Back-to-School Night 2013

1. Back-to-School Night 2013 Third Grade Mendham Township Elementary School

2. Introducing Mrs. Gallagher • Tenth year at MTES • Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers University • Master of Education from Lehigh University • Completing second Master of Education from The College of NJ

3. My Teaching Goals • To meet students’ needs through differentiated instruction and diverse assessments • To provide students with enriching and meaningful learning experiences so they develop a love of learning

4. The Third Grade Program Consists of… • Reading Workshop • Writing Workshop • Word Study • Mathematics • Social Studies • Science • Mastery Enrichment

5. My Teaching Style The Workshop Approach involves… • Pre-testing to determine what students already know • Holistic assessments & continuums • Teaching students to be independent learners • Differentiated instruction • Modifications to meet individual needs (includes small group instruction) • Authentic learning • Academic choice • Enrichment activities

6. READING WORKSHOP • A Balanced-Literacy Approach • Reading Logs/Book Bags • Critical Thinking/Reflection • Comprehension Strategies • Guided Reading/Book Clubs • Different Units of Study • Vocabulary • Author Studies • Character Analyses • Reading Responses/Notebooks

7. WRITING WORKSHOP • Teaches the writing process • Students experience different types of writing (Personal Narratives, Fiction, Persuasive Reviews, Realistic Fiction, Personal Essays) • Teaches grammar mechanics in the context of writing

8. WORD STUDY • Teaches strategies for spelling words • Has a phonics component • In-class activities working with the words (games, word puzzles, word sorts, vocabulary connections) • Includes sentence writing • Application Assessment • Weekly Lists/Tests on Fridays • Homework Assignment

9. MATHEMATICS (Go Math!) • Addition & Subtraction within 1000 • Represent & Interpret Data • Understand Multiplication • Multiplication Facts & Strategies • Use Multiplication Facts • Understand Division • Division Facts & Strategies • Understand Fractions/Compare Fractions • Time, Measurement, Weight • Geometry

10. SOCIAL STUDIES with Mrs. Gallagher • The Democratic Classroom • Communities • Geography (7 continents) & Culture • Native Americans • Immigration • US Traditions/World Traditions • Natural Resources • Economics • US Government

11. SCIENCE with Mrs. Rossi • Rocks and Minerals • Sound • Nutrition/Digestion • Solar System • Life Cycles/Food Webs • Bronx Zoo Trip (Friday, May 31)

12. Daily Schedule • Morning Meeting • Math • Reading Workshop • Snack/Read Aloud • Word Study/Handwriting • Writing Workshop • Lunch/Recess • Social Studies or Science • Special Class

13. Important Information • Logical Consequences/Self-Evaluations • Report Cards (Standards-Based) • Conferences (November & March) • Homework (Monday – Thursday)/Packet • Birthdays • Room Mothers (Mrs. Lombardo & Mrs. Saunders) • Healthy Snacks • Third Grade Green Team • Class website: www.lauragallagher.com

14. Any Questions?

15. Before You Leave… • Write your hopes and dreams for your child on the paper hands • Sign up for a conference in November • Sign up to join the Green Team • Look around the classroom

16. Thank you! Thank you for visiting the African Savanna class!