Welcome to Curriculum Night! Mrs. McAllen 3rd Grade 2016-2017

Welcome! Please get started on the following while listening: Find your child’s desk, read the letter from your child and write a response. Create a 2-sided bookmark for your son or daughter make sure to write their name on it! Supplies located in caddy on desks!  Take a guess at the Estimation Jar- don’t forget your name/child’s name.

Two Teachers + Two Kids = Fun Summers ?!?!? About Me Born, Raised, and Lived in NJ until 2 years ago Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University Bachelors Degree in Communications from Stockton University in New Jersey Have taught Kindergarten, Third Grade and Fifth Grade over the past 14 years I love to bake, run races, read books, and sit outside in the sun Two Teachers + Two Kids = Fun Summers ?!?!?

Communication Classroom: 425.837.7524 E-mail: mcallenk@issaquah.wednet.edu Connect: Go to the Apollo Website and click on “Room 206 Rockets” (last one on the list on the left sidebar) Classroom newsletter Emails or paper notices

THIRD GRADE IS A BIG STEP BECAUSE….. We work for longer periods of time. We read for information. We read longer and more varied text. We use problem solving strategies. We explain our understanding orally and on paper. We write for a variety of purposes. We are becoming independent learners.

Class Expectations Respect Others Positive Attitude Self-Control Listen Attentively Follow Directions and Procedures Work Independently Materials Ready Complete All Assignments Develop strong organization skills!

Homework No Mandatory Homework unless classwork wasn’t finished except for long-term projects like Book Talks, Science Fair, etc. Encourage your child to Read for around 20 min each night Zearn, IXL, and Homework Packs for Math MobyMax for multiple subject practice Monthly Activity Calendar Weekend Journal- your homework! Goes home Friday due back on Monday Math in Action/Read at Home PTA programs

Typical Daily Schedule 8:30- 8:50 Check-in, Morning Work, Community Building 8:50 – 10:00 Math Block   10:00 – 10:10 Snack 10:10 – 11:05 Writing Workshop 11:10 - 11:50 Recess and Lunch 11:55- 1:05 Reader’s Workshop 1:05 – 1:25 Cursive/Grammar/Spelling 1:25 – 1:55 Specialists 1:55 – 2:15 PM Recess 2:15 – 2:45 Sci/SS 2:45- 2:55 Pack up/ Homework and Dismissal Mondays: PE Tuesdays: Computers and Music Thursdays: Library and PE Fridays: Music

Reading Making Meaning Fountas and Pinnell Focuses on comprehension Aligns with the Common Core State Standards Fountas and Pinnell Running Record assessment two or three a year, to determine reading level Reader Workshops– “Fur & Feathers” and “Myths & Legends” Guided Reading Groups Book Talks/Book Reports Monthly Patricia Polacco Author Study Comprehension Strategies Making Connections Visualizing Making Inferences Wondering/Questioning Analyzing Text Features Determining Important Ideas

Writing District adoption of Common-Core aligned “Lucy Caulkins Units of Study”: Narrative Writing Information/Expository Writing Persuasive/Opinion Writing Fairy Tales/Tall Tales Frequent revisits of all genres of writing

Word Work and Cursive Spelling: Spelling will be integrated with writing instruction, with an emphasis on application in students’ daily writing. Spelling tests and observations of daily work conducted throughout the year to assess Vocabulary: Students are taught how to learn words and how to remember words. Strategies for learning vocabulary include : context clues, root words, prefixes and suffixes. Cursive - “Handwriting Without Tears” workbook

Eureka Math – A Story of Units A comprehensive curriculum written by a team of teachers and mathematicians who took great care to present mathematics in a logical progression, preparing students to understand advanced math Developed specifically to meet the math standards adopted by our state Connects math to the real world in ways that take the fear out of math and build student confidence Teaches math as a “story” to build students’ mathematical knowledge logically and help them achieve deep understanding This approach can be unfamiliar to those of us who grew up memorizing mathematical facts and formulas

Eureka Math – How Parents Can Help Understand that students are learning math in a way that will prepare them for the higher demands of college and careers today and in the future – focused math skills and real-world, challenging problems Read the Parent Roadmap for your child’s grade level At the beginning of each module, read the Parent Tip Sheet to get an overview of the topics your child will be learning and how you can support this learning at home Recognize that Eureka Math lessons can be customized by teachers to meet the varying needs of students

