1. Welcome to Third Grade’s Parent Night

2. General Information
If arriving before 7:35, please have your student go to the cafeteria or gym. The tardy bell rings at 7:50.
It is necessary that students bring a note within 72 hours of an absence.
Third grade is a transition year to independence, please help us by encouraging your child to take responsibility for themselves.

3. The Agenda
The agenda is an important tool for communication between parent and teacher. Please sign and review it each night. You may also write or attach any notes you need us to see.
Teachers will use the agenda to communicate any missing assignments or behavior concerns that have occurred that day.

4. Science and Social Studies
Science Big Ideas
Rapid Changes to the Earth’s Surface
Identify the 8 Planets and Positions
Construct Models to Show the Relationship of the Earth, Moon, and Sun
Identify the Energy Flow in a Food Chain
Plan and Implement a Science Investigation
Social Studies Big Ideas
Purpose of Historical Documents
Scientific Breakthroughs and New Technology
Creating and Interpreting Maps
Heroes
Economics and the Free Market System

5. Language Arts Writing Third Grade Reading Levels: N - P
Personal Narrative
Expository: Explain Why
Expository: Write to Inform
Spelling and Grammar will be integrated into our writing curriculum. Students will not take a weekly spelling test.
Third Grade Reading Levels: N - P
Deeper Understanding of the Text
Establishing a Purpose for Reading
Asking Multiple Questions
Making Inferences
Summarizing
Connections to Other Texts
Monitoring Comprehension
Fix-up strategies

6. Math Roadmap Number Sense Place Value - Numbers to 999,999 Money
Rounding
Comparing and Ordering
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication - Facts to 12
Division
Measurement
Linear
Weight/Mass
Capacity
Volume
Perimeter
Area
Geometry
2D Figures
3D Figures
Data, Graphs, and Probability
Most Likely, Least Likely, Equally Likely
Bar and Pictographs
Survey and Tally Table
Vocabulary and Problem Solving
UPSCheck

7. - Check for Reasonableness
UPS Check
U – Understand
Restate Question
I need to find…
Record Info.
I know…
**Multi-step Problems
First I need to find…
P - Choose a Plan
What strategy will I use?
- Check for Reasonableness
Did I answer the question?
My answer makes sense because…
2. Explain to your neighbor how you got your answer.
S – Solve
Use plan to solve problem.
Write a number sentence.
Check computation.
Write answer in a complete sentence.

8. Reasons for Replacing Point-Based Grades with a Standards-Based System:
Grades should have meaning.
Grades should reflect whether a student has mastered the material not whether they did their homework, arrived on-time or turned in extra credit.
Grades should communicate student progress toward specific learning objectives.
4. Grades must be given for clear objectives that can be met with quality work.

9. Assessment Rubrics
A rubric is an evaluation tool consisting of specific criteria, a measurement scale and descriptors of the characteristics for each score point.
This benefits students because they will have clear goals for their work at the beginning of each unit.

10. The 4 Point Assessment Rubric
Level 1
Beginning
Does not meet standard
Level 2
Developing
Starting to meet standard
Level 3
Independent
Regularly meets standard
Level 4
Advanced
Exceeds standard
I attempted to complete the task, with or without teacher prompting, and my understanding is unclear.
I can show partial understanding of the topic and/or question.
answer may be unclear
may use incorrect vocabulary
may omit significant concepts
I can recall basic information needed to answer the question or task.
I can show full understanding of the topic and/or question.
I can recognize and describe how to correctly apply this topic.
I can use appropriate vocabulary and definitions
In addition to level 3, I can make deeper connections.
I can prove my answer by explaining my thinking.
I can make simple connections about the question.
I can connect the topic with everyday life and/or other content areas.

11. Summative Assessments
Types of Assessments
Pre Assessment
Gives the teacher insight into what each student already knows about a topic.
Will be used by the teacher to make instructional decisions and to create intervention groups
Will be used by the student to set personal learning goals
Formative Assessment
Are used to determine how students are progressing towards the learning target.
Will determine when students are ready for summative assessment
Will be used by the teacher and student to create intervention groups
Examples: Exit tickets, white board work, quick checks, etc
Will contain feedback about strengths and areas to improve
Summative Assessments
Are given to assess a student’s understanding of a learning target after multiple formative assessments
Will be scored using the subject area rubric
Re-testing will occur if students have not proven mastery (earned a 3)

12. For additional information, please visit
Home > Departments & Programs > Elementary Curriculum > Elementary Report Cards

13. Goal Setting and Data Binders
Students will track their progress for:
Guided Reading Level
Reading Counts Goals
Sight Words
Multiplication Facts
Comprehension Strategies
Six Weeks Math, Science, and Social Studies Targets

14. Student Progress Learning target rubrics will be used throughout the six weeks to show progress. These will be sent home in your student’s data binder. Assignments will receive feedback rather than number grades. Students will have the opportunity to make corrections and improve.

15. Homework
Math – Homework will be linked to the current learning target. Math homework will be assigned Tuesday and Wednesday nights and will be due back the next day.
Reading Log - Students will be required to read at least 60 minutes per week during the First Six Weeks. Reading logs are due on Friday.

16. STAAR
STAAR Math – April 22
STAAR Reading – April 23