questions Use information about the relationship between the form and shape of an object and that object's use, operation, or function to explain fossils, rock cycles, and features of plants and animals Differentiate between habitats in Georgia and the organisms that live in our state Recognize the effects of pollution and humans on the environment 3rd Grade Social Studies Third grade students will explore the origins of American democracy as well as the lives of important Americans. In addition, 3rd graders will continue to acquire basic economic concepts. By the end of 3rd Grade, students will be able to: Explain the political roots of American democracy Discuss the lives of selected Americans who expanded people's rights and freedoms in a democracy Locate and describe the major topographical features of America Describe the cultural and geographic systems associated with historical figures in American democracy and explain how these Americans display positive character traits Explain the importance of the basic principles that provide the foundation of a republican form of government Describe and explain economic concepts involving productive resources, taxation for public services, and interdependence and trade