September 4th 2014

Topics to cover  FSA – Florida Standards Assessment  Curriculum – Reading, Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies  Miscellaneous ◦ Homework/Agendas/Snacks

 Baseline year ◦ Math and ELA test specifications are available online

 Compare/contrast  Author’s Purpose  Plot Development  Words in Context  Figurative Language  Cause & Effect  Main Idea & Details  Point of View  Theme

 Informational ◦ Magazine articles ◦ How-to Articles ◦ Advertisements ◦ Biographies Literary Short Stories Poems Fables/Folktales Narratives

 Each 9 weeks your child will have an AR Goal. This goal is based on their reading level, which is determined from a computer test, called STAR.  The AR tests are on the computer and consist of 5 to 10 questions on a book they have read.  Please ask your child about their goal during the nine weeks to see how they are doing.

Student AStudent B Reads 20 minutes each nightReads only 4 minutes or less each night Multiply by 5 times a week = 100 Multiply by 5 times a week = 20 Multiply min/wk by 4 wk/month = 400 Multiply min/wk by 4 wk/month = 80 Multiply min/month by 9 months = 3,600 Multiply min/month by 9 months = 728 That equals 10 whole DAYS in a school year That equals 2 whole DAYS in a school year If these same reading habits are maintained through the end of 6 th grade… 40 DAYS Total If these same reading habits are maintained through the end of 6 th grade… 8 DAYS Total

 Reading and comprehension are the learning foundations for all academic learning.  Students need strong reading skills in order to learn in all other subjects.  By the end of 3 rd grade, students are expected to be able to read independently.  Seventy-five (75%) of students who cannot read by age 9, will struggle with reading throughout adulthood.

What’s in our text and what’s on FSA  Multiplication & related division concepts  Fractions – number line, part of whole, equivalent  Describe & analyze 2D shapes (angles, sides)  Data Analysis (construct & read tables, graphs, pictographs)  Numbers and Operations ◦ Represent, compute, estimate and solve problems through thousands  Geometry & Measurement  perimeter, area  TIME: to nearest minute, quarter hour and elapsed time  Volume/mass All of these are written as word problems and require a high level of thought to compute.

◦ Building writing convention skills ◦ Understanding of grammar and parts of speech ◦ Development of paragraph writing to essay writing ◦ Develop research and note taking skills

 20 words  2 dictation sentences that will be graded on spelling, writing the complete sentence, capitalization and punctuation use.

 Practice of Science  The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models  Properties of Matter  Changes in Matter  Forms of Energy  Energy Transfer and Transformations  Organization and Development of Living Organisms  Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms  Interdependence  Florida Ecosystem with a Focus on Native Plants and Animals

◦ Developing Map Skills ◦ Studying the exploration of the Americas ◦ Freedom Week ◦ Economics: What does is take to produce goods and services? ◦ Learn why government is important in our society ◦ Explore the basic principles that are important to the American people ◦ Learn about the contributions of famous Americans (i.e. George Washington) ◦ A brief overview of the Holocaust

 Teachers give practice tests to their students. Knowing the format and seeing the types of questions that will be asked can help build your child’s confidence.  Practice how to bubble in answers and how to limit stray marks.  Practice test taking strategies

 Check Agendas Daily  Check Homework folder or binder for homework and important notes  Look for newsletters  Any changes in dismissal transportation must be noted in agenda or hand written note.

 Attendance - Please be here if possible  Snacks – Daily, as time permits  Homework – This should not take more than 30 minutes or so. Please let me know if it is taking your child longer. Everything sent home should be material already taught and practiced in class.  Grading  Daily Routine  Website log-ins  Teacher Website Page

 (State of FL Department of Education)  (Lake County Website)