NOTE: The material for this course is based on accepted third-grade level language arts standards. It would also be appropriate for higher achieving second graders or fourth graders needing additional practice or review. I am happy to accept ages 7-9 in this class, and am always willing to communicate regarding any learner's placement if you'd like.
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This six-week unit is one independent part of a one year third grade language arts course.  The full four-quarter course is designed to provide learners with a strong language arts foundation for third grade studies. At this stage in their development, learners begin to move into exciting new areas of learning. They begin to read more independently and gain a deeper understanding of grammatical structure and vocabulary, finding a greater freedom in their writing. 
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WHAT WILL WE STUDY?
LITERATURE: 
         "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by CS Lewis
         "The Trouble with Chickens" by Doreen Cronin        
          "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White
          "Third Grade Detectives: Cases #1" by George Stanley
           Poetry Study: Shaped Poetry, Haiku
GRAMMAR:  
       Parts of Speech
       (nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions)
WRITING: 
      Writing an Informative (Instructional) Paragraph
      Writing Poetry

LITERATURE STUDY BOOK SUMMARIES:
In this semester we will read and discuss four books:

"The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" by CS Lewis
CS Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia have delighted both children and adults for more than 70 years. We will follow the adventures of siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they stumble into Narnia through the wardrobe and begin a race to save Narnia from the power of the White Witch. Through their adventures, we will examine timeless themes of family, friendship, forgiveness, sacrifice, and courage as well as the beautiful and descriptive language of CS Lewis.


"Charlotte's Web" by EB White [Newberry Honor]
This is a heartwarming tale about the unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a clever spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur learns that he is destined for the dinner table, Charlotte hatches a plan to save him. Together with the help of other barnyard animals, they teach readers about friendship, loyalty, and the power of kindness. "Charlotte's Web" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers of all ages with its touching story and memorable characters.
NOTE: The plot of this story addresses life and death, and includes the death of the spider at the end. The death is treated with gentleness, and the author has included plenty of humor and heartwarming friendships to balance the book for child readers.


"Third Grade Detectives: The Clue of the Left-Handed Envelope" by George Stanley
Mr. Merlin's Third Graders are known as the Third Grade Detectives -- with some hints from secret code clues and help from Mr. Merlin's friend, the police scientist Dr. Smiley, they help solve cases. In their first case, the Detectives find out who has been sending Amber Lee anonymous letters.  ~Amazon summary


"The Trouble with Chickens" by Doreen Cronin  
This is a hilarious mystery story that follows the adventures of J.J. Tully, a retired search-and-rescue dog, who is reluctantly pulled back into detective work. When a chicken named Moosh is missing her chicks, J.J. Tully must use his sleuthing skills to crack the case. Along the way, he encounters quirky characters and unexpected twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. With its clever writing and charming illustrations by Kevin Cornell, "The Trouble with Chickens" is an entertaining read for children and adults alike.

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FULL YEAR COURSE OVERVIEW (FOR REFERENCE)

FALL SEMESTER
LITERATURE: 
     "Gooney Bird Greene" by Lois Lowry
     "Mr Popper's Penguins" by Richard and Florence Atwater
      "Sarah, Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan
      "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary 
GRAMMAR:  
     All About Sentences
     Vocabulary Skills
CREATIVE WRITING: 
      Narrative (Verbal and written storytelling)
     Writing an Opinion Essay


SPRING SEMESTER [THIS CLASS]
LITERATURE: 
          "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by CS Lewis
          "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White
          "Third Grade Detectives: Cases #1" by George Stanley
          "The Trouble with Chickens" by Doreen Conin
          Poetry Study: Shaped Poetry, Haiku
GRAMMAR:  
        Parts of Speech
        (nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions)
CREATIVE WRITING: 
        Writing an Informative (Instructional) Paragraph
        Writing Poetry