Welcome to 3 rd Grade!

1. Welcome to 3rd Grade! You will find a copy of tonight’s presentation on your child’s desk. You will also find a letter written to you by your child and a yellow paper for you to write him/her back. I know the students will be so excited to read what their parents/guardians have written to them! Our presentation will begin at 6:30.

2. How to get in touch with me: Voicemail: 440-349-7757, ext. 5820 If calling about a bus change or pick-up change, please call the office directly instead of leaving me a voicemail. 440-349-6220 Email: deannakwiatkowski@solonboe.org Your child’s daily folder: place notes, money etc.. in the clear plastic pocket Fall Conference: Please sign up at the end of the presentation for a conference time. I will remind you on the first quarter report card. Additional Conferences: As needed, please call or email to schedule a time to meet.

3. Behavior Expectations Roxbury Rules: • I choose to follow directions • I choose to do my best • I choose to use kind words, kind hands and kind feet Classroom Rules: (refer to handout) Consequences: • Think Sheet Rewards: • Rocket Rewards • Raffle tickets • Student of the Month • Classroom-wide party once we meet our goal of 50 “warm-fuzzies”

4. Classroom Website On my classroom website, you will find: • Calendar: • Upcoming assessments • Holidays • Field trips • Homework (we do not use a planner) • Special events • Class News and Photos • Useful website links that can support your child’s learning • Email access to the teacher

5. Homework • Students are to be reading an average of 20 minutes nightly – should be completing their reading log nightly. • Math homework nightly – Have your child visit the Pearson-enVision website to review the day’s lesson and video. Unless your child comes home with specific problems highlighted, refer to the “Homework Planning Page” for assigned problems • Students are to practice math facts 3 times a week for 5-10 minutes. It is an expectation that students will be fluent in facts by the end of third grade. • A weekly math game will be included with the homework planner each week. You are encouraged to try them out, or students may choose to practice learning their facts on ipads or other fun ways. • Please check over your child’s homework. • Check website and/or planner for any additional content area (science and Social Studies) or guided reading homework. * On the first day of the next students will turn in their “Homework Planning Page”/packet and will receive a new one.

6. Mrs. Kwiatkowski’s Schedule 2016-2017 7:45 - 8:00 Bellwork 8:00 - 9:10 Math 9:10-10:00 Specials: Monday: art Tuesday: music Wednesday: gym Thursday: library Friday: rotating schedule 10:00 – 11:00 Reader’s Workshop 11:00 – 12:00 Writer’s Workshop and Word Study 12:00 - 12:55 Recess/Lunch 1:00 – 2:00 Science or Social Studies 2:00 - 2:25 NNI 2:25-2:30 Pack-up and Dismissal

7. Snacks and Birthday Treats • We snack between 10-11. Snacks must be healthy – no candy, cookies or cake, please. Dry snacks only, please. Only water is allowed. • You are encouraged to donate a new or gently used book for our classroom library in lieu of a birthday food treat. If you would like to send in a non-food treat, that is also acceptable. The district has adopted a “no birthday food treats” policy effective this year.

8. Reading Workshop Mini-Lesson - Daily, brief, whole group lessons about how reading works or how readers work. Independent Reading – daily, silent, sustained reading from a self-selected text. Students are expected to read “just right” books from a variety of genres, stay on task, analyze their progress by completing a daily reading log and share with a partner/group what they are reading Guided Reading - Students are grouped according to needs and appropriate focus. Book levels are based on DRA results given in the fall and January.

9. Word Study Word Study – looking at spelling generalizations Grouped according to needs based on DSA given in September How can parents help their children with spelling? • Encourage your child to reread his/her work. Have your child identify words that do not look correct. This is the first step to better spelling. Encourage your child to apply the spelling patterns he/she knows.

10. Writing Units of Study • Crafting True Stories • The Art of Informational Writing •  Information Text Response Writing • Changing the World: Persuasive Speeches, Petitions, and Editorials • Opinion Response Writing • Literary Essay • Informational Cross-text Writing • Research Clubs • Poetry

11. Math • Math series – enVision Math 2.0 • Aligned to the Common Core- math practices (refer to handout) • Daily “Quick-check” at end of each lesson • Enrichment for students as needed Third Grade focus: • Operations and Algebraic Thinking • Numbers & Operations in Base 10 • Numbers & Operations in Fractions • Measurement and Data • Geometry *Fluency in all facts by end of year!

12. How can I help my child in math this year? • Check over math homework together. • Go to the enVision math website • Check over math assessments together. • Let the teacher know if there is a concept that is particularly difficult for your child. • Tell time. Ask real-world questions such as: “What time is it? What time will it be in 15 minutes?” “How much time before soccer practice begins?”

13. Science Units • Earth’s Resources Rocks and soil Renewable and non-renewable resources • Matter • Plants and Animals Life cycles adaptations

14. Social Studies Units of Study • Citizenship and Problem Solving • Solon History & People in Societies (Culture) • Local Government • Geography • Economics

15. Third Grade State Testing 3rd Grade ELA (Fall): Nov. 15 & 16 3rd Grade ELA (Spring): April 4 & 5 3rd Grade Math (Spring only): May 2 & 3 Assessments will be online this year.

16. Typing • EOY Expectation is 1 typed page double spaced in size 12 pt, per writing workshop session composed on computer. • Type to Learn – practice at home, also during library time • Students will take online state assessments this year – it is expected that district assessments will be transitioning to online assessments.

17. Specials Monday -Art – Mr. Martin Tuesday - Music – Mrs. Scott Wednesday -Gym– Mr. Wisniewski Thursday - Media / Library – Mrs. Margelefsky Friday – rotating schedule-refer to handout

18. ImportantUpcoming Dates • No school – Monday, Sept. 5th • Topic 2 Math Assessment – Friday, Sept. 9th • Chapin Forest Field Trip – September • Earth’s Resources Assessment – Week of Oct. 3rd • No school – Monday, Oct. 3rd • No school – Wednesday, Oct. 12th • No school – Friday, October 14th

19. Important Reminders Security – please remember to enter through the front doors. If you are dropping an item off, it must be dropped off in the office, not brought to the classroom. Planned absences – parents must complete a Planned Absence form for trips > 3 days. Forms are in the office, or you can email Mrs. Piscura or me.

20. We are a team! • Together, we can make this a positive, successful year for you child! • Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.

21. Reminders • Please write a note to your child and leave it on or inside his/her desk • Complete forms for PTA and return as soon as possible • Sign up for conference times • Sign up to help with parties and/or field trips

22. PTA Announcements

23. Thank you for coming tonight! I look forward to seeing each of you at our fall conference.