Agenda

• Curriculum Overview• Standard Based Grading• Flow of the Day• Homework• Volunteers• Q&A Notecards

Curriculum Overview• Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop based on

Teacher’s College of NY, Focus lessons –Wake County Public Schools

• Math Expressions by Houghton Mifflin & Math Trailblazers

• Word Study • Science kits from FOSS and Carolina Biological

Supply

Standard Based Grading

• Standard Based Grading, Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 based on the objectives for 3rd grade.

• PowerSchool-Home Base• Go to www.wcpss.net for more

information• In the search window, type report cards

Reader’s Workshop• 5- 7 minute Mini-lesson each day with active

student involvement • Read Alouds• Building stamina in our readers: Expected to

read independently for 30 min. or more each day

• Independent Reading with “Just Right” books• Guided Reading groups• Book Studies and Author Studies • Readers “post it” their thoughts• Partner Talk– have authentic conversations

about what has been read.

Writing Workshop• 5- 7 minute Mini-lesson each day with active

student involvement• Conferencing will be used to help individual

students develop stronger writing skills• Students will be introduced to and compose a

variety of writing with a beginning focus on personal narratives

• Other units of study include letters, feature articles, opinion, poetry and a non fiction research

• Watch newsletter for information about each unit

Word Study

• Complete activities each day to practice words including writing complete sentences to build on grammar.

• Word patterns, concepts, and spelling rules are embedded into daily mini-lessons and activities. Spelling words will also be provided certain weeks.

Math Units• Math Expressions is based on many years of

researching children around the world• Very hands on and full of problem solving• Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division• Measurement• Fractions• Geometry• Data Analysis• Algebra

Science Units• Taught with hands on activities and

experiments• Human Body-Skeleton• Plants – Life Cycle and Soils – 3 types of soil

and composting• Objects in the Sky –sun, moon, and stars• Changes: Understand properties of solids

and liquids and the changes they undergo.• End of unit tests are given • These tests will help prepare students for 5th

grade NC End of Grade test

Social Studies• History and Colonial America• Civics and Government• Geography and Environmental Literacy

and Culture• Economics and Financial Literacy

Flow of the Day• Daily Schedule

– 8:45-9:15 – Unpack, morning work (please have your child here on time!)

– 9:15 - Morning Meeting– 9:30 –Reading– Includes Readers Workshop: Guided Reading, and

independent reading time– 10:55- Writing– 11:30 – Specials –Schedule varies by class– 12:20/12:25 – Lunch – 12:55 – Recess– 1:30 – Math– 2:45- Science– 3:15 – Word Study– 3:40 – Pack Up/Dismissal

Homework• Math

– Homework is a review of strategies taught or review of previous topics

– Practice addition and subtraction with games on your own; multiplication and division comes 2nd quarter; should know them in a snap; practice for 3 min. a day

• Language Arts– Reading for 15-20 min. – Practice writing complete sentences, review of

concepts discussed; writing prompts– Spelling – review and concentration of studying

spelling patterns that will flow into your child’s reading and writing

• Should not exceed 30-40 minutes

Parent Volunteers• All parent volunteers must register each

year to become a volunteer at the school (please complete this within the first month of school)

• Parents may not volunteer in the classroom until they have registered

• Parents should check in at the office on the day they come to volunteer

• Parent volunteers are needed for:– our field trips– Copying & cutting out laminated materials– working with small groups– helping out with special classroom projects– returning books in the library – in the lower grades during center time

How Do I Register?• Report to the Media Center and

computers are all ready to go!

General Questions?

Be sure to check our website at www.sanfordcreek3rd.wikispaces.com

Specific questions for your child’s teacher?Please write it on an index card and your

teacher will contact you.