Third Grade
Back to School Night
2015-2016
Contact Information
• When in doubt, send in a note. We try to check
email in the morning and afternoon, but sometimes
things come up. If you think we should know,
please send a note or call the school.
• Email Addresses:
Ellen_T_Potter@mcpsmd.org
Lisa_O_Narges@mcpsmd.org
P.B.I.S.
(Positive Behavior
Intervention System)
At Woodfield, we are:
Respectful,
Responsible, and
Ready to learn!
*Blue Tickets- individual rewards used to buy
items or special experiences at the School or
Class Store
*High Five- class rewards that are collected to
earn a Soar Day
*Soar Day- a class, grade, or school-wide reward
earned over a period of time (usually weeks or
months)
P.B.I.S.
(Positive Behavior Intervention System)
• Reminders of the expectations are given along with
warnings
• Opportunities to self-reflect and analyze occur through
the use of a “Think Spot”
• Major infractions or chronic problems are referred to
the Office
• Teacher notes, emails, and/or phone calls with updates
updates (ex. check the red Monday folder for teacher
notes)
Coming
Soon!
• Positive points
• Reminders as needed
• Parents/Guardians can monitor daily
progress
• Compliments our PBIS Blue Ticket
rewards
Chromebooks 101
Why is this important?
• 1:1 (1 student per
computer) learning
environment
• Each child has a Google
account with access to
•
•
•
online storage (Google
Drive)
publishing programs
(Google Docs and Slides)
learning apps / websites
How does it work?
• Kids log in at school or
from any computer with
internet access at
www.google.com OR on
the Chromebook just
• Login:
######@mcpsmd.net
•
Know the password
• With technology, comes
RESPONSIBILITY.
– Only use approved sites
– Only with teacher
permission
Third Grade
Reading/Language Arts
A typical day includes a 90 minute reading block
• Guided reading groups: 3-5 times per week
• Word Study – in guided reading focusing on word parts:
base words, prefixes and suffixes
• Reading group and comprehension skill follow-up
3-5 days per week
A typical day includes a 45 minute writing block.
• Focuses on narrative, nonfiction, and opinion writing
throughout each marking period.
• Focuses on the process of writing
(brainstorming, drafting, editing/revising).
Reading Instruction
• Consists of guided group instruction, some whole group
lessons, independent reading, and word study.
Guided Reading Groups
• Grouping is made based on student’s needs, strengths,
and/or reading level.
• On-going progress monitoring
• These groups are flexible and may involve working in
other classrooms with teachers other than their
Homeroom Teacher.
“Word Study”
• Word Study (aka Spelling or Use of Language) and
vocabulary instruction will occur within guided reading
groups, content areas, and reading instruction.
• Some areas of study will focus on vocabulary and spelling
patterns, whereas other areas will focus on conventional use
of words (nouns, plurals, prefix/suffix) and high frequency
words.
• Word Study practice homework periodically
Writer’s Workshop
• We use the Writer’s Workshop model
– quick whole group and/or small group mini-lessons
– independent practice
– small group editing/revising
• Writing Process – planning, drafting, editing, revising, and
publishing.
– Not all writing pieces will go through these stages.
– Often we generate many ideas and choose the best to take through
the process.
• You may hear your scholars use words from the 6+1 Traits
of Writing model
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Voice,
Organization
Ideas
Conventions
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Presentation.
Communication Look-For’s
• Daily – the Student Planners have a box at the bottom of
each day where teachers can write notes.
• Weekly – a newsletter will be sent home in the red
“Monday Folder” each week. We hope to Go GREEN soon!
-sent via email soon
-posted on the school website
-can be sent in hard copy form if requested (as we
are currently doing while we get those updated
emails)
• Bi-weekly- student progress reports will be included in
the child’s Monday folder for your review. This includes
information about academic progress as well as Thinking
and Academic Success Skills.
• As needed, you may receive notes, emails, and telephone
calls with updates.
Third Grade Assessments
• The MAP-R (Measures of Academic Progress in Reading ) is a
reading test students take 3 times this school year
to measure reading progress (Fall,Winter,Spring).
• The MAP-M (Measures of Academic Progress in Math ) is
administered 3 times this school year to measure
math progress (Fall,Winter,Spring).
• The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for
College and Careers (PARCC) is the newer State
assessment given to all 3rd Graders Winter and
Spring
Third Grade Homework
•
We strongly encourage your child read or be read to 20 minutes each night.
•
Homework will be given nightly, Monday-Thursday, and is due the next day
unless otherwise noted.
•
Students write in their homework daily in their agenda/planner. Please
check and sign your child’s agenda every night.
•
No homework is assigned on the weekends.
•
Homework will include the daily 20 minutes of reading, written responses
to texts, math, word study, science, and/or social studies practice.
** If homework is consistently taking your child more than 45 minutes to
complete each night, please contact your child’s teacher.**
Websites for Parents
Curriculum Links
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/fourlevels/
Helping Your Child in Reading
http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents/
Our Field Trip
• Baltimore Museum of Industry in May closely
aligns with the Grade 3 curriculum.
• This is an expensive trip due to the need for
charter buses and cost of the museum. The
cost in Spring 2015 was $33 per child.
(Consider reinforcing the Grade 3 “Financial
Literacy” Unit by having your child save $0.501.00 each week to put towards the field trip.)
• Additional in-school programs are offered
through the PTA.
Sign up for Parent
Conferences!
• With your child’s teacher
Wednesday, November 11
Thursday, November 12
• Sign-up on tables outside gym.