1. Welcome to 3 rd Grade! Mrs. Geller & Dr. Whittaker’s Class B-15

2. 1/28/2016 2 All About Mrs. Geller Central Bucks High School East University of Delaware –Elementary/Special Education Holy Family University –Reading Specialist 8 th year teaching at Hillcrest

3. 1/28/2016 3 All About Dr. Whittaker B.S. in Psychology from William Smith College Ed.M. from Boston University in Special Education Ed.D. from Arcadia University Educator since 1973 At Hillcrest for 20 years Love Music and Theater

4. All About Mrs. Montemarano Holy Family University Elementary/Special Education major graduating in December Community volunteer working with children in Lower Bucks County since 1990. I love my family. Married for 25 years and have 3 sons, whose lives have led me to pursue a teaching career.

5. 1/28/2016 5 Our Goals To create a classroom environment in which students are comfortable and safe To help students develop a love of learning and enhance self confidence and responsibility. To provide opportunities for –Creative thinking –Problem solving –Positive peer relationships –Positive communication skills –Asking questions –Thinking critically –Teamwork –Differentiated instruction/activities

6. 1/28/2016 6 Our Schedule 8:55-9:10Homeroom 9:10-9:20Lunch Count/ Morning Work 9:20-10:20 Math 10:20-10:35Snack, Read Aloud, Bathroom 10:35-11:45Language Arts 11:45-12:25Special 12:30-1:30Recess/Lunch 1:30-2:00Language Arts 2:00-2:30Social Studies 2:30-2:45Recess 2:50-3:30Science 3:30-3:40Pack Up/Dismissal

7. 1/28/2016 7 Math Spiral Curriculum, a lot of new material building upon familiar concepts Quizzes, chapter tests, district tests, performance tasks Homework every night reinforces what was learned in school!!

8. Math New math program – Envision Resources on the internet – for review and practice www.pearsonsuccessnet.com www.pearsonsuccessnet.com –Username: Student ID # –Password: password District letter regarding math program – Click hereClick here 1/28/2016 8

9. 9 Language Arts Reading –25 books read –Reading Logs – 60 minutes per week, signed by parents!!! Due every Friday.Reading Logs –Must read a variety of genres as listed on the paper in students hw folder paper –When students finish a book, they are to complete a summary card for bulletin board –Instruction in vocabulary, comprehension and fluency –Listening and responding to text

10. 1/28/2016 10 Language Arts Writing –Graded on 5 domains – Focus, Content, Organization, Style, and Conventions –Narratives, friendly letters, directions/ instructions, research, persuasive writing, poetry

11. 1/28/2016 11 Language Arts Spelling –weekly quizzes (Thursdays) Daily Language Review –Quick daily grammar activity Cursive Writing Typin’ Time –Keyboarding skills

12. Spelling Weekly spelling lists Pre-tests on Friday –Homework due the following Thursday (must choose one activity from the list in their journal) –Tests the following Thursday –Challenge words – take the challenge only if you have 3 words or fewer wrong on the pre-test

13. 1/28/2016 13 Social Studies Current Events Topics –Communities –Government –Geography –Citizenship Quizzes, chapter tests, quarterly tests, research project

14. 1/28/2016 14 Science 3 main topics –Earth Materials –Sound –Plants Lessons in personal safety and AIDS –Second Step lessons on getting along with others Group Work Teacher prepared quizzes, performance tasks, and lab reports

15. 1/28/2016 15 Homework Math Reading (60 minutes per week) Spelling Occasionally science/social studies/studying for tests

16. 1/28/2016 16 Homework 3 assignments missed – parents begin signing hw record sheet We encourage parents to work with children and check to make sure hw is complete each night Please sign the assignment book each night Questions on hw??? Come see Mrs. Geller or Dr. Whittaker first thing in the morning or at clinic.

17. 1/28/2016 17 Very Important Person Each week a person will be nominated as the Very Important Person. We will let the person know a week ahead of time so they are prepared. They may hang their things and present on their given Friday will take their things home the following Friday. They should fill out the poster provided and can bring in photos and keepsakes that are special to them to present to the class.

18. 1/28/2016 18 Report Card The 3 rd Grade Report Card is different from 2 nd. Students will be graded in all marking periods using 4, 3+, 3, 2, 1 Here is a link to the 3 rd Grade Report Card 3rd Grade Report Card

19. 1/28/2016 19 Grading 94%-100% 4 (Advanced) 90%-93% 3+ 80%-89% 3 (Proficient) 70%-79% 2 (Basic) >69% 1 (Below Basic)

20. 1/28/2016 20 Snack/Recess Snack – We encourage healthy snacks. Only have about 10 minutes so should be something quick and easy. Recess is usually outside – students should dress for the weather Clinic available most days for make up work and extra help.

21. 1/28/2016 21 Music Lessons / Recorder Students are responsible for the work they miss when they are out at music lessons. Recorder will be used in music. Students are expected to have it each Tuesday and should practice at home.

22. 1/28/2016 22 Birthday Parties/ Invitations Students are welcome to bring in birthday treats to celebrate their birthdays. We have no known allergies in our class at this point. Please do not bring birthday party invitations to school unless you plan to invite the entire class.

23. 1/28/2016 23 Absent Notes/ Tardiness Please send in absent notes when your child is absent Hillcrest emphasizes promptness. Children should be in school by 9:10 and should sign in at the office if late.

24. 1/28/2016 24 Communication Please contact us anytime. Email is quick and easy. Please give us 24 hours to return emails and phone calls. Emergencies should not be left on teacher voicemails or emails. Call the office and leave a message with them.

25. 1/28/2016 25 Communication E-Folders – In an effort to go paperless, many forms and papers will be available on the internet. If you don’t have computer access, please let us know and we will have papers available. All trip papers and papers deemed high importance will be sent home. Website – Can check for announcements.Website –Go to Hillcrest Website –Click on classrooms and click on 3 rd Grade. Click on Mrs. Geller & Dr. Whittaker.

26. 1/28/2016 26 In Conclusion Success will be achieved when the teacher, parent, and student are all working together. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact us and we will be happy to help in any way that we can. Let’s make this your child’s best school year yet!!! Any Questions???

27. 1/28/2016 27 Check out our room! Look at how many books we have read on our reading chart. Check at our neat desks. Look at our narratives and self portraits hanging in the hallway. Write a note to your child (on the back of their note) for them to read when they come in tomorrow. Leave it on their desk. Leave yellow survey forms on your child’s desk.