Curriculum Night 2013

1. Curriculum Night 2013 3S

2. Information sheet—Northpoint is going Green! • I’ve got an information page going around. If you can complete I would appreciate it. • Your preferred name, email addresses, phone numbers and who is likely to answer. Ex. Home, Mom, Dad etc. • Also remember to sign up for conferences

3. Who is teaching my student? • Bobby Scott • Lived in Bloomington-Normal my whole life. • I went to Glenn, Chiddix, NCHS and then ISU. • Taught eleven years of fifth grade at Colene Hoose. • Beginning 8th year of 3rd grade at Northpoint. • I have my masters degree in administration. • Married and have two sons and one daughter

4. I enjoy sending time with my family. • I enjoy being outside. • We like to travel and often go camping. • I enjoy sports—playing and watching– I incorporate a lot of sport stuff into the classroom.

7. Goal in Life • Have fun! • I try to transfer that to the classroom. • Balance school with life.

8. I take this job very seriously. It’s a job that never ends. I think about school all the time, knowing that there is always something more than can be done. • I recognize that it is not your typical 9-5 job, and that it’s difficult to reach me during the day (since I’m with the students most of it). • Feel free to call me at home 451-1955 if you feel it is necessary. I may not get back to you until the next day.

9. Best way to reach me is email. scottbw@unit5.org • I always try to respond– it might just be a “thanks” or short response. • Typically the shorter the email the quicker the reply. • Class websitehttp://www.unit5.org//Domain/1706

10. Class make up this year • 26 students • 14 boys • 12 girls • Student Teacher- Mr. Wilkinson

11. Personal Beliefs/goals for third grade students • Respect and polite to all • organization • learning is fun • Goes well with “Get your Armorrr on”- (Respect, Responsibility, Ready)

12. Homework • We will have some– Likely not too much • Enough to create good organization habits and enrich classroom learning • If you find your student spending too much time with it, let me know • I don’t believe in giving homework for the sake of giving homework • Chance of assigned reading from text books.

13. Assignment Notebook • We will do this daily • Students have the responsibility to get their assignment notebook signed. • Signing it means you have communicated with your child about their day and assignments. • Feel free to leave a note. I try to respond back.

14. Handwriting • We will be practicing cursive handwriting throughout the year. • Students are encouraged to use cursive. • I will not be grading handwriting practice sheets but usually review them. • I occasionally give out a “cursive writing bonus” on assignments. • Please encourage your students to write neatly and use cursive.

15. Skyward • I typically update Skyward every Sunday. • I give each student a note of missing assignments on Monday mornings. • Check it every couple weeks or so, but don’t micro manage. • Don’t panic if you see a low grade– if you see many then we should talk.

16. My Philosophy on Grades • What students know is the most important. • Don’t put too much pressure on students. • Don’t compare students to each other. • Encourage and praise effort. • Grades aren’t perfect. • I believe skills are more important than grades

17. Math • Working toward a workshop approach • We will use journals daily. • Home Links nearly everyday • It is helpful if you indicate how much assistance you provided. • Circle the “A lot, some, little, none” • I encourage you to assist them– but please let me know if they are not grasping a skill or concept. • If a student always has a perfect paper and I don’t know they are receiving a lot of additional help can create problems. • Mastery of every skill is not expected-series spirals • Games • SRB (Student Reference Book) • Flash Cards are great! • Multiplication 0-12 are to be mastered by end of year. • esuite

18. Reading • 90 minutes a day. • We are using a workshop approach. • Still new at this approach to teaching—grading is a big part of the challenge • I’ll read out loud to the class daily. • Always assign 15 minutes to read– adjust as necessary. • I let students borrow my books. Please help see that they get returned.

19. Reading cont. • 30 minutes a day for SWORD time. • Students Working On Reading Development • Strategic grouping

20. Writing Difficult for many students • moving toward a workshop approach • Grading is somewhat subjective– less important than skills • Goals: • Make it fun • Provide a lot of ideas • Understand that writing is a process– even the best writers complete several drafts before they are “done” • Teach students about plagiarism and tips for avoiding it. Parental help is usually necessary. • Writers Notebook • Will come home tomorrow and students can decorate it • Hope to include parents in “Writers’ Workshop”

21. Spelling • Words there way • A word study • Learn about letter patterns • Lots of grouping • Not sure it will be graded

22. Science/Social Studies • Extension of reading • Less time will be spent on these subjects • Social Studies- Good mix of geography, history, economics and government • Science- spirals, many topics may seem like they repeat from previous years • Hope to make both fun and interesting! • Hope to use the netbooks often for research • May have to assign reading from text books at home

23. Areas • Music- with Mrs. Ogdon • Art- with Mrs. Cunningham • P.E.-with Mrs. Leake • I.M.C.- Mrs. Tindall

24. Newsletter • Try to write a weekly newsletter • Students will do writing and eventually the typing. • Hopefully it will improve throughout the year. • Student perspectives are very interesting (I’ll believe part of what they tell me about you if you believe part of what they tell you about me). • We will likely start it next week. They will partner write the first time then move to self writing. • Almost all written communication will come through emails.

25. Parent Helpers • Writers’ workshop– hopefully??? • Math workshop– hopefully??? • PTO • IMC • Mrs. deFreese is in need of help as well • A note will come home about these as they become available.

26. Classroom Discipline • Stop Signs/ Warning Signs • Positives: add a penny • Students created our 3S Classroom Constitution • Get your Armorrr On!! • Tickets/drawings/auctions

27. Peanut Free Classroom • One confirmed and one suspected peanut allergy

28. Snacks • Fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and cheese sticks. (NO DIPPING SAUSES). • Remember to send a spoon if necessary • Otherwise students will receive 5 animal crackers. • I will be asking for donations of animal crackers or animal cracker like snacks. • I used to let the class bring their own snacks, but realized I was in violation of the district policy.

29. Rusty • We watch Rusty almost every day. • He give tips and reminders on how to be a better citizen.

30. Various items from the office • Volunteers need to be screened. • Sign up in the office • Pick up and drop off must occur out front • Eating with child • Space is a real problem • Call office by 9:00 • No fast food • All visitors need a badge • Please contact the office (and me if possible) your student will be missing school. • Remember to sign up for a conference when we are done.

31. Odds and Ends • Assignment Notebook $5 • Time for Kids (TFK) $5- only need 4 more • Calculator (optional) • Book orders once a month—due tomorrow • Water container– with lid. • Camera • Netbooks • Passwords • Room is often cool– students can leave sweatshirt/sweater here • Student council- paragraphs due Tuesday.

32. 3S Code • A star or P= paper was reviewed but not taken for a grade. Often I’ll spot check just one problem. • C & R= Student can correct and return for partial credit.

33. Conferences • Remember to sign up for conferences and room parent help! • Also sign parent contact sheet. • Feel free to leave a note for your student • Thank you in advance for all your support • Show class website; esuite