Journey Through Third Grade - Mrs. Adames' Encouraging Welcoming Message

1. WELCOME!!! Before we begin, write an encouraging note to your child on the index card provided. Tell them your wishes for them as they venture through the third grade!

2. SYCAMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM NIGHT 2014 MRS. ADAMES

3. GET TO KNOW MRS. Adames • I am a graduate of the University of Phoenix with a major in Early Childhood Education. I am currently working on obtaining my Masters Degree in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages. During the past three years, I have taught Preschool and also worked as 5th grade teacher here at Sycamore Elementary. I have been married 10 years to my husband Roberto and have two boys, Roberto Jr. my oldest who is 7 years old (a second grader) he loves art and loves to read. Adrian my youngest is 3 years old and loves to box and is extremely outgoing. On my spare time you will find me singing at church or at the gym enjoy a kickboxing class. On my free time you might also find me at a museum with my boys, we love to venture out and seize any opportunity to learn something new. I was born and raised in New York City. I have lived in Georgia for the past 5 years and love my new home. While, I might always be a city girl at heart, my life here in Georgia is amazing and at this point there is no way I will ever return to my small apartment in New York. I feel privileged to teach 3rd grade; with every passing day I have fallen more in love with this career. Teaching is my passion and I am certain, that this is evident to everyone around me.

4. A Day in the Life of a Third Grader • 8:20-9:00: Morning Routine (Lunch choice, ice cream money, announcements) • 9:00-9:45-CQI (Math) • 9:45-10:15-Math • 10:15-10:35: Grammar Workshop • 10:35-11:05: Recess

5. A Day in the Life of a Third Grader • 11:05-12:55: Literacy • 12:50-1:20: Lunch • 1:25-1:40: Word Work • 1:40-2:25: Specials • 2:25-3:10: Science/Social Studies • 3:10-3:20: Clean up/Pack up/Mark agendas

6. How Do We Learn at Sycamore?

7. Instructional Practice • Small group instruction • Workshop model • Technology • Inquiry-based approach to learning

8. Technology in Action-BYOD • Computer Lab (twice a week) • Student laptops • Mimios • Document Cameras • eClass: Online textbooks, grades, resources • BYOD-Bring Your Own Device • NOT using devices all day everyday • Orientation with LSTC and Administration before beginning.

9. LANGUAGE ARTS • Reading Workshop • Guided Reading/Literature Circles – Reading Fluency and Comprehension • Independent Reading – reading at appropriate level (5 finger rule) • Expected third grade reading levels: M-P (Fountas & Pinnell) • Flexible grouping • Writing Workshop • We will focus on Narrative, Informative, and Opinion (Persuasive) writing. • Ideas, Organization, Style, Conventions • Independent work, conferencing with peers/teacher • Spelling/Grammar/Word Study • Spelling words will be given out every Monday, and practiced through homework assignments and some class work during the week. Spelling tests will be given every Friday. Spelling will also be implemented with the elements above. • Grammar and word study will be taught through Grammar Workshop and the elements above

10. Computation Geometry Problem Solving** Measurement Elapsed Time** Fractions Capacity Multiplication** Division Graphing MATH (Concepts taught through Math Workshop: small groups working collaboratively, independent practice, meetings with teacher, technology)** Challenging units for some students

11. SCIENCE • Georgia’s Habitats • Pollution • Heat • Magnets • Rocks and Minerals • Soil • Fossils • STEM • Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

12. CAN YOU NAME THEM?

13. SOCIAL STUDIES • Map Skills/Geography • Roots of Our Democracy** • Government** • Economics • Famous Americans (Paul Revere, Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Mary McLeod Bethune, Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thurgood Marshall, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Cesar Chavez)** Challenging unit for some students

14. Specials • 5 week rotation • Art • Literacy (**NEW this year!) • Math • Music • P.E. (wear tennis shoes!) • Our time-1:40-2:25 daily

15. Media Center We visit the library once a week as a class. Currently, we go on Mondays. During visits, students may: • Learn a research or library skill • Hear about various authors and their books • Have an opportunity to check out books Students may also come to the library independently with their teachers’ permission to check out books

16. HOMEWORK POLICY • Assigned on Mondays • Written in agenda by student • Due on Fridays • Teacher checks for completion before reviewing as a class • If a student does not bring their completed homework on Friday, the student will finish their work outside at recess. • Same policy may apply for classwork not completed in a timely manner.

17. What are the essential policies and procedures at Sycamore?

18. Agenda Books • Provided for each student • -If a planner is lost, please contact the office and one will be replaced for $10.00 each • Daily Behavior Chart (ESNU) • Each student must write what is marked on the agenda board. • Please check nightly and initial • Jot any notes you want me to see.