Science/Social Studies/Health Life Science: Animal Life Cycles: Salmon Earth Science: Water and Weather Physical Science: Properties of Matter: Rocks and Minerals Read-aloud books and classroom discussions Topics include: Changes in Families Self-Empowerment Conflict Resolution Managing Stress/Understanding Emotional Health We are What we Eat! GLAD Nutrition Body Systems Non-Communicable Illness Smoking and Drugs Pacific Northwest Native Americans Pioneers / The Westward Movement Democracy/Citizen ship Social Skills/Anti- Violence

Thanks to the Apollo PTA, Our class has been gifted a set of WalkKits from the Walking Classroom Program to try out this year. The Mission of the Walking Classroom is to help strengthen the physical, mental, and academic health of children by establishing and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits while building their health literacy and core content knowledge. Students walk, listen, and learn.

Technology/Art Computer Lab once a week Classroom stations Art docent projects (PTA funded) ***WE NEED AN ART DOCENT*** Other occasional art lessons in class Clay Salmon Remember to sign up for Artsonia Computer Lab once a week Classroom stations Keyboarding “Type to Learn” Activeboard End of Year Assessment (SBAC) is on the computer so….. Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!

Your Role As Parents REMEMBER- they still tell us EVERYTHING!!!!! 1) Check the folder for papers 2) Ask about your child’s learning that day 3) Encourage them to use the extra resources to continue to improve 4) Provide a quiet place for them to work/read 5) Support the teachers the best way you can by never talking badly about school, teachers, or school practices in front of your child- REMEMBER- they still tell us EVERYTHING!!!!!

Be a part of PTA greatness Be a part of PTA greatness. Sign up for YOUR Apollo Elementary PTA today at: apollopta.org or by completing a membership form today. When you do, you are supporting the nation’s largest volunteer advocacy group for children in this country. The PTA brings together parents, teachers and students to support the Apollo staff, provide curriculum enhancement opportunities for every student, and build a strong, welcoming school environment. 

WHAT is the Issaquah Schools Foundation? 29 year-old, community powered nonprofit. Helps students build academic foundations, explore opportunities and launch successfully into their future. Has channeled more than $10 million dollars into our schools to benefit students. Raises over $1.5 million annually with the help of 4,000 plus families. Benefits all students … every school, every grade, every year.

How do we fuel success for your student? Reading and Science Curriculum Adoptions Writing Instruction Professional Development for teachers Healthy Youth Initiative supporting  anti-bullying  and basic student needs like food, dental care and school supplies Elementary Coding Pilots at three schools VOICE Mentoring Highly Capable (SAGE and MERLIN) funding Pre-K Summer School Science-Tech Magnet Support Special Services Funding

How do we raise money? All in for Kids Annual Fund Campaign August through November 17 Nourish Every Mind Luncheon & Breakfast Employee Giving Campaigns Microsoft, Boeing, United Way Grants and Corporate Support

The Foundation relies on parents for over 80% of its revenue…

But only 1 of 5 families donate The Foundation helps ALL students. They need support from ALL parents.

Every gift matters every year For those who already donate … Continue to donate (average family donates $373) Tell your friends about the Foundation . For the 80% who haven’t donated, please join us! We Need Everyone to Go All in for Kids!

Math In Action New Enrichment Math Program Free Math enrichment program, push kids to their maximum potential and develop out of box thinking strategy and problem solving skills. 15 sets of worksheet, twice a month from Sep. to May. Parents download and print it out for kids. Kids return the completed sheet to teacher before or on due date. Each worksheet has 10 to 18 problems ordered by level of difficulties which enables students from various grades to participate; Problem solving strategies such as draw a picture or model, make an organized list, look for a pattern, working backward, and guess and check. Prize based on Grade level and participation and will hand out prizes each month. End of Year prize is also available. Monthly prize is based on: 2nd – 3rd Grade: 5+ correct answers First worksheet will be available online on 9/30/2016 and due on 10/7/2016. Check Apollo PTA website, look for “Math In Action” for more details. Also, Family Math Night is 10/7/2016 at 6pm – 8pm, MPR room. We have board games and mind teaser game fun. Questions? Please contact Laura at vpprograms@apollopta.org

Thank you for coming! On your way out, don’t forget to grab a pin and mark where your family is from on the map by the front of the school!

Class Dismissed!