Ms. Newman’s Third Grade Class!

 I will introduce you to third grade and to our classroom.  If you have any questions during my presentation, please don’t hesitate to ask.

 I grew up in Windermere.  I got my Bachelors degree from the University of Florida in Environmental Science.  I got my Masters of Elementary Education from UF also.  This is my second year teaching third grade at Lost Lake.  I love third grade!!

 To give your child the academic and social skills they be successful this year, and in the future  To provide a supportive, cooperative, and fun classroom environment  To help your child develop a love of reading and writing  To strengthen your child’s understanding of math concepts while keeping it fun and enjoyable

 The subjects we study during third grade are: › Reading › Language Arts & Writing › Math › Science › Social studies › Cursive › Character education  Steps to Respect

 Accelerated Math  Accelerated Reader  Steps to Respect  Science Fair  STEM Bowl

 Compare/contrast  Author’s Purpose  Plot Development  Context Clues  Figurative Language  Cause & Effect  Main Idea & Details  Narrative Elements  Text Features

 Tests-35% › FCAT style Wonders assessment by benchmark  Cold Reads-45% › Short portfolio pieces  FCAT Mini Achieves-10% › 5 question quizzes by benchmark  Classwork-10% › Center work › AR test on weekly story

 Narrative Essays  Expository Essays  Descriptive writing  6 Write Traits  Cursive Handwriting

 Writing-30%  Classwork-35% › Grammar skills  Spelling-35% › Weekly test

 Number Sense  Multiplication  Division  Geometry  Fractions  Data analysis  Algebraic Thinking  Time

 Tests-55%  Quizzes-35% › Mid Chapter Checkpoint  Mini Achieves-10%

 The Practice of Science  Living things  Florida Wildlife  Space-The Universe  Matter, Heat, Energy  Weird Science Wednesdays!

 Test-50% › Open book  Quizzes-30% › Lesson Checks, about 3 per chapter  Classwork › Labs and other projects

 Geographic Information (maps, globes)  Contributions of Citizens who defended American Principles  Exploration of the Americas  The foundations of Government  Basic Principles of American Citizens  Government  Economics- Goods/ services

 Third grade is a big year for your child to develop their independence!  I ask students to be responsible for… › Having the correct materials in class and at home › Knowing what their nightly homework is › Keeping their desks and backpacks organized › Turning in assignments on time › Asking for something that they need

 Pink Lion Loot-Cafeteria › Given only by lunchroom assistant › Earn loot as a class › Must follow posted lunchroom behavior › Reward once a month for top class from each grade level and top class overall  Blue Lion Loot-Specials › Given only by a special area teacher › Earn loot as a class › Follow the rules for special areas › Reward once a semester › Establish own guidelines for Lion Loot day

 Fuzzies- Good for You chart  “Clean” Behavior Sheets › Lunch and a movie  A-Math Objectives  Accelerated Reader points  Shining Star  Fun Friday!

 Shine Folder › Record classroom infractions and dates › This includes missing or incomplete homework! › Two marks for the week means that the student will miss 5 minutes of fun Friday. › Three or more marks means that the student will miss all of fun Friday. › If behavior continues to be an issue week after week, I may send this behavior folder home to be signed.  Fun Friday is either extended recess, or a game/craft session inside.

 This is where I will send all important papers and information home to you.  It contains... › Reading log › Literature Response questions › Vocabulary words › Spelling words › All usernames and passwords for at home websites  It is the students’ responsibility to bring this folder to and from school daily!

 Students will have 20 minutes of reading and a reading log entry to do nightly.  They will also have math practice pages that correspond to our lessons.  On nights before tests students will bring home materials to study from.  It is the students’ responsibility to study spelling as often as they need for the weekly test.  **Please note: Having the agenda and reading log signed each night is also part of your child’s homework.

 14 tested reading benchmarks  17 tested math benchmarks  Window: April  Practice throughout the school year › FCAT explorer › Cold Reads › Mini Achieves  Tutoring  Level 1 Law  Good Cause promotion  Come to our FCAT night in late fall!

 Read, read, READ!! › Build stamina › Read outloud › Ask questions and discuss what your child read  Complete and understand the daily math homework › Underline key words and numbers › Show work  FCAT Explorer

› Parent Volunteers (9:00 – 2:30) ‏  New online form! › Field trips › Tuesday School

› Lunch  12:09-12:39   Hand stamp  Pink Lion Loot! › Enrichment  10:20-11:05  8 day rotation

 Please send in a water bottle with your child daily. We do visit the water fountain after recess, but having one in the classroom will limit wasted time going to the water fountain.

I welcome and encourage parent communication! You may contact me through— › Agenda › Parent Conference › 