Welcome to the Third GradeOpen House

My name is Alicia O’Shea and this is my 4th year teaching third grade.

I’ve taught kindergarten, first, 7&8th grade.

I’m a mom of three great children and my husband is also a teacher.

I have a webpage on the school website. Check it out for more information.

Welcome families, friends, & children! My goals for the open house:

To explain my expectations for all students.

To give an basic overview of the curriculum.

To share information about how parents can support their child’s learning.

To answer any questions families have about third grade.

Everyday:Recess/Lunch at 11:05-12:00Monday:Library: 12:05 – 12:45Music.: 1:40-2:20Tuesday: P.E.: 12:05-12:45CAI: 1:40-2:20

Daily ScheduleDaily Schedule

Wednesday: Art: 1:30-2:20 Thursday: P.E.: 12:05-1:45 Friday: Music: 12:05-12:45 P.E.: 1:40-2:20

My goal for all students is to keep them engaged in their learning, for them to value their role in our classroom, and to progress confidently as readers and writers.

Community building is a key feature of our classroom. Community is promoted through daily morning and afternoon meetings where we greet and exchange ideas among each other, through the sharing of our classroom ‘tools’, and through engaging in daily small group and partner work projects.

All children are given multiple reading assessments to better understand each child as a reader.

NWEA standardized reading and math test based on the new Common Core which is taken in the computer lab.

Fountas and Pinnell Reading Assessment is given by me individually 2 times a year.

60-90 minutes which includes:Mini-lesson on various comprehension

strategies and/or genre informationWhole group direct

instruction/interactionSmall group direct instruction/interaction Independent partner work & group work Independent individual work

Teacher directed guided reading groups

Teacher/student conferences Literacy Circles Reading ResponseReading LogWord WorkPoetry Collection

Preview Ask questions before, during and after

reading Predict and revise predictions Clarify Infer Visualize Connect Summarize Evaluate

Occurs throughout the day in a variety of contexts, in addition to a dedicated

writing block.

Writer’s Workshop/Notebooks JournalsPrompt WritingPoetry6+1 Traits

Sentences: capitalization, punctuation

Parts of speech: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns

Application of all of the above

Month by Month Spelling Program The words are the 100 most misspelled

for third grade. We use interactive spelling activities and

real writing to practice and review the words.

Each new list will appear on the word wall and your child will receive a copy of the words in word wall form.

All units are posted on the website Spellingcity.com.

New Math ProgramRooted in Singapore MathConcrete, pictoral, symbolCommon Core alignedInteractive web based component

Continual professional development

What is a Scientist? Structures Birds Plants Ecology Geography/ Maps skills/ Land forms USA China Australia Country Report

CursiveKeyboardingCompass Learning in CAI LabLibrary SkillsArt MusicPhysical Education

Develops good study habits and time management skills

To review/practice concepts previously taught

Approximately 30 min. per night Encourage independence, but be available

to help if necessary Check over the work together to take

advantage of a learning opportunity. Decide together on a time and place to

complete homework. Generally, it’s best to let kids have a break after school before settling into doing more “school work.”

Allow some free time for active play, a healthy snack, time to visit with friends, mom, dad, or anyone else that is in the home.

Discourage video games and television, as kids need to be active, not passive after school.

In order for the brain to process and consolidate learning, there needs to be “downtime” between learning periods.

(Brain-Based Learning by Eric Jensen)

Spelling words to practice weeklyMath homework- Monday through ThursdayRead a minimum of 15 minutes on a daily basis.

As a commitment to our partnership, we ask that

parents monitor their child’s reading nightlyHomework will be collected and checked but

will not be given a numerical grade*Spelling can also be practiced on

Spellingcity.com*

NovelsMagazines Instruction ManualsComic BooksNewspapers (Yes, the comics and

sports page!)

1. Report cards are distributed 4 times a year.

2. For the first report card, we ask that parents schedule a conference to discuss their child’s progress.

3. On Friday, November 14th, the 3-5 side will have a half day for conferences. There will be additional dates and times as well.

4. Please sign up for one tonight.

In third grade students are expected to take a state exam in Math and in Language Arts.

The above assessments are usually given in April.

BackpacksBackpacks

LunchesLunches

HomeworkHomework

AgendaAgenda

Take-home Take-home foldersfolders

Some ways Volunteers might help are:

Room Parent: To organize/notify parents about celebrations

Celebrations: help with partiesProjects: come in when we are doing

big projects to help studentsFlash card work with students to

practice their multiplication facts

Q: Can my child bring in a treat for his/her birthday? A: Yes! Currently we have 18 students in our class. Q: What should I do if my child is absent? A: The work will be placed in a folder and will be sent home with a friend if

you specify or will be given to your child when the arrive back at school. I may have to keep your child in at recess to complete assignments that cannot be completed at home.

Q: What does CIC at the top of my child’s paper mean? A: It means we went over the assignment in class and corrected it

together. Q: What is the best way to help my child at home? A: Ask him/her about their day. Check their AGEND and TAKE HOME

FOLDER for homework that needs to be completed, work that needs to be corrected, newsletters, ect. Organization is important!

Q: Are toys allowed in school? No! Do not let your child bring toys to school even if he/she says they are

not going to take the toy out during the day. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Q: What is the best way to contact you? A: The best way is call me at 758-2241 ext. 2289. You may email me also,

but expect a delay in my response. My email address is aoshea@rhcsd.org.

Please feel free to ask any questions. I will answer them the best that I can.

Please sign up for a conference and write down your email for easy notification of events

Please make sure you visit your child’s other teachers and rooms!

P.E. Music ArtLibraryComputer lab and CAI lab

Third Grade’s Secret Recipefor Learning

You will need:StudentsTeachersParentsPrincipalsSuperintendentsCustodiansSecretariesAidesJust add:A smidge of curiosityA pinch of knowledgeA dash of enthusiasmA cup of cooperationA heap of understandingSprinkle with a bushel of love.Season with humor and let simmer for180 days!