1. August 27, 2014

2.  Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Mercyhurst University  Montessori Certification from Carlow University  Master’s Degree in Elem. Ed. & Teaching Certificate from Seton Hill University  11 Years with GLSD  9 Years teaching 3 rd Grade  18 years of teaching experience  Montessori (3 -5 yr. olds) 3 rd, 5 th, & 6 th grades.

3. Contact Information: Beth Germano 1010 Mt. View Drive Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone# 724-834-4379 beth.germano@glsd.us www.glsd.us

4.  Try your BEST.  Listen carefully and follow directions.  Be respectful to self and others.  Keep hands, feet, and unkind comments to yourself.  Learn something new each day.  Take responsibility for self and actions.  Smile and be helpful.

5.  Students are rewarded for whole class positive behaviors and showing common courtesies.  Following classroom procedures and directions.  Using good manners.  Working well together.  Getting compliments from other teachers.  Extra-helpful or kind behaviors.  A tally of these positive behaviors are kept next to our Bingo Board and numbers are drawn daily.  (Same idea as a marble jar, but a little more exciting.)

6.  3G students will also be held accountable for their own classroom behaviors.  All students start each day on the “Ready to Learn” & have the opportunity to move up or down throughout the day depending upon their individual behaviors.  Anyone who gets to the Awesome level will earn a sticker & a chance slip to be drawn for a prize at the end of each month.  We will also have a Star Wall where those students who get up to Awesome 5 times will be moved to the Star Wall.

7.  Homework is written daily in the homework journal which is located in your child’s red take home folder.  Most third grade students spend about 30 minutes on average to complete homework assignments.  Third graders are also encouraged to read daily, both independently and out loud for fluency practice. (Suggestion: 20 minutes/day)

8. www.thinkcentral.com Username: 24 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (first 4 letters of last name) (first 4 letters of first name) Password: g L ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (6 digit lunch number)

9.  Students will receive new spelling words each Monday and will be tested each Friday, unless otherwise notified.  Robust Vocabulary will be defined, used in sentences, and discussions each week.  Reading Focus Wall ( check it out )  Comprehension, vocabulary, and skills for each lesson will be assessed on Fridays, unless notified otherwise.

10.  Third grade will be using GoMath! and other resources to teach real world problem solving skills.  Addition and Subtraction within 1,000.  Represent and Interpret Data  Understand Multiplication Concepts, Facts, and Strategies ▪ Third graders are required to memorize Multiplication facts 0-12)  Understand Division Concepts, Facts, and Strategies.  Understand and Compare Fractions  Measurement – time, length, liquid volume, & mass  Geometry – 2-dimensional shapes &perimeter and area

11. XtraMath is an online program which helps kids to master basic math facts. Students will work on XtraMath during Core Extension time. Student Log In Information will be sent home.

12.  Investigation Questions  Engineering Process  Plants and Animals  Ecosystems & Interactions  Changes to the Earth’s Surface  Earth and its Moon  Physical Properties and Matter

13.  What is a Community?  Where People Start Communities  Communities Grow and Change  Living Together in a Community, State and Nation  Geography Map Skills  Reading maps, landform & product maps  Chart and Graph Skills  Timelines, tables, graphs, flow charts  Current Events – Scholastic News

14. We need your help!  Volunteer Opportunities  a note was sent home yesterday regarding volunteers for parties and PTO activities.  Fun Websites for Parents and Children:  Please see teacher websites for lots of kid friendly, educational sites on the Internet

15.  We currently have 19 students in 3G.  If you plan on sending a birthday snack, please make sure it is pre-cut (i.e. cookie cake) if needed or are individually wrapped treats.  It also helps to send in any other items needed for the treat (i.e. napkins, plates, plastic utensils, etc.)  As a reminder, the school nurse has asked to not send in treats that contain any type of nuts, due to allergies.  We do have nut allergies in our room this year.

16.  Conferences—will take place in November 10 th —sign-up tonight! Take a post-it note to remember the time you selected.  Morning Tutoring—by invitation on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting September 23 rd  Wellness Walk will be held October 3 rd —all MVES donations come back to our school

18.  Can you find:  Your child’s desk  Job Helper chart  “Bing” Map  Daily Objectives  ABC’s of Me  Bingo Board  Clip Chart  Visit the Encore teachers, Guidance, and support staff.  Visit the PTO & the Spirit Wear Sale