Grade 3Adrienne Macdonald*Christina MadonnaTara ObuchowskiBill Stoner

*Please welcome Miss Lis who will be in for Mrs. Macdonald

Our Typical Daily Schedule Morning Work Skills Group Morning Meeting/Calendar Meeting Unified Arts Math Handwriting Without Tears/Word Study Recess Lunch Reader’s Workshop Writer’s Workshop Jobs/Pack-Up/Dismissal

Third Grade PhilosophyIn third grade, students are expected to develop

a sense of priority, organization, community, and empathy. The third grade curriculum is designed to strengthen communication, problem solving, critical thinking, research, and exploration.

It is important to remember that we are all working together to achieve a common goal: independent, educated, well-rounded, organized, and happy individuals!

ExpectationsThird grade is a big step up from second grade

academically. With the state’s adaptation of the Common Core State

Standards (CCSS) the academic expectations this year are exceedingly demanding. The rigor and the curricular requirements are unlike anything we’ve seen before.

It is essential that your child be attentive, listen to instructions, not get caught up in social talking during instruction time, and demonstrate appropriate school manners as outlined in the school handbook.

Positive Behavior Intervention & Support

(PBIS)Rules developed by the classFair, consistent enforcement of rules using logical

consequences Reminder, Take a Break, Loss of Privilege, You Break It,

You Fix It“Who’s Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and a Friend”

owl certificates recognize positive behavior Incident Reports will be sent home for misbehaviorFocus on team building, making time for motor breaks,

stretches, singing and bit of laughter

Examples from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium

(SBAC)

ReadingDistrict Philosophy

We have a revised language arts curriculum aligned to the CCSS. Many new materials have been purchased to support instruction and get students excited about reading.

The reading curriculum is taught using the workshop model. The workshop model consists of a whole class mini lesson where the teacher models good reading strategies, independent reading time for students (with individualized conferring and small group instruction), and a whole-group class share for students to discuss what they learned.

Reader’s Workshop & Units of Study

A Closer Look Units of Study include:

Launching/Building a Reading Life, Nonfiction, Biographies, and Fantasy: Folktales

Workshop elements include: focus mini-lesson, independent reading and application of strategies, small group, partner work, teacher conference, and whole class discussion

Students are required to select an independent reading book, and keep all materials (i.e. reading logs, post-it notes, assignments) in their “book baggies”

The Readers’ Workshop approach is research-based and incorporates the Common Core State Standards for reading

Check out the complete range of expectations of the Common Core at this link: www.corestandards.org

ResearchChildren need to read an hour and a half every day to

maintain a reading level. Imagine the amount of reading needed to move forward! Our children should be reading one book every few days, not one book every week. Additionally, there is a direct correlation between the amount of reading a child does every day and their test scores, (Allington, Richard).

"What we know is that children who do not read in the summer lose two to three months of reading development while kids who do read tend to gain a month of reading proficiency. This creates a three to four month gap every year. Every two or three years the kids who don't read in the summer fall a year behind the kids who do,” (Allington, Richard).

Nightly reading homework is extremely important. Encourage your child to read over the weekend and on vacations. As the research shows, reading at a “just right” level for an extended period of time will make a difference in your child’s school success.

Student “A” reads 20 minutes each day 3600 minutes in a school year 1,800,000 words

Student “B” reads 5 minutes each day 900 minutes in a school year 282,000 words

Student “C” reads 1 minute each day 180 minutes in a school year 8,000 words

Math District Philosophy

Curriculum/Scope and Sequence: Grades K-5 all have curriculum units and a Scope and Sequence that is aligned to the Common Core Math Standards.

Math in Focus: Math in Focus is aligned to the Common Core Standards along with the mathematical practices. Math in Focus also has a calendar component that is done everyday for 15-20 mins. During this time the students discuss a variety of math concepts that help them have a better understanding of these concepts through classroom discussions.

Math In FocusA Closer Look

Draws on best practices and highlights problem solving as the focus of mathematical learning.

