Welcome To 3rd Grade! Mrs. Erickson – Room 212

1. Welcome To 3rd Grade!Mrs. Erickson – Room 212

2. Please sign in on the ATTENDANCE SHEET next to your child’s name. • The “Class Birthday/Party List” is being passed around; please fill it in if you wish. This list will be shared with all names on the list. • While waiting, please read and enjoy your child’s letter to you, and write a response to him/her on the lined paper. Welcome To 3rd Grade!Mrs. Erickson – Room 212As we begin…

3. Tonight’s Objectives: • To introduce myself. • To present an overview of the third grade curriculum, our classroom procedures, assignments, and activities, and to provide general information. • To give a brief tour of Mrs. Erickson’s Class Page, which is an important means for parents to view announcements and notices. • To answer parents’ questions of a general nature (not for individual conferences.)

4. *If you wish to talk about your child in particular, please contact me by email, and I will respond as soon as possible. Thank you.

5. “Remind 101” • You are invited to sign up for text messages to your cell phone from my cell phone about important news, events, and reminders about class activities. • It is a great convenience, totally private, safe, and ad-free. Text TO: 81010                  With the message:  @mrsjoane • More sign-up info is available by logging onto: www.remind.com/learn-more

6. Mrs. Erickson’s Class Page Please visit our Class Page on a regular basis for important updates and school/classroom information, such as upcoming events, announcements, and Test Alerts. To access our Class Page: (Also on your “Welcome Note”) 1. Go to: http://jacks.schoolwires.net/Domain/11 2. Click on “Teacher Pages” on the top to find our Class Page; 3. BOOKMARK OUR CLASS PAGE and check it regularly.

7. Assignment Books/Planners • Students write Homework in planners each day. • Parents are asked to REVIEW AND SIGN THE PLANNER EVERY DAY. • Planner is the main communication tool between school and home. • Parents can write messages to the teacher here. • Planners provided by PTO.

8. Homework • Students write HW in Planners. • Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday -- No written HW on the weekend! • Your child should complete work independently. • HW is designed to reinforce concepts taught in school each day. • HW is due the following day -- Completed HW Charts earn one “No HW Pass!” • HW that is incomplete, late, or missing can affect marking period grades.

9. Birthday Celebrations • Birthday snacks will be given out during lunch; you may leave the snack with the Receptionist before 11:30, or your child may carry it in to school, if he/she is able. • Must have enough for the entire class; current class count is 22 children. • Each child with a summer birthday will be given their own day in June to celebrate with the class. • Students may not hand out invitations for private parties and other events in the classroom. • Parents, please fill out the Birthday email/address form, if you wish.

10. Curriculum Literacy • Balanced Literacy program comprised of reading (Reader’s Workshop), writing (Writer’s Workshop), spelling, (Words Their Way), vocabulary, grammar. Math • enVision Math (Pearson/Realize). New Edition 2.0. Science, Social Studies, Health • Whole-class activities on content along with small group work/projects; • Unit tests assigned, and at-home projects completed with guidance from parents.

11. New enVision Math Log in info

12. Reader’s Workshop • Students choose books from the classroom library that interest them, within their independent F & P and/or Lexile range. • Students read independently, focusing on specific comprehension skills, daily. • The teacher will conference with students individually or in small groups to monitor and assess their reading comprehension skills. • Periodically, students will be tested on the focus reading and grammar skills as well as vocabulary.

13. Reading Log • Students are expected to read every night for at least 20 min. and to complete a log of their daily reading. • Books should be on or near the student’s “just-right” level, not too easy or difficult. • The purpose of the Log is to increase reading comprehension. • A rubric will be used to assess the Log periodically.

14. Writer’s Workshop • Writer’s Workshop, which utilizes a writer’s notebook, is implemented on a daily basis to encourage the enjoyment and appreciation of the writing process, as well as for the instruction of writing and grammar skills. • Students write every day. • The teacher will conference with the students individually and in small groups to provide instruction and to assess the level of writing.

