Welcome to Back-to-School Night!

1. Welcome to Back-to-School Night! September 23rd, 2014 • Miss Maggie Coyne and Miss Lyndsey Krumholz • Rooms 304 and 306

2. We believe. We hope. We expect. Each child must be cared for and nurtured as a whole person. Each child has a unique way to learn. We must have patience, flexibility, and faith in our students. A classroom should be a safe and inviting learning environment for all students. Technology, if available, should be used often to supplement student’s learning. We are preparing students to become knowledgeable and active citizens of a global community. We expect teachers and parents will actively work together. Students will be prepared, responsible members of the 3rd grade community.

3. School-wide Initiatives • PBL • Workshop model (Writing, Math) • Responsive Classroom (Morning Meeting, Social-emotional development) • First In Math

4. General School Policies • Attendance/Tardiness • Uniforms • Dismissal procedures • Snacks

5. Third Grade RulesDeveloped by the students of Miss Krumholz and Miss Coyne 1.) Listen to the teachers and classmates. 2.) Follow directions. (No calling out!) 3.) Keep hands and feet to yourself. 4.) Use kind words/actions. (NO BULLYING!) 5.) Take responsibility (Be honest.)

6. Class Economy3rd graders know the type of behavior that is expected of them: polite, thoughtful, helpful, a good friend. • Fines and Bonuses • Encourage positive behaviors (Focus on positive reinforcement.) • Promotes active citizenship (jobs, classroom community etc.) • Teaches early financial responsibility • Class Store • Occurs throughout the year at the teacher’s discretion • Please send donations! Refer to September newsletter for suggestions.

7. Go Math! This program is correlated to the Common Core State Standards. • Develops concept to mastery at each level through a focus on problem solving • Instruction follows a sequence to help students learn new concepts: • Concrete (manipulatives) • Pictorial (pictures, models, diagrams are used to present examples with solutions.) • Abstract (Only numerals, mathematical notation, and symbols are used once students are familiar with the abstract representation). *Extra practice and differentiation is provided through re-teach and enrichment resources, manipulative and a technology component. • First In Math (FIM) • Supplemental program to practice math skills at home : www.firstinmath.com • Students are encouraged to practice every night • Develops and strengthens math skills and creates a “friendly” competition

8. Math Workshop • Mini-lesson, work time, and closing • Students work in groups with peers & teacher (flexible grouping) • Problem solving approach to learning • Teacher serves as facilitator and asks questions to promote high order thinking skills • Students share work and compare and contrast with peers • Encouraged to explain reasoning with pictures, words, and numbers

9. Science**Interactive Science • Key components of the Science curriculum include: • The study of scientists and experiments • Technology • The study of plants and animals • Habitats • Weather and climate • The Earth and the Universe • Energy and its forms Experiments and Online: • There is an online component that we would like to utilize to enhance our science experience at home. • Materials for experiments may be needed and your support will be very important for this portion of our curriculum. More information will come as necessary.

10. Religion • Develops a faith-based vocabulary • Connects school and home to the student’s faith • Establishes a faith-based identity • Key Components: • God the Creator • The Church and the Eucharist • Saints • Sacraments • 10 Commandments • The Beatitudes • The Liturgical Year • Special Aspects: • 5 fingers of prayer from Pope Francis • Prayer tables • Daily prayer of thankfulness before snack • Saint monthly projects

11. Handwriting & Enrichment • Taught by Miss Krumholz twice a week • Focus is on handwriting and cursive • Print  Reading cursive  Writing cursive • Enrichment, in other content areas, will be provided as necessary

12. Social Studies*Exploring Where & Why People & Places Everywhere • Builds a solid foundation of essential social studies skills and concepts • Develops responsible citizens-in the community, country, and world • Develops multicultural awareness and sensitivity • Unit 1: Mapping a Community; Unit 2: Exploring a Community • Stratalogica

13. Reading • Literacy by Design-Each theme focuses on a comprehension strategy, vocabulary, word study, and grammar • Guided Reading: flexible groups based on skill, interest, or ability • Literature circles • Centers that reinforce skills taught • Integration of content areas

14. GradingHow does it work? E – Exceeds S – Secure D – Developing B – Beginning N – Not Performing -Formal and informal assessments will be ongoing and continuous to help us drive instruction.

15. Homework • Purposes • Responsibility • Reinforcement of classwork • Extensions of classwork • Expectations • HW is completed thoroughly and neatly each night. • Parents/guardians may assist and check for completion. • Sign agendas.

16. Project Based Learning (PBL) • Teaches children to explore and learn more about real-world problems • Provides an alternative to teacher-centered, paper-based learning • Integration of the different subjects • Field trips and guest speakers

17. Field Trips • OLC Church (9/25) • City Hall (10/29 10:30a.m.) • Library (11/12 1:30p.m.)  Library cards • Post Office (10/21 11:30a.m. ) • Walking trip • Spring 2015 • Animal related • Possible locations • Bronx Zoo • NY Aquarium

18. Parent Communication • Folders • Each day, the navy blue OLC folder will come home with flyers, and miscellaneous forms to be signed. The green/red folder will be for homework only. • Every Friday, the plain 2 pocket folder will come home with tests to be signed and important paperwork. These need to be returned on Monday morning. • Volunteers • Class parents • Supplies for various lessons (i.e. science experiments)

19. How You Can Help • Help your child with homework • Ensure they complete homework daily • Create a learning environment so they can focus • Have your child talk about they are reading every night • Read together • Discuss the math strategies your child uses to solve the problems • Ask questions • Practice spelling words • Return HW in homework folder each day • HW will be collected daily *Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast & snack *Discuss class rules with your child and let them know you understand this is an important part of our classroom community Children succeed when we work as a team!

20. Forms • If you have not sent in your forms, please do so ASAP! • Walking trip permission and church services

21. Important Information: • To reach us: Maggie Coyne Email: coynem@olcschool.org Lyndsey Krumholz Email: krumholzl@olcschool.org Our class websites: http://teacherweb.com/NJ/OLCSchool/MsCoyne/apt6.aspx http://teacherweb.com/NJ/OLCSchool/3rdGrade/apt2.aspx