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Just wanted to know if any revisions have been made to the 3rd grade curriculum as a result of our revision meeting this past spring? Also, there is a smartboard activity in the U.S. unit that apparently lists money as a "need."  Some of our teachers wanted clarification on this, as they are instructing children that needs are only food, clothing, shelter.  Please advise.  Thanks.

 

Suzanne,

Yes, you are right...money should not be a "need" in the sense of wants and needs. Mirla and I had some discomfort posting that Smartboard lesson the way it's written and I am going to take it upon myself to change that slide.

Yes, there were changes made to the curriculum based on the training last spring. you can tell when a page was last revised by looking at the date at the bottom of the file (both webpage and pdf files.)

 Was there something that you worked on that was not included?

 Linda 

Linda,

 Thanks for getting back to me.  I'll pass the message on to the 3rd grade team. 

Regarding revisions, I had felt that the Brazil unit really needed a major overhaul this past spring.  Those teachers who had worked on the original writing of that unit obviously disagreed with me.  However, I really do feel that several of the maps included with this unit are way too difficult for 3rd graders to read (including an economic map of Brazil that dates back to 1977).  We had found a website that is much more kid-friendly, and I see that it has been included as a link, but I'm wondering if its maps might be more appropriate for 3rd grade.  Just a thought. 

 

Suzanne

I agree that the Brazil unit needs some work especially in the area of geography.  To which website are you referring?  I would be happy to gather materials and then we can make this a prioity for May.

 

Mirla

We had found one Brazil website that you and I thought was very 3rd grade-appropriate.  I think you may have included it in some of the other Brazil lessons, but now I'm not sure which one it is.  It definitely had better maps.  I'll try to locate it.

 

Suzanne

Aha! It's www.kidscornerbrazil.org.  This one seems the most user-friendly for 8 year olds.  What do you think?

Hi Suzanne -

 

I just glanced at it and it looks very good.  I'll try to see what we can substitute in our curriculum sometime this week.

 JMirla