15. “Words Their Way” • This is the name of the program we are using for spelling instruction this year. • Students are instructed on their own developmental level. • In order to differentiate instruction, all students may not have the same spelling list; there will be several spelling lists implemented each week. • We will begin this program next week. Parents will receive a packet of instructions for at home study.

16. Assessment in Literacy • Instructional reading levels (F & P and Lexile) • Reading Logs • Reading/writing/grammar skills assessments • Teacher/student conferencing • Fluency levels • Running records • Reader’s Notebook • Writer’s Notebook • Words Their Way scores • Vocabulary assessments

17. Fast Facts – Math Basic Facts and Timed Tests • The District goal is that third graders should master at least 80% of basic facts on a timed test, in addition, subtraction, and multiplication. • Timed practice tests in all 3 operations will be given regularly. • Students are eventually expected to achieve 80% accuracy. • Periodically, students will be given timed tests on the facts. • USE FLASH CARDS AT HOME FOR PRACTICE.

18. PARCC Testing - Literacy and Math • Test is administered nation-wide during April. • In the weeks prior to testing, we prepare for the math portion by presenting an overview of content that has not yet been covered in regular classroom instruction. • In Literacy, we focus on writing and the review of reading comprehension skills.

19. Behavior Plans • Star Coupons and Raffle • Good Citizen Award • Star Student • Team Charts

20. Specials Schedule Monday * Art Tuesday * Gym - Wear sneakers! Wednesday * World Language Thursday * Music Friday * Week A – Computers, and * Week B – Library Lunch: 11:40 – 12:10 daily Recess: 20 minutes daily – Wear sneakers.

21. Softpencil box to fit inside desk. The pencil box should be able to hold all of the student’s desk supplies, including the following suggested, helpful supplies: • 2-3 glue sticks • 2-3 pencils with erasers, sharpened • 1 red or blue pen for self-corrections • 1 highlighter marker/pen • 1 black or blue Sharpie pen, fine-point • 2-3 packs of 3 x 3 inch Post-It notes • 7 two-pocket folders • 2 spiral-boundnotebooks, wide-ruled • 2 composition notebooks (sewn-in binding) • A box of tissues to share • Small bottle of hand sanitizer • 1 or 2 large book covers • No binders and extra items not listed above, please! (They do not fit in the desk.) Helpful Supplies – To promote organizational skills (Optional but recommended)

22. Parent Helpers • Class Coordinators – 2 parents who are available to help coordinate class parties and other activities • Additional parents are often needed to help implement activities throughout the year • There is usually a limit to the number of parents who may attend class activities • Please fill out & return the Class Coordinator/Volunteer Survey. • THANK YOU TO EVERY PARENT FOR ALL YOU DO!

23. Extra Information • Please contact me with any questions or concerns -- a note is best, or, call the main office & leave a message, or send me an email. • Please have your child be on time each morning. • Please do not take your child home early except for emergencies. • *Please have your child use the bathroom at home before school. • Please send in any money for lunch or other reasons in a baggie or envelope with name on it, OR, remind your child to keep money safe in a pocket. • Check our Class Page online regularly for notices and updates. Hard copies of notices may be sent home as well.

24. Extra, EXTRA Information • Scholastic Reading Club – • Optional program • Online ordering is easy & safe: (See our Class Page for the link.) • You set up your own personal login and password. • Our Parent Code to set up an account is “GT27Z.” • You may shop any time you wish; I place orders once a month. • You can still hand in orders in the classroom. CHECKS ONLY - NO CASH. • NOTE FROM THE PTO: Please look over and consider purchasing the Kid Stuff Book-- it is a wonderful fundraiser. Thank you!

25. B.S. from The College of New Jersey • M.A. from The College of New Jersey • N.J. State Certifications in Elementary Education and Student Personnel Services (Guidance Counselor) • 25+ years classroom teaching and guidance counseling experience • Resident of Jackson for 30+ years • 2 successful, adult children, both graduates of Jackson Memorial High School AND H.C. Johnson School (veryproud of this… :) Joan Erickson

26. The End Thank you for coming! Have a great night! I’m looking forward to a fantastic year!