1. Welcome! Please read your child’s letter and respond to them on paper provided. We will get started in just a few minutes.

2. Welcome to Open House! Lancaster Elementary 3 rd Grade Mrs. Powell Use post it notes to write your questions on as I go through presentation…I will get the answer back to you!!

3. What’s NEW in 3rd Grade? AR! AR! AR! (orange folder) Use a Science and Social Studies book with curriculum —much more in depth. Multiplication! FACTS!!!! Practice all facts nightly! Cursive handwriting

4. Snack time! We have an early lunch, therefore we have an afternoon snack. Healthy snacks are allowed: –Fruit/ veggies –Crackers, goldfish, pretzels, cheese its –Baked chips, granola bars, etc. Water is always allowed in a bottle in class.

5. Grades Graded papers will be sent home in the BLUE VIP folder each week. All papers will be included from the previous week. D’s & F’s need to be returned. Grades will be posted on JPAMS.

6. What to expect… Grades will drop some from 2 nd Grade because of new curriculum and expectations. Students will adjust and improve. Give them time! Don’t stress them out! What can you do to help?? –Study with them each night! Review facts! –Ask them to apply the definitions…not just memorization, but application as well. –Read with your child and let them ASK the questions…

7. Homework Students are responsible for writing down their own homework. Planned homework is on the website …but it CAN change!! Every child should be practicing math facts each night, no matter the math homework. Every child should be reading 15 minutes a night, in addition to reading homework. Every child should be studying their Science/ SS study guide each night!! A basic homework guideline: Math homework~ 3-4 nights a week Spelling~ contracts are ALWAYS due on Friday!! Reading~ read the weekly story or read the chapters for the novel; study given vocabulary. Science/ SS~ ALWAYS review the study guides!!

8. Math Curriculum Starting off with multiplication (should pick up with where they left off in 2 nd grade!) No matter if there is “math homework”, every child should be practicing ALL facts EVERY night!!

9. STAR STAR- reading test that is taken at beginning of each quarter. This gives students’ reading level based on comprehension, vocabulary, and reading passages. –This test gives each student their own ZPD to find books in.(zone of proximal development) –This is used to set AR goals. –This report is found in pocket of orange folder!

10. AR AR- Accelerated Reader Program –Students read books and take tests for their comprehension and knowledge on the book. –Earn points and percentage per book 80% or better is expected –Students have goals set each quarter Should be reading books in their ZPD range. –Look at AR folder frequently to see how students are progressing towards the goal. –AR parties are held each quarter for those students that have met their goal.

11. ARGoals AR Goals Set each quarter & expected to meet and/or surpass. For each test that students earn 100%, they ring the AR bell and receive silent snaps from the class. If the book was worth 1 point or more, they also get a treat out of the AR jar or a sticker for their collection. Within their folder log, for every 20 tests that are taken with 80% or better, they earn a homework pass or some other type of “fun pass”. In order to meet the goal, students must earn at least 100% of their point goal with an 85% or better accuracy goal. (Accuracy is based on an average score of all test scores in that date range.) Student example: Joe’s Goal: 12 points Earned: 24 points, 95% ac. At the end of the quarter, Joe’s results would be 200% of his point goal with 95% accuracy goal. Joe would be invited to the AR Quarter party at this point.

12. Novels We started our first novel last week, Muggie Maggie. Students will have a folder of information that they complete with each novel. They will be allowed to bring some books home to use, but are responsible for. If they lose it, they will have to replace it. We will do a novel every few weeks and spend a few weeks doing that novel and its activities. Students will be expected to complete the AR test for each novel. They will also complete an end of the book project in class.

13. RAP RAP is an excellent question and answer technique that we use daily in all subjects. R- restate the question A- answer the question P- provide evidence Students are expected to answer in this format when answering short answer style questions on tests and assignments. We have a “bookmark” on our desks to help us start the sentence for citing the evidence.

14. Spelling Spelling may be different than 2 nd grade! Your child will chose or “shop” for the 15 words on the list. All students have 15 words each week. They will be the highlighted words on the lists. All spelling contracts are due on Friday. All spelling tests are on Friday. Students are expected to have a full heading on their spelling test each week. (This includes holes on the left!) Spelling counts in each student’s language grade!

15. Projects Throughout the year, students will be completing different projects. –In class projects –Family style projects (at home!) –Science Buddies All projects are expected to be turned in on time and fully completed. These activities are not supposed to be a burden on anyone, but a fun, learning experience for each child. Please ask questions ahead of time regarding each project. Directions are given WELL in advance for everyone to have plenty of time to complete it!

16. Fluency Being a fluent reader is very important at this age. Students should be reading aloud in order to get more fluent. Listening to YOU read is very important! Questioning and comprehension is key!! Some students may be getting fluency folders for practicing passages and/ or facts. Read the same passage 2-3 times a week. Being fluent in math facts is just as important. This is why they must practice in each night. Please let me know if your child has problems.

17. Questions If you had any questions about anything that I presented and I did not get to it, please leave it on your sticky notes.

18. Contact Info: Please email me first (easiest for me!) melanie.powell@stpsb.orgmelanie.powell@stpsb.org Call me at school and leave message: 792-0156 Visit the websites often: –www.lancasterelementary.stpsb.orgwww.lancasterelementary.stpsb.org –www.teacherpage.com/melanieboothwww.teacherpage.com/melaniebooth

19. Thingsour classroom can always use: Things our classroom can always use: flashlights Clorox wipes Sheet protectors AR treats for AR jar Cardstock Paper towels Batteries Magic erasers