Welcome to Third Grade in Mrs. Duke’s class!

Welcome to Open House!

Introduction:  Mrs. Duke  This is my eighth year teaching.  I have a BA and MA in Elementary Education.  To contact: call:  Web page:

OP Administrative Team Principal – Rachel McKenzie Assistant Principal – Andrea Runyon School Counselor – Sarah Crist Academic Facilitator – Amanda Daniels Part Time Academic Facilitator – Crystal Lail

Daily Schedule 7:45-8:30 Morning Work 8:30-9:15 Interdisciplinary Block 9:15-10:00 Specials –Monday: Music, Tuesday: Media, Wednesday: Computer, Thursday: PE, and Friday: Art 10:10-11:20 Math 11:20-12:50 Literacy 12:50-1:15 Lunch 1:20-1:50 Recess 1:50-2:20 Writing 2:20-2:55 Science 2:55-3:10 Pack

Language Arts and Math This year we will begin to work with new standards in grades 3-5 We will begin to use the Common Core State Standards along with 44 other states! You can review them at:

Literacy in Third Grade Phonics, Daily 5, guided readings, spelling, vocabulary, and read aloud. We focus on building stamina and the ability to comprehend various text types at an individual challenging level. We are moving towards 50% non- fiction reading.

Grammar Daily Grammar Practice: –Nouns –Pronouns –Adjectives –Capitalization –Punctuation –Verbs

Math Numbers and Operations Multiplication and Division Fractions Geometry Measurement and Data Algebraic Thinking

Science and Social Studies We are moving to “The Essential Standards” in North Carolina ards/new-standards/ ards/new-standards/ The district has provided us with pacing guides and curriculum guides as tools as we implement these new standards.

Science Units Matter Energy Earth, Moon, and Sun Ecosystems Force and Motion Earth Systems (land and water features) Structures and Functions of Living Organisms (bones, muscles, support protection)

Social Studies Focus Citizens and Government Communities Over Time Different Roles Geography People and Economics People and Technology People Shape Communities

Testing: CMS and EOG CMS requires quarterly testing called “formatives.” The state of North Carolina requires all students in grades 3-8 to complete the End of Grade tests for reading and math. EOG Date May (Please don’t schedule vacations during this time).

Grade Level Discipline Plan In order to guarantee your child and all the students in our classrooms the excellent climate they deserve, we are utilizing the following the discipline plan: Students will pull tickets for breaking a rule – we do not “clip up” in upper grades – this will be written in the agenda daily. Class Rules 1. Talk at appropriate times. 2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 3. Respect others and their belongings. 4. Follow directions. 5. Come prepared for school each day.

Automatic Office Referrals: Physical Contact Inappropriate Language Threatening behavior to a teacher or another student

Rewards Class rewards – Marble Jar – students earn rewards for compliments in the hallway – if an administrator gives us a compliment the students will earn 2 marbles, the entire class staying on green all day, etc. “Shining Knights” – can come from a specials teacher, administrator, and Mrs. Gould at lunch. We compete weekly with other 3-5 classes. At the end of the quarter if we have the most “Shining Knights” we’ll get a 3 minute dance party in the lobby to a song of their choice. Punch cards – 25 total punches = treasure box or free night of reading. –2 punches for turning in all homework on time, 2 punches for pulling 2 or less tickets in a week, and 1 punch for writing down homework every day in every class.

Character Education We have monthly school wide character traits we focus on as a school. Duke and Duchess Shining Knights – school wide Class meetings

Homework Students should have a total of 30 minutes for homework each night. –15 minutes of reading – can read a textbook or do “Study Island” when we receive the passwords. –Math sheet – every night, except Friday – unless we’re behind. –Spelling – Monday through Wednesday –Reading sheets – students will be given multiple days and they can be counted as their “15 minutes” All homework is due the next day unless otherwise stated (projects, progress reports, and reading passages will have multiple days to be completed and the due date will be written on the homework board).

Homework - Absences The teacher will collect make-up work and give it to the student when they return to school – we are no longer giving it to neighbors or siblings. If the student is absent for 2 or more days the work can be placed in the main office after 3:15 (upon request). The teachers now have 24 hours to collect make-up work for students. Students need to complete all make-up work and turn it back in. Forgotten homework: “Staff is not available to open a door after school hours to get forgotten work. We will not interrupt a classroom to deliver late homework.”

CMS Grading Scale A: Excellent B: Very Good C: Satisfactory D: Low Performance F: Below 70 Failing Grades count once unless it is a project or test.

Parent Assistant Starts in third grade. CMS will mail you your username and password soon. Parent Assistant is a computer-access program that helps parents track their children’s progress in school

OP Reading Incentive Program: Grades 3-5 We sent a letter home in the Tuesday folder explaining the new program This year we will not being doing AR online. We are focusing on 6 different genres per semester Helps meet the standards of the Common Core We will still have rewards and prizes! Amanda Daniels will be available for questions Monday September 17th at 8:15 in the cafeteria for any questions.

Volunteer and Visitor Policy You must register as a CMS volunteer at: You will receive an that confirms you as a volunteer. If you are from out of state it will take longer to run a background check. Go ahead and register any family member that may come to the school. Even lunch visitors must be approved. This is for the safety of your children. We appreciate your support!

Transportation Please send in a note – I don’t always get an opportunity to check my during the school day – or call the office. If I do not receive a note I will be sending your child home their normal way – I cannot take their word for it. Buses – you must be registered to ride the bus. If you don’t ride the bus for a while they will remove you from the system…Students cannot ride the bus home with a friend – plan to be a car rider that day. Cars – walkers wait under the tree and you need a number to pick you your child. It is for their safety. No parents can wait under the breeze way – you may wait on the parking lot side of the crosswalk.

Fieldtrips I will before a trip and ask for a volunteer. Hezekiah Alexander The Children’s Theater –January 16 – The Secret Garden

Birthdays Students cannot pass out invitations unless they are inviting the whole class – we don’t want anyone feeling left out. You will receive a directory with student information that you can use for invitations. No food celebrations in the cafeteria or classroom – we’re moving to a healthy alternative. You can purchase a book from the “Birthday Book Club” in the media center – a note went home on yellow last week.

Siblings Refer to the OP Parent Handbook online: –Only parents/adults are invited to school parties, as the rooms become over crowded. –Preschool siblings may come with a parent who is involved in an individual activity such as AR, Art, or other PTA work. –Preschool siblings are welcome to come with parents to lunch. –Field day activities are for school aged children. The opening ceremonies are open for the entire family to attend, but the field day events are restricted to the school-aged participant and the adult volunteer or spectator so that the adult volunteer can focus on the safety of the school students.

Progress Reports Sent home weekly – Tuesdays Return by Friday – all papers need to be returned. At the end of the quarter I will send home all of the progress reports for you to keep. The work and notes on the front page reflect last week’s work.

Materials Fee Due at the end of September $10 exact cash or check written to Olde Providence Includes the cost of our Time for Kids magazine and the NC Studies Weekly newspaper that we use weekly. Fieldtrips will be an additional fee and a notice will be sent home a few weeks in advance. In January we will collect money again for EOG practice materials.

Thanks for coming!! (This presentation will be added to my Wiki this week)