Resulted in exceptional math achievement.Supports the big ideas in the Common Core

through a focus on classroom learning, discussion, practice, and problem solving.

Offers an effective, research-based pedagogy and balances conceptual understanding, visual learning, and problem solving to help all students achieve greater success.

WritingDistrict Philosophy

We have writing units of study from Columbia University to focus on the three types of writing outlined in the Common Core State Standards: narrative, informative, opinion/argument.

Writing is also taught following the workshop model (whole group mini lesson, independent writing with conferring and small group instruction, whole group share).

Writer’s WorkshopA Closer Look

Informative Writing – aligned with our Nonfiction Reading Unit: The Art of Information Writing, students write in a manner that will

synthesize a wide variety of information and learn to section their topics into subtopics. They are supported in this challenging work because they are writing about topics on which they have firsthand, personal knowledge: dogs, soccer, gymnastics.

Opinion Writing – aligned with our Biography Reading Unit: Changing the World: Persuasive Speeches, Petitions, and Editorials

rallies third-graders to use their newfound abilities to gather and organize information to persuade people about causes the children believe matter: stopping bullying, recycling, saving dogs at the SPCA.

Narrative Writing – aligned with our Fantasy Reading Unit: Crafting True Stories, extends students’ work with personal narrative

while engaging them more fully in the complete writing process, with increasing emphasis on drafting and revising their work.

Word StudyDistrict Philosophy

Word Study is the analysis and discovery of common spelling attributes, patterns, and features. Students learn such features by completing activities, for instance, word sorting, word hunts, games and drawing and labeling. Students work individually, with partners, and in small groups to encourage cooperative learning and individual responsibility.

Please note, there will be weeks with no spelling words (Thanksgiving week, SBAC weeks, etc.)

Homework Homework will be typically given on a Monday and due on Friday.

I. 

Reading – Each night your child is expected read their Reader’s Workshop book at home for at least 30 minutes of high quality reading time with a “Just Right” book. Daily Reading Logs responses should be completed carefully

with high quality and turned in on Fridays. Push your child to “Go deep and be specific.”

Raz-Kids – Your child is strongly encouraged to log onto Raz-Kids’ website once a week and read for at least 30 minutes. Raz-Kids gives your child access to hundreds of eBooks.

Math – Between 2 and 4 pages of math practice pages will be sent home per week that align with our current topic of study. Math Facts - At least 10 minutes of daily math fact practice is

expected, preferably using the online website, Xtramath.org.

Other - Any unfinished in-school assignments will also be sent home and should be completed in a timely manner.

Weekly Reading Log

Name ____________________________Homework assignment: Write a paragraph about what you read each night. You should read for at least 30 minutes. Explain something that happened in the story or something you learned. Use complete sentences with your neatest handwriting and best spelling. Need an idea about what to write about? Use your Reader’s Response Bookmark for ideas.Monday Date: ________ Page started reading __________ Page ended __________ # of minutes read _______ Book Title: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday Date: ________ Page started reading __________ Page ended __________ # of minutes read _______ Book Title: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What Parents Will See at Home and How They Can

HelpSince students are involved in authentic reading

and writing throughout the day, you should expect to see fewer worksheets coming home. Instead, students will be asked to read, write, and/or practice word sorts.

Please view the Literacy Pamphlet you received tonight for more information on the Common Core, activities you may see in your child’s classroom, and suggestions for working with your child at home.

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How to Contact Us Email:

Adrienne Macdonald macdonald.adrienne@north-haven.k12.ct.us

Christina Madonna madonna.christina@north-haven.k12.ct.us

Tara Obuchowski obuchowski.tara@north-haven.k12.ct.us

Bill Stoner stoner.william@north-haven.k12.ct.us

School Telephone: 203-239-5865 and leave a message Mrs. Dauenhauer

Send a note with your child.

Thank You for Attending our Open House!

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by

creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.”

~ Clay P. Bedford