Mrs. McGarry’s Third- Grade Class

1. Mrs. McGarry’s Third- Grade Class 2012-2013

2. Room 222 It’s going to be a tremendous year!

3. What’s Different About Third Grade? • Longer periods of attention • Level of responsibility higher • Expectations higher • Textbooks • More text on a page • Application of learned skills • More detailed writing • Attention to organizational skills • 1st and 2nd grade learned to read • 3rd grade we are reading to learn

4. 8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting 9:00-9:45 Spelling/ Writing/ Grammar 9:45-10:30 Specials 10:30-12:00 Reading/Language Arts 12:00-1:00 Recess/Lunch 1:00-2:15 Math 2:15-3:00 Science/Social Studies Our Day

5. Our Goal is to become… • Effective communicators! • How? • By reading, writing, thinking, and speaking • Shared, Guided and Independent Reading • Decoding and Oral Reading Fluency • Comprehension Strategies • Collins Writing Program • Word Study • Spelling – apply in writing • Vocabulary Language Arts

6. Writing • Collins Writing Program will be implemented across all curriculum areas. • Type 1 – Capture Ideas • Type 2 – Correct Answer/Short Response • Type 3 – Graphic Organizer, Edit for FCA’s • Type 4 – 2 drafts, Peer edit • Type 5 – Many drafts and revisions • Students will write daily and often. • Most writing work will remain in students’ writing folders to use for additional instructional purposes throughout the year.

7. Word Study • Base Word Study lists following specific syllabic patterns. Syllable patterns are directly instructed and practice is provided. • Focus on vocabulary and phonetics. • Main goal is application of skills in daily writing. • One list per week. Pretest will be given for challenge lists. Grammar • Parts of speech are directly instructed and practiced. • Additional focus will be given to sentence structure and application of rules in writing.

8. Independent Reading • Your child should read for > 20 minutes each night and record on the reading log. I will check logs each Friday and record as homework. • Students will write a letter to me weekly in their Reading Response Journal about the book they are reading independently. I write back to them each time they write to me.

9. Math Expressions • Problem-Solving Based • NCTM/PSSA Standards • Common Core Standards • Number Sense • Flexibility with numbers • Writing! • Journal • Explaining Work • Justifying Thinking • Math Fact Fluency • Addition • Subtraction • Multiplication • Division Math

10. Math curriculum will be delivered using a variety of instructional approaches & materials • Application of math skills into real world problems and problem solving. • Independent and small group work will occur regularly. • Homework may be differentiated. • Mastery of basic facts is expected. • First In Math, triangle fact cards, on-line games (see my page) Mathematics

11. Science Social Studies • FOSS Program • Hands-on-Approach • Four Modules • Human Body • Sound • Water • Measurement • Literature Based Program • Magic Tree House Series • Rosen Trade Books • World Geography • Ancient Civilizations • Egypt • Greece • Rome Content

12. Purpose: • to revisit topics from class • to develop responsibility • Monday through Thursday • Student Responsibilities: • Record ALL assignments • Complete ALL assignments • Spelling • Math • Independent Reading/Log • Get Homework Book Signed Homework

13. First Year the students take • Reading and Mathematics • 2013 Test Date: April 8 - 16 • Test Preparation • Embedded within curriculum throughout school year Make it a FUN week! PSSA

14. Skyward On-line Grading Program • ONE report card sheet • All subjects • Math - letter grade • Social Studies/Science O, S, U • LA Continuum 1,2,3 • Conferences November and February Report Cards

15. Grading policy Math 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D Below 60 F Science & Social Studies 0= Outstanding S= Satisfactory U= Unsatisfactory Language Arts 3: Work exceeds grade level expectations 2: Work meets grade level expectations 1: Working toward grade level expectations

16. As important as GRADES!! • Scored 1, 2, 3 • 3 = Consistent • Evaluates Key Life Skills: • Responsibility • Preparation • Participation • Persistence • Work Ethic PROCESS SKILLS RUBRIC

17. Be Safe Be Kind Be Responsible Be Respectful BE YOUR BEST!!!! The phantom way

18. Remind Your Child About These Things: • Watch and listen during lessons. • Participate to show you understand. • Ask questions when you are confused. • Check work carefully. • Take papers home daily-Don’t leave them in your desk! • Read and re-read directions carefully. • Put name and date on every paper. • Complete homework each night.

19. Absence excuses need to be sent in the day your child returns to school. Your child will have three days to make up missed work. We will participate in the Scholastic Book Club. Please consider ordering on-line or in school. You may notice work coming home with corrections made in colored pencil. This is for both of us to see the original mistake made and how it was corrected. FYI

20. Please look around the room and in your child’s desk. Write a letter to your child in their Reading Response Journal. They wrote to you today. Thank you for coming tonight