Third Grade Parent Meeting Alexander II Elementary August 27, 2015

Welcome to the Third Grade Experience! We are off and running in the quest for another successful Third Grade Year! We are off and running in the quest for another successful Third Grade Year!

New to the Third Grade Team Ms. Delphia Boynton Continuing with the team Mrs. Julie Baima Dr. Nicole Evans Mrs. Sheila Dunning

Now for the Nuts and Bolts of Third Grade.

Homework Homework is given Monday – Thursday. Homework is given Monday – Thursday. The assignments should take a maximum of 60 minutes to complete. The assignments should take a maximum of 60 minutes to complete. Homework is not graded. Homework is not graded. Homework will be counted as a participation/responsibility grade. Homework will be counted as a participation/responsibility grade.

Signed Papers Signed papers will be distributed twice a month on Wednesday. Signed papers will be distributed twice a month on Wednesday. All graded work is to be reviewed, signed, and returned. All graded work is to be reviewed, signed, and returned. Please do not keep or discard graded papers. Please do not keep or discard graded papers.

Textbooks The student textbooks are not sent home nightly, but sent home as needed. The student textbooks are not sent home nightly, but sent home as needed. Please see that your child returns the textbook to the book bag when the assignment is completed. Please see that your child returns the textbook to the book bag when the assignment is completed. www-k6.thinkcentral.com is the website that allows students to access their reading, math and science textbook online. www-k6.thinkcentral.com is the website that allows students to access their reading, math and science textbook online.

Parent Conferences Student led conferences will be held three times during the year. Student led conferences will be held three times during the year. Please schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher if you desire a traditional teacher parent conference. Please schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher if you desire a traditional teacher parent conference. Conferences cannot be held when the students are in the classroom. Conferences cannot be held when the students are in the classroom. Teachers will gladly accommodate your conference request. Teachers will gladly accommodate your conference request.

Supplies If you have not provided the requested school supplies for your child, please do so as soon as possible. If you have not provided the requested school supplies for your child, please do so as soon as possible. Supplies are exhausted quickly when all students fail to bring the necessary supplies. Supplies are exhausted quickly when all students fail to bring the necessary supplies. Social Studies newspaper funds are due as soon as possible. The cost is $6.50 Social Studies newspaper funds are due as soon as possible. The cost is $6.50

Discipline Please see your child’s teacher if you have questions about classroom discipline. Please see your child’s teacher if you have questions about classroom discipline. Alex II will be implementing PBIS this year. More information to come. Alex II will be implementing PBIS this year. More information to come. The last Friday of each month will be class PBIS Celebration Day. The last Friday of each month will be class PBIS Celebration Day.

Switching Classes Third grade is switching classes for Science/Social Studies this year. Third grade is switching classes for Science/Social Studies this year. The teacher who teaches science to your child is responsible for their science grade. The teacher who teaches science to your child is responsible for their science grade. The teacher who teaches social studies to your child is responsible for their social studies grade. The teacher who teaches social studies to your child is responsible for their social studies grade.

Room Moms Not all classes have a room mom in place. Not all classes have a room mom in place. Please see your child’s teacher if you are willing to serve in this capacity. Please see your child’s teacher if you are willing to serve in this capacity.

Third Grade Instruction Third grade is the year students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Third grade is the year students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Reading for information is new to them. We will spend time with guided instruction to insure that this skill is mastered. Reading for information is new to them. We will spend time with guided instruction to insure that this skill is mastered.

How Can You Help? When doing the nightly reading, ask questions about the text. When doing the nightly reading, ask questions about the text. Who were the characters? Who were the characters? What was the setting? What was the setting? What was the problem in the story? What was the problem in the story? What was the resolution? What was the resolution?

Constructed Response Questions Students will have to write explanations about how they solved math problems. Students will have to write explanations about how they solved math problems. Students will have to read two different passages and write about the similarities and differences between the two text. Students will have to read two different passages and write about the similarities and differences between the two text.

Writing Response Strategy

Math Problem Solving Strategies Students are required to problem solve. Students are required to problem solve. P.U.G.S. is an acronym that helps students remember to picture the problem, underline the question, give an explanation and solve in two ways. P.U.G.S. is an acronym that helps students remember to picture the problem, underline the question, give an explanation and solve in two ways.

Helpful Websites Helpful Websites is the accompanying website for the new texts, Go Math and Journeys. is the accompanying website for the new texts, Go Math and Journeys

The new assessment is called, TheGeorgia Milestones Assessment

The questions will not all be multiple choice. Students will be expected to answer questions and write explanations essay style in both math and reading. Students will be expected to answer questions and write explanations essay style in both math and reading. All parts of the Milestone Test will be taken on the computer. All parts of the Milestone Test will be taken on the computer. Results will be utilized as an indicator for readiness for the next grade level. Results will be utilized as an indicator for readiness for the next grade level.

Example of a 3rd grade math question: Hector is studying his multiplication facts through the product of 10x10. Hector says that any multiple of 6 can be divided into 3 equal groups. Is Hector correct? Explain your answer using words, symbols, or pictures.

Accelerated Reader Accelerated Reader Points Required First Nine Week Period Points Required First Nine Week Period 6 pts. 6 pts. Average Required Each Nine Week Period 80% Points will increase each nine weeks

Are there any questions?