Welcome to our Ranch

1. Welcome to our Ranch Please Remember To… Sign-In Mingle  Check out the Ranch Find Your Child’s Desk Take a Sneak Peek at the Handouts Relax

2. What’s on your desk? • PowerPoint Handout • Feel free to take notes or jot down questions • Magnet-Contact Information • Note To Teacher Slips • Homework Buddy Handout

3. Mornin’ Y’all • Today’s Date is: 9-12-12 • Please Complete the Following ASAP • Unpack your Backpack • Hand-In Important Papers • Make a Chuck Wagon Choice • Notify Mrs. H. if you are going to Breakfast • Gather Math Supplies • Complete Morning Work 

4. Daily Schedule • Posted on Board Daily • Posted on Website • Remember Sneakers for Gym  • Wednesday Dismissal is at 1:30pm • Specials (posted on board and website)

5. Birthday Celebrations • If a student has a birthday during the school year, we will celebrate in class on his or her birthday.  • Weekend and holiday birthdays will be celebrated the day before the weekend or holiday. • If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate his or her half birthday. • School policy now states that all birthday treats must be non-edible, such as pencils, stickers, bubbles, etc. 

6. Volunteering • Affidavit is REQUIRED • Centers • Mystery Reader • Classroom Celebrations • Party Planners

7. PSSA Information(Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) • April 8th through April 12th • Statewide reading and math assessment given to all third graders • EPSD curriculum more than adequately prepares students for PSSA • Scores measured as advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic • Scores reported to parents and teachers at the end of the school year

8. Language Arts • Harcourt “Storytown” Theme 1 – School Days Theme 2 – Together We Can Theme 3 – As We Grow Theme 4 – Tales to Tell Theme 5 – A Place for All Theme 6 – Discoveries • Practice and grammar books accompany and enhance the text • Lesson Tests (weekly on the computer) • Multiple choice, free response, open-ended • Rubric graded – sign and return

9. Math • Harcourt Math Series Unit 6 – Geometry (Chapters 17 – 19) Unit 1 – Understanding Numbers & Operations (Chapters 1 – 4) Unit 2 – Money & Time (Chapters 5 – 6) Unit 3 – Multiplication Concepts & Facts (Chapters 7 – 10) Unit 5 – Data, Graphing, & Probability (Chapters 14 – 16) Unit 7 – Measurement (Chapters 20 – 22) Unit 8 – Fractions & Decimals (Chapters 23 – 26) Unit 4 – Division Concepts & Facts (Chapters 11 – 13) Unit 9 – Multiply & Divide by 1-Digit Numbers (Chapter 27 – 30) • * Please note: Not all of the chapters will be taught in specified sequence due to district guidelines. • Students will get a letter grade for math on their report card

10. Science • Our entire classroom will move as a whole group for Science • The Harcourt Science program emphasizes life, earth, and physical science content that aligns with the Pennsylvania state standards • Students will participate in weekly hands-on investigations • Topics include The Scientific Method, Plants and Animals, Earth’s Land, Cycles on Earth and in Space, Investigating Matter, and Exploring Energy and Forces • Students will receive number grades (4, 3, 2, 1) for science on their report cards as opposed to letter grades

11. Social Studies • Our entire classroom will move as a whole group for Science • The Houghton Mifflin program emphasizes history, geography, world and cultural studies, economics, civics, and map skills • The social studies curriculum aligns with Pennsylvania state standards • Topics include Types of Communities, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, America’s Early Communities, Community Government, Making Economic Choices, and Celebrating People and Culture • Study guides will be given at least one week prior to any tests. Performance based projects as opposed to written assessments • Students will receive number grades (4, 3, 2, 1) for social studies on their report cards as opposed to letter grades

12. Home Folders • Must come to school every day • Please empty the “Leave at Home” side daily • Please check for notes • Homework should be sent back in the “Return to School” side of the folder • Encourage responsibility by allowing your student to place papers in his or her folder & to place the folder in his or her backpack each night

13. Homework • Sent home on Monday-Thursdays • Homework will also be posted on the website nightly • Check assignment books DAILY • Student’s NAME should be on all homework assignments • Students/parents can review homework to make sure it is done neatly and correctly EXCEPTION: Deputy of the Week

14. Homework Buddies • See Attached Purple Handout for explanation • Please complete and return to school with your child

15. Snack • Snack should be small and nutritious • Please pack only 1 snack • Water ONLY…NO juice please • We will use Instant Antibacterial Hand Gel to clean hands before snack if we didn’t get to the bathroom to wash hands *No Nut Products* Please Check Labels 

16. Behavior Plan • Please direct your attention to the bulletin board entitled, “Sheriff Hanssen” • Please see my website for further description of this topic • Gold….I tell Ya 

17. Thank you for stopping by our Ranch • Don’t hesitate to contact me at anytime • Don’t forget to sign up for parent-teacher conferences and volunteer opportunities  • It’s going to be a GREAT year 