Open House 2017-2018 Grade 3 – Track 3 Hosted by: Mrs. Susan Geary Please sign up for “Volunteering” on our school website at the beginning or end of this session on the computers in the back of the classroom

Common Core Curriculum- Adds rigor to today’s learning! Reading (Expeditionary Learning) Writing – Narratives, Opinion Writing, Research Word Work (Root words, suffixes, prefixes, grammar and spelling) Math (Geometry, Numbers Base ten, operations and algebraic thinking, measurement and data) Science Units (Objects in the Sky, Human Body, Changes in Matter, Soil and Plants) Social Studies (NC History, Branches of Government/Economics and Financial Literacy)

Standard Based Grading Level 4 Extends targeted grade level standards “Since I can do/get this, I can figure out new things!” 3 Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards “I get it, I can do it well!” 2 Needs support to meet targeted grade level standards. “I almost get it but I need help.” 1 Insufficient performance of targeted grade level standards. “I don’t get it yet. I need help.” “P” This work is not being assessed. I am practicing a new skill.

Assessments are today’s means of understanding how to modify tomorrow’s instruction! BOG – Date July ? (tracks 1,2,3) (Beginning of grade) test used to measure growth from beginning to the end of the year. Mclass Reading 3D – A reading assessment tool that tracks students’ reading fluency and comprehension. Students are assessed in the beginning, middle and end of the school year. Home connection reports will be sent home to show your child’s progress. Case 21 – Quarterly benchmark assessments that track students’ academic progress and provide data that identifies their strengths/weaknesses . This data is then used to guide teachers’ instruction. (SSA students will take the 4th grade Case 21 test but will take the 3rd grade EOG) Cogat testing – Date has not been set yet. Students will be tested for AIG.

Explorers in 3rd grade Mr. Scott joins us each quarter to complete a whole group lesson. He will then pull small group for a few extra days to enrich student learning. Dates to begin explorers has not been set. Mr. Scott will also be sending out information regarding AIG testing later in the year.

Read To Achieve The Read to Achieve program is a part of the Excellent Public Schools Act which became law in July of 2012 and applies to all schools at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. The law can be accessed through this link, http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H950v7.pdf This program will start later in the year.

Attendance/Tardies Attendance is crucial to your child’s success as a third grader. Please be advised that students will receive “Absentee” letters after being absent as follows: 3 days, 6 days and 10 days. Parents should send in or email an “Excuse” letter. After 20 consecutive absences, an official doctor’s note will be required. In order for students to be marked as “Present,” students must be in school/class for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Students who leave before that length of time will be marked as “Absent.” School opens at 7:15 and ends at 2:15. Class begins at 7:45. Please make sure that your child arrives to class on time so that he/she does not miss out on morning work which usually reinforces what is being taught in class. Students who arrive after 7:45 will be marked as tardy and will be expected to complete their morning work during “down time.”

How Can I Help My Child? Reinforce focus and behavior expectations at home. There is a lot of curriculum to cover in 3rd grade and off task behavior impedes your child learning. Read with your child daily and ask him/her questions about their reading using Mclass question stems Engage in Home Connect activities with your child as suggested Help your child generate questions about what’s being read (I wonder….. Etc.) Make sure that your child is completing his/her homework. Homework is practice and reinforces what has been taught in class. Homework is not graded but, marked with a “P” for practice. Help your child study his/her multiplication tables 0-12. Doing so, will make it easier for your child to learn multiplication, division and fractions Help your child complete projects and turn them in on time!

Code of Cooperation S how self-control O perate safely A ct responsibly R espect myself and others PBIS-Positive Behavior Intervention System Silent Zones (Anywhere in building when you leave a room)

Class Management System Falcon Tickets Contracts when needed Treasure Box Home & office referrals will be given to those students who do not follow class & school rules. Please remember that rules are in place to keep students safe and ensure that learning is always taking place!

Tentative Field Trips Morehead Planetarium (Earth, Moon, Sun & Stars- Science) Science is Fun (Plants/Soils- Science) Play Outing (Language Arts)

Transportation There is no walk zone for NFP due to the 5 lane road and the bridge that is to the left of the school. Any student who has walk zone indicated on the AP Bus list, may receive bus transportation. The parent will need to request it and will be assigned a courtesy stop. Some parents walk to school to pick up their children and walk them home. Parents must sign their children out in the main office. Please confirm how your child is to go home every day! If your child is leaving early (for an app’t) or going home with a buddy, a note should be sent notifying me of such a change. If no note is received, your child will be dismissed as usual and will be expected to follow the normal dismissal routine. CALL THE OFFICE - DO NOT SEND AN EMAIL. I do not always get an opportunity to check email by the end of the day and I will miss that important information, so please send a note in the folder.

COMMUNICATION Falcon Folder Newsletters Principal’s Newsletters PTA Flyers Class Website Report Cards & Interims Mclass Reading 3D Home Connect Reports Conferences Room mom communication NFP School Website (Sign up for going green on NFP site) Email: sgeary@wcpss.net Phone: 919-570-2220

Classroom Volunteers Please return your volunteer sheet if you would like to volunteer in our class or from outside the classroom. Please do not forget to register to volunteer in the media center. Disclaimer: A volunteer’s role is to be supportive and assist the students & teacher. Volunteers should not serve as a distraction. If your child or other students are distracted by your presence, it will have an impact on their instruction and learning. If this happens, I will kindly ask that you volunteer “outside” of the classroom by making copies or assisting in other ways (i.e., Special Projects, Events, Math Keys, etc.) I begin accepting volunteers in mid-August. This gives me some time to get to know my students and help them adjust to my expectations, class rules, routines and procedures.

School meal prices have increased Breakfast: $1.25 Lunch: $2.25 Please join PTA We look forward to a fantastic year! Thanks for coming to Open House