Welcome to Mrs. Ryan’s 3rd Grade Class!

A Little About Mrs. Ryan

Teaching and working in District 97 the past 5 years in grades 1-5. This is my 2nd year teaching 3rd grade.

Live in Oak Park with my husband and two sons who are in 3rd and 6th grade.

Love to swim, read, work in the garden, and travel

Attended 3rd grade in Tennessee. Then moved to and grew up in Miami, FL.

Math

Multiplication & Division Number Sense & Place Value Fractions Measurement & Data Geometry Focus on math talks, real-world word problems,

and using a variety of strategies. The My Math curriculum and other resources will

be used to address the Common Core State Standards.

“Rainbow Math” on Fridays – differentiated math groups determined by MAP scores, classroom assessments, and teacher observations.

Reading

Reading various genres of literature (short stories, novel studies, poetry)

Strong focus on informational text Discussions, activities, and projects will be used to

address the Common Core Standards Passport to Reading - school-wide initiative, meets the

needs of all students, initial screening process underway, groups are fluid and change often

Independent reading - 20 minutes each night - always have a chapter book at school

Fluency practice - read aloud frequently – end of year benchmark for grade 3 is 110 words per minute

Language Arts

Grammar Practice (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, etc.)

Vocabulary and Spelling – building vocab from root words. The weekly spelling and vocabulary words will be the same The weekly word lists will be reduced in order for

students to gain a greater understanding of each word’s meaning and spelling

Daily Language Review (editing, fact vs. opinion, analogies, using context clues, spelling, etc.)

Writing

Narrative Persuasive Expository/Research Multiple modeled writing opportunities Mini-lessons on the 6+1 Writing Traits (ideas,

organization, word choice, voice, conventions, sentence fluency, presentation)

Incorporating technology (Google docs, Book Creator, iMovie, etc)

Multiple opportunities each week for quick writes and practice with editing and revising

Social Studies & Science

6 week rotations between subjects

Social Studies units: Citizenship, Government, Cultures, Economics, Geography, History

Science units: weather and climate, forces & interactions, life cycles & traits, and engineering design

Assessments Formative and Summative unit assessments align with

the Common Core Standards Standards-Based Report Card Grading: EP: You have

gone above and beyond the expectations on a consistent basis, PR: You’ve got it!, AP: You’re on the right track!, NP: Keep working on this skill

In lieu of ISAT testing, students will be taking the PARCC (third graders are tested in reading and math) – March and May

MAP testing (reading and math) completed on computers two times this year (September and January)

DIBELS reading fluency testing completed three times per year

Homework

Assigned as needed for extra practice and reinforcement of skills, especially in math and vocabulary/spelling

Some homework will be electronic once we start using the iPads

Students should read for 20 minutes outside of school daily

Assignment notebooks should be updated by students and signed by parents daily

Sunrise and Lunch Study Hall are available

Technology

1:1 iPad initiative Used when it enhances the lesson, saves time,

motivates students, and personalizes learning Focused on the 4 C’s: Creativity,

Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking

One universal log-in and password for all sites/programs – will be kept in assignment notebooks

For more information, please visit the iLearn97 website linked to my webpage or contact the district technology director, Michael Arensdorff, at marensdorff@op97.org

Oak Park Education Foundation

Non-profit organization separate from District 97

Provides a variety of excellent programs for our schools

Third graders participate in “Geared Up Legos,” which brings engineering, physical science, math, and technology challenges to our students.

Science Alliance – Scientist Sally To learn more visit: www.opef.org

Behavior Expectations

Individual Behavior Incentive Chart: Earn a sticker each day for “staying on green” and demonstrating respectful, responsible, safe, and kind behavior

Class Compliment Pebble Jar: Fill the jar and earn a class celebration

Bear Necessity slips / Weekly Friday Raffle

Specials Schedule

Mondays & Fridays – Music and Spanish Tuesdays –Art Wednesdays – Library (don’t forget book

returns) Thursdays – P.E. (don’t forget gym shoes)

Snacks and Celebrations

Due to some severe allergies, third grade classroom snacks can be fresh fruits and vegetables

In lieu of birthday treats or food at parties, you can consider sending in small party favors (mechanical pencils, stickers, erasers, etc) – enough for 27 students or donate a book to our class library

Send in a full, cold water bottle daily (water only, please)

Communication

Email is the BEST way to contact me: aryan@op97.org

Visit my website regularly for curriculum updates, important dates, etc. www.op97.org/aryan

Digital Backpack link on my website Notes, forms, permission slips, lunch money, etc.

can be sent via the red take-home folder Trimester report cards will go home in December,

March, and June Formal parent/teacher conferences will be

scheduled during the weeks of October 20th and February 9th and as needed by appointment

Welcome to Third Grade!Click on the picture below to view Mrs. Ryan’s Third Grade Movie Trailer: