1. Welcome to Third Grade (3G)!
Ms. Gratta’s Third Grade Classroom SFA Expectation Night September 14, 2016

2. Classroom Theme
-Our theme for this year is “Third Grade is the Spot for a Great Year!”
This central theme correlates with the idea that students will find their place in the classroom community of learners throughout the school year.

3. Attendance
Students may begin entering school everyday at 7:40 AM. It is very important that your child arrives to school on time. Children will be marked tardy if they arrive after the 8:00am bell.
If your child is absent from school, please send in a note explaining the reason for their absence on the day of their return.

4. Snack
Please be sure to pack a healthy snack daily. Children are not allowed to share snacks with one another.
Remember: Due to food allergies, snack items that contain peanuts, tree nuts, and bananas are not allowed in the classroom.

5. Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays are an exciting time in the life of a child. In order to keep our students safe, we will have a food-free birthday celebration.
Children will be able to share and celebrate with classmates if they choose to. Students are welcome to send in stickers, pencils, erasers, or bookmarks as gifts for their classmates.

6. Homework Homework will be given on Monday – Thursday
Spelling: Mondays & Tuesdays
Reading Comprehension Packets are assigned on Wednesdays
Math: Monday through Thursday
Social Studies, Science, and Religion are assigned intermittently
Students are also expected to be reading for 20 minutes each evening and document their reading on their weekly Reading Log (Due on Friday)

7. Homework
Students will have homework Monday through Thursday. Occasionally, long term assignments will be given over weekends. Please check our classroom webpage for the nightly homework which will be posted each evening.
Go to
Click on the Academics Tab
Click on Classrooms
Find 3rd Grade-Ms. Gratta

8. DOT Binders D.O.T. stands for Daily, Organizational, Tool.
We will be using a binder to help with organizational skills. This binder will go home and come back to school each day.
The binder features pockets for homework, assignments, notes, and office papers.

9. DOT Binders (Cont.)
Binders will also have the children’s spelling pre-tests and spelling words for the current week.
Keeping the pre-test/spelling list in the binder will enable children to refer to the words when studying for Friday’s Spelling Quiz and completing the Spelling Homework.

10. My Expectations Always try our best. Respect each other. Raise hands.
Work quietly.
Play and work safely.

11. Behavior Management
Our classroom features a clip chart behavior chart to monitor the daily behavior of our students.
The clip chart consists of a chart that has been divided into levels. All of the children start the day on Ready to Learn. Then, during the course of the day, the children move their clothespins up or down the chart, based on the behavioral choices they make. If they are making good choices, they can move their clothespin up a level at a time. Inappropriate behavior would cause them to move down a level.
Since the children start in the middle of the chart, they have numerous opportunities to work their way up the chart. This really helps the children realize that they have to have self-control and be responsible for their actions and behavior if they want to be recognized for making good choices.

12. Classroom Rules
As a classroom community, we have discussed and decided upon classroom rules to create a safe and healthy learning environment.
If a student is having difficulty abiding by the rules, their clothespin on the behavior chart with be moved down a level.

13. Third Grade Curriculum at a Glance
Reading
Spelling
Math
Science
Social Studies
Religion
Writing

14. Reading Curriculum: Open Court Reading Program
Third grade students will discover the world of reading through the Open Court reading program.
This reading program focuses on phonics and word knowledge, spelling and vocabulary development, comprehension and fluency

15. Open Court Reading Program
The program focuses on the five essential components of effective reading instruction:
Phonemic Awareness
Systematic, Explicit Phonics
Fluency
Vocabulary
Text Comprehension

16. Open Court
In third grade, there will be a stronger focus in the areas of fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension.
Fluency: Reading effortlessly with speed, accuracy, and expression.
Vocabulary: Learning new word meanings to build comprehension.
Text Comprehension: Thinking actively before, during, and after reading.

17. Spelling Our spelling program will begin the week of September 12th.
Every Monday of each week, students will be given a Pre-test each week (15-20 words)
Each group of weekly spelling words focus on a spelling pattern that will be examined and practiced further in class.

18. Grammar
The Sadlier Grammar Workshop provides instruction in the conventions of standard English along with abundant practice.
Topics of study include: Types of Sentences, Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives & Adverbs, Pronouns, Punctuation, and Capitaliztion

19. John Collins Writing Program
The John Collins Writing Program focuses on FCA’s or Focus Correction Areas, where students can pinpoint their writing to key aspects within each assignment.
Students will learn about the use of topic and clincher sentences in their writing as a way to help grab the attention of their reader.

20. Envision Math Implemented starting September 2013
Innovative math curriculum that is aligned with Common Core Curriculum Standards and is based on foundational research
enVision math features interactive lessons and stories, manipulatives and math games, and technology components for learning

21. Envision Math Core Third Grade Math Topics Include…. Place Value
Adding/Subtracting Problem Solving
Multiplication &Division
Fractions
Geometry
Area & Perimeter
Time, Graphs, and Data

22. Scott Foresman Social Studies Curriculum
In Social Studies, students will learn all about our home state of Massachusetts (landforms, maps, oceans)
We will also examine the states of New England (MA,CT,NH,RI,ME,VT) as well as famous individuals from our home state

23. Nancy Larson Science Program
Science Curriculum implemented in Fall 2015
This curriculum program has a strong focus in hands-on, interactive learning for students.
Science topics that we will cover this year include: The Solar System, Investigating Elements & Compounds, Observing Physical Changes, Investigating Changes in Our Atmosphere (Weather), Exploring the Earth’s Surface, Examining Seed Plants, and Amphibians & Reptiles

24. Scholastic Weekly Magazine
Third grade students also implement the Scholastic Weekly Magazines as a part of their Social Studies and Science curriculum.
This magazine is a weekly magazine that connects to many seasonal topics and current events across both Social Studies and Science curriculums.
The cost/student for this yearly subscription will be announced later this month.

25. Religion Curriculum At a Glance
Grade 3 students will learn about the Mass, liturgical seasons, Saints, Sacraments, and Bible Stories
As their understanding of Jesus’ love and forgiveness is better understood, I hope they will apply the knowledge to make wise and thoughtful choices throughout the school day and at home.

26. Thayer Public Library
Our class will visit the Thayer Public Library every other week.
Each child should have his or her own library card to use.
Students will be able to borrow two books each time we visit the library provided that they do not have any books overdue.
Families will be notified when our first library visit will be.

27. Scholastic Book Club
Every month, students will receive a monthly order form for books from the Scholastic Book Club.
Scholastic Book Club is an opportunity to purchase many popular book titles and series at a cost-efficient price.
Every time you order a book from the book club, you will help your child’s teacher earn points for her own classroom library.

28. Volunteer Opportunities
Each classroom has two parent volunteers to serve as our room parents. Room parents are responsible for organizing school-wide fundraisers and events.
Field Trip Chaperones
If you would like to volunteer, fill out your CORI form before leaving tonight. 

29. Specialist Schedule Monday: iPad Lab Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Physical Education
Thursday: Music
Friday: Italian/Spanish-TBD
Library-TBD

30. Reading Buddies Grade 1 Reading Buddies will be assigned to students.
This is a valuable experience which provides children an opportunity to practice reading skills in a comfortable environment, regardless of their ability.

31. Contacting Ms. Gratta
If you ever have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please feel free to get in touch with me.
(Best way)*** (Will respond within 24 hours)
Telephone: (781) (Leave message with Mrs. Daly)

32. Thank you!!!! Thank you for coming this evening.
Your dedication and commitment to Catholic Education is much appreciated.
I look forward to working with your child this year.
Feel free and explore around our classroom.
Enjoy the rest of your evening! 