2. Parent-Teacher Teamwork We strive to create a successful learning environment. We strive to create a successful learning environment. Share information. Share information. You are your child ’ s most important teachers and role models. You are your child ’ s most important teachers and role models. We encourage children to take on responsibilities which will promote their independence. We encourage children to take on responsibilities which will promote their independence.

3. Third grade is a big year for transitions, and we are working to teach your child independence and responsibility. Please encourage your child to put their Home Link in their folder themselves and ask you to sign their planner. Third grade is a big year for transitions, and we are working to teach your child independence and responsibility. Please encourage your child to put their Home Link in their folder themselves and ask you to sign their planner. If your child mistakenly leaves homework or items (gym shoes, recorders, etc.) at home, please take advantage of the learning opportunity they will encounter at school by accepting their own accountability. If your child mistakenly leaves homework or items (gym shoes, recorders, etc.) at home, please take advantage of the learning opportunity they will encounter at school by accepting their own accountability.

4. Students will record homework assignments and reminders in their planners on a daily basis. Students will record homework assignments and reminders in their planners on a daily basis. Please check and SIGN your child ’ s planner every night. It is your child ’ s responsibility to ask you to do so. Please check and SIGN your child ’ s planner every night. It is your child ’ s responsibility to ask you to do so. Planners and “ Take Home Folders ” should be brought to school every day. Planners and “ Take Home Folders ” should be brought to school every day.

5. Reading: Read each night (1 st CM = 20 min., 2 nd CM = 25 min., 3 rd CM = 30 min., 4 th CM = 35 min.) Reading: Read each night (1 st CM = 20 min., 2 nd CM = 25 min., 3 rd CM = 30 min., 4 th CM = 35 min.) Math: Home Links Math: Home Links Spelling: 3 assignments per week due on Friday; posttest on Fridays. Spelling: 3 assignments per week due on Friday; posttest on Fridays. Science & Social Studies: Unit projects or vocabulary assignments may accompany some units. Study guides will be sent home prior to each unit test. Science & Social Studies: Unit projects or vocabulary assignments may accompany some units. Study guides will be sent home prior to each unit test.

6. It is every student ’ s responsibility to complete their homework assignment. It is every student ’ s responsibility to complete their homework assignment. Parents will be notified if a homework assignment is missing/not completed (sticker in planner). Parents will be notified if a homework assignment is missing/not completed (sticker in planner). Student Report Card will reflect homework completion. Student Report Card will reflect homework completion.

7. Family Access Your membership gives you access to your child ’ s personal information, attendance, lunch information, and classroom grade book access. Your membership gives you access to your child ’ s personal information, attendance, lunch information, and classroom grade book access. The grade book will reflect subject area unit assessments only and not every individual assignment. The grade book will reflect subject area unit assessments only and not every individual assignment. The Berkley School District has gone electronic. Report cards will be available on Family Access. The Berkley School District has gone electronic. Report cards will be available on Family Access.

8. Burton Absent Work Policy If a student is absent for 1-2 days, they will get the work they missed when they return. If a student is absent for 1-2 days, they will get the work they missed when they return. If a student is absent for more than two days, assignments may be picked up on the third day. If a student is absent for more than two days, assignments may be picked up on the third day. If you are planning to take your child out of school for several consecutive days, kindly give your child ’ s teacher one week ’ s notice. We will send some work home prior to the absence. Remaining work will be assigned upon return. If you are planning to take your child out of school for several consecutive days, kindly give your child ’ s teacher one week ’ s notice. We will send some work home prior to the absence. Remaining work will be assigned upon return.

9. Lucy Calkins Reading Workshop Lucy Calkins Reading Workshop Partner Reading Partner Reading Novels: Whole Class and Small Groups Novels: Whole Class and Small Groups D.E.A.R. and Read Alouds D.E.A.R. and Read Alouds Reading A-Z Fluency (as needed basis) Reading A-Z Fluency (as needed basis) Ongoing Reading Assessment: Fountas and Pinnell – Guided Reading Level Fountas and Pinnell – Guided Reading Level DIBELS DIBELS Progress Monitoring Progress Monitoring Accelerated Reader Program Accelerated Reader Program ***Mandated total ELA time is 90 minutes per day.

