Third graders each receive an index card with a word written on it. They look for spelling patterns such as "oi." Students sort the cards according to spelling pattern, and practice spelling words with the snap, clap, slap hand motions.

Students explore gingerbread stories. In this poetry lesson, students read the folk tale "The Gingerbread Man" as well as Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett and identify rhyming words. Students also make art projects, dramatize the stories,...