1. Welcome to Back to School Night!
Please sit in your child’s seat and reply
to the letter they wrote to you. Thanks!

2. Experience * 19th year of teaching * Have taught 1st,3rd, & 5th grade
* Opened Dapplegray in 1999

3. Background
* Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Chico State University, Minor in Sociology
Masters in Education and Teaching credential from Pepperdine University

4. 3rd Grade Goals * Considered upper graders now * Student Council
* Foster independence & responsibility
(HW, library books, Agenda Books, bring home study materials, water bottles, etc.)
* Prepare students for 4th Grade

5. Behavior Management * Super Stars
-Earn: Signed Agenda Books, 100% completion of homework, 0utstanding behavior, excellent character
-Lose: Inappropriate behavior, Unprepared for class, Forgetting Math 4 Today & Spelling Notes at home, Nameless papers, etc.
Earn Friday Raffles and Student Store (donations?), Fun Days
Class Points-popcorn and movie
* Character Counts Program/Growth Mindset

6. Communication
* Best way to contact me is through
* Can leave voic s or send a note with your child in the morning, I’ll get back to you when time allows
* Leaving voic s-not always able to get messages in time
* If you’d like to meet-let’s schedule a time outside of the school day because I want to give you my full attention
* Open lines of communication
(310) EXT. 617

7. Homework
* Students record their homework daily in Agenda Books & are responsible for making sure they bring home materials
* Homework should take minutes each night.
* Students will be expected to read for 20+ min., practice math facts on Reflex Math, complete all assignments given, some writing assignments and projects given
* Missing Work Reports/Behavior Reports
* Part of HW is remembering to turn it in and put name on the top
* Tuesday Folders: review each test/quiz with your child, sign, and return to school. I keep the tests on file should you ever need to see one. Please remove all other papers that are sent home.

8. Typical Daily Schedule
8:30 AM Business, Daily Language 9:00 Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Grammar, Spelling, Cursive) 10:30 Recess 10:50 Math 12:00 Lunch 12:45 S.S.R. (Super Silent Reading) 1:05 Agenda Books 1:15 Social Studies, Health, Science, Art Library-Thursdays 10:00-10:30 Music- Wednesdays 2:15-3:00 P.E.- Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:00-2:55 Computer-Chrome Books in class Buddies- Fridays 1:00-1:30

9. Math * District adopted series: Math In Focus -Gradual release
-Reteach
-Enrichment
*CGI
-helps students develop critical thinking skills
-problem solving approach based on everyday situations
Math For Today: Completed in class M-Th, Quiz-Fri (return books)
Think Central-textbook, games, hands on activities, and practice tests online
Reflex Math: math facts, homework
IXL: Online math concepts

10. Language Arts
* Reading: Piloting two new programs: McGraw Hill (Wonders) and Benchmark, Core Literature, Ready Reading
* Daily Language: Grammar, Editing, Vocabulary
* Big focus: Comprehension (predict, retell, monitor/clarify, summarize, visualize, infer, evaluate), Interactive Reading Notebook
* Common Core focus is a balanced between fiction and non-fiction
* Writing: Step Up To Writing, Pieces will go through entire writing process, Monthly Writing Assignments
* Cursive- Handwriting Without Tears
-3rd trimester everything will be done in cursive or typed
What’s Up?- Oral presentations 1x per month/speaking skills
Keyboarding Skills-Typing.com

11. Spelling * Rebecca Sitton current program used
* No weekly spelling lists to memorize
* Preview Words- 5 words that will be on the test
* Skills Test-look in Spelling Notes for study tips
Other words tested are from spelling patterns/concepts taught throughout the week or high frequency words
No excuse words
* Cloze Test: both spelling and capitalization counts
Spelling Homework given 2x per week (Wed./Thurs.)
Forever spellers, Not Friday spellers!

12. Social Studies & Science
* Social Studies: main focus on California communities, geography, basic government
Science: physics, weather, space, life
* Alternate between the two subjects
* Students will bring home study guides
and materials to prepare for tests
Quizlets
New Generation Science Standards/STEM B

13. Extras * Music: Wednesdays 2:15-3:00 with Mrs. Perkins
-You will be asked to purchase a recorder
* AAYF- 5 lessons throughout the year
* Technology: Chrome Books, homework occasionally
* Check Edlio daily- General, HW, and Calendar sections
* Birthdays- No food, invitations to entire class if passed out at school

14. STAR ATTRACTION (on Edline)
* One student per week: poster/schedule sent home the week prior
* The events planned for T,W,Th can be switched
* Monday- Poster & Photos
* Tuesday- Personal Treasures (3)
* Wednesday- Favorite Book
* Thursday- Parent Letter
* Friday- Class Recognition

15. Mystery Readers (sign up on Sign up Genius)
* Sign up to be a Mystery Reader
* Thursdays at 10:00 in Library
* Fun surprise for students
* Send in 3-5 clues and students try to guess who our reader is
* Read a book of your choice to class for about 20 min.

16. Parent Volunteers * Sign ups on Sign up Genius
* If you can’t make it, please find a replacement
* Tuesday-Friday (checking in homework, prep work, working with students) 8:30-10:30
Editing during writing on as needed basis
Field Trips, Parties