2013-2014 School Year

1. 2013-2014 School Year Mrs. Myerson Grade 3 Welcome, Parents!

2. Welcome to Grade 3! I would like to welcome you to third grade and to our classroom. All questions will be answered at the end of the Power point presentation.

3. All About Me I have been teaching for 39 years; 10 years in public school and 29 years at St. Mary’s. My hobbies include: Reading (especially Stephen King novels), working on my genealogy, cooking, and antiquing. My favorite foods are Italian and Chinese. My favorite movie is the Wizard of Oz. My favorite TV shows are I Love Lucy and all other 50’s sitcom classics. I absolutely love anything Snoopy or Charlie Brown related! I once had an article printed in Teacher Magazine. I am also allergic to caffeine, which makes chocolate a big NO-NO!! In May 2011, I received the Greater Cumberland County Outstanding Educator Award sponsored by the Daily Journal and the CEO group.

4. My Goals • To give students the academic and social skills they need to progress to fourth grade. • To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. • To help each student recognize and achieve their full potential.

5. Class Subjects Subjects we will be covering during third grade are: • Language Arts (Reading, English, Spelling, Phonics, Literature, and Penmanship) • Math • Science • Social Studies • Religion

6. Specials Students also have the following specials each week: Art & Gym- Thursday Music- Tuesday Library- Wednesday Spanish- Monday

7. Social Studies The Social Studies curriculum focuses on five main areas: Communities & Geography How you live affects how you live; map scale; intermediate directions, environment Communities Change How communities change over time; first communities; time lines; bar graphs

8. Social Studies (continued) Many Cultures, One Country How people change communities, immigration; culture Communities at Work How people in a community meet their needs; money choices; line graphs Communities & Government Why communities need government; state, local, and national government; road maps The new Social Studies textbooks are aligned with the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

9. Science The Science curriculum addresses pertinent areas of physical science, life science, and earth science. The Nature of Science Questions scientists ask, skills scientists use Technology & the Design Process How technology affects our lives; simple machines Plants How plants grow and change; how plants make food

10. Science (continued) Living Things How living things grow and change; classifying animals Ecosystems How living things interact; how ecosystems change Earth & Weather How forces cause changes on earth’s surface; weather and climate Earth and Our Universe How objects in space affect one another; stars/planets/solar system Matter How matter can be described; three states of matter Energy and Its Forms How energy changes; heat/light/sound Forces & Motion Forces that cause motion; gravity

11. Language Arts Language Arts consists of Reading, Spelling, Phonics, English, Literature, and Penmanship. Weekly spelling words are posted on my website and can also be found in the Reading workbook. There is a spelling test every Friday unless noted.

12. Math The new math textbook focuses on the common core standards for mathematical practice. Areas covered include: Numeration Number Sense: Addition & Subtraction Using Place Value to Add & Subtract Meanings of Multiplication

13. Math (continued) Multiplication Facts: Use Patterns Multiplication Facts: Use Known Facts Meanings of Division Division Facts Understanding Fractions Fraction Comparison & Equivalence Two Dimensional Shapes & Their Attributes Time Perimeter Area Liquid, Volume, & Mass Data

14. Religion Our new Religion series is a harmonious integration of Scripture, tradition, and action. Scripture is centered between the four fundamental themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer

15. Religion (continued) Major units include: God Calls Us to Faith We are all called to be one of God’s holy people God is Great & Good Understanding some of God’s characteristics God’s Plan is a Plan of Love Understanding what God’s kingdom is like Jesus Brings Us the Kingdom of God Learning to appreciate being a member of the Church Jesus is With Us On Our Way Understanding our call to be holy through the sacraments

16. Homework Policy Each child must have a homework book. It should be brought home and signed every night, Monday through Thursday. It is each child’s responsibility to copy his or her assignments or announcements from the homework board daily. Homework is also posted on my web page. Please check your child’s book every night and sign it. I do not give homework on Fridays. Homework on weeknights, most often Math and English, should usually take no longer than 45 minutes to an hour to complete.

17. Discipline and Behavior A) Three warnings and a conference with the child B) Note or phone call to the parent C) After-school detention

18. Field Trips and Presentations Tentative: Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center 4-H Presentations Vineland High School “Chemistry Wizards”

19. Projects and Fun Activities Saint Project Seed Project Native Americans Project Solar System Project Diversity Project Volcano Project Titanic Day

20. Thanks for Coming! If you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year, please feel free to contact me at: vmyerson@smrschool.org or 856-692-8537 ex. 309 Please make sure to check my website daily!