Welcome to 3rd Grade!

Hi! My name is Ms. Abi McBean and I am a third grade teacher at Mid-City's Prescott School of Enriched Sciences. I love teaching because I have the privilege of watching my students learn, grow, and gain confidence each year. I love our school because we have an amazing staff and a small, beautiful, and diverse community. I am a strong believer in family involvement, and am committed to creating a classroom where every student and family feels valued, supported, and welcome.

We have an exciting year ahead with lots of learning!

Parents/Guardians -- here is what you should expect your child to learn this year:

Testing

The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) is California’s statewide assessment given to students in grades 3–8 and grade 11. This assessment measures students’ understanding of the California Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. Students demonstrate their learning through a combination of multiple-choice questions, written responses, problem-solving tasks, and technology-enhanced activities. In third grade, students will take the SBA near the end of the school year, usually in May. While I will not be "teaching to the test," I will focus on building the strong reading, writing, and math skills students need to be successful. Throughout the year, students will learn effective test-taking strategies, become familiar with the format of the assessment, and have many opportunities to practice applying their skills with confidence.

English Language Arts (ELA)

We use Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) to strengthen students' reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills. Through engaging fiction and nonfiction texts, students will build background knowledge in topics such as history, science, and literature while developing reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills. Students will learn to think critically, support their ideas with evidence from the text, and become confident readers, writers, and communicators. CKLA provides explicit instruction in foundational literacy skills while fostering a love of reading and lifelong learning.

Students who need more support in reading will participate in weekly small group targeted literacy instruction that focuses on the foundational skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, and spelling.

Additionally, all students will engage in regular writing practice across all genres, including narrative, informative, and opinion writing. Writing tasks will be aligned with SBA expectations and supported through the use of rubrics, feedback, and revision. Students will apply writing skills to topics connected to our CKLA units and classroom learning.

Math

We use Eureka, which is a research-based curriculum designed to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Students will learn through problem-solving, hands-on models, math discussions, and multiple strategies to explain their thinking. Throughout the year, students will build skills in multiplication and division, fractions, place value, measurement, data, and geometry while learning how to apply math to real-world situations.

Additionally, we use Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), which is a student-centered approach to teaching math. In CGI, students bring their math knowledge and what they already know to the classroom, and teachers use students' thinking to guide instruction.

Science

Our Amplify Science units include Balancing Forces, Inheritance & Traits, Environments & Survival, and Weather & Climate. Your child will be learning science through hands-on investigations, print resources, class discussions, and digital modeling tools.

Social Studies

We use the IMPACT Social Studies curriculum to explore communities, government, geography, economics, and history. Students will investigate how communities are formed, how people contribute to society, and how decisions made by individuals and groups impact the world around them. Through inquiry, discussions, projects, and analysis of historical sources, students will develop critical thinking skills and learn how to become active and responsible citizens.

Social Emotional Learning

We use the Second Step curriculum, which a research-based social-emotional learning curriculum designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in school and beyond. Throughout the year, students will learn how to manage their emotions, build positive relationships, solve problems, make responsible decisions, and handle conflicts respectfully. Lessons include engaging discussions, role-playing, videos, and activities that help students practice empathy, self-regulation, and effective communication. These important life skills support a safe, inclusive, and positive classroom community where every student can learn and thrive.

Enrichment Classes

We have PE, Library, Innovation Lab, Music, Art, Dance, Theater, and Garden on a rotating schedule.