Welcome to Curriculum Night

1. Welcome to Curriculum Night 3rd Grade Rucker Elementary

2. Teacher Introductions Laura Boyett Lizdebeth Fierro Dushanca Fowlks Arturo Gomez Kristen Herbert Kimberly Nethercot

4. Course Map • The course maps for third grade consists of content covered and estimated timeline for each course. These documents can be located through the PISD website under curriculum and instruction. • You can access course maps by going to: http://www.prosper-isd.net/Page/4341

5. Reading/Language Arts – 90 minutes 2-5 of instruction The Balanced Literacy approach engages children in a variety of reading, writing, and discussion experiences that model powerful examples of effective literacy practices using fiction, and nonfiction, informational, persuasive, prose, drama, and media texts. Children learn in a supportive environment where lessons are designed with appropriate scaffolding to meet the needs of all. A gradual and anticipated release of responsibility from teacher to student moves learners along a planned continuum on their journey toward independence.

6. Reading/Writing Instructional Approach… The elements of a Balanced Literacy approach are as follows: • Read Aloud • Shared Reading • Guided Reading • Independent Reading • Word Work/Vocabulary • Shared Writing • Interactive Writing • Writing Workshop • Independent Writing

7. Spelling/Word Work Purpose The purpose of Word Study/Word Work instruction is to develop and promote fluent writing. Research shows that students need to develop strong visual images of whole words and demonstrate correct English spelling in everyday writing. (Fitzgerald Method and Marie Clay’s Method). The traditional method of memorization of spelling words does not support the development of spelling skills. Word Study allows students to observe words to discover their patterns and conventions in order to read, write, and spell.

8. Spelling/Word Work • In grades 1st-4th: 15 high frequency words will be pre-assessed from the previous school year, and this assessment will be completed within the first three weeks of instruction. • Words will need to be spelled and read. The pre-assessment will be used at parent conferences in the fall. • There will be a pre-assessment each nine weeks. Based on the pre-assessment, a list will be created for an individual’s spelling needs/results. This will be placed in the student’s writer’s notebook.

9. Spelling/Word WorkHomework • Homework will include at least one activity each week that is tied to spelling/word work. • An example of a word work homework activity: Write your word work words. Next to each word write 2 more words you could make with the letters. pickle = lip; pick

10. Social Studies 45 minutes of instruction The elements of a rigorous and relevant social studies classroom in PISD include: • Charts/Maps/Graphs – A primary source for interpreting, analyzing and application of data. • Inquiry Based Learning – Learning how to solve, defend or develop knowledge or solutions. • Content Area Reading and writing – Read materials that are related to social studies and apply historical writing techniques. • Primary Sources – Original materials that have not been altered or distorted in any way. Examples are not limited to the following: music, time period speeches, articles, maps, photographs or artifacts.

11. Math 90 minutes of instruction The Prosper ISD K-12 Math Department believes in purposeful teaching that allows students to make the connections between concrete explorations and abstract concepts. Teachers develop conceptual understanding and move students to abstract application through the use of three phases: (1) concrete, (2) representational, and (3) abstract.

12. Math Prosper ISD math teachers use a variety of teaching methods including: modeling, writing to explain, inquiry, direct instruction, guided practice, interactive models, differentiated tasks, electronic demonstrations, and cooperative learning.

13. UPS Check and ReflectProblem Solving Model • Prosper ISD will be implementing a standard problem solving model for students in grades K-12. • Math problem solving should be based on an understanding of any problem, initiate a plan, execute it, and evaluate the reasonableness of the solution.

15. Science 45 minutes of instruction Inquiry-based learning, use of technology, and investigative activities promote high engagement and curiosity of our students. Therefore, the Prosper ISD Science classes seek to: • Promote and support all aspects of effective science teaching, including new technologies and instructional strategies; • Encourage the natural curiosity of learners at all levels; • Increase scientific literacy and the application of science to everyday life; • Promote science as a vehicle for lifelong learning for all students; • Assume a leadership role in advocating for science education and creating an understanding of the value of science.

16. Technology usage in the classroom… • iPads • Student devices • Promethean • Laptops • Chrome books

17. Extensions and Challenges • Differentiation • Small group instruction • Pre-assessment • Formative assessment • Data to drive instructional decisions

18. Performance Tasks • A performance task is any learning activity or assessment that asks students to perform to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and proficiency. Performance tasks yield a tangible product and/or performance that serve as evidence of learning. Unlike a selected-response item (e.g., multiple-choice or matching) that asks students to select from given alternatives, a performance task presents a situation that calls for learners to apply their learning in context.

19. Example of performance task • Performance Task • Prosper ISD is opening a new elementary school next year. The school board has asked for nominations of influential people to use for naming the new school. In order to nominate one a good citizen, you need to present your proposal to the school board. You want to recognize one influential person for their service and impact on the community. You will create a timeline of their life and accomplishments to persuade the school board to name the school after them. Create a timeline, trading card or Facebook page template to represent your influential person’s birth, death (if appli cable) and at least two important life events. The two or more events should connect to a positive impact on a community (communities may include gender groups, cultural groups, local, state, national, or world groups). Present to the class the produce and reasoning for naming the school after the individual. • Clara Barton • Bill Gates • Thomas Jefferson • Kadir Nelson • Louis Pasteur • Mary Kay Ash

20. Tier Time • Small group instruction • Data to drive instruction – MAP, Fountas and Pinell Benchmark Assessment, TPRI, curriculum based assessments, etc. • Response to Intervention

21. Homework… • Focus on quality not quantity • Homework will have meaning and will be tied directly to learning • Reading and math will be nightly homework –we will differentiate for the various levels of learners • Homework will be posted to the teachers webpages the Friday before. Your student will have a week to complete the homework and turn it in on Fridays.

22. Report Cards • Major • These will consist of summative assessments, unit assessments, major projects (e.g. research projects) • Major grades are 60% • Daily • These will be daily assignments, quizzes, journal entries, and reading responses • Daily grades are 40%

23. Skyward Attendance, discipline, grades K-5 will accessed through Rucker’s homepage- located under parents tab.

24. Learning and Working Together Daily Exceptional Classroom Expectations Management KICKBACK REACH • Schedules & Rotations 7:45-8:20: Tier Time 8:20-9:05: Science 9:05-10:20: Math 10:20-11:20: Specials 11:20-11:50: Lunch 11:50-12:20: Recess 12:20-12:35: Math 12:35-2:05: Language Arts 2:05-2:50: Social Studies 2:50: Dismissal

25. Communication is the Key

26. Communication • Newsletters/Brochures • School Wires Website • Skyward Messages • Email/Phone Calls/Class Newsletters • Prosper ISD Web Site – Parent tab • Daily Binders

27. Communication-Transportation • Any transportation changes need to be communicated by phone call to the office before 1:00 pm. • Your child will be dismissed according to default transportation if change is not made on time. • Teachers will not check email or voicemail calls for transportation changes. • The office will inform the teacher of the transportation change.

28. Our Contact Information • Laura Boyett ljboyett@prosper-isd.net • Lizdebeth Fierro lgfierro@prosper-isd.net • Dushanca Fowlks dlfowlks@propser-isd.net • Arturo Gomez agomezramirez@prosper-isd.net • Kristen Herbert klherbert@prosper-isd.net • Kimberly Nethercot knnethercot@prosper-isd.net

29. “You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” ~Clay P. Bedford