Fundations!

This year grade 3 will join kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 2 in using the Fundations Program. The Level 3 (Grade 3)program reviews and builds upon Level 2 (Grade 2). In addition, there will be new sounds to read and spell and new spelling rules to learn. The cursive writing program is integrated into the Level 3 Fundations Program and is slightly different from what students have used in the past. For example, this program allows for the different writing slant used by right and left handed people.

Our trick words (wall words) will focus on homophones ( words that sound the same but are spelled differently). We will discuss the meaning and practice using and spelling them correctly in sentences.

The review concepts for the first unit are:
• closed syllable
This syllable has only one vowel and that vowel is followed by one or more consonants. (ex. at, itch, scram) The vowel sound is always short.
• spelling of the /k/ sound
Rule: At the end of one syllable words, ck is used immediately after short vowels
(sick). If there is another consonant after the short vowel, you only use the k (milk). The letter c is most often used at the beginning of the word and the letter k is most often used at the end of the word.
•glued sounds (am, an, ang, ing, ong, ung, ank, ink, onk, unk)
•exceptions to the closed syllable (The vowel in these syllables has a long sound.) ild,ind, old, olt, ost.

The new concepts for the first unit are:
• tch sounds like /ch/ and is used in spelling after a short vowel (catch)
• w and qu change the sound of a as in: want wash, squash
• cursive writing: loop letters (Loop letters start on the grass line - the bottom line.):
l (orientation week) ,e,h,(week 1) b,f,k (week 2)
• homophones:
week 1: know, no
week 2: which, witch

We are starting week 1 today. Your child's spelling words will reflect the new concept of -tch and the review concept of /k/. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.