 Communication  Class Procedures  Curriculum  Assessment  Standards Based Grading  On-Track Time  Behavior Expectations  Olweus  Food  Parent Involvement  Questions

  Assignment log  Phone: ext.2310  Class Website on Blanche Sims page  aspx?s=9 aspx?s=9

ClassworkHomework  Expectation is all work will done in class. Some assignments not finished may be sent home for homework.  Students keep work in folders.  Sometimes individual or group work given. Log signed and turned in daily. Icheck and write ok or circle what is missing. Reading every night. (20 min.) Students are welcome to check out books. Math Homework: given periodically based on unit. Sometimes Writing, S.S., and Science. All work will be turned in by due date.

 Reading Workshop approach Students read at their independent level and are taught how to choose books. Teacher confers with students to meet needs.  Writing Workshop approach (Lucy Calkins) Narrative, Essay, Informational, Opinion, and Research writing.  Word Study: Words their Way with a focus on study of words and their patterns Students are grouped into developmental levels based on word study inventories. Not all students will have the same words. Students are introduced to a new group of words with a specific feature focus. Students sort words, complete word hunts, play games, and keep a word study notebook. Students assessed using various measures not just weekly spelling tests.  Intervention: provided M,W,F for 30 min. Progress Monitor to determine needs for all students.

 3 rd Grade Narrative

 Science: taught by Mrs. Shuler Light Matter Measurement Force and Motion Animal Adaptations Plants  S.S.: Meet MI Focus on development of our state, history, government, economy, geography, people who have impacted MI. Field trips to Cranbrook and Moosetree in the Spring.

Elements of instruction that are embedded in each lesson of Math Expressions include:  Building Concepts strengthens mathematical ideas and understand through objects, drawings, conceptual language, and real-world situations  Math Talk encourages students to share their methods orally and through proof drawings  Quick Practice allows for whole-class responses or individual partner practice  Every lesson includes intervention, on-level, and challenge differentiation to support students’ needs 

 Reading: anecdotal notes, observation, comprehension work, response to reading  Writing: progressive rubric  Math: pre and post testing and some daily work  Sci/S.S.: end of unit tests, projects, classwork  Word Study: word sorts, tests, activities Test Preparation  Material taught in class  Review sent home before test  Review given in class  Retakes will be given if a student scores a 1 on an assessment. Retake will occur after re- teaching has happened.

 Standards Based Grading works in a way that provides a learning continuum. As teachers  plan for lessons, they use units of study that align to these standards and determine what  assignments and assessments students will do along the way. Once completed, teachers  then look at those assignments and assessments and determine student progress toward  the standards. When an assignment or assessment is assessed, it is assigned a 1, 2, or 3.  The descriptions of the 1, 2, and 3 level work for final grading purposes can be found in  the gradebook reporting criteria for each content area. It is through the gradebook  reporting criteria that we support common expectations for student performance across our entire district.

 On Track work is anything that is expected to be turned in. (This includes homework or students owe minutes.)  Students earn extra recess on Friday when they are “On Track” for the week.  Students not On-Track stay with another teacher to complete work and receive additional help if needed.  If students are consistently off track and struggling, support is given but unfinished class work may be given for homework over the weekend.

 We have spent time discussing our rules and the children know that they are responsible for their actions. I will encourage them to make good choices every day and help others as well. What is the heart of it?  Students knowing specifically what to do  Students self-monitoring themselves to be sure they are doing it  Classroom teachers at the forefront of the behavior intervention system What does it include?  Behavior lessons  Class meeting structure  Kind Reminder process for problem solving  The 4 Steps process when learning is interrupted  A system to reteach behaviors to students who need it

Program Goals  The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop. Goals of the program include:  reducing existing bullying problems among students  preventing the development of new bullying problems  achieving better peer relations at school  Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power. Most often, it is repeated over time.

 Peanut-Alert School  Breakfast is an option before school.  Lunch: 11:55-12:40 Cost: $2.60 (Can pay by check or on-line)  Snack: daily, nutritious please  Birthday Treats: not necessary but must be sent in individually wrapped

 Check log and green folder daily.  Help pack backpack and snack.  Utilize Blanche Sims Media page for resources.  Be a Mystery Reader!  Come to celebrations and Blanche Sims events. You are always welcome!  Do not hesitate to contact me. Together we can and will have a successful year.

 Volunteers: please make arrangements with me. Some prefer working with kids and others prefer “paper” work.  Room parent to organize class celebrations: Halloween, Holiday, and Valentines  Daily at home: nightly reading and homework, signing log, checking website, etc.  P.T.O.: a fantastic organization that supports our school.

Thank you for coming!