10. What Is Reading Workshop? The Mini-Lesson Each Reading Workshop session begins with a mini-lesson. Here, the teacher introduces a specific concept. The teaching point focuses on a reading strategy or skill. The teacher will explicitly model or demonstrate the skill for the students. Students then get a chance to practice the skill or strategy on their own or with a partner. Each Reading Workshop session begins with a mini-lesson. Here, the teacher introduces a specific concept. The teaching point focuses on a reading strategy or skill. The teacher will explicitly model or demonstrate the skill for the students. Students then get a chance to practice the skill or strategy on their own or with a partner. Individualized Daily Reading (IDR) Individualized Daily Reading (IDR) During this time students are engaged in self-selected texts at their independent level. They use this time to practice the skills that are taught during the mini-lessons. Students read in book nooks around the room while the teacher holds individual reading conferences or meets with small groups of students for guided reading, strategy lessons, or book clubs. During this time students are engaged in self-selected texts at their independent level. They use this time to practice the skills that are taught during the mini-lessons. Students read in book nooks around the room while the teacher holds individual reading conferences or meets with small groups of students for guided reading, strategy lessons, or book clubs.Closing Students gather to reflect on their work as readers. The teacher reinforces teaching point for the day and emphasizes the importance of continuing to use the strategy whenever they read from now on. Students gather to reflect on their work as readers. The teacher reinforces teaching point for the day and emphasizes the importance of continuing to use the strategy whenever they read from now on. Thanks!

11. What the research says… Achievement Percentile Minutes of Reading Per Day Words Per Year 90 th 40.42,357,000 50 th 12.9601,000 10 th 1.651,000

12. Emphasis on The Writing Process using Writers ’ Workshop based on Lucy Calkins: Emphasis on The Writing Process using Writers ’ Workshop based on Lucy Calkins: –Prewriting –Drafting –Revising –Proofreading (editing) –Publishing –Our belief is that the process of writing is as important as the product; therefore, the emphasis of writing lessons will be on the process itself and the students will not publish all pieces.

13. Personal narrative Personal narrative Essays Essays Poetry Poetry Fiction Fiction Letter Writing Letter Writing Paragraph Writing Paragraph Writing Cross-curricular writing: math, science, social studies Cross-curricular writing: math, science, social studies

14. HandwritingGoals: –To help your child make an easy transition from manuscript to cursive writing –To help your child write legibly –To help your child form letters correctly

15. Everyday Mathematics, “ Chicago Math ” Everyday Mathematics, “ Chicago Math ” –This program is written based on a spiral curriculum in which specific content is taught 5 times in 2 years, thus giving students many opportunities to understand the concepts. –Children are involved in sharing ideas through discussions that focus on “ how ” they solve problems. –The third grade content focuses on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, place value, decimals, fractions, geometry, measurement, beginning algebra, probability, and problem solving. ***Mandated total math time is 75 minutes per day.

16. We want students to be “ Mathematically Powerful ” We want students to be “ Mathematically Powerful ” Math Workshop Math Workshop –Differentiated math instruction provided through flexible grouping based on the data collected with each unit pretest. –Gives immediate feedback and clears up misconceptions. Home Links and Family Letters Home Links and Family Letters –Family letters explain concepts and contain answer keys to aid you when helping your child with homework. –The Home Link book stays at home during the year, and home links are to be torn out and returned to school when assigned.

17. Animal Habitats Animal Habitats Food Chains/Webs Food Chains/Webs Animal & Plant Adaptations Animal & Plant Adaptations Light and Shadows; Sound Light and Shadows; Sound Motions of the Earth and Moon around the Sun Motions of the Earth and Moon around the Sun Scientific Process Scientific Process

18. Michigan (geography, history, industry, economy, government, public issues) Michigan (geography, history, industry, economy, government, public issues) The History of Early Detroit The History of Early Detroit Core Democratic Values Core Democratic Values

19. The computer lab, as well as our classroom computers, will be used for Internet research, PowerPoint, word processing, keyboarding skills, Math Keys, Map Puzzles, Kidspiration and other educational software. The computer lab, as well as our classroom computers, will be used for Internet research, PowerPoint, word processing, keyboarding skills, Math Keys, Map Puzzles, Kidspiration and other educational software. CPS (Classroom Performance System) CPS (Classroom Performance System) United Streaming (video support) United Streaming (video support) PowerPoint for instruction and assessment PowerPoint for instruction and assessment Smartboard (interactive whiteboard) Smartboard (interactive whiteboard) Alpha Smart Keyboards Alpha Smart Keyboards We strive to incorporate technology across the curriculum. We strive to incorporate technology across the curriculum.

20. “ In-School ” Field Trips “ In-School ” Field Trips *Wildlife of the Americas *Sheepshank Sam lumberjack *We hope to have both of these again this year with help from our wonderful PTA! Ford Rouge Assembly Plant Ford Rouge Assembly Plant *Any field trip over 10 miles requires bus transportation.

21. *We are in the process of preparing the students for their first experience with the MEAP test. *Third graders are assessed in mathematics (1 day) and reading (2 days). Writing is no longer a component for third graders. *Students will be tested in mid-October. More information to follow. *Make sure your child gets a good night ’ s sleep & eats a healthy breakfast on testing days.

22. We look forward to a successful third grade year!