Open House: Third Grade Goals & Homework Information

1. Open House Third Grade

2. Goals for Children • Learn to work together cooperatively and help others. • Organize and take responsibility for themselves, their work, and their actions. • Become problem solvers and critical thinkers. • Develop a love for reading and writing.

3. What to look for each night.. • D.O.T. BINDERS~ Check binder pocket for any parent information each night. Also, please check the agenda each night. • Blog~ The site is there with information and links to help students prepare and practice skills. It will also have an updated specials calendar, upcoming schedule, lunch links, and weekly updates.

4. Homework! • Weekly Reading Log~ Nightly reading is imperative to build fluency, vocabulary, increase comprehension, as well as increase written expression. • Spelling-the word list will be sent home on Monday, test will be Friday. • Other homework (grammar, math, social studies, science) is assigned most nights, except for Fridays. • Please look for assignments written down in your child’s agenda. They will have something written down each night!! • Homework should take about 30 minutes (not including reading) . If it is taking your child an excessive amount of time, please let me know.

5. Classroom Behavior • Class Meetings- We meet most afternoons for a Class Meeting. This is where we talk about class events, issues, and even offer strategies to solve problems. • Table Teams- Each set of desks make up a table team. The teams compete to win points for being the most on-task. The team with the most points at the end of the week will get to use the couch and pillows for reading time. • Dojo Points- Our class uses ClassDojo, an app and website that allows students to create an avatar that the teacher uses to give and take away points for behavior. Each student is given a goal number of points to have by the end of the week; if they meet that goal they get to go to the Treasure Box.

6. School Procedures • Transportation changes MUST be in writing and to the front office by 1:30. Do not e-mail me or leave voice messages concerning transportation changes. You may call or fax the office, as well. • Please let me know if you are signing your child out early (if possible) so that I can have them ready. • Please make sure you sign in when you are visiting the school to volunteer.  • All students must be signed in and out from the office! Even if you are leaving the classroom from a field trip or a class activity, you must go upstairs and sign them out. At times, we will have a sign out sheet in the room.

7. Absences/Tardiness • If you know your child will be absent, please notify me in advance. I also ask that you send a note upon their return. On the fifth absence, you will receive a notification of 5 absences. (Not from me, from Cobb County) • Tardy students must sign in at the office. Our instructional day begins at 7:50. Having your child ride the bus in the morning, ensures that they will be on time! 

8. Snacks and Birthdays • On your child’s birthday, you may send in a special treat (cupcakes, brownies, cookies, etc.) if you wish. Please notify me in advance if you plan on sending something in. Please make sure treats are pre-cut and ready to serve. Many parents just send the snack to school in the morning with the child. If you choose to bring it, please drop it off in the office and your child can walk up and get it. • Your child should have a healthy snack (crackers, fruit, bars, etc.) here at school each day. We eat snacks at 9:00

9. Communication with me.. • Best way to contact me is through e-mail. I check it throughout the day. Please note that I am teaching during the day, so I may not be able to get back to you until that afternoon or the next day. Emily.larkin@cobbk12.org • I do check my voicemail, but not daily, so please do not leave any time sensitive information as a message. 

10. Grading Scale… 3 – Meets Standards 2- Working towards meeting the standards 1- Limited progress.. Does not meet standard

11. Our Schedule… • 8:00-8:50 Specials • 8:50-9:00 Snack/Morning Work Check/Restroom • 9:00-9:50 Math • 9:50-10:15 Language Arts • 10:15-10:50 Social Studies/Science/Health • 10:53-11:23 Lunch • 11:30-12:00 Recess/Restroom Break • 12:00-12:50 Reading Workshop • 12:50-1:40 Writing Workshop • 1:40-2:05 Class Meeting/Read-Aloud • 2:05-2:10 Pack & Stack • 2:10-2:15 Dismissal

12. Reading Workshop Focus Lesson: • We will begin our reading time with a mini-lesson to discuss, model, and share the strategies or skills we are working on. Activity Time/Independent Reading: • Read Independently/Practice skill from mini-lesson Students will use sticky notes to track their thinking. Many times I tell them what “thinking” I would like them to track/ share. • Guided Reading- Small reading groups that are differentiated based on readiness and skills. • Reading Journal- Keep a record of the different skills we have learned about and responding to literature. • Conferring With Students –I will meet with individuals or small groups to practice a particular reading strategy. • Students must have their “just right book” each day for Reader’s Workshop!

13. Word Work • During word work, we study specific spelling patterns. • Excellent practice can be found at www.spellingcity.com.

14. Writing Workshop The Focus Lesson: The focus-lesson is where I teach a writing skill, model a technique, and reinforce a strategy. After the focus lesson, students work in their Writer's Folder to practice the skill, technique, or strategy. During our writing time, students will be engaged in writing through… *writing *peer revision *peer editing *conferencing *publishing pieces, and *scoring “unknown author” pieces. Units we will cover in writing this year: • Narrative Writing • Opinion Writing • Informational Writing

15. Mathematics • My Math: (New Math Adoption) Volume I & II consumables WB • Mini Lessons: I introduce new skills or review important skills and strategies. • Practice: Math Rotations (Differentiated to meet individual needs) Students spend time applying the skills and strategies learned during the mini-lesson. Students work with partners, in small groups, sometimes with the teacher, and other times independently. • Closing: Students will join back together to share or have discussions about struggles they experienced, successes, new knowledge gained, or any “a-ha” moments. • Interactive Math Journals / “Problem Solvers” Journals *Addition and Subtraction Strategies *Elapsed Time *Multiplication and Division *Geometry *Fractions *Measurement *Data Analysis

16. Scienceand Social Studies: Interactive Journals • Rocks and Minerals (Fossils & Soil) • Heat/Magnets • Georgia Habitats • Map Skills • Greece/Democracy • Local, State, and National Government • Economics • American Heroes: • Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Paul Revere, Cesar Chavez, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, Mary McLeod Bethune, Thurgood Marshall, Franklin D. Roosevelt,

17. Upcoming Events! • CogAT testing: October 7-9 • IOWA testing: October 10-17 • Conference Week: October 20-24 • Tellus Museum: November • 3rd Grade Market Day: December 12 • Science Day- February 27 • 3rd Grade Economics Day: April 2 • EOG testing: April 15-24 • EOG-R testing: May 18-20

18. Thank you for coming… I have truly enjoyed getting to know your children and I look forward working with them this year!