1. Sorrento Open House
September 13, 2016

2. Welcome to Third Grade Topics to cover FSA Curriculum Overviews
Homework

3. FSA- Florida Standards Assessment
Testing dates:
Reading Testing is on March (paper based)
Math will be computer based and students will be tested between April 10th to May 5th

4. Reading curriculum includes the following skills:
Compare/Contrast
Author’s Purpose
Plot Development
Words in Context
Figurative Language
Cause & Effect
Main Idea & Details
Point of View
Theme

5. FSA: Reading
You can help your child get ready every time you read together
Informational
Magazine articles
How-to Articles
Advertisements
Biographies
Literary
Short Stories
Poems
Fables/Folktales
Narratives

6. Sample FSA Question: Theme
What is the central idea of the passage?
[Multiple Choice]
The student must synthesize the entire text to determine which of the options is the central idea of the text.
One of the lessons of the passage is to use your imagination. Select two details from the passage that support this idea.
[Multi-Select]
The student must select details from the passage to support the previous answer selection.

7. Importance of Reading
Reading and comprehension are the learning foundations for all academic learning.
Students need strong reading skills in order to learn in all other subjects.
By the end of 3rd grade, students are expected to be able to read independently.
Seventy-five (75%) of students who cannot read by age 9, will struggle with reading throughout adulthood.

8. Why Can’t I Skip the 20 Minutes of Reading Tonight?
Student A
Student B
Reads 20 minutes each night
Reads only 4 minutes or less each night
Multiply by 5 times a week = 100
Multiply by 5 times a week = 20
Multiply min/wk by 4 wk/month = 400
Multiply min/wk by 4 wk/month = 80
Multiply min/month by 9 months = 3,600
Multiply min/month by 9 months = 728
That equals 10 whole DAYS in a school year
That equals 2 whole DAYS in a school year
If these same reading habits are maintained through the end of 6th grade…
40 DAYS Total
8 DAYS Total

9. Math Curriculum Overview
Multiplication & related division concepts
Fractions – number line, part of whole, equivalent
Describe & analyze 2D shapes (angles, sides)
Data Analysis (construct & read tables, graphs, pictographs)
Numbers and Operations
Represent, compute, estimate and solve problems through thousands
Geometry & Measurement
perimeter, area
TIME: to nearest minute, quarter hour and elapsed time
Volume/mass
All of these are written as word problems and require a high level of thought to compute.

10. Our Math textbooks work to help students learn to THINK and truly understand math concepts, not just memorize abstract steps – so be ready!

11. Sample FSA math questions
Tom planted 5 rows of flowers with 7 flowers in each row. Write a multiplication equation that shows the number of flowers in Tom’s rectangular-shaped garden.
Tom told Mary he planted 4 x 5 flowers. How might Mary describe the arrangement of flowers in Tom’s rectangular-shaped garden?

12. Practice makes perfect
Teachers give practice tests to their students. Knowing the format and seeing the types of questions that will be asked can help build your child’s confidence.
Practice how to bubble in answers and how to limit stray marks.
Practice test taking strategies

13. How can parents help
Parents only want what is best for their children, and most are willing to do whatever it takes to help their child be successful in school.
Helping a child to become an independent reader is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give.
Read aloud, listen, and ask questions daily.
Sleepy children have a tough time succeeding academically. It is particularly important for your child to get a good night’s sleep the night before a big test. For most elementary school children, 10 hours of sleep every night is best.

14. Curriculum Overview Language Arts Building writing conventions skills
Understanding of grammar and parts of speech
Development of paragraph writing to essay writing
Develop research and note taking skills

15. Spelling Test
20 words
2 dictation sentences that will be graded on spelling, writing the complete sentence, capitalization and punctuation use.

16. Curriculum Overview Science Practice of Science Properties of Matter
The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models
Properties of Matter
Changes in Matter
Forms of Energy
Energy Transfer and Transformations
Organization and Development of Living Organisms
Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
Interdependence
Florida Ecosystem with a Focus on Native Plants and Animals

17. Curriculum Overview Social Studies Developing Map Skills
Studying the exploration of the Americas
Freedom Week
Economics: What does is take to produce goods and services?
Learn why government is important in our society
Explore the basic principles that are important to the American people
Learn about the contributions of famous Americans (i.e. George Washington)
A brief overview of the Holocaust

18. Please Remember Check Agendas Daily
Check Homework folder or binder for homework and important notes
Look for newsletters
Any changes in dismissal transportation must be noted in agenda or hand written note.

19. Generic Topics Attendance Snacks Homework Daily Routine
Website log-ins
Teacher Website Page

20. More information online
(State of FL Department of Education)
(Lake County Website)