1. Welcome to Third Grade Curriculum Night!
Please take any handouts you need from the back table.
Find your child’s desk and read their reflections!
Create a bookmark for your child to use during reading. I will laminate them on Monday 

2. Agenda About Me Expectations 3rd Grade Curriculum & Grading
Helping Struggling or Bored Students
PTA
Homework and Resources
General Reminders
Questions?

3. All About Me I love to read!
Bachelors Degree in English Literature with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in Theatre
I love to read!
Moved from Texas to Washington state 5 years ago.
Graduated with a Masters in Teaching from City University

4. Third Grade is a Big Step Because…
We work for longer periods of time.
We read for information.
We read longer and more varied text.
We use problem solving strategies.
We explain our understanding
orally and on paper.
We write for a variety of purposes.
We are becoming independent learners.

5. Typical Daily Schedule & Specialists
8:30 Check-In/Morning Work
8:50 Math Block  
10:05 Snack and Read Aloud
10:15 Writing
11:00 Recess and Lunch
11:45 Reading
1:00 Grammar & Spelling
1:25 Specialist
1:55 PM Recess
2:15 Science/Social Studies
2:45 Pack-Up/ Homework Routine
Monday: Music
Tuesday: Library, P.E., & Computer Lab
Thursday: Music
Friday: P.E.

6. 3rd Grade Expectations Cooperation Organization Responsibility Teams
Partners in reading, writing, & math
Organization
Desk & caddies
Responsibility
Class jobs
Homework
Complete in-class assignments on time
Make good choices
Be an independent learner

7. Use Tools & Equipment Appropriately
Apollo's Positive Behavior Expectations
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Treat Others Nicely
Follow Directions
Use Polite Language
Take Care of our School
Solve Problems
Make Good Decisions
Give Best Effort
Respect the Learning Environment
Keep Hands and Feet to Yourself
Ask Permission to Leave
any Setting
Make Good Choices
Use Tools & Equipment Appropriately

8. 3rd Grade Curriculum

9. Balanced Literacy Approach for Reading
Whole class instruction
Small group instruction
Individual instruction
Independent practice

10. 3rd Grade Reading Skills
Summarizing
Inferring
Word Meaning
Extending Meaning with Visuals
Questioning
Finding Evidence
Point of View
Text Structure
Author’s Purpose
Comparing and Contrasting
Determining Importance
Main Idea
Theme
Cause & Effect
Text Features

11. Literacy Instruction Reading Handwriting
Readers Workshop
Making Meaning
Guided Reading Groups
Fountas and Pinnell
Handwriting
Handwriting Without Tears (Cursive)
Grammar/ Spelling/ Word Work/ Vocabulary

12. In 205, We Love to Read!

13. Spelling, Vocabulary, & Word Work
Spelling will be integrated into writing instruction, with an emphasis on application in students’ daily writing. Spelling words will go home every other week, starting next week!  Vocabulary is integrated into content areas, using G.L.A.D. strategies. Grammar practice is limited to 30 minutes once a week, per district guidelines. Students will work on specific grammar skills each week with the aim of increasing students’ understanding of sentence structure and parts of speech.

14. Lucy Calkins Units of Study
Writing Curriculum
Lucy Calkins Units of Study
Unit 1: Personal Narrative (small moments)
Unit 2: Informational
Unit 3: Opinion
Unit 4: Fairy Tales

15. Math Everyday Mathematics Parent letters (answers) Home Links (M-Th)
Math Fluency (2x a week)
Everyday Math online
Games
Student Reference Book

16. How Does Everyday Math Help Students?
Problem-solving approach, based on everyday situations. (Plus problem solving on Fridays!)
An instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly.
Frequent practice of basic skills, often through games. (shhhh! Don’t tell your children they are learning through games).
Mathematical content that goes beyond basic arithmetic and includes activities and discussions.

17. Problem Solving
Jerry has a toy car collection with 30 cars. He has a bookshelf with 5 shelves. He wants to display his car collection on the bookshelf. Up to 15 cars can fit on each shelf.

18. Problem Solving
How many combinations of cars can fit on the bookshelf?
**Students will be expected to record what they “notice” and “wonder”, as well as choose more than one strategy, solve the problem (with as many possible solutions as possible), and verify their answer. **

19. Science Salmon September/October Field Trip to the Salmon
Hatchery & Clay Salmon Art
Weather
Year-long
Daily tracking of
temperature/weather
Youtube videos
GLAD chants
Discussions
Rocks & Minerals

20. Social Studies Pacific Northwest Native Americans Pioneers
Social Skills/Anti-Violence
-Guidance Lessons with Mrs. Holsather,
School Counselor

21. Technology Computer Lab on Tuesday Keyboarding “Type to Learn”
Microsoft Word
Oregon Trail Game
IXL/ EDM
Practice for End-of-Year Smarter Balance
Classroom Computers
EDM Online/IXL
Tumblebooks
Youtube & Brainpop with teacher!

22. Health New curriculum Changes in Families Self-Empowerment
Conflict Resolution
Managing Stress/Understanding Emotional Health
We are What we Eat!
GLAD Nutrition
Body Systems
Non-Communicable Illness
Smoking and Drugs

23. What does grading look like in 3rd grade?

24. 3rd Grade Math Components
There are many components to our math assessments. This allows for a more complete understanding of each students’ ability.
The components are: content, mathematical practices, fluency, & problem solving.
Our math components are graded using rubrics, which details the actions and thinking required to meet or exceed standard.

