Welcome to 3rd Grade Mrs. Fitzgibbon

Background Information This is my 10 th year teaching at Hannum. I have taught 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grades. This is my 10 th year teaching at Hannum. I have taught 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grades. My bachelor’s degree is in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. My bachelor’s degree is in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. My master’s degree is a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University. My master’s degree is a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University. I have 45 credit hours past my master’s degree in the areas of curriculum, assessment, and literacy. I have 45 credit hours past my master’s degree in the areas of curriculum, assessment, and literacy.

Classroom Goals To help students reach their goals. To help students reach their goals. To give students the academic and social skills needed to progress to fourth grade. To give students the academic and social skills needed to progress to fourth grade. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To help students make new friends and discover new interests. To help students make new friends and discover new interests. These goals support District 123’s mission statement: “Learning Today for a Successful Tomorrow” These goals support District 123’s mission statement: “Learning Today for a Successful Tomorrow”

Class Subjects The subjects we cover in third grade are provided by the Common Core State Standards The subjects we cover in third grade are provided by the Common Core State Standards Literature, Writing, English (collectively known as Language Arts) Literature, Writing, English (collectively known as Language Arts) Math Math Science Science Social Studies Social Studies Special Classes: Special Classes: Art, Music, Library, and Gym Art, Music, Library, and Gym

Reading and Writing Comprehension Strategies/Skills Comprehension Strategies/Skills Questioning, Summarizing, Characterization, Vocabulary Development, Text Structure and Features, Point of View, Illustrations, Compare and Contrast Questioning, Summarizing, Characterization, Vocabulary Development, Text Structure and Features, Point of View, Illustrations, Compare and Contrast Writing Writing 6 Traits of Writing 6 Traits of Writing Written Responses Written Responses Words Their Way Words Their Way Grammar and English Grammar and English Sentence Structure Sentence Structure

Math During the next few years our math curriculum will transition from Everyday Math to Common Core State Standards for Math. These are based on the highest state standards across the country designed to ensure all students are college and career ready. During the next few years our math curriculum will transition from Everyday Math to Common Core State Standards for Math. These are based on the highest state standards across the country designed to ensure all students are college and career ready. This year you will notice your child using some of the Everyday Math curriculum supplemented by lessons and activities, which develop number sense or numeracy. This year you will notice your child using some of the Everyday Math curriculum supplemented by lessons and activities, which develop number sense or numeracy. Building deep understanding of numeracy is essential to Common Core Math beginning with the oral counting sequence. Building deep understanding of numeracy is essential to Common Core Math beginning with the oral counting sequence.

Science Sun, Moon, and Stars Sun, Moon, and Stars Water Cycle Water Cycle Food Chains and Webs Food Chains and Webs

Social Studies Geography of Illinois Geography of Illinois Native Americans of Illinois Native Americans of Illinois 13 Colonies 13 Colonies Challenges of Independence Challenges of Independence Government and the Constitution Government and the Constitution Our Nation’s Capitol Our Nation’s Capitol

Grading Language Arts will be graded with a standards based report card (see next slide). Language Arts will be graded with a standards based report card (see next slide). Math assignments will be marked: Beginning, Developing, or Secure to show progress toward mastery of these standards. Math assignments will be marked: Beginning, Developing, or Secure to show progress toward mastery of these standards. Math, Social Studies, and Science will have letter grades on the report card. The grading scale is: 100 – 93 A, 92 – 85 B, 84 – 75 C, 74 – 70 D, 69 and below F. Math, Social Studies, and Science will have letter grades on the report card. The grading scale is: 100 – 93 A, 92 – 85 B, 84 – 75 C, 74 – 70 D, 69 and below F.

Classroom Community  Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other.  Failure to abide by our classroom rules will result in a consequence.  Your child will have Mrs. Wingereid and Mrs. Zweig throughout the year. Our classroom rules and consequences apply in their classrooms as well.

Homework I will assign about 20 minutes of homework Monday-Thursday. Typically, this will entail a reading comprehension paper and a math assignment. Additionally, math flashcard practice and skill sheets will be sent home as needed to support our work at school. I will assign about 20 minutes of homework Monday-Thursday. Typically, this will entail a reading comprehension paper and a math assignment. Additionally, math flashcard practice and skill sheets will be sent home as needed to support our work at school. It is expected that your child is reading for a minimum of 20 minutes daily, outside of school. It is expected that your child is reading for a minimum of 20 minutes daily, outside of school. Assignment notebooks will be used daily. I do not sign them. Assignment notebooks will be used daily. I do not sign them. Homework is due the next day, unless otherwise noted. Homework is due the next day, unless otherwise noted.

Student Responsibilities Keep track of books and assignments. Keep track of books and assignments. Take home all necessary materials. Take home all necessary materials. Give yourself enough time to complete your work. Give yourself enough time to complete your work. Do your own work, as much as possible. Do your own work, as much as possible. Do quality work and turn it in on time. Do quality work and turn it in on time.

Parent Responsibilities Establish a regular time and place for homework and studying. Establish a regular time and place for homework and studying. Provide necessary materials and supplies. Provide necessary materials and supplies. Provide limited assistance. Provide limited assistance. Establish consequences for noncompliance and follow through. Be consistent. Establish consequences for noncompliance and follow through. Be consistent.

Teacher Responsibilities Provide quality instruction. Provide quality instruction. Provide clear directions and expectations. Provide clear directions and expectations. Provide deadlines. Provide deadlines. Provide encouragement. Provide encouragement. Provide feedback. Provide feedback.

Parental Communication Write me a note-this is preferred Write me a note-this is preferred me me For general information For general information Not for specific information regarding your child’s academics/behavior Not for specific information regarding your child’s academics/behavior

Thanks for coming! I am looking forward to a rewarding school year!