1. Northeast School Back to School Night 2014-2015
Mr. Dalicandro
Grade 3 Teacher
Room 224

2. A little about me… A product of Waltham Public Schools
Bachelors in Marketing - Bentley University.
in business for 3 years before pursuing education
Masters in Elementary Education - American International College.
2 Northeast as a paraprofessional in Grade 2 with Mrs. Burt.
This is my 4th year teaching 3rd Northeast, but my 6th year in the building.
Students know my favorite word is persevere!

3. Teaching Philosophy
I strive to create a safe classroom community where students are held to high expectations and provided with a structure that allows them to take academic risks and push themselves as learners.
I believe in modeling and scaffolding my instruction in order to allow students to develop their independence and ownership of their education.
Two of my goals for this school year are to create a community of VORACIOUS readers and true math problem solvers.

4. Code of Conduct
I will be respectful of students, teachers, and property.
I will be kind and help others.
I will try my best and PERSEVERE when solving challenging problems!
I will ask questions if I need help or don’t understand something.
I will always tell the truth (even when it’s hard).

5. Specialist Schedule Day Specialist Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Phys. Ed (Ms. 11:50-12:45
Wear Sneakers
Tuesday
Music (Mrs. 11:50-12:45
Wednesday
Drama (Mrs. 1:50-2:45
Thursday
Art (Mr. 10:50–11:45
Friday
 Library Checkout (Mrs. Klatt) - 12:00–12:15
&
Science (Mrs. Harney) - 1:50–2:45

6. Agenda Book & Reading Logs
Students are responsible for writing down all homework assignments.
The agenda book is a helpful way to teach good organizational skills.
Please check your student’s agenda book for assignments.
Reading logs & agenda books come back to school daily (Contracts signed each Friday and returned following Monday).

7. Homework
20-30 minutes daily with a “good fit” book from our genre focus for the month.
Students are responsible for completing one book at his/her reading level each week.
Book discussions will be held on Mondays (or Tuesday if school is closed Monday) to allow students additional time to complete books over the weekend if necessary.
Once per month students will complete a writing assignment related to one of the books they read for homework.

8. Homework Monday-Thursday (up to 45 min/night)
usually Math in Focus or fact practice
If students are absent, make-up work may be assigned over the weekend.
Homework assignments should be completed independently by the student.
Math homework is from previous lessons where students have practiced independently.
Please let me know if your child needed help by writing a note on the assignment or separately.
This allows me to provide additional instruction in areas of difficulty.

9. Conferences
A yearly parent conference will be scheduled to discuss each child in depth.
Assessments will be shared with parents.
Conference dates on Early Release Days:
October 21, 2014
November 18, 2014
December 9, 2014
April 7, 2015

10. Report Cards
Three yearly progress reports are issued. Developmental indicators are used on the progress reports:
E=Exceeds the Standard
M=Meets the Standard
P=Progressing Toward the Standard
N=Not Yet Progressing Toward the Standard
Report cards dates:
Monday, December 15, 2014
Monday, March 30, 2015
Last Day of School

11. No guardians will attend more than 1 field trip.
Field Trips
Plimoth Plantation – (fall date to be announced).
Paine Estate - (spring date to be announced).
If you are interested in chaperoning you must have an updated Criminal Records Check (CORI). That can be done in the main office. A new state law also requires chaperones to be fingerprinted.
*The number of chaperones is often determined by the venue we are visiting. Those to respond to requests for chaperones first will be selected (if several reply at the same time, a lottery will be done).
No guardians will attend more than 1 field trip.

12. MCAS Reading & Math Test
In the spring third graders in Massachusetts take the MCAS in Reading & Math.
Grade 3 Reading Comprehension MCAS are scheduled for March 2015.
Grade 3 Math MCAS is scheduled for May
Please avoid planning trips on these dates
We will be preparing for these assessments every day by helping students improve their reading, writing, and problem solving skills.

13. The website address is below:
Our Classroom Website
Please visit my website which is full of resources and information that you may find helpful. Access to student usernames, recommended websites, important dates, and other information can be found on my website.
The website address is below:
Thank you for visiting the site to complete the “Guardian Contact Information” form. If you haven’t yet, please do so by using one of the computers in the back of the classroom before leaving tonight.

14. Media Center /Computer Lab
The students will visit the media center and select two books to take out for the week.
During the year we will work on research projects in collaboration with both the media & instructional technology teachers.

15. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

16. Math in Focus Math in Focus is a new math program that
was adopted last year by the City of Waltham
for students in grades 1-5.
Based on the “Singapore Math” approach
Highlights fewer topics, but in greater
depth in order to move students toward
mastery
Focused instruction uses the C-P-A, (concrete-pictorial-abstract) approach, and provides time for students to learn, consolidate, and apply concepts.

17. English Language Arts:
The Daily Five is a literacy structure that
teaches independence and gives children
the skills needed to create a lifetime love of
reading and writing. It consists of five tasks
that are introduced individually.
Read to Self
Read to Someone
Listen to Reading
Work on Writing
Word Work

18. The Literacy CAFÉ Menu This is a menu of strategies successful
readers use when reading.
CAFÉ is and acronym that stands for:
Comprehension
Understanding what is read
Accuracy
Correctly reading the words on the page
Fluency
Reading accurately, with a good pace, and expression
Expanding Vocabulary
Knowing, finding, and using interesting words

19. Guided Reading/Strategy Groups
Students will participate in guided reading or strategy groups each week.
Groups assigned different books based on instructional reading levels or strategies they are practicing.
Students will make connections, increase their vocabulary, participate in discussions, learn reading strategies, and extend understanding through writing activities.

20. Writers’ Workshop Writing in various forms relating to all subjects.
Writers’ Workshop – students learn to become writers by learning strategies for generating personal narratives, expository, and persuasive writing.
5 days per week using the Lucy Calkins Units of Study
Students learn the writing process:
Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit and Publish
MCAS Close Reading/Writing practice

21. Science Units of Study Characteristics of Living/Non-Living Things
Parts of a plants, photosynthesis, animal classifications, tadpole observations, habitat & ecosystem, biome project, adaptations, food chains, life cycles (frogs)
Forces of Motion
Simple Machines, Invention Convention
Universe/Galaxies
Solar System, Phases of the moon, Planet research
Health
Food pyramid, nutrition, and healthy/eco-friendly food choices

22. History and Social Studies
Geography
Continents & Oceans, New England States, Massachusetts Cities & Waterways
Early settlements
Wampanoag, Pilgrims, and Puritans
Causes of the American Revolution
Founding Documents
Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, The Bill of Rights
Massachusetts Biographies
History of Waltham

23. Open Circle
Open Circle Curriculum, a comprehensive social and emotional learning program that supports elementary school children in developing skills needed to be a good learner and to form healthy, positive relationships with people throughout their lives.
Frequency: up to 20 minutes per week throughout the school year

24. Thank you in advance for your support throughout the school year
Thank you in advance for your support throughout the school year. I look forward to working with you to make third grade as enjoyable and educational as possible for your students.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via at: