Third Grade

Do you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset? This is a question that we have recently asked our third graders. 

If you believe that talents and skills can be developed with hard work, perseverance and determination then you have a growth mindset. These basic qualities, like your intelligence, talents, and personalities that you are born with are just the starting point. These qualities can be developed and improved. 

A fixed mindset is just the opposite. An individual with a fixed mindset believes that their basic qualities cannot improve over time. They also believe that...Read more

According to author Neil Gaiman, “A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” For teachers, observing students become completely engrossed in a book is such a beautiful sight. A long-standing tradition for the third graders at Rossman is to become published authors. Every year, the students choose one of their writing pieces that they have written from September through March to publish in a hard-bound book through a company called Studentreasures. This lasting keepsake showcases their creativity through these incredible stories that they are proud to share with their family and friends...Read more

The quintessential early childhood educator Fred Rogers has left us quite a legacy of knowledge regarding how children learn. His Six Necessities of Learning are basic ideas — practical and simple. During these times when learning at school and learning at home are the new “norm,” it’s more important than ever that teachers and parents partner in assisting each child to reach his full potential. The Six Necessities of Learning apply to...Read more

Many of our faculty have administered the ERB quite a few times over their years at Rossman. They have gotten to know the detailed set of directions read before each testing section quite well. These typically conclude by saying that we cannot answer questions about the test during testing and encourage students to ask any questions before starting. This year, one student quietly raised a hand and asked his teacher, “I do have a question. Why do we take this test?” Thankfully, our Rossman faculty understand the importance of answering that question. Ever wondered this yourself? Below I...Read more

The “Gift of Words” project is one of our favorite third grade writing projects. We began by reading the book Be Good to Eddie Lee, which is about a boy who has down syndrome and how he was not treated kindly by his peers. We held a classroom discussion about how we should treat each other with kindness and how everyone has different gifts that shine. We then shared with one another the amazing gifts that all of us have (e.g. some of us are good at climbing trees, drawing, doing math, being empathetic with others, being helpful, reading, kicking a ball, telling jokes, turning a negative...Read more

Comprehension is an essential part of the learning process. This constructive process is one that requires students to make connections in order to understand what they are hearing and reading. Comprehension should be interactive between teachers and students. This is where students learn to become problem solvers, infer, compare and contrast, relate what they are learning to background knowledge, among many other meaning-making benefits.

Comprehension is a vital skill to one’s everyday life no matter what walk of life he or she is in. Students must be able to make connections in...Read more

Great Stories. Great Graduates. A special interview featuring a mother-daughter duo.

Benjamin Franklin once said, "An education is the investment with the greatest returns." A friend of mine who sent her daughter to Rossman years ago is always quick to share that it was one of her best investments. Funny thing is, her Rossman alum daughter now enjoys a burgeoning career in NYC in the field of investments. As head of school, I am always curious to learn what families value in a Rossman education, so I enthusiastically took the opportunity to interview this mother...Read more

Great Stories. Great Graduates.

It is my honor to introduce you to another incredible Rossman alumnus who truly makes a positive impact everywhere he goes. I had the opportunity to catch up with Sohan Kancherla as he began the second semester of his freshman year at Harvard University. Enjoy the following interview with a humble young man who embodies the Rossman mission of commitment to excellence.

...Read more