Welcome !

1. Welcome! 2011-2012 School Year West Elementary Mrs. Williams Third Grade

2. Our Mission at West Elementary To assure learning through a community of support.

3. How to Contact Me • Please contact me if you have any questions. • Voicemail ext. 3115 • E-mail at williamsk@usd320.com. • I look forward to working with you and your child this school year.

4. Sign Up Sheets Tonight • Classroom Parties • West Carnival • Attendance Sheet • If you are interested in being a parent volunteer, please make a note on the sign-in sheet.

5. USD320Website • Menus • Daily Events • Weekly Spelling Word List • Educational Links • District News and Activities • www.usd320.com

6. About Me • Background • Grew up in Texas • Moved to Western Kansas in 1997 • FHSU Graduate • Masters as a Reading Specialist through FHSU • Teaching Experience • 2004-2007 Deerfield, KS • 2007-Present Wamego • Family • Husband – David • Son - Braxton

7. Student Expectations

8. Classroom Expectations • I listen to students who raise their hand. • I teach when there are no distractions or other problems. • Feel free to do anything that does not cause a problem for anyone else. • Please treat me with the same respect I treat you.

9. Consequences • Logical consequences will be given whenever possible. • Example • Child has difficulty keeping hands to themselves in the restroom – have to use the restroom when all other students are finished • When logical consequences are not possible, recess may be taken away • 1st reminder = no consequence • each additional reminder = five minutes of recess.

10. Bullying Prevention Program • The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program • School rules against bullying are as follows: • We will not bully others. • We will try to help others who are being bullied. • We will make it a point to include students who are easily left out. • When we know someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and at home.

11. Home/SchoolCommunication

12. Binder and Agenda • Communication Between Home and School • Students need to bring to school DAILY • Students write down daily learning activities • Students record homework • Parents are to read daily and initial • Inside the Binder • Homework Folder • Reading and Math Calendars • Pencil Bag with Math Flashcards • Completed School Work • Notes Home

13. Changes In Going Home Procedures • Please Contact Myself or the Office • Note • E-mail • Telephone Call

14. Grading Students will receive letter grades (A, B, C, D & F) in Math, Spelling, and Language Arts. E (excellent), S (satisfactory), and N (needs to improve) will be used for Science and Social Studies. These scores will be based on unit tests, class activities and participation. Reading and Writing will be assessed and information will be shared, but no letter grade will be given. Math- Grades will be determined based on quiz and test scores. Spelling- Grades will be determined based on weekly tests. Language Arts (English)- Grades will be based on quizzes and tests.

15. Homework

16. Homework • Math Facts • Math Calendar • Practice 5 minutes, 5 nights a week • Trailblazers Homework • Reading • Reading Calendar • Read 20 minutes, 5 nights a week • Spelling/Vocabulary • Practice spelling/vocabulary words for test on Friday’s • Science and Social Studies • Special Projects • Unit Tests – Study Guides Sent home a week in advance

17. Homework • If at any time you or your child does not understand the assigned task, please write a note and send it back to school the next day. TIPS • Set up a homework area at home. • Try to have a consistent schedule on when homework is to be completed.

18. Absences • Notify the office when child is ill by 8:30 • If you know in advance • Write a note, email, or call • Homework When Absent • Can be picked up off of the black shelves in front of the office • Needs to completed in a timely manner • Skills build upon previous days skills • Parental help will be needed at times • Bring back ALL materials daily – even if not complete • Have students ask for clarification of directions when needed

19. GeneralInformation

20. Classroom Parties/Birthdays • Birthdays • Celebrated during juice and milk time • May send treats with students in morning • Any type of treat is welcomed • Classroom Parties • Begin at 2:30 normally • We promote healthy treats and drinks • For additional information consult the district wellness brochure • NO Candy or Latex Balloons

21. LunchMoney • Enclose the money in an envelope • Write On Envelope • Child’s Name • Teacher’s Name • Purpose of the Money (ex. Lunches) Have student take money DIRECTLY to the office in the morning

22. LibraryBooks • We will check out library books every Tuesday. • A great idea to ALWAYS have students keep library book in their book bags. • Students can check out two free choice books. • One library book has to be a “Just Right” book on their reading level. • Library Challenge • Literature Club

23. Subject Areas

24. Spelling • Component of Rigby Literacy by Design Reading Program • Spelling Tests on Fridays • Spelling Test consist of words and dictated sentences • Students will be graded on all current and past “no excuse” words from these sentences and new spelling words • A Spelling List can be found in student’s agenda, homework folder, or on the USD 320 Website

25. SpellingGrading • Spelling Test Consists of TWO Grades • Spelling Grade • Capitalization and Punctuation Grade • Spelling Grade - includes any current spelling word or any past “no excuse” word on the test • Capitalization and Punctuation Grade - based on correct capitalization and punctuation of words and sentences on test

26. Reading • Rigby Literacy by Design Reading Program • Two Main Components • Shared Reading – entire class • Guided Reading – small group • Major Focus is on Comprehension Strategies and Skills • Students have “Learned to Read” • Now we are “Reading to Learn”

27. Math • Math Trailblazers - conceptual based math program • Skills are imbedded in problem-based situations • Spiraling program • If at any time, you and your child do not understand the homework sent home, please send a note the next day.

28. Science • Delta Science Modules – Students are in engaged in inquiry-based learning with a combination of reading and hands on activities. • Unit Tests – study guides sent home a week in advance • Units of Study • Animals • Nutrition • Digestive System • Sound/Ear • Astronomy Unit • Earth Science • Personal Hygiene • Personal Safety

29. Communities are the main theme in our Social Studies curriculum. Students learn about their own community and other communities in the world. Units of Study Communities Geography Government Responsibilities of Citizens Economics SocialStudies • Holidays Veteran’s Day Ramadan Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa St. Lucia Luna New Year St. Patrick’s Day Cinco deMayo

30. Six-Traits Writing Model Ideas Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions Writing Process Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing Publishing Daily Language Review Capitalization Usage Punctuation Spelling Parts of Speech Analogies Writing

31. SpecialProjects&Activities • Flat Stanley Project • Animal Project • Wamego City Scavenger Hunt • Wamego Park History Tour • Mini-Society

32. How to Contact Me • Please contact me if you have any questions. • Voicemail ext. 3115 • E-mail at williamsk@usd320.com. • I look forward to working with you and your child this school year.