1. Welcome to Ms. Dodson’s
3rd Grade
Class

2. 3rd Grade at Alston Ridge Elementary
TRACK
TEACHERS
TRACK 1
Ms. Dee Skerry
Ms. Danielle Dodson
Mr. Devin Hudson
TRACK 2
Ms. Colleen Wackerman
Ms. Alysia Himbry
Ms. Jennifer Worley
TRACK 3
Ms. Lisa Kaszycki
Ms. Megan Madlon
TRACK 4
Ms. Karen Niemi
Ms. Meghan Martin
Ms. Beth Bloodworth

3. Daily Schedule 8:45 – 9:15 – Arrival / Morning Work
9:15 – 9:45 – Morning Meeting
9:45 – 10:30 – Writing
10:30 – 11:55 – Reading
11:55 – 12:25 – Lunch
12:35 – 1:05 – Recess
1:10 – 1:50 – Specials
1:50 – 3:00 – Math
3:00 – 3:40 – Science / Social Studies
3:40 – 3:45 – Pack Up and Dismissal

4. Morning Meeting
During morning meeting we start our day by discussing what is to be expected in the hours to come. We then play a quick ice breaker game to welcome each other. This is also the time where the children get the opportunity to share their own special thoughts or news with the class. We end our morning meeting by reading a chapter in a book that I have picked.

5. 3rd Grade Word Study Why is Word Study Important?
It is developmentally appropriate according to each student's spelling stage.
It provides hands-on opportunities to manipulate word features in a way that allows students to generalize beyond isolated, individual examples to entire groups of words.
It increases vocabulary and reading comprehension.
What does Word Study look like in the classroom?
Sorts, variety of activities, collaboration with classmates, assessments

6. Writing- Essential Skills
The Writing Process
Curriculum Objectives
Prewriting
Focus
Drafting
Organization
Revising
Support and Elaboration
Editing
Style
Publishing/Sharing
Conventions
What kinds of writing will we do?
Poetry
Narratives
Instructional/Explanatory
Short Research Reports
Opinion Pieces

7. Reading- Essential Skills
Read independently at home and school to improve fluency and comprehension.
Read and understand different types of texts; such as, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, plays, informational texts, fairytales, and fables.
Whole Group Instruction: Through applying reading strategies taught, students will exhibit higher order skills beyond retelling to include: inferring, cause/effect, main idea, point-of-view, predicting, questioning, and identifying the author's purpose.
Guided Reading Instruction: Differentiated instruction in small groups to focus on fix-up strategies and to apply comprehension skills.
Time is provided daily for independent practice.

8. Math- Essential Skills
Number and Operations- Multi-digit addition and subtraction, multiplication and division (0-10), place value; estimation to the nearest ten and hundred
Fractions- Determine a fraction’s place on a number line, compare fractions, and determine equivalent fractions (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8)
Measurement- Metric systems of mass and capacity; customary units of length; elapsed time and time to the nearest minute
Geometry- Identify 2-dimensional shapes and reason with their attributes, determine the area and perimeter of given regular and complex figures
Data Analysis -Read and analyze graphs, tables and charts, including pictographs, bar graphs and line plots
Algebra- Finding an unknown in a number sentence

9. Science- Essential Skills
The following science units will be studied in 3rd grade using fun and exciting hands-on activities:
The Human Body (Skeleton, Muscles and Skin)
Earth in the Universe
Ecosystems- Plants and Soil
Earth’s Land and Water Features
Matter Properties and Change
Science topics will be learned through
inquiry, exploration and discovery.

10. Social Studies- Essential Skills
Civics and Government
National and Local Government
Geography
Absolute and Relative Location
Comparing Regions
History and Colonial America
Understand how history has influenced our government
Economics
Supply and Demand
How natural resources affect the economy
Entrepreneurship

11. Your assistance is very much appreciated!
Homework
Daily math sheet
Reading journal/ log with responses due on Friday
Additional assignments/projects may be assigned from time to time.
Homework should take around 50 minutes per night.
Your assistance is very much appreciated!

12. Standards Based Grading
4- Extends targeted grade level standards.
“Since I can do/get this, I can figure out new things!”
3- Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards.
“I get it, and I can do it well!”
2- Needs support to meet targeted grade level standards.
“I almost get it, but I need help.”
1- Insufficient performance of targeted grade level standards.
“I don’t get it yet. I need help.”

15. Behavior Management
In our classroom we are going to use class dojo to help encourage good behavior and decision making. When students reach a certain number of points they will be able to pick a prize or save their points for a different prize. If the student is not making good choices they will lose dojo points and if their behavior continues they will fill out a reflection form and it will need to be signed by a parent and returned to school.

16. A Few Other Items
Absences – For an absence to be excused, a note must be sent in with the student when they return to school.
Wish List – wish list is posted on Weebly, if you would like to donate please take a post it today
Volunteers – starting in the 2nd quarter, there will be a sign up genius for volunteers in the room. Please make sure you register as a volunteer!

17. Progress Reports Assessments
Weekly Reports (Please review and initial)
Progress Reports will be given during the halfway point of the quarter.
Report Cards are given at the end of each quarter.
Assessments
mClass- Literacy Assessment Program designed to assess students reading fluency level and comprehension.
Benchmark assessments are given three times per year
Progress monitoring as needed
CogAT and ITBS (select students)
Case 21 ( 3 times per year)
Beginning of Grade Tests (BOGs), End-of-Grade Tests (EOGs)

18. Class Website
1. Go to Alston Ridge website: 2. Click “Class Pages” 3. Find my name. 4. On the website you will find: - Weekly Newsletters - Student Links

19. How is third grade different from K-2?
Work Habits
How is third grade different from K-2?
Reading to learn versus learning to read
Higher expectations on quality of work
Higher level critical thinking skills
Stamina for reading, writing, listening
Independence
How can you help?
Encourage these same skills and expectations at home.

20. Thank You!!
Thank you so much for coming tonight!! Please remember that communication between home and school is critical to the success of your child. I look forward to working with you or your child this year!