‘Twas the Night Before School Started New pencils, new folders, new notebooks, too! When all through the town, New teachers, new friends… The parents were cheering. Their anxiety grew! It was a riotous sound! The parents just giggled when By eight, kids were washed They learned of this fright And tucked into bed… And shouted upstairs— When memories of homework “Go to bed! It’s a School night!” Filled them with dread.

Welcome to Mrs. Salvatore’s 3rd Grade Class

As I am Speaking…. Please give me your e-mail address and tell me how your child will be getting home every afternoon. Thank you!

Who is Mrs. Salvatore? This is my 6th year teaching third grade at Lowes Island Elementary. I have a degree in elementary education from Radford University. In my free time I like to read, try new activities, and hang out with my family. My favorite subject when I was a student was history!

Third Grade Expectations The main goal this year is for students to move towards greater independence and develop successful work and study habits​.

Reading In reading, students will focus on becoming more independent readers and finding books that spark their interest. Lessons will focus on teaching students how to think and talk about what they read in deeper and more detailed ways. Third graders are also encouraged to develop their own points of views about books and texts that they read.

Writing This year students will grow as writers as they write more structured and complex pieces. They will continue to practice writing the pieces they learned to write in 2nd grade, but the pieces will have more details and sophisticated language. More time will be spent on planning, revising and editing texts so that students really learn the “writing process” that writers go through.  As a result, students may spend a long period of time such as a few weeks, working on one writing piece. Third graders will use and become comfortable with technology as they use computers for writing pieces and research. All final drafts will be added to the students Project Portfolio. This portfolio will be presented to parents at the end of the school year.

Math In math, students will progress from practicing basic skills to mastering them and moving on to further developing more complex skills. Students will dive into multiplication and division. They will not only memorize facts, but use various strategies to truly understand the concepts. In addition, students will also practice explaining these concepts as they explain both orally and through writing, how they solve a problem. Students will be assessed at the end of each unit using the online Power School Assessment program.

Content Science Social Studies Government Geography Matter and Water Cycle​ Government Natural Cycles​ Geography Energy Sources​ Ancient Civilizations: Mali, Greece, Rome​ Simple and Compound Machines​ Explorers​ Environments, Animal Adaptations, Food Chains​ Famous Americans​ Economics​

3rd Grade Assessments At the end of third grade the students will take two SOL tests which are reading and math. You will receive their results with the fourth quarter report card. Students continuation to the next grade level will not be hindered by their SOL test results. Students will take quarterly benchmark tests in math and reading. I will assess each student’s reading level using the DRA assessment in September, January, and May. The end of year reading benchmark for third graders is a DRA level 38. Students will take end of unit assessments in math, science, and social studies.

Grading Scale In 3rd grade students will receive numerical grades. 4 – Exceeds Standards = A 3 – Meets Standards = B 2 – Progressing towards mastering standards = C 1 – Does not meet standards = D 0 – Did not complete assignment = F

Phoenix Gradebook Parents have access to my gradebook using ParentVue You have access to your child’s grades at all times. The report card will have letter grades.

Classroom Schedule The English/Language Arts block will be 2.5 hours day. The math block will be between 60 and 75 minutes each day. Content will be taught for 45 minutes daily. Specials will vary each day. Please send your child to school with the appropriate clothing or supplies needed for their specials that day. For example, on days we have P.E. all students need to wear or bring sneakers to school.

Search and Futura Program Students will participate in Search class every other Friday. In this class students must use their problem solving skills to master higher level thinking tasks. Information collected in this class helps the Search teacher identify students as being gifted. All third graders will take the Naglieri (NNAT2) test during the first quarter, which also helps in identifying gifted children. If you have any questions please contact Wendy Young (wendy.l.young@lcps.org)

Classroom Communication I will e-mail you a Monthly Memo at the beginning of each month. I will also send brief reminder e-mails throughout the month. The room parent will have access to your e-mail address; he/she will contact you about class parties. Remind App – I will use this to text all parents reminders or in case there is information I need to share with you quickly. Text To: 81010 Message: @77219

Contact Information My e-mail address is chelsea.salvatore@lcps.org I try very hard to answer all e-mails in a timely manner. If you need to contact me about a last minute dismissal change please call the office and they will let me know before the end of the school day. If you have a concern about a specials class, please contact that specialist. You can copy me on that e-mail as well.

R.O.C.K.S. Binder What is the R.O.C.K.S. binder? It is a binder that houses everything students and parents need to stay informed about what is going on in the classroom and at school. Items that will be in your child’s binder Agenda Homework folder Word Study notebook Monday Folder Notes for the teacher, lunch money, permission slips, etc…. Expectations: Please sign your child’s agenda! 

Class Dojo How It Works

Homework I do NOT agree with lengthy homework and will not send home extra assignments. Reading - Students will be required to complete a quarterly reading log. I will give bimonthly Word Study tests. Students should complete two word study activities a week. Word Study homework will be checked on Friday mornings for completion. Math – Students will be assigned Reflex and Dreambox weekly.

Make-Up Work If a student misses work covered in class due to illness, they will need to get the material when they return to school and discuss the procedures with me. Vacations- I will not give assignments prior to a vacation. All assignments that can be made up upon return will either be sent home or completed in class.​

Volunteers Needed Room Parent Monday Folder Parent – Monday mornings Box Tops Counter – Box Tops will be sent home once a month Wordy Study Test Administer – Friday mornings (8:15) School Volunteers – copying and book room helper Classroom Project Helpers – I am looking for volunteers that are willing to help with various classroom projects.

Additional Information Visitor’s Badge First Day Folders ( paperwork) Absences Contact the office: If you only e-mail me I may not check my e-mail until later and the office will not know. (571) 434 – 4451 LIESAbsentee@lcps.org

Additional Items Needed I will be ordering Scholastic News this year, please write a check or send in cash for $5.50. If you would like to donate to the classroom, feel free to choose a helping hand from the board.

In Conclusion… Thank you for coming tonight. I look forward to a wonderful year working with you and your child!