Grade 3 at ESM! Open House September 12, 2013

Classroom Information Hi! I’m Mrs. Kuckel! ◦ is the best way to contact me: ◦ My direct line is (860)

Rules and Expectations Here at ESM we are HAWKS! ◦ We HAVE RESPECT ◦ We ACT RESPONSIBLY ◦ We WORK TOGETHER ◦ So that we can KEEP SAFE ◦ If we do all that, we will SOAR TO SUCCESS! ◦ Students earn TALON TOKENS if we are HAWKS!!

Testing, Testing, Testing! DRA ◦ Reading Assessment ◦ September, January and May Benchmark Tests ◦ MAP Test- Reading, Language and Math ◦ September, December and April CMT/ Smarter Balance ◦ The district may have waiver for CMT this year. ◦ If we do not have to participate in CMT’s, we will be piloting the ‘Smarter Balance’ test which is aligned to Common Core

Language Arts Continuing to make a switch this year from state standards to common core standards ◦ Higher-Level Thinking Reading Units ◦ Whole Group  Variety of texts to develop higher order thinking skills ◦ Small Group  Variety of literature Writing ◦ Narrative Writing is taught for the CMT ◦ Making a switch to Opinion and Argumentative Writing

Math Continuing to make a switch this year from state standards to common core standards ◦ Higher-Level Thinking : Problem Solving EnVisions Math is Common Core ◦ We know it can be difficult for some students, so there are ways that you can access the text at home using Pearson Success Net  That information will be provided Facts ◦ It is VERY IMPORTANT that your child is practicing basic + and – facts at home  They will be assessed and need to be fluent ◦ Multiplication and Division is Coming Soon

Science Inquiry-based ◦ Students are encouraged to investigate their “Wonder” questions ◦ We work with resident scientists often Adaptations ◦ Fall Changes ◦ Winter Rocks and Minerals ◦ Spring

Enrichment Clusters Coming Soon! ◦ Friday mornings 9:00-10:15 ◦ Offered by all staff  Mixture of students from grades 3-5 ◦ Student centered  Choose from a catalog of offerings rated on 1-3 want basis ◦ Higher-level and Critical Thinking skills are addressed

Service Learning It’s All About Birds! ◦ Year-long Project  Includes: bird watching and identification, studying migration patterns focusing on urban birds  Partner will different area agencies ◦ The Result  Students will build different types of bird houses to attract different types of urban birds around campus ◦ WORK IN PROGRESS!

Final Notes Agenda ◦ Basis for communication between school and home ◦ Homework will be written in it nightly ◦ Needs to brought to school everyday I am here for YOU and YOUR CHILD! ◦ Questions, Comments, Concerns-Please let me know! ◦ I’m looking forward to a wonderful year!