1. Welcome to a Treasured Year in 3 rd Grade!

2. Mrs. Ewers’ Treasured Third Grade Class Pickett’s Mill Elementary Open House August 14, 2014 Created by: Ashley Magee, www.firstgradebrain.com Graphics © ThistleGirlDesignswww.firstgradebrain.com

3. Meet the Teacher Celebrating our 26th anniversary! Our son Michael James attends KSU and in his 6 th year of working at Walgreens. 24thyear of teaching -- 1 st grade (13.5 years), Curriculum Support Teacher (2.5 years), & 3 rd grade (8 years) *BSEd (University of North Texas 1990 and MEd (KSU—2003) *Loves teaching, football, baking, cooking, gardening and movies

4. Classroom Goals  To develop and inspire leadership in each of our students.  To provide a supportive, safe and fun classroom environment.  To build the self-confidence and interpersonal skills children need to become successful learners.

5. Classroom Mission Mrs. Ewers’ 3rd Graders treasure the Seven Habits by being L oyal learners who are E ngaged A nd D etermined E veryday R eaching our goals as we S ynergize! Engaged in Learning, Leading in Excellence

6. PIRATE BINDER The purpose of the PIRATE (Prepared, Informed, Ready, And Together Everyday) binder is to help students develop organizational skills and learn to be proactive by putting first things first. Helping your child stay organized is very important. It can be a struggle for many children. Establish a routine at home for going through their binder each night and doing homework. You'll be happy you did.  Sign agenda on a daily basis  Reading log should be filled out in agenda and we will calculate reading minutes at the end of each month.

7. 3 rd Grade Transition Year Moving from teacher directed to independent work Becoming more responsible for their learning Testing and emphasizing content areas like Science and Social Studies Critical year for End of Grade Assessment

8. Testing Tidbits ~STUDY GUIDES~ Will be used for major tests in Science and Social Studies Will be sent home at least a week in advance of a test You may keep them at home or in the binder to study

9. Common Core The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. You can also visit this link for more information, videos, and FAQ's.link

10. Math Guided Math ~ guided practice, math game, graphing, independent practice, challenge, Skills Tutor, computer, SMARTboard Hands-on learning Math Notebooks ~ POD/Problem Solving Math Busters (timed fact fluency tests given on Fridays)

11. Reading Moving from learning to read to reading to learn Focus more on oral reading and fluency 1 st nine weeks 90 WPM, 2 nd nine weeks 100 WPM, 3 rd nine weeks 110 WPM, 4 th nine weeks 120 WPM Digging deeper into text (DRA 2 Levels M, N, O, P) Differentiated reading groups UNRAAVEL Strategy Should be reading at least 15-20 minutes daily at home

12. Writing Writing becomes more vivid, detailed, and thoughtful! Ideas, Voice, Conventions, Organization Moving from teacher directed writing conferences to student directed….taking ownership. Power Writing, 6 + 1 Writing Traits Writing Genres –Opinion, Informative/Explanatory, Narrative

13. Science Rocks & Minerals, Fossils, Soil Magnets Heat Georgia Habitats & Organisms Conservation & Recycling Interactive Notebook Units will alternate Generally no homework other than studying for a unit test Study Guides will be posted on blog.

14. Social Studies Roots of Our Democracy, Our Economy, Geography, Maps & Globes Paul Revere Fredrick Douglas Susan B. Anthony Mary McLeod Bethune Franklin Roosevelt Thurgood Marshall Lyndon B. Johnson Cesar Chavez

15. Technology Every morning begins with PBS Morning Announcements Many of our lessons will be on the SMARTboard I-Respond, Skills Tutor, Pebble Go, CVL Typing Downstairs computer lab/laptop cart Students will create their own GA Habitat Slideshow

16. BYOD Sign and Return Guidelines Edmodo class code: Coming Soon Blurb on Website BYOD Resources

17. Specials Monday – Music Tuesday – PE Wednesday – Art Thursday – Tech/Computer Lab Friday – PE * On Music and P.E. days please make sure your child wears tennis shoes and dresses appropriately.

18. Attendance Policy Make-up work will be sent home with a “Homework” stamp on it Not all work can be made up Send in an excuse letter/doctor’s note After 5 absences I must contact you After 10 absences the school will contact you (regardless of absence notes)

19. Grading Standards Based Report Card Papers with a comment, check, star, TOG, etc are practice pages Papers with a 3+, 3, 2, 1 are graded for assessment purposes Grading Scale: 3+ Exceeds Standards 3 Meets Standards 2 Progressing Towards Meeting Standards 1 Limited Progress or Does Not Meet Standards Any grade of “1” is to be signed and returned

20. Assessments Conference Week will be during the week of October 20-24 (Early Dismissal at 12:10) Report cards will be sent home at the end of each nine week grading period. CogAt Test ~ October 7-9th Iowa Assessment ~ October 10-17th End of Grade Assessment (formerly CRCT) April 15-24

21. Cafeteria News Menus are available on the website. Prices Student-$2.15 Adult-$3.25 Lunches may be pre-paid. Make sure to put student ID on all checks. No fast food is permitted.

22. Homework Homework Policies Homework will be sent home on Fridays and is due back the following Friday. Parents should check and sign agendas nightly. Homework will be checked for completion. Reading Logs in agenda should be completed nightly. Reading—a minimum of 15-20 minutes a night.

23. RED PTA Folders Goes home every Tuesday Look over papers inside Pirate Performance/Parent Signature Keep papers at home unless I have asked for parent signature

24. Classroom Management Pirate Performance Treasured Behavior/Treats Earn Coins For Proactive behavior and good choices Ready to Learn Chart Seven Habits Fish Perfect Pirate Day

25. Leader in Me  A Leadership School  Leader In Me Symposium February 25-27th  Develop essential leadership habits  Integrate them into our school culture and curriculum

26. 7 Leadership Habits  Be Proactive  Begin With the End in Mind  Put First Things First  Think Win-Win  Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood  Synergize  Sharpen the Saw

27. HABITS These leadership habits will instill the character and life skills needed to be productive in the 21 st century.

28. Stay Connected! ~Treasured Tidbits posted weekly~ Class website: www. http://pickettsmill.typepad.com/cathy_ewers/ http://pickettsmill.typepad.com/cathy_ewers/ Email: cathy.ewers@cobbk12.orgcathy.ewers@cobbk12.org Pickett’s Mill Phone Number: 770-975- 7172

29. Snacks & Birthdays Please send your child with a healthy snack daily. You may also send in bottled water. (No junk food) Toast Tuesday is every Tuesday Feel free to donate extra snacks to our class for students who may forget their snacks. You are welcome to send in birthday treats for the class. Please make sure all treats are precut and ready to serve. These treats may be served at lunch.

30. Volunteers Our Room Moms Tina Adams, Christi Hutto, Shannon Smith, Sarah Huffman They will keep you up to date on class events. As events come up you will be emailed.

31. Thank You! THANK YOU for taking the time to attend Open House! I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities! Please write your child a quick note on the paper provided. They would love to see a message from you in the morning!