Welcome to 3 rd grade!

1. Welcome to 3rd grade! 2013-14 School Year Mary E. Bryant Elementary

2. 3rd Grade Goals • To give your child the academic and social skills needed to progress toward fourth grade. • To provide a supportive, fun, & safe classroom environment while promoting the highest possible student achievement. • This year our school theme is Adventures in Learning Through Teamwork!

3. Orientation Highlights: • Grade Equivalencies & Levels of Achievement • English Language Arts (ELA) Reading & Writing Workshop • Battle of the Books • Hands on Go Math & National Geographic Science program • Social Studies • Nightly Homework expectations • How YOU can help!

4. Grade Equivalencies • E= A (> 90%) • S= B/C (70-90%) • N= (60-69%) • U= (<59%) Progress Alerts are provided at mid point of each nine week period. Conference Nights : Oct. 17th & March 6th

5. Reading Workshop • 120 minutes total ELA with a 90 minute “uninterrupted reading block” focusing on fluency and comprehension • Read Alouds, Shared, Guided, Independent Reading, as well as, Close Readings • Implement Student Response Journals • Use “Treasures” text and other resources • Balance of fiction and nonfiction, Time for Kids, & other genres to prepare for FCAT

6. Battle of the Books Competition in Spring prepares our students through exceptional literature... Title ___ Author          Level • Guinea Dog Patrick Jennings 3.7 • Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School,& Other Lenore Look 3.8 • I Survived: Sinking of the Titanic Lauren Tarshis 3.9 • The Lemonade War Jacqueline Davies 4.1 • The World According to Humphrey Betty Birney 4.2 • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane    Kate DiCamillo 4.4 • Fortunes Magic Farm Suzanne Selfors 4.6 • The City of Embers Jeanne DuPrau 5.0

7. Writing Workshop Response to Literature • Incorporated into the 120 minutes of ELA • Writing Workshop: • Process, Crafts, Conventions • Types: Informative, Narrative and Opinion • Uses a combination of teacher-directed • prompts and student-chosen topics • Three Bryant Writes Assessments: • August, November, and May- • maintained within portfolios • Writing in Response to Reading • Short Research • Technology • May be incorporated across the curriculum

8. *Traditional weekly spelling tests are being replaced by research-based program: Working with Words*Weekly practice within the classroom concentrating on spelling patterns*Assessment will take place within normal classroom writing activities Word Work

9. Math Curriculum • 1 hour daily using Go Math “hands on” curriculum • Frequent use of manipulatives • with student journals for reflection • Necessary to solidify mastery of addition and subtraction facts • Focus on Multiplication & Division with expected mastery of strategies • Think Central • First in Math

10. Science Curriculum • Frequent investigations using National Geographic series! • Textbook will become accessible on-line – more information to follow • Frequent “hands-on” activities applying the scientific method • STEM Fair – small boards done in class

11. Social Studies Curriculum • The Geography and Culture of North America and the Caribbean • Government and Civics • Economics • May be integrated across the curriculum and through Time for Kids magazines within classrooms

12. Student Expectations • Complete all classroom assignments in a timely manner • Complete all homework assignments nightly • Be responsible for organizational binder and contents daily • Be responsible for reading NIGHTLY • Obey classroom rules: respectful, responsible, and caring attitudes

13. Levels of Achievement • OL = On-level (receiving instruction on a third grade level 50% or more of the time) which is the NORM • AL = Above-level (receiving instruction on a fourth grade level or above, 50% or more of the time) as a very rare EXCEPTION • BL = Below-level (receiving instruction on a second grade level or below, 50% or more of the time)

14. Agendas • Agendas go back and forth daily • Please check daily for notes/info regarding behavior, upcoming events, etc. • Your child is responsible for recording their homework assignments in his/her agenda each day • Each student has an organizational binder (specific name based upon homeroom) that helps him/her to be successful

15. Homework Policy • Student should be able to complete homework assignment within 30 minutes • Student’s responsibility to turn in assignment (not parent’s responsibility to bring it to Bryant) • Students are encouraged to read for an additional 30 minutes per day • Students may occasionally be asked to complete unfinished classwork at home • Please note: We are not checking homework for accuracy but for completion and yes, you may support your child as necessary

16. FCAT Preparation • First year for FCAT in addition to NRT • Grades 3-5 Study Tools for Home Use through FCAT Explorer (information & assignments to be provided later) • FCAT-like assessments will be given regularly in order for students to get familiar with test-reading/taking. • Regular Go Math Assessments (please review these at home)

17. How Can YOU Help?

18. Questions/Comments? • The Best Way to reach your teacher is via email because classroom phones do not receive outside calls! Firstname.Lastname@SDHC.K12.FL.US • We normally respond within 24 hours • Feel free to write notes in Student Agenda THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!