WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!

1. WELCOME TO BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT! • Mrs. Yencho - Room 301 • Syencho@eastpennsd.org • Mrs. Kao - Room 302 • Kkao@eastpennsd.org • Jefferson Elementary School • (610) 965-1645

2. Focus is on the student Greater responsibilities in intermediate grades More student decision making More independent work with an emphasis on problem solving Higher level thinking is fostered Focus on organization Finding a “Balance” in Grade 3

3. Communication is the Key to Success! syencho@eastpennsd.org kkao@eastpennsd.org Websites: www.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/syencho www.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/kkao

4. ROUTINE STUDY TIME

5. LANGUAGE ARTS • Harcourt STORYTOWN Series • Developing reading strategies in order to promote more independent and fluent readers. • Focus Skills/Comprehension Strategies • Spelling and Phonics Skills • Robust Vocabulary • Grammar and Writing Workshop • Literacy Centers meeting independent levels • W.I.N (What I Need) 2:00-2:45 • During this time students will be engaged in learning activities related to reading and writing to meet their needs. • May leave the room • Parent informational meeting related to RTII and W.I.N. time October 18th 7:00-8:00 at Lincoln Elementary

6. HSP MATH PROGRAM 3rd GRADE PILOT TEAM • New Math Common Core Standards (2014) Curriculum being taught will focus more on in-depth discovery learning, problem solving, and Webb’s Depth of Knowledge • Focus on: • Number Sense • Geometry • Operations • Money and Time • Multiplication Facts ***** • Measurement • Data, Graphing and Probability • Fractions and Decimals • Introduction to Division Lots of technology and interactive materials! *Lessons will focus on 3rd grade standards. This means we may not teach every lesson in every chapter. *Math tests will be sent home by your child’s math teacher. Please sign and return the packet the next day.

7. Science and Social Studies • 3rd Grade will not receive a letter grade on their report card in science and social studies; however, there will be quizzes, tests, and projects that will be assessed. • STEM initiative – inquiry based learning activities and experiments • Science Units: Life science, earth’s land, cycles in nature and space, and exploring energy and forces. • Social Studies Units: Lehigh County, Communities, Native Americans, Geography, Colonies, Moving West, and Citizenship. Both texts are at a challenging reading level. We will read the texts as a whole group, and students will not be asked to read it independently…unless they are studying!  *Integrated curriculum – month of science/month of social studies

8. PSSA Preparation: Math and Reading • Dates: Week of March 12th – 16th • All state standards will be taught prior to the PSSA tests • Adjust our curriculum in order to teach all standards (math, reading) • Lots of preparation and practice including test taking strategies so that students feel both comfortable and confident! • Students cannot study for this test, but rather it is an accumulation of knowledge throughout their years. • We encourage students to relax, focus on test taking strategies, and do their best! Our job is to encourage them to work hard all year…not stress them out! They will ALL be fine! • Please do not schedule any trips or doctor’s appointments during this week.

9. Happy Birthday! • Celebrate with non-edible treats as per district board policy 246 • -Students will be on morning announcements • Bubbles, stickers, pencils, erasers, etc • Birthday book: wrap a favorite book for us to read aloud (10-15 minutes) • Donate the book • Return the book • We will still make their day special!

10. Extras • Mystery Readers • Million Words or Less • Websites • Classroom Parent/PTO Representative • Letter asking for email addresses  • When you wish upon a star Websites: www.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/syencho www.eastpennsd.org/teacherpages/kkao

11. Please sign-up for parent conferences in the gym on your way out! THANKS FOR COMING! We are looking forward to a great year in 3rd grade! Mrs. Yencho and Mrs. Kao