Welcome to Ms. Scheck’s3rd Grade Class!

A LITTLE ABOUT MS. SCHECK

4th Year at Longfellow: 3 years 4th grade, and first year in year in 3rd grade

Grew up in Elk Grove Village Attended Illinois State University for

undergrad Currently in grad school at Concordia

University (Educational Technology)

MATH Multiplication & Division Number Sense & Place Value Fractions Measurement & Data Geometry Focus on math talks, real-world word

problems, and using a variety of strategies. The My Math curriculum and other resources

will be used to address the Common Core State Standards.

“Rainbow Math” on Fridays – differentiated math groups determined by MAP scores, classroom assessments, and teacher observations.

READING Reading various genres of literature (short stories,

novel studies, poetry) Strong focus on informational text Discussions, activities, and projects will be used to

address the Common Core Standards Passport to Reading - school-wide initiative, meets the

needs of all students, initial screening process underway, groups are fluid and change often

Independent reading - 20 minutes each night - always have a chapter book at school

Fluency practice - read aloud frequently – end of year benchmark for grade 3 is 110 words per minute

LANGUAGE ARTS

Grammar Practice (nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, etc.)

Vocabulary and Spelling – building vocab from root words. The weekly spelling and vocabulary words will be the same The weekly word lists will be reduced in order for

students to gain a greater understanding of each word’s meaning and spelling

Daily Language Review (editing, fact vs. opinion, analogies, using context clues, spelling, etc.)

WRITING

Narrative Persuasive Expository/Research Multiple modeled writing opportunities Mini-lessons on the 6+1 Writing Traits (ideas,

organization, word choice, voice, conventions, sentence fluency, presentation)

Incorporating technology (Google docs, Book Creator, iMovie, etc)

Multiple opportunities each week for quick writes and practice with editing and revising

SOCIAL STUDIES & SCIENCE

6 week rotations between subjects

Social Studies units: Citizenship, Government, Cultures, Economics, Geography, History

Science units: weather and climate, forces & interactions, life cycles & traits, and engineering design

ASSESSMENTS Formative and Summative unit assessments align with

the Common Core Standards Standards-Based Report Card Grading: EP: You have

gone above and beyond the expectations on a consistent basis, PR: You’ve got it!, AP: You’re on the right track!, NP: Keep working on this skill

In lieu of ISAT testing, