Welcome to 3 rd Grade!

Welcome to 3rd Grade! Open House Notes and Information

Tonight’s Agenda • Introduction • Curriculum • Homework Policy • Behavior Policy • Keys to Success

My Teaching Goals: • Learn about my students’ interests inside and outside of school. • Design lessons to incorporate those interests. • Identify ways that your child learns best ( i.e. audio, visual, hands-on, etc.) • Work in collaboration with students and parents to set goals and monitor growth. • Create a comfortable learning environment that promotes risk-taking and participation.

My Goals for Students: • Children will look forward to coming to school each day. • Students will feel safe, respected, and listened to in my classroom. • Students will be their best in all capacities. • Students will be invested and reflective in their learning, set goals, and track progress. • Students will celebrate successes and work on bettering their weaknesses. • Students will have a thirst for learning inside and outside the classroom.

Literacy Block • There are several components that make up this block of instruction including: • Word work/Developmental Spelling (Words their Way) • Guided Reading • Writing ( 6+1 Traits) • Comprehension Instruction • Whole Group Instruction (Harcourt Anthology, grammar lessons) • Technology • “What I Need” ( WIN time) • Independent and self-guided learning opportunities (Daily 5)

Spelling and Word Work • Spelling and Word Work are taught using developmentally appropriate instruction. • “Words their Way” is the methodology used to instruct. • Students are given an assessment to identify their stage in spelling. • Students are grouped based on their specific needs. • Each group works on a word sort designed to strengthen desired skills. • Once the program is underway, students will follow a routine according to the number days of the week. • Example: Day 1, we introduce the sort. Day 3, practice the sort. Day 5, students are tested on the sort.

Guided Reading • Continuation of components used in Balanced Literacy model as seen K-2. • Students meet with the teacher in smaller groups, reading a book at their instructional level. • Reading Strategies and Skills are practiced and applied in this time. • Students develop fluency and comprehension in these groups.

Writing • Writing instruction is heavily tied into Ruth Culham’s 6+1 Traits Model. • Throughout the year, you will hear your child speak to the following writing guidelines: • Ideas • Conventions • Sentence Fluency • Word Choice • Voice • Organization • Presentation

Comprehension Strategies from Stephanie Harvey Research: • The following are research-based strategies that students will be learning and applying when reading both fiction and non-fiction texts. These strategies are not only important in 3rd grade, but are also strategies that we integrate and use as adult readers. • Making Connections • Inferring • Questioning • Visualization • Determining Importance • Synthesizing • Monitoring for Meaning

Whole Group Instruction • This will include time for grammar and vocabulary skills. • Students will have more opportunities to apply comprehension and fluency strategies here.

Technology • Students in 3rd grade now have the advantage of 1:1 netbook use. • Each student will be assigned a netbook to use during the school day. • Netbooks will be used in morning literacy blocks as well as afternoon instruction. • Netbooks will be used in a variety of lessons: • Skill enhancement and practice • Research projects • Shared writing • Collaborative group work • Word processing • Fluency practice • Design opportunities • Much, Much, More!

“What I Need” (WIN) &The Daily 5 • WIN is a block of time each morning devoted to meeting the specific needs of individuals or small groups of students. • While the teacher is working with small groups, the rest of the class is working independently or with small groups engaged in a variety of activities, or centers called The Daily 5. • Read to Self • Read to Someone • Listen to Reading • Work on Writing • Word Work

Math • Over the next few years, our district will make the transition from Everyday Math to Common Core State Standards (CCSS). • These are based on the highest state standards across the country designed to ensure all students are college and career ready. • The major change in our district is the gradual change from a spiraling math curriculum to deep understanding of specific grade level standards that are built upon, but not repeated each year. • This year you will notice your child using some of the Everyday Math curriculum supplemented by lessons and activities, which develop number sense or numeracy.

Math • Students will be required to provide detailed written and oral explanations of strategy use and mathematical knowledge. • Grading is based on levels of understanding: • B= Beginning to work towards meeting goal • D= Developing towards meeting the goal • S= Secure, shows mastery of goal

Math • Math homework will include daily homelinks. • We will use the B,D,S coding for grading. • Exit Slips are an opportunity for teachers to see where students need further instruction. • In addition to written homework, students are required to practice math facts daily.

What parents can do at home to help his/her child each day: • Practice both forward and backward oral counting with your child. • Count by 1s over the hundreds decades. For example: Begin counting at 189 and count forward to 217, begin counting at 879 and count forward to 922. Also begin counting at 221 and count backward to 185, or begin counting at 990 and count backwards to 959.

Science • Our Science Curriculum is hands-on and inquiry based. Topics of study this year include: • Earth Science: Sun, Moon, Stars & Water • Life Science: Food Chains and Webs • Physical Science: Matter and Energy • To prepare for assessments, students will be taking notes in Science.

Social Studies- Topics of Study: • Geography • Native Americans • Colonial and Revolutionary Periods • Independence and Freedom (development of The Constitution)

Homework • Homework will be given daily. There can be occasional weekend homework, but it is rare. • Homework consists of 15 minutes of reading, math, word sorting and studying for upcoming tests. • After 2 late assignments, students will move a level on the discipline continuum. • Homework is expected to be neat and complete, with maximum effort given.

PBIS • Students are expected to follow the school-wide expectations: • Be Respectful • Be Responsible • Be Safe • Students will be recognized for positive behavior with Eagle Feathers that act as raffle tickets for a bi-weekly drawing. • Failure to demonstrate the Eagle Expectations will result in consequences.

Consequences • Students will move through different levels if poor choices are made: • Green= a warning • Blue= 10 minutes out of recess • Yellow= lose entire recess • Red= After School Detention

Keys to Success • Stay involved in your child’s education. Ask your child about their day. • Create routines and structure for after school. Proper bedtimes and a healthy breakfast are important! • Make sure students have a quiet place to work at home with the proper supplies. • Sign your child’s assignment notebook each night and make sure to actually see that the work is complete and their best.

Missed Something or Need to See This Again? • A lot of information was shared today! • I’ve posted this PowerPoint on my Teacher Web Page under Documents. • If you have additional questions, please contact me anytime!

Welcome to 3 rd Grade!