25. Students who exhibit “exceptional” work can receive a 4.
Exceptional work looks like…
Exceptional work does not look like…
Consistently performing beyond expectations
Seeking opportunity to go further
Demonstrating depth of thought and application
Connecting knowledge or skill to another area
Applying knowledge for a new purpose
Analyzing concepts
Showing multiple applications and/or perspectives
Being fast
Producing simply neat work
Being ‘accelerated’
Answering all of the questions
Using ‘one’ correct strategy
Doing extra work for extra points
Getting all the right answers

26. 3rd Grade Science & Social Studies
In 3rd grade we explore many exciting science and social study units!
Students work, in collaboration with the teacher and group members, to complete unit work.
Due to the fact that students do not complete these units of study independently, a grade of ‘3’
(at-standard) is the highest grade possible.
Content specific rubrics are used for
journals and group projects.

27. 3rd Grade Reading & Writing
This year we will investigate narrative, informational, & opinion/persuasive writing.
Issaquah School District uses Lucy Calkin’s Units of Study as our writing curriculum. Grading for each unit is determined based on the curriculum rubrics, specific to each genre of writing. Each rubric contains 3 parts; structure, development, & language conventions.
Reading:
Our reading curriculum is Making Meaning. Grading for reading is divided into 2 parts; reads grade level text, and comprehension.
The grade for reads grade level text is based on our Fountas & Pinnell testing. Comprehension grades are based on unit assessments, conferring with students, and student responses.

28. Struggling or Bored Students
Ways to Help
Struggling or Bored Students
Small group/Individual help
Graham Cracker Recess
Computer practice
Challenge questions
Brain work
Independent Study

29. Important Things to Know about OUR Classroom…
We have HIGH expectation!
We VOTE
Student Council Vote
Work for fun votes!
Decision-making process
We respect each other
We give our classmates compliments & honor their ideas
We help each other with our Classroom Jobs
We celebrate our Star Student
We have Behavior Incentives!
Whooo’s Making Smart Choices?
Warm Fuzzies
Coupons/Treasure Chest
Friday Raffles

30. Homework ***Remember, be a part of your child’s homework routine,
Monday- Thursday
Homelinks (Math)
Read for 20 minutes
RAH journal entry (Reading at Home)
Friday/Weekend
RAH journal entry
Extra Practice
Spelling words
Math flashcards
IXL
EDM online
Tumble Books
Brainpop
***Remember, be a part of your child’s homework routine,
but it is their responsibility!***

31. Your Role As Parents
1. Check the homework folder each night for papers and homework
2. Sign the homework calendar each night and look at the behavior section
3. Check that the homework is done- don’t do it or fix it
4) Use the resources provided if you are unsure or leave a note on the homework calendar, so that I can help
5) Check Friday Folder
6) Look over the RAH journal & ask your child about their reading

32. Let’s make sure homework is a POSITIVE experience
Issaquah School District has set in place manageable homework expectations!
Ways to individualize for your child:
Read it to him/her
Shorten/extend the assignment
Replace the assignment
Stop after 45 minutes
Read for 20 minutes
Write RAH for 10 minutes
Math homework (10-15 min)
Write a note if your child has a reason for not doing their homework.
If your child gives you grief:
Set expectations together: Include your child in deciding when and where homework will be done
Establish a routine
Write a note when your child doesn’t understand the homework
Keep to your agreements about homework

34. Be apart of PTA greatness
Be apart of PTA greatness. Sign up for YOUR Apollo Elementary PTA today at: apollopta.org or by completing a membership form today. When you do, you are supporting the nation’s largest volunteer advocacy group for children in this country.
Did you know? Your child is attending 1 of 3 schools in the
state awarded the School of Excellence Award for

35. A Few Things To Think About…
Volunteering
Joining the PTA and ISF
Birthday Routines
Daily Snacks and Water Bottles

36. Conferences & Report Cards
Conferences will be set-up through Skyward in November for December
Report Cards go out in December, March, & June
District Reference Guide

37. How to find classroom website Communication Email
Classroom Phone Number
(425)
Classroom Website
How to find
classroom website

38. A few quick reminders about homework:
1. Parents/guardians must sign the homework calendar every night. Only sign if your child does ALL of their homework.
2. Students are required to read for 20 minutes and write a RAH (Reading at Home) entry. We set up the first one today in class and students have a guideline for how to write their RAH entries glued to the inside cover of their RAH journals.
3. Students who love to read SHOULD stop after 20 minutes and write their RAH entry and then go back to reading. This ensures that students don't just read for an hour and then miss out on completing their RAH entry. The purpose behind the RAH journal is for me to "see evidence" of their thinking during reading. Please check the classroom website for more helpful tips on reading at home.
4. The math homework is usually a review of what we did that day in class. So, students should be able to complete it independently. Math homework should NOT take more than minutes. If your child is struggling, please write "too hard" or "parent help" at the top of the homework and let them stop after 15 minutes.
5. Homework should not be a struggle, but it is a crucial part of 3rd grade that motivates students to practice skills "independently". Students are only required to write 3 sentences in their RAH journal and do 1-2 pages of math homework. Spelling words and flash cards will be implemented later in the year.
6. Do not fear the "uncompleted homework". I do not grade homework. I do check it and count it towards the “responsibility” and “problem solving” sections of the report card. One reminder about uncompleted homework is that uncompleted homework means the student ‘did not get’ the concept and they will be pulled for small group work on that skill. So, if your child just chooses not to complete the homework, then I am under the impression that they do not understand the homework. Even uncompleted homework needs to be turned in every day. This way I don’t have to make a bunch of extra copies when I review the concept with the students.