common core state standards
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of learning outcomes developed to prepare students for college and/or careers. The CCSS have been adopted by 35 states nationally and will be assessed using a test developed by the Smarter Balance organization each spring. Teachers have been working with the new English Language Arts and Math standards for the past couple years. New standards for Science and Social Studies are currently being developed. Click on the link below to view the 3rd grade CCSS.
primary years program
Every year students at Helen Keller Elementary engage in 6 transdisciplinary instructional units. Each of these units teach a big, central idea about the world while connecting learning from all the different subject areas. They have been designed by the teachers to incorporate the CCSS as well as specific concepts, skills, attitudes and learner profile attributes that support student understanding of the central idea. The links below connect to each unit’s Report Card, which provides an overall description and details about the elements of each unit.
3rd Grade pyp units
How We Organize Ourselves: Structure & Function
(September/October) This unit explores why communities develop governments and the jobs related to each level of government in our community. As a result, students develop a list of classroom rights and the responsibilities that accompany those rights. Click on the link below for more information about this unit. |
How We Express Ourselves: Storytelling
(October/November) This unit has students reading and comparing myths, legends, folktales and fables, performing some reader’s theater and finally, publishing a fable of their own. |
Where We Are In Place and Time: Location, Location, Location
(February/March) This unit teaches students about the elements of geography (location, landforms, climate, natural resources) and how the geography of a place impacts the way people live in that place (shelter/clothing, food, jobs, recreation). |
Who We Are: Culture Clash
(March/May) In this unit students learn about the Native American culture, the French voyageurs and the culture clash that occurred when Europeans came to live in the Great Lakes region. Students come to understand how these groups of people from the past impact our lives in this area today. |
Sharing the Planet: Human Impact
(May/June) This unit results in a collaborative project to develop and film video commercials about how to responsibly use Michigan’s natural resources. |
curriculum subjects
Use these links to learn about how each subject is practiced and integrated into the PYP Units.
Updated September, 2014
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Updated August, 2016
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Updated August, 2014
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Page in Progress
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Updated August, 2014
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Updated August, 2014
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