Welcome to Orientation!

1. Welcome to Orientation! Mrs. Burton’s Class Grade 3 “Do not limit a child to your own understanding, for he has been born at a different time.” Rabbinic Saying

2. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! • You being here, speaks volumes! • We’re off to a great start! • No time for Individual conferences this evening. • Please ask LOTS of questions as we go!

3. Communication • Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences • The Burton Beacon • Class website • Phone: (828) 654-1800 • Email: stacey.burton@bcsemail.org • Send notes to school in HW folder and/or planner

4. Transportation • Every Day: • I must have a note or the office must be notified for ALL transportation changes. • Early Release/ Snow Days • I have your information, but make sure your child knows how they’ll get home. It helps them feel better. 

5. Lunch • Daily 11:15 – 11:45 • Join your child! • Online payment available • If your child brings lunch money to school they are responsible for bringing it to the cafeteria when we go to lunch. • Able to charge no more than $7.00. After that, your child will be given a bag lunch.

6. Birthdays • Special Snacks welcome (18 students) but PLEASE let me know ahead of time so we can arrange a time. • Drop off in the office or join us! • Invitations may NOT be passed out at school. • Summer birthdays celebrated at the end of the year (Let me know!)

7. Attendance • Be here! Be on time! • When the final bell rings at 8:00, your child should be in class and ready to start their day! If your child is sick: • Take their temperature at home (if 1OO degrees or above, keep them at home) • They must be fever free for 24hrs. (without meds.) before returning to school. • If they come in saying they don’t feel well, I assume you already know. (It’s difficult to call during instruction) • Sent home for a fever or vomiting • Call for a time to pick up make-up work. • Please send a note within 3 days of their absence otherwise BCS policy states that the absence will be unexcused.

8. R.A.M. Star Expectations • Respectful • Accountable • Mindful • Safe

9. P.B.I.S. Consequences for positive behavior: • Individual tallies = star tags = award tags • Class Star Jar • Classroom Star Student • Recognition at assemblies • Snap Cup (compliments) • MAKING OTHERS FEEL GOOD AND FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF!!! Consequences for negative behavior: • NATURAL & LOGICAL • Verbal corrections and reminders • Think sheets and behavior reflections (sent home) • Conference with student • Behavior concern form sent home • Office referral Class Meetings

10. Independence and ResponsibilityIt’s not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. -Ann Landers • Help your child GROW by increasing their independence and giving them more responsibility! • Pack their own book bag and snack • Bring you their homework and planner to be checked • Pace themselves with long term projects and assignments • Keep you updated about what’s going on in school • Ask for help when they need it • It’s easier and quicker if you do it BUT: • They panic when they can’t find something. • They blame you! • INDEPENDENCE & RESPONSIBILITY ARE IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS!

11. Homework (Check planner and folder everyday!) • Monday through Thursday • Assignments they were not able to complete in class (Fridays included) • Reinforcement of class lessons • Weekly Goals in planner • 30 minutes/ night • THEIR THINKING and THEIR WORK • Current Events (Once a month) *First one due Sept. 25th • Literature Extensions (one per grading period) *First one due Oct.9th

12. Assessment & Grading: It’s about growth and progress! Where is your child? Where do they need to be? What do WE need to do to get them there? Students will receive grades in: • Reading • Writing • Math • Science • Social Studies *ALL grades are based on grade level expectations for third grade. *Grades are EARNED by students rather than given by teachers. First year for letter grades! Many scored assignments are not sent home (completed in notebooks or kept in their portfolio for conferences) Scale: 5: A 93 – 100 (Outstanding level: Above & Beyond) 4: B 85 – 92 (High level: Above Average) 3: C 77 – 84 (Grade level: Average) 2: D 70 – 76 (Approaching expectations: Keep trying) 1: F 0 – 69 (Does not meet expectations: Not there)

13. Reading Reading Instruction: • Guided Reading and Literacy Tasks • Read Aloud • Whole Class Instruction / TDR • Book Clubs • Self Selected Reading (SSR) • Computer Lab • Home Reading Comprehension Strategies: Monitoring Comprehension Activate and Connect Ask Questions, Infer Meaning Determine Importance Summarize and Synthesize Resources Used: • Quality Literature: picture books and chapter books • Strategies that Work • Comprehension Toolkit • Guiding Readers and Writers and Continuum of Literacy Learning (Fountes & Pinnell) • Still Learning to Read • Leveled book sets • Reading Street basal (occasionally) Grades Earned by: • Reading Conferences and SSR • Reading Responses & Reflections • Participation • Daily Assignments & Activities • Reader’s Notebook • Poetry Anthologies • Literature Extensions • Current Events

14. Writing Writing Instruction: • Whole Class Mini-lessons • Independent writing time • Teacher and Peer Conferences • Sharing Writing Process: Prewriting & Planning, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Conferencing, Publishing Writing Genres: Personal Narratives, Opinion, Informational, Poetry, Resources Used: • Writer’s Workshop (Lucy Calkins) • Craft Lessons (Ralph Fletcher) • Guiding Reader’s and Writers and Continuum of Literacy Learning (Fountes & Pinnell) • Mentor Texts • Words Their Way Grades Earned by: • Unassisted Writing Samples • County assessments • Final Drafts & Published Pieces • Writing Process • Content Writing • Writer’s Notebook • Daily Assignments & Activities • Participation • Poetry Anthologies • Current Events • Word Study Tests & assessments

15. Math Math Instruction: • Whole Class Lessons • Games • Discussions and Sharing of Thinking • Ten Minute Math • Group / Buddy Work • Problem Solving • Computer Lab THIS MATH IS NOT THE WAY YOU GREW UP LEARNING IT! The focus is now on student UNDERSTANDING and the PROCESS of HOW problems are solved! Students need to develop strategies that MAKE SENSE TO THEM! Students are always required to “SHOW THEIR THINKING”! (An algorithm / equation is not enough) Resources Used: • Math Investigations Grades Earned by: • End of Unit Assessments • Weekly Assessments • Daily Assignments & Activities • Participation • Daybook tasks *Grades are based on student understanding and their level of thinking. It is much more than getting the right answer.

16. Science/ Social Studies(Often integrated into reading & writing) NC Essential Standards for Science : • Forces & Motion • Matter, Properties & Change • Energy • Earth in the Universe • Earth Systems, Structures & Processes • Structures & Functions of Living Organisms • Ecosystems NC Essential Standards for Social Studies : • History • Economics & Financial Literacy • Civics & Governance • Culture Resources Used: • FOSS Kits • Glen Arden Garden • Text books • Eco Team • Literature • National Geographic • Technology and online resources Grades Earned by: • Daily Assignments & Activities • Daybook Tasks • Unit Assessments • Current Events • Participation • Eco Team Journal

17. Ways to help at home • Ask your child about their day. • Give your child responsibilities at home and encourage independence. • Make sure they get a good night’s rest! • Create a writing center or author’s studio. • Read poetry to and with your child. • Communicate with your friendly teacher often. • Be an active participant in your child’s education! • Read with and to your child everyday. • Ask questions and ask them to share their thinking. • Practice math in real life situations: cooking, measuring, grocery shopping, counting money and making change, telling time and figuring elapsed time, problem solving, etc. • Encourage questions and imagination. • Talk to your child about healthy ways to deal with anger, friends, sharing, etc.