Welcome To Third Grade!
Ms. Hoffman
Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center
jhoffman@wyoarea.org jillhoffman.weebly.com
My Wishes For Kids…
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RESPECT…A healthy respect for themselves, peers, and adults
SOCIAL SKILLS…how to appropriately interact with others
EXAMPLES…Adults who teach about learning and life through examples
UNDERSTANDING…An understanding that school is their “job” and no
one else can do it for them…a good education opens doors
COMMUNICATION….A communication system between home and school
READ….A daily chance to read and be read to at home and school
CONFIDENCE…..The encouragement to try new things, the freedom to
fail, and the chance to try again..deal with those bumps in the road
TIME…..To spend more time with humans and less time with machines
IMAGINE…having some downtime to look at the clouds, make up a song,
or just daydream
LEARNING….goes beyond school…lifelong process
LOVE…..unconditional love…always
Curriculum
READING
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Self-Selected Reading
children select and read appropriate classroom/library/home books
each child reads at his/her own rate and level
respond to literature orally and in writing
demonstrate critical thinking
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Whole Class Instruction and Guided Reading: Harcourt
meet in large/small groups according to child’s instructional level
develop comprehension and critical thinking strategies
read fiction and nonfiction pieces of writing
Robust Vocabulary: 10 words/week; test every Friday
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On-line component for home access
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Class Books
whole class or small group books are read for common experiences
respond to literature orally and in writing
literature group discussions (characters, plots, problems, solutions, settings,
author’s purpose, vocabulary, connections)
whole class and/or small group discussions
Reader’s Workshop
demonstrate critical thinking
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Read Alouds
daily
short stories
novels
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Reading At Home
children read 20 minutes each evening at home on a daily basis
independent or family reading
HARCOURT READING FLUENCY
Words Per
Minute
(wpm)
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
above +
126 & above
131 & above
136 or above
146 and above
70-125
80-130
95-135
105 - 145
69 or below
79 or below
94 or below
104 or below
on
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below *
HARCOURT BI-WEEKLY TESTS
• Comprehension scores should be quite high because these scores are based on stories that
we read and discuss daily as a class throughout the week.
•The HARCOURT THEME TEST does assess cold readings/comprehension, and is an
independent reading comprehension test. The THEME TESTS occur six times per year.
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WRITING: Harcourt
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expository writing (nonfiction as related to science/social studies)
research reports
descriptive writing
letters, poetry
informational, persuasive
narratives
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focus areas to be taught and assessed: Writing Rubric
focus, organization, support, conventions
Writer’s Workshop
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“No Excuse Rules” for Writing
1. Writing is legible.
2. Spacing is appropriate between letters and words.
3. “I” is always capitalized.
4. All sentences begin with a capital letter.
5. All sentences end with correct punctuation.
6. All proper nouns begin with a capital letter.
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English Skills: Harcourt
teach usage, mechanics, grammar
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Handwriting
manuscript – reviewed
cursive – introduced
correct letter formation
legibility, neatness
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Spelling: Harcourt
30-45 minutes per week (formal instruction)
high-frequency words
spelling patterns, rules
5 bonus words: follow the pattern/rule
spelling pretest on Mondays
tests on Friday
homework every night but Friday
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Math: Envision
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manipulatives, concrete, abstract
Daily Review
. assorted review problems per day
. students review previously learned material
all children participate in independent activities which allow for enrichment
emphasis on “math sense,” logical and deductive reasoning, word problems,
math as “real life”
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On-line component for home access
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Separate Program: Rocket Math: 40 basic facts in 1 minute (individual goals)
begin to memorize times tables in September
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Rocket Math Criteria: 2 minute timing
60-80 correct strong +
42-59 correct appropriate √
0-41 correct needs improvement *
80 problems
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Science
units of study
. solar system
. ecology
. light and sound
units are integrated into all subject areas as much as possible
hands-on learning: experiments, projects, activities
learn how to read and use a textbook; develop study skills
vocabulary: flashcards
packets in 3-ring binder:
quizzes and tests
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Social Studies
units of study
. PA geography
. PA history
units are integrated into all subject areas as much as possible
hands-on learning: projects and activities
learn how to read and use a textbook; develop study skills
vocabulary: flashcards
packets in 3-ring binder
quizzes and tests
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Computers
computer lab: 45 minutes per cycle
keyboarding: learn “home row”
review and enrichment programs
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Student Work Folder
daily work will be sent home as completed; please check the Home Folder
graded work and tests will be sent home most Tuesdays in a Weekly Folder
please sign the folder and return all papers on Wednesdays
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Discipline
self-discipline
WHEC rules
I’m hoping that you’ll be sending well-behaved children to school!
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Homework
approximately 30 - 45 minutes per day
assignments are copied into homework book; parents sign daily
child’s responsibility to get parent’s signature
homework should be neat and legible
read 20 minutes a day
consequences:
. incomplete or missing homework - complete during recess or at home
(note will be sent home in homework book)
Relies on research-based
behavioral and instructional
principles. Data driven.
Recognizes and builds upon the
strengths of each school. Positive
reinforcement!
Focuses on the crucial link
between instructional design and
delivery with student behavior.
Month assemblies…monthly focus
of character traits.
Spartan Spirit Jar
My thoughts about HW…
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Homework provides additional practice, review, or enrichment.
It’s a time for kids to learn independence, responsibility, and
perseverance.
If we do too much for the kids, they become dependent and irresponsible.
We’re also sending the message that we don’t believe they are capable of
doing it themselves.
Avoid helping your child when he/she first asks for it. It’s ok for kids to
struggle. Say, “Hmm, this looks a little tricky. With a little more work,
you’ll make progress. Don’t give up!”
Instead of helping to solve the exact problem, do a similar problem
through a “think aloud” and then let them solve their own problem. Teach
the process, not the correct answer.
8-9 year olds are developing a work ethic, organizational skills, maturity
and need adults to teach them the way (bookbag, Home Folder, supplies)
No whining, moaning, groaning, complaining from kids.
Keep me posted via the assignment book.
Evaluations and Grades
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report cards quarterly
parents are encouraged to assess their child’s work on a regular basis
grades are based on classwork, quizzes, tests, projects, observations,
discussions, class participation
grading of subjects
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PSSA’s are given in the spring (state reading and math tests)
Foresight Benchmark Reading and Math Tests – given quarterly
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Book Orders
Every month or so, I’ll send home Scholastic book orders.
A check is preferred, but cash is accepted.
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Absences
call the office in the morning when your child is absent
upon returning to school send a note explaining your child’s absence
if you are planning a vacation please notify me at least one week in
advance so that I may prepare assignments
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Please make sure...
your child can tie his/her shoes
can say and spell his/her address
can say and write his/her phone number
can say and write his/her birth date, including the year
can hang up his/her coat on a hanger
Let’s have a great year
together!