Williams Heights Elementary School

Article Submitted by:  

Ms. Cheryl Bussey

Third Grade Teachers

Ms. Cheryl Bussey ~ Mrs. Ann Eldridge ~ Mrs. Laurie Littlefield ~ Mrs. Susan Shepard

What is TCC in Third Grade? 

            The TCC (Technology Community Connection) for Williams Heights is a new enrichment program for all third grade students.  There will be at least one TCC unit each six weeks.  TCC units will relate to QCC objectives or the new Georgia Performance Standards in science, math, social studies, and language arts. All activities will encourage students to participate in research, technology, and academic skills in the classroom, in the computer lab, and in the community.  Each TCC experience will include a field trip as a component of the learning process. 

            Prior to each field trip, the students will be engaged in activities designed to raise their awareness of the concepts and objectives that are being presented, and to discover new ideas and insights. These activities will help make the trip a more meaningful educational experience for the students.  After the field trips, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and apply information they have gathered. They will use research skills and available technology to organize and publish an account of their experiences. Students will compile a writing portfolio that will be shared with parents at the end of the year.

Field Trips

            During the first six weeks, third graders studied government and laws.  The field trip that culminated this unit was a tour of city hall, the courthouse, and the county jail.  During the trip, the students were allowed to act out roles as city commissioners, visit a court hearing in session, and take a tour of Waycross’ City Hall.      

           During the second six weeks, the third graders at Williams Heights took a different field trip to St. George, Georgia to attend the Cherokee Nations of Georgia Powwow.  This trip correlated with our study of Native Americans and their customs. It also meets the QCC Objectives in the Social Studies curriculum.  Students were provided the opportunity to experience, firsthand, the culture of our first Georgians, the Cherokee Indians.