Mrs. McGarry’s Third- Grade Class

Room 222 It’s going to be a tremendous year!

 Longer periods of attention  Level of responsibility higher  Expectations higher  Textbooks  More text on a page  Application of learned skills  More detailed writing  Attention to organizational skills  1st and 2 nd grade learned to read  3 rd grade we are reading to learn

 8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting  9:00-9:45 Spelling/ Writing/ Grammar  9:45-10:30 Specials  10:30-12:00 Reading/Language Arts  12:00-1:00 Recess/Lunch  1:00-2:15 Math  2:15-3:00 Science/Social Studies

 Our Goal is to become…  Effective communicators!  How?  By reading, writing, thinking, and speaking  Shared, Guided and Independent Reading  Decoding and Oral Reading Fluency  Comprehension Strategies  Collins Writing Program  Word Study  Spelling – apply in writing  Vocabulary

 Collins Writing Program will be implemented across all curriculum areas.  Type 1 – Capture Ideas  Type 2 – Correct Answer/Short Response  Type 3 – Graphic Organizer, Edit for FCA’s  Type 4 – 2 drafts, Peer edit  Type 5 – Many drafts and revisions  Students will write daily and often.  Most writing work will remain in students’ writing folders to use for additional instructional purposes throughout the year.

 Base Word Study lists following specific syllabic patterns. Syllable patterns are directly instructed and practice is provided.  Focus on vocabulary and phonetics.  Main goal is application of skills in daily writing.  One list per week. Pretest will be given for challenge lists. Grammar  Parts of speech are directly instructed and practiced.  Additional focus will be given to sentence structure and application of rules in writing.

 Your child should read for > 20 minutes each night and record on the reading log. I will check logs each Friday and record as homework.  Students will write a letter to me weekly in their Reading Response Journal about the book they are reading independently. I write back to them each time they write to me.

 Math Expressions  Problem-Solving Based  NCTM/PSSA Standards  Common Core Standards  Number Sense  Flexibility with numbers  Writing!  Journal  Explaining Work  Justifying Thinking  Math Fact Fluency  Addition  Subtraction  Multiplication  Division

 Math curriculum will be delivered using a variety of instructional approaches & materials  Application of math skills into real world problems and problem solving.  Independent and small group work will occur regularly.  Homework may be differentiated.  Mastery of basic facts is expected.  First In Math, triangle fact cards, on-line games (see my page)

SCIENCESOCIAL STUDIES  FOSS Program  Hands-on-Approach  Four Modules  Human Body  Sound  Water  Measurement  Literature Based Program  Magic Tree House Series  Rosen Trade Books  World Geography  Ancient Civilizations  Egypt  Greece  Rome

 Purpose:  to revisit topics from class  to develop responsibility  Monday through Thursday  Student Responsibilities:  Record ALL assignments  Complete ALL assignments  Spelling  Math  Independent Reading/Log  Get Homework Book Signed

 First Year the students take  Reading and Mathematics  2013 Test Date: April  Test Preparation  Embedded within curriculum throughout school year Make it a FUN week!

 Skyward On-line Grading Program  ONE report card sheet  All subjects  Math - letter grade  Social Studies/Science O, S, U  LA Continuum 1,2,3  Conferences November and February

Math A B C D Below 60 F Science & Social Studies 0= Outstanding S= Satisfactory U= Unsatisfactory Language Arts 3: Work exceeds grade level expectations 2: Work meets grade level expectations 1: Working toward grade level expectations

 As important as GRADES!!  Scored 1, 2, 3  3 = Consistent  Evaluates Key Life Skills:  Responsibility  Preparation  Participation  Persistence  Work Ethic

 Be Safe  Be Kind  Be Responsible  Be Respectful BE YOUR BEST!!!!

 Watch and listen during lessons.  Participate to show you understand.  Ask questions when you are confused.  Check work carefully.  Take papers home daily-Don’t leave them in your desk!  Read and re-read directions carefully.  Put name and date on every paper.  Complete homework each night.

 Absence excuses need to be sent in the day your child returns to school. Your child will have three days to make up missed work.  We will participate in the Scholastic Book Club. Please consider ordering on-line or in school.  You may notice work coming home with corrections made in colored pencil. This is for both of us to see the original mistake made and how it was corrected.

 Please look around the room and in your child’s desk.  Write a letter to your child in their Reading Response Journal. They wrote to you today.