Welcome To Back To School Welcome To Back To School NightNight

Sherwood ES/Grade 3Sherwood ES/Grade 3 2011-20122011-2012

Mrs. Coll Mrs. Jordan Mrs. Coll Mrs. Jordan Mrs. Rotter Ms. MukriMrs. Rotter Ms. Mukri

Mrs. Silver Mrs. Loomis Mrs. BaxterMrs. Silver Mrs. Loomis Mrs. Baxter

The Third Grade Child

• Academic language is developing

• Will become less dependent on adults

• Peer approval more important

• Able to perform multiple multiple tasks

• Wants to increase self-set goals

• Moving into fluency in reading and writing

• Shows more tension• Accountable for

organizing projects with timelines

• Wants to do things correctly

• Likes teamwork

Behavior Expectations

*We expect all children to complete their work to the highest of their abilities in a timely fashion

*We want students to ask for clarification or help in class

*We know each student can and will be respectful of the learning process for themselves and for all of their classmates

Our Ground Rules Ground Rules for Success

• Pay attention to the speaker

• Work as a team• Stay on task• Enjoy the

challenges• Be mindful of our

place and space

These rules are posted in our rooms and help us to follow Sherwood 3 Guiding Principles of

• Mutual Respect• Right to Teach and Learn• Self-Control

A typical day’s schedule

• Our Mornings• Arrival, Schedule

overview, Pledge and Announcements

• Specials• Math• Lunch and Recess

• Our Afternoons

• Writing, Research, Science, Social Studies

• Reading/Language Arts

Reading/Language/Writing

• Variety of genres in reading and written work • Daily 30 minutes of reading at home (to meet required

25 books of independent reading required by state and county)

• Students work in teacher led small groups and whole class lessons

• Two week spelling cycles • Twice monthly extended writing projects to a prompt• Poet in Residence artist grant• Written journal responses for novel reading and

personal writing journals• Supplementary materials extend/review instructed

skills/content in class and for homework

Focus on Math • Grade three has 6 math units; Grade four has five

• Parent letters will come home at the start of each unit outlining content and grade level/accelerated objectives

• Classroom instruction may reflect whole group, small group and individualized instruction

• Groupings are fluid and based on instructional need using teacher assessments and observations

• Mastery of basic operational facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are ESSENTIAL for success in grade level and above grade level content!!!

Science• THREE MAJOR UNITS• Crime Lab Chemistry• Sound• Plant Life and Development Inquiry based format

scientific method is reviewed -three projects emphasis is on the vocabulary common in

scientific thought and experimentation.

Social StudiesMAJOR THEMESEconomics – how wants and needs

are determined; production equation

Geography – focus on map skills andthe organization of the United

StatesCities of the Past – using timelines

to examine change over time

Rapid Research

• Students explore non-fiction topics of individual interest

• Projects develop using AGOPP

• Critical thinking, organization and application skills are the heart of the process

• Projects can take a variety of forms.

Writing Traits • Writing will follow the 6+1 Traits program• We will focus primarily on the following 4 traits:

– Ideas ( Quarter 1)– Organization (Quarter 2)– Word Choice ( Quarter 3 & 4)– Voice ( Quarter 3 & 4)• The traits of Sentence Fluency and

Conventions are integrated throughout the Third Grade Curriculum

Assessments• STAR reading/quarterly• MAP-R /three times a year • MSA – one week in the Spring• Math Facts – regularly in classroom• Math quizzes/Formative Assessments• Math Unit tests as scheduled by Unit

completion timeline• Spelling tests• Quarterly Written pieces (pre and post)• Novel tests/reports• Projects

Grades• A variety of symbols may be used• Letter grades are given for core subjects on

the report card (this begins in this grade)• Right side of report card is same format as

earlier grades (Learning Skills)• Look for patterns in grades throughout the

marking period – report cards should hold no surprises

• Interim reports come home mid-quarter• TeacherEase will give you information on

project assignments/rubrics for grading

Homework Procedures• Given Monday through Thursday (45-60 minutes)• Should be completed independently by the

student• Keep to a reasonable time frame when working

on any individual activity • Projects are given regularly! Please monitor your

child’s progress regarding due dates and project requirements

• Sign the agenda book only after checking completed homework each evening. Please DO NOT sign for an entire week at a time.

Homework is recorded as a Learning Skill outlined by MCPS Grading and Reporting Guidelines – please refer to your information packet for additional information on this. However certain writing pieces and projects count toward quarterly evaluation

Having a Mission• Students are encouraged to identify

their own areas of growth

• Data notebooks, written goals, and objective goal sheets are evidence of students working to achieve individual and grade level expectations

• Learning drives data – data reflection creates more targeted, effective learning

• Data IS NOT the goal – growth and self-awareness of your learning is what a mission is all about

Birthday Club• The Third Grade celebrates birthdays with a monthly Birthday

Club

• Each month an announcement concerning the date and time will be sent home – it is also listed in student agenda books

• Treats must be store bought per MCPS regulations

• NO NUT ITEMS PLEASE DUE TO ALLERGIES – This is an extremely important detail that we ask you to give special attention to

• We ask that you send in all items needed to serve the birthday treat. You will need 25 of each item you send.

• Our celebrations are for students only – we cannot extend our invitation to include siblings or additional family members

What can I do to help my child in school?

• Monitor homework to make sure it gets done

• Read and sign the assignment book each night

• Set up a homework routine and a homework place for your child

• Make sure your child gets enough sleep and a good breakfast

• Review the Data Notebook when it comes home and discuss with them their thoughts on their progress

• Be sure to complete the reflection form after your discussion

Need To Know?• Team newsletters• Interim report and Data

Notebook• 24-48 hour turn around in

answering phone calls• Email - Use the teacher’s name

and the address “@mcpsmd.org”• MCPS website is chockablock full

of stuff!• Teacherease (with log-in) but WE

NEED YOUR EMAIL to expedite this

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org