Curriculum Night 2015-2016 Let the Games Begin… 3rd Grade

Welcome to Curriculum Night 3rd Grade Teachers: Karen Thomason – kthomason@lcisd.org Lindsey Pickens – rpickens@lcisd.org Holly Henderson – hhenderson@lcisd.org

Schedule Henderson Thomason Pickens 7:50-8:40 Specials/ Conference 8:45-9:45 Writing 8:45-10:05 Math 9:45-11:05 Reading 10:05-10:35 Science 11:05-11:35 Social Studies 10:35-11:35 11:45-12:15 Lunch 12:15-12:35 Recess 12:40-2:40 Math/Science Reading/

Nine Week Behavior Expectations Infraction chart by grade level: Conduct grades will include infractions received for no homework. Office referrals will be counted as 9 infractions. Therefore, a student will receive no better than an “N” in conduct in nine weeks where behavior has resulted in an office referral. Students who choose to participate in clubs must maintain an S in conduct. N’s in conduct will result in a 4 week probationary period. U’s and F’s will mean dismissal from clubs. Grade Level Expectations Kindergarten S = 0-8 color changes/infractions N = 9+ color changes/infractions All other grades 1st-5th N = 9-12 color changes/infractions U = 13+ color changes/infractions

3rd Grade DRA2 Reading Assessment New students and students entering 3rd grade below level 28 will be assessed using DRA2. This assessment will be used as an at-risk identifier, and the level will not appear on the report card.

3rd-5th Grade Spelling 2015-2016 Students will receive a spelling list on Monday each week. Spelling words are printed in the weekly newsletter. Spelling tests will occur on Friday each week. Students will receive one grade for spelling each 9 weeks based on a test of review words each nine weeks. 3rd grade - 20 words 4th grade - 20 words 5th grade - 25 words

Guided Reading As part of our Balanced Literacy curriculum, teachers will differentiate reading instruction through Guided Reading. Teachers will use assessment data to plan and adjust small group Guided Reading lessons. Groups will be flexible and will focus on specific strategies and skills needed by students. Students will rotate between literacy-based activities, independent reading, and meeting with the teacher as part of our Reader’s Workshop approach.

STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) by Grade Level: Subject: 3rd Grade Reading Math 4th Grade Writing 5th Grade Science

STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) Questions designed with a higher cognitive complexity level to match the TEKS Emphasis on critical thinking and reading across different genres Two essays required in writing Assessing process skills with content skills in mathematics and science Open-ended (griddable) questions on mathematics and science STAAR is timed – 4 hours

STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) Testing Dates (2015-2016): March 29th – 5th Math, 4th Writing (Day 1) March 30st – 5th Reading, 4th Writing (Day 2) May 8th– 3rd/4th Reading, 5th Retest May 9th – 3rd/4th Math, 5th Retest May 11th-5th Science STAAR is a timed test. Students will be allowed 4 hours to complete each test.

Guided Math Implementation of guided math consists of: Whole group instruction: 1-2 days a week, primarily to introduce a new concept or topic Small group instruction: 3-4 days a week so that teachers can effectively monitor student understanding and tailor instruction to meet needs of all students Math workstations: 3-4 days a week during the guided math cycle Fact Fluency: 3-4 days a week during the guided math cycle

CUBES Problem Solving Method What is CUBES? In mathematics, students continually use problem-solving, language and communication, and reasoning (justification and proof) to make connections within and outside mathematics. CUBES is a method in which students can evaluate a problem, draw a model, solve, and then justify their thinking. This is in line with the new math TEKS and the use of bar models, strip diagrams and number lines.

CUBES at Frost Elementary At Frost, teachers will implement CUBES with fidelity. Students will have time for guided and independent practice in the classroom. Grades 2-5 will include one CUBES problem for homework two days a week (Mon. & Wed.) For homework and assessments, students will only be required to practice and master the sections of CUBES that have been taught previously by the classroom teacher.

The Great Math Fact Fluency Challenge Each class will take a timed fast fact quiz on Friday Teachers will determine the percentage of students with an 80% or above on the quiz The math facilitator will post 5 winners on a Great Math Fact Fluency bulletin board Five trophies will be awarded every four weeks to the five classes who have the most Monopoly pieces on the board The goal is automaticity of math facts!

LCISD Grading Policy All corrections on daily graded work must be made in school. Any work that is to be graded will not be sent home for completion. Students will not be given make-up work ahead of time when parents remove their children for trips during school days. Late Work Policy – classwork will be accepted late within the current grading period with these guidelines in place: One (1) day late = 0 points off Two (2) days late = 10 points off Three (3) days late = highest grade possible is a 70 Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by campus policy.

