Welcome Back to School

Liz Werner

Third Grade

2012- 2013

Alta Vista School

Purpose of this evening

• Meet me, meet other parents …

• Overview of the Curriculum

• Reporting student progress

• Look around the room and at the third grade text books

Language ArtsReading• The focus is comprehension – reading to learn• Houghton-Mifflin texts• Self Selected Reading• Reading across the curriculum• Reference Skills

Writing• Personal Narrative, Creative Narrative, and Response to

Literature, and Expository (biography, animal report)• Six Traits Writing• Cursive handwriting

Mathematics

Goals for Third Grade• Master basic skills (addition & subtraction)• Internalization of multiplication facts• Reason and communicate mathematically• Gain confidence in their own mathematical ability

Units of Study:• Number Sense: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division• Measurement & Geometry• Algebra & Functions (incl. Graphing)• Mathematical Reasoning

Text• enVision Mathematics, Scott Foresman

Social StudiesContinuity and Change

Geography• Map skills• Identification of physical features of California

Local History and Economy• Ohlone People• Early local settlers

Three Branches of GovernmentDiversity• In the classroom and in the community• Cultural Dolls

Our Communities by Scott Foresman

Science

The Goals for third grade:• Work individually and as a team member to collect and share

information• Conduct simple investigations to test a hypothesis and

record results• Use facts to support conclusions• Begin to communicate scientific information through writing,

pictures, charts, graphs and models

Units of study:• Sun, Moon and Stars -- Stargazing, Planetarium• Structures of Life -- Monterey Bay Aquarium• Matter and Energy – Mad Science

Science Resources- (FOSS)

Music/ Physical Education / Art

Music• Third grade students receive 30 minutes of instruction once

per week- ORFF

Physical Education• Third grade students receive P.E. instruction through the

S.P.A.R.K. (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) Program and Rhythm and Moves instruction

Art• Students participate in the Art Vistas and Clay programs

P.E., Art Vistas, and Clay are made possible by parent volunteers.

Reporting on Student Progress

Ongoing throughout the year

November Reporting• Parent / Teacher Conference

• Report Card

March Reporting• Parent / Teacher conference• Report Card

June Reporting• Report Card

Communication

If you have a quick question, please stop by any day after school. For a longer meeting, please make an appointment.

Telephone/email• Alta Vista School 356-6146 x122• email wernerl@unionsd.org (preferred)

Wednesday Weekly Envelope• School info

Daily Homework FolderStudent Work

Class Website

• Alta Vista website, Classroom pages, Mrs.Werner

Alta Vista Website

Field Trips

• Campbell Historical Museum Trunks

• Sanborn Park (Ohlone)

• Monterey Bay Aquarium

• DeAnza Planetarium

“Don’t tell me where you went to school, tell me where you’ve been…”

Mark Twain

Volunteering

You make a difference!Some examples of things you can do:• Copying for the grade level • Art Vistas, Clay, S.P.A.R.K., Library/Computer

Helper• Science Aide• Reading/Math Tutors• Room Parents/Help with Class Parties• Chaperoning Field Trips