1. Please visit the tables in the hallway for any handouts or signup sheets. Please take one copy of each handout per family.

2. 2012-2013 Room Parents

3. We each teach core subjects to our respective multi-age homerooms. Mrs. Harvath teaches 4 th grade math. Ms. Leach/Mrs. Mali teaches 3 rd grade math. Often, we will co-teach lessons. We both interact with ALL of the kids!

4. Planners (daily initials) – Look for homework Colored Folder System Blue Take Home Communication Folder More information in your packet

5. Healthy Snacks & Water Bottles (No candy, chips, cookies, or colored beverages) Peanut-Free Classrooms (This includes birthday treats and snacks) Healthy Snacks

6. Homework is the student’s job and they should do more work than the parent or the teacher. Homework is a four step process: take it home, do it, bring it back, turn it in ***Remember that answers for Home Links and Study Links can be found on the unit family letter*** Students will write themselves a reminder in the planner when assignments are missing.

7. There are Challenge, Enrichment and Technology pieces integrated into most units of study. Challenge & Enrichment involve the student making choices to match his/her individual interests and/or learning style.

8. Daily Home Links (HL) or Study Links (SL) Daily Math Journal pages (MJ p.) Student Reference Books (SRB) Worksheets to practice skills Day-to-day assessment in class Enrichment Activities for Challenge Learning Spiral Frequent basic facts practice at home Homework is self-checked and is not collected Review Sheets and Unit Tests Basic Facts Timed Tests Math technology tools: IXL and Thatquiz.org SEE GRADE-LEVEL HANDOUT FOR MORE INFORMATION!

9. Due to a rigorous math curriculum, students need to practice basic fact at home all year long. We recommend 15 minutes per weekday. 3 rd Grade Math4 th Grade Math Addition Facts 0-10 (30 Facts in two minutes) Subtraction Facts 0-10 (30 Facts in two minutes) Multiplication Facts 0-10 (50 Facts in three minutes) Division Facts 0-10 (50 Facts in three minutes) Addition & Subtraction Facts 0-10 (100 Facts in five minutes) Multiplication Facts 0-12 (100 Facts in five minutes) Division Facts 0-12 (100 Facts in five minutes)

10. In 3 rd and 4 th grade our students will participate in reading and writing workshop each day. We will also integrate word study and book club opportunities. Just Right Books RAZ kids Reader’s Workshop Writer’s Workshop Writing Process Paragraph Design Grammar Cursive Handwriting Without Tears Spelling spellingcity.com with Words Their Way

11. Matter and Energy – Insects and Lifecycles – Magnetism and Electricity Our focus this year is Regions of the United States! http://www.teachtci.com/back-to- school-night.htmlhttp://www.teachtci.com/back-to- school-night.html

12. Technology Tools

13. Field Trip Dates Lansing - November 29 th Bloomfield Hills Nature Center - October 2 nd (No chaperones required) DSO (date TBD) No Chaperones required Community Reading (May 2013. 8+ Drivers will be needed.)

14. Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothes. Pack lunches ONLY in disposable bags/baggies/bottles that are clearly labeled with a name. Groups may not visit Souvenir Shops. Do not give your child spending money. Chaperones may not purchase anything for the children in their group. NO videogames, iPods, books, etc. Children must carry all of their own belongings.

15. Parents and younger siblings are invited to attend! Halloween Monday, October 31 st, Parade starts around 1:45 Holiday Friday, December 16 th, Time TBD Reading to the Superbowl TBD Valentine’s Day Tuesday, February 14 th, Time TBD End of the Year Thursday, June 15 th, Time TBD

16. You may send in a birthday treat for your child to share with his/her homeroom if you choose. Please email your child’s teacher the day before so we make time for your child’s celebration! Please send in 27 treats that are individually portioned for each student. All 27 treats should be identical. (flavor, size, etc.) Children enjoy “fairness.” Beverages are not necessary. Summer birthdays may want to choose an alternate date to celebrate. Remember – Peanut-Free!

17. With your permission, students are allowed to bring in laptops, ipads, ipod touch, or a kindle for academic use. We are working towards a one-to-one technology ratio in our classrooms. If you have old laptops that have Internet and Word, it will be useful to your child in class.

18. Check both teachers’ blogs every day. Discuss the homework assignments with your child. Initial your child’s planner EVERY night. Support your child’s homework to foster independence. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep, has a healthy lunch and snack, and is physically active. Have your child read daily! Reading with and to your child is also a great way to support healthy reading habits.

19. WE PREFER EMAIL!!! ah04bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us em06bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us al10bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

20. Please visit our websites daily: http://harvathbcs.blogspot.com http://www.mrsmali.blogspot.com LOADS OF HELPFUL INFORMATION!

21. If you any additional questions that we did not answer in this presentation… please feel free to email us. We are so thankful to work with such supportive parents!

22. Please make your way to the Media Center where Ms. Chinn and Mr. Bishop are waiting to meet with you.