19. Money Procedures • Always put money in a sealed envelope in their book bags with child’s name and purpose. • Checks must be written to Sycamore Elementary School • Breakfast- $1.50 • Lunch- $2.25 • Ice Cream $1.00

20. COMMUNICATION • Agenda Book (Daily behavior, homework, and school information) • Weekly Information-See my website • Friday Folder • Sent home Fridays, expected back signed next day of class. • Parents are expected to review all contents with their student before signed and returned. • Midterm Progress Reports • Report Cards – End of each 9 weeks • Conferences – September & February (or as necessary) • Written Correspondence (agenda, notes, email) • Phone Calls

21. COMMUNICATION • Remind 101 Texts • SES Website • Parent and Student Portal • E-mail: Leslie_Adames@gwinnett.k12.ga.us Website: https://sites.google.com/a/sycamorees.org/mrsadames/home

22. Behavior Chart

23. DISCIPLINE • Continuing school-wide discipline plan • Based on E (Excellent), S (Satisfactory), N (Needs Improvement), U (Unsatisfactory) system with a twist • Example of posters • Copy of discipline levels will be in agenda books

24. DISCIPLINE • Verbal warnings • Moving clip to next level on discipline chart • Sitting time off recess or having silent lunch • “Take a Break” in another classroom • Contact administration • Daily communication through agenda books • Parent email, phone calls, conferences as necessary • 7 Habits

25. PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports The PBIS Program will help everyone understand his/her role in creating an outstanding learning environment. Sycamore Students will model 3 rules: • Be Ready • Be Respectful • Be Responsible

26. PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports The advantages of PBIS are: • School wide expectations are provided for all areas of the building and buses • The expectations and rules are taught consistently across all grade levels • Students are encouraged to demonstrate positive and cooperative behaviors • Discipline referral Processes & Procedures are consistent throughout the school • Dataare used to help track progress and identify areas to target for intervention • Effective Consequences are developed and used to discourage inappropriate behavior

27. PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports • Students that are being role models to their fellow students will be rewarded with paw stamps in their agenda • Adults in our building all have stamps to reward students as they are observed being role models • Students can earn stamps from classroom teachers, Specials teachers, the custodial staff, lunchroom staff, administrators, and bus drivers

28. PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports • Classroom teacher will implement weekly rewards and monthly rewards for earning stamps • At the end of each quarter, Husky Heroes will also be rewarded by the administrators with a special celebration of their own

29. Lunch Procedures • Our lunch time is 12:50-1:20 • Parent table- students can pick one friend from the classroom to eat with them at the parent table. • Peanut Free Table • $5.00 limit on charging food- if a student is above $5.00 they receive a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a milk.

30. Birthday Celebrations • Feel free to bring or send in a special treat for your child’s birthday! • Must send enough for every student (currently have 25 students) • School ice cream can be purchased for the class ($1.00 per student) • Invitations may be sent to school ONLY IF every student is invited.

31. Transportation • School hours are 8:20-3:20 • Car rider lane is open 8:20-8:50 in the morning and 3:20-3:45 in the afternoon. • Car riders will dismiss from the gym first • Any transportation changes need to be brought to the attention of the front office with a letter from you indicating a change • Please make sure your child is clear about how they will go home • Discuss good behavior with them

32. Testing Information • Please try to avoid scheduling vacations or appointments on these dates! • GCPS Interims/Post Tests: End of every 9 weeks • CoGAT(grades 1,2,3,5) September 15- September 17 • ITBS (grades 2, 3, 5) October 20- October 24 • Georgia Milestones (GMAS) for grades 3-5 • April 21- May 1 (testing window) • Replacing CRCT; incorporating multiple choice and open-ended questions

33. Promotion Requirements This is the first year we are administering the Georgia Milestones Assessment (GMAS). Therefore, the state has not made any promotion requirements related to the assessment. Promotion will be based on grades and student achievement for the 2014-2015 school year.

34. OTHER IMPORTANT DATES • September 24-25 and February 25-26 • Early Release due to parent-teacher conferences • November 24-November 28 • Thanksgiving Break • December 22-January 5 • Winter Break • April 6-10, 2015 • Spring Break!

35. PARENT INVOLVEMENT • PTA - Help us reach 100% • Room Parents/Volunteer Sign up • Classroom donations • Promote learning at home • Read together often • Discuss our day-”Yay Me!” Moment of the Day • Practice spelling words and math facts • Review homework, agenda (please sign), and Friday Folder, sending back papers/forms as necessary

36. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS • Sign-in/Visitor’s badge • Enter front door only! • Check out procedures • None after 2:55 • Drills • Fire, Tornado, Lock Down • Absentee Notes • Doctor’s note if possible • Tardies (8:50 am)

37. LAST MINUTE REMINDERS • Healthy snack and water bottle daily • Scholastic News subscription per supply list: $5.00 • Cash or check made to Sycamore ES • Resources on SES website and my website-Please visit often! • Headphones for computer lab

38. A Final Note from Mrs. Adames Third grade is sometimes a hard year, as it is a growing year for students. We encourage and teach them to go from being very dependent to very independent and responsible for their choices. We believe this better prepares them for the years ahead. I’m excited to see the progress students will make as the year continues!

39. Thank you for attending tonight… I am looking forward to a wonderful year! ** This PowerPoint can be accessed through my website for your future reference.