1. Northeast School Back to School Night 2012-2013 Mr. Dalicandro Grade 3 Teacher Room 224

2. Specialist Schedule DayTimeClass Monday9:50-10:45DRAMA Tuesday 12:50-1:45 PHYSICAL EDUCATION Wednesday 1:50-2:45 MUSIC Thursday 9:50–10:45 & 2:30–2:45 SCIENCE & LIBRARY CHECKOUT Friday8:50–9:45ART

3. Agenda Book/Checklist 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. Responsibility Checklist & agenda books come back to school daily (Checklist signed each Friday and returned following Monday).

4. Homework Monday-Thursday (up to 45 min/per night). Expected to read nightly for 20-30 minutes. If students are absent, make-up work may be assigned over the weekend. *Please let me know if student needed a lot of help by writing a note on the assignment or the Responsibility Checklist*.

5. 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 18, 2012 December 18, 2012 February 12, 2013 April 9, 2013

6. 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: ◦December 10, 2012 ◦March 25, 2013 ◦June 14, 2013 (or last day of school if snow days)

7. 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. *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.

8. MCAS Reading & Math Test In the spring third graders in Massachusetts take the MCAS Reading & Math Test. Grade 3 Reading Comprehension MCAS are March – April, 2013 Math MCAS is scheduled for May, 2013. We will be preparing for these assessments throughout the year.

9. Our Classroom Website This year I have put together a classroom website which is full of resources and information that you may find helpful. I will update it periodically so please check it from time to time. The website address is below: http://mrdalicandrosclass.weebly.com/ Thank you for visiting the site to complete the “Guardian Contact Information” form.

10. 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.

11. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

12. Math in Focus Math in Focus is a new math program that has been adopted 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.

13. 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. 1.Read to Self 2.Read to Someone 3.Listen to Reading 4.Work on Writing 5.Word Work

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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. Students learn the writing process: Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit and Publish MCAS Close Reading/Writing practice

17. Handwriting and Spelling Concentrate on letter formation, connecting strokes and spacing. Most spelling lessons are based on a phonetic pattern or spelling rules. Weekly spelling lists will be given on Monday and a test will be given most Fridays.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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: Thirty minutes per week throughout the school year

21. 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 email at: AdamDalicandro@k12.waltham.ma.us