Language Arts Grading 3rd-5th 8 Daily Grades at 70% 3 Major Grades at 30% Two of the major grades will be written compositions; one is a language assessment All Other Subjects - Grading 7 Daily Grades at 70% 3 Major Grades at 30%

Homework Math- Monday-Thursday nights. Homework assignments are due the next day. Reading- Monday-Thursday nights. Read for 20 min. per night. Assignments are usually due the next day but sometimes reading passages have 2 or3 nights depending on the length. Check planner for due dates. English/Language Arts- A spelling assessment will be given each Friday over the word list. 9 Week Spelling Grade- The spelling grade occurs after 6 spelling units. There will be a review unit list sent home to study. Spelling test will be a review test of 20 words from the previous 6 units. Please always check the newsletter as well for homework and spelling list for the week.

Reassessment (Minor & Major Grades) The teacher shall provide one reasonable opportunity to reassess failure to master the TEKS/Curriculum in each daily grade. The highest possible grade that can be earned and recorded on the reassessment is a 70. There will be no reassessment based on lack of effort. The teacher will make a note in the electronic grade book of the date and grade of the reassessment. Original grades will be recorded in the notes section.

Skyward Family Access Allows parents to track student grades and progress Go to www.lcisd.org and click on the Family Access button at the top of the page. Sign in with your username and password. Update all email addresses associated with your account.

Parent Conference Dates Teachers will meet with parents to review student progress for the first nine weeks. Conferences will be held on November 5th and 6th. The first nine weeks report card will be distributed at the conference.

Newsletters Beginning on Sept. 1st , all grade levels will post a copy of the newsletter on the Frost Elementary website and will do so each Tuesday evening during the year. In addition, an email blast will be sent out to grade level parents with the newsletter attached. Newsletters will include special events, birthdays, learning objectives, assessment dates and any other information deemed necessary by the grade level team. Access to the newsletters is at: http://www.lcisd.org/campuses/frost/about/newsletters

Lunch Drop-off Once the school day begins, parents will want to follow these guidelines to drop off lunches: Check in at the front office and receive a visitor’s name badge. Proceed to the cafeteria with the lunch. Place the lunch in the appropriately labeled bin near the cafeteria kitchen. Students and/or teachers will check the bin at the beginning of the lunch period for their class.

Transportation Changes If your child requires a transportation change, please send a note to the classroom teacher. Do not email the teacher regarding these changes. You may also call the front office but no changes will be made after 2:00 p.m.

Dress Code Red, white, light blue or navy blue collared shirts are allowed. Tops may not have any visible logos. Viewable undershirts should be one of the uniform shirt colors. Sweaters and jackets must be solid red, navy, black, khaki or white. Khaki, navy, black, blue denim slacks, shorts, skirts, skorts and jumpers are permitted. School shirts and sweatshirts are allowed. Leggings and tights should be red, black, blue, white or khaki. No backless shoes, flip flops, overalls, hats, caps, scarves, skate shoes, sweat pants, or rolling backpacks are allowed.

Tardy Policy Students are counted as tardy if they are not in the classroom by 7:45 a.m. Students with excessive tardiness will be referred to the attendance committee for consideration of ISS and a home visit by the social worker. Three or more tardies in a 9 week period will disqualify students from attendance awards.

Birthday Guidelines In accordance with district policy, we discourage food being brought in by parents/grandparents for the following reasons: protect instructional time; student food allergies (peanut, gluten, eggs); student medical conditions (diabetes); liability assumed by person bringing in food Foods brought in must be store purchased Flowers, balloons, pencils, invitations and any other treats in honor or recognition of a child’s birthday cannot be delivered or distributed at school.

Safety Awareness A campus crisis team is in place at all campuses in the district. The Frost team consists of administrators, office staff and specialists. Campus Emergency Procedures Training was completed with the staff on 9/2/15 District staff training is underway Staff will complete district training requirements by 9/24/15 Blood Borne Pathogens Child Abuse Emergency Go Kit Training Suicide Prevention Fire Drills will take place monthly Additional drills are conducted each semester (Lockdown, Duck and Cover, Evacuation, Shelter-in- Place)

End of Year Awards Principal’s Award – must have an A in all subject areas (medal awarded) A/B Honor Roll – must have an A or B in all subjects all year (medal awarded) Perfect Attendance – (present every day and fewer than 3 tardies) Science Expo Participant – Trophy