Reading

My third grade class included three reading groups: one below grade level, one on grade level and one above grade level. The focus in third grade was on studying a variety of genres. These included: folktalkes, realistic fiction, non-fiction, poetry and biographies.

At the start of each book, the students received a folder containing a schedule and all assignments for the book. This ensured that even if the student was absent, they could stay caught up with the group. I also used the Literature Circle model for my reading groups to make the students more responsible for what they learned. This model also allowed my most developing group to feel confident that they were being given similar assignments to the other groups.