Ms. Walter’s Third Grade G/T Class 3-328(322) Welcome! In order to save paper, this is posted on my website:

Welcome to Third Grade!  I will introduce you to what your child will learn in third grade and to our classroom.  If you have any questions, please jot them down.

All About Me  My background  I have lived in Flushing NY on the same block for 52 years  I attended Queens College—Bachelors/Masters  My experience  I’ve been teaching for 29+ years, all here at PS 165  I have taught first grade/second/third grade  I love anything DISNEY and Broadway

My Family  My husband  Danny, school custodian  Our child  daughter, Liana is a sophomore at SUNY Oneonta with a grade- point average of 3.9. She is an orientation leader this fall and is also a member of the executive board of her college’s chapter of NRHA (National Residence Hall Honorary)

My Goals  To give your child the academic and social skills they need to progress to be college/career ready.  To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment.  To discover new interests.  “It is kind of fun to do the impossible.”- Walt Disney

Class Subjects  The subjects we cover during third grade are:  Reading/Writing Workshop---using Ready Gen/Engage NY as a resources  Math Workshop (Go Math and Engage NY resources)—using laptops to take assessments  Science and Social Studies  Test Sophistication  *** Organizational/Study Skills

Reading  Every day we have Reading Workshop. (using Ready Gen/Engage NY) as an instructional resource)  Students follow rules and procedures during the mini-lesson.  There is ample time given for independent reading (annotating with post-its while reading) and discussions daily in class.  Your child is expected to read nightly and log weekly. They will be assessed in Reading three times a year. Here at PS 165 we use the Fountas/Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System.

Math  You must read the problem, maybe draw a picture, write a complete number sentence, and always finish with an explanation of “HOW” you solved the problem.  GO MATH! and ENGAGE NY are the resources that are used.  This year your child will be taking their assessments online in class and will be given work daily on thinkcentral.com. We will learn how to use it properly. Please check TEN MARKS/XTRAMATH each evening.

Language/Spelling  Each week your child will gather new SPELLING WORDS from her/his own reading.  They will then choose 10 each week for “vocabulary” reasons. Find the meaning and add it to their reading notebook.  It is important for them to study their words as often as possible.  They may be asked to take an assessment every three weeks on a combination of the words, not all.

Science  We will learn many interesting and exciting concepts in science.  We will study measurement, physics of sound and structures of life.  You are encouraged to bring things from home, which relate to the topics we are discussing.  Our school’s science specialist(s) and I, will work together to get our scientists minds going. Here at PS 165 we use the FOSS program.

Social Studies  We will learn about World Geography and World Communities, as well as a few Case Studies of a Community in Africa, Asia, South America, The Caribbean, Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, and/or Australia.  Again, you are encouraged to bring things from home, which relate to the topics we are discussing.  If you have taken any trips to interesting places here in the city, please share with us.

Classroom Community  Our classroom is a community.  In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other.  Our basic class rules are:  Always listening to classmates.  Bodies still while learning.  Never touching another classmate.  Never judging others opinions.

Homework  You are responsible for completing your homework each night.  Homework is always copied in your planner.  Homework will consist of Reading, Math and Vocabulary, as well as any work not completed during the school day.  I ask that you focus on reinforcing the reading/math skills while practicing on websites on the computer. Each evening will consist of choosing one of the websites and spending no more than 15 minutes practicing the tasks assigned.  If homework is not completed, you will get a mis-conduct letter/e- mail sent home and I will record it for data purposes.  Homework will be limited to just Monday-Thursday.

Tardiness  School starts at 8:20 A.M.  Morning work is assigned each day. If you are late, you must come in and know what to do. If you do not complete it, you will take it to lunch and complete it there.  If you aren’t in the classroom by the time the bell rings, please check in at the security desk for a late pass before coming to class.(Bus students come directly to the classroom).

Let’s Have a Great Year!

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