Welcome to 3 rd Grade!

1. Welcome to 3rd Grade! Mrs. Geller & Dr. Whittaker’s Class B-15 While you are waiting: Find your child’s desk, have a seat Read the letter from your child, write a letter back to them Fill out the parent survey

2. All About Mrs. Geller • Education • Central Bucks East • University of Delaware • Elementary/Special Education • Holy Family University • Reading Specialist • 10th year at Hillcrest • Runner, scrapbooking, shopping, Steelers • Scott, Landyn, Zoe • Love teaching with Dr. Whittaker

3. All About Dr. Whittaker • Educator since 1973 • At Hillcrest since it opened • Love Music and Theater • Avid gardener • Love co-teaching with Mrs. Geller

4. Our Goals • To create a classroom environment in which students are comfortable and safe • To help students develop a love of learning and enhance self confidence and responsibility. • To provide opportunities for • Creative thinking • Problem solving • Positive peer relationships • Positive communication skills • Asking questions • Thinking critically • Teamwork • Differentiated instruction/activities

5. Our Schedule 8:55-9:10 Homeroom 9:10-9:30 T.C.O.B. 9:30-10:20 Math 10:20-10:30 Snack, Bathroom 10:30-11:45 Language Arts 11:45-12:25 Special 12:30-1:30 Recess/Lunch 1:30-2:30 Language Arts 2:30-2:45 Recess 2:50-3:30 Social Studies / Science 3:30-3:40 Pack Up/Dismissal

6. Math • Envision Math • Spiral Curriculum, a lot of new material building upon familiar concepts • Quizzes, chapter tests, district tests, performance tasks • Homework every night reinforces what was learned in school!!

7. Math • Resources on the internet (mozillafirefox)– for review and practice • www.pearsonsuccessnet.com • Username: Student ID # • Password: password1 • Visual Bridge, e-tools, games • Online student text • Access practice pages • Click here for parent pamphlet

8. Math • First in math – 24 game will be available to students soon • Students will be given username and password information in school • Program can be accessed from home

9. Language Arts • Reading • Reading Logs – 75 minutes per week, signed by parents!!! Due every Friday. • 25 Books Read • Come prepared each day with a “just-right” book • Scholastic Book Orders • Must record books completed at home on the paper in students hw folder • Read books in a variety of genre • Collected at the end of each month and graded

10. Journeys • Instruction in Vocabulary, Comprehension, Fluency, Phonics, Grammar, Spelling, and Writing • Whole group and small group instruction • Access program through • http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com

11. Spelling • Spelling lists with each Lesson • 5 day cycle, check student planners for test dates • Homework will be assigned and studying is expected

12. Language Arts • Writing (Journeys) • Graded on 5 domains – Focus, Content, Organization, Style, and Conventions • Narratives, friendly letters, directions/ instructions, research, persuasive writing, poetry

13. Science • 3 main topics • Earth Materials • Sound • Plants • Group Work • Teacher prepared quizzes, performance tasks, and lab reports • Field Trip to Lost River Caverns – more information to follow

14. Social Studies • Scholastic News - Current Events • Topics • Communities • Government • Geography • Citizenship • Biographies • Market Day in the spring to teach Economics • Quizzes, chapter tests, quarterly tests, research projects

15. Homework • Math • Reading (75 minutes per week) • Spelling • Occasionally science/social studies/studying for tests

16. PSSA • April 8 – 19, 2013 • Reading and Math • Multiple choice and open-ended questions • Teach children to include details in their reading and math responses. • Look for practices and more information to be sent home in early 2013.

17. Homework • Please sign student planner each night • 3 assignments missed – parents sign hw record sheet • We encourage parents to work with children and check to make sure hw is complete each night • Questions on hw??? Students should check in with Mrs. Geller or Dr. Whittaker

18. Classroom Behavior • Clothes pin chart • Students fill in corresponding color to match behavior • Parent initials each night • See bottom of chart for behavior color coding system

19. Very Important Person • Each week a person will be nominated as the Very Important Person. • We will let the person know a week ahead of time so they are prepared. • They may hang their things and present on their given Friday will take their things home the following Friday. • They should fill out the poster provided and can bring in photos and keepsakes that are special to them to present to the class.

20. Report Card • The 3rd Grade Report Card is different from 2nd. Students will be graded in all marking periods using 4, 3+, 3, 2, 1 • Here is a link to the 3rd Grade Report Card 3rd Grade Report Card

21. Grading • 4 – Exceeds Expectations • 3+ - Beginning to Exceed Expectations • 3 – Meets Expectations • 2 – Approaching Expectations • 1 – Improvement Needed

22. Grading • 94%-100% 4 (Advanced) • 90%-93% 3+ • 80%-89% 3 (Proficient) • 70%-79% 2 (Basic) • >69% 1 (Below Basic)

23. Snack/Recess • Snack – We encourage healthy snacks. Only have about 10 minutes so should be something quick and easy. • Re-usable water bottles (must seal tightly and go home each night) • Only water (no juice) • Old sock recommended as “coozie” • Recess is usually outside – students should dress for the weather • Clinic available most days for make up work and extra help.

24. Music Lessons / Recorder • Students are responsible for the work they miss when they are out at music lessons. • Instrumental recruitment assembly tomorrow • Students will not be allowed to call home for forgotten instruments • Recorder will be used in music. Students are expected to have it each Friday and should practice at home.

25. Birthday Parties/ Invitations • Students are welcome to bring in birthday treats to celebrate their birthdays. • Non-edible birthday treats are encouraged • Nut-free items are required • Please do not bring birthday party invitations to school unless you plan to invite the entire class.

26. Absent Notes/ Tardiness • Please send in absent notes when your child is absent (online) • Hillcrest emphasizes promptness. Children should be in their seats, “Ready to learn” by 9:10 • Parents should sign student in at the office if late.

27. Communication • Please contact us anytime. Email is quick and easy. Please give us 24 hours to return emails and phone calls. • Emergencies and late in the day dismissal changes should not be left on teacher voicemails or emails. Call the office and leave a message with them.

28. Communication • E-Folders – In an effort to go paperless, many forms and papers will be available on the internet. If you don’t have computer access, please let us know and we will have papers available. All trip papers and papers deemed high importance will be sent home. • Website – Can check for announcements. • Go to Hillcrest Website • Click on classrooms and click on 3rd Grade. Click on Mrs. Geller & Dr. Whittaker.

29. In Conclusion • Success will be achieved when the teacher, parent, and student are all working together. • If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact us and we will be happy to help in any way that we can. • Let’s make this your child’s best school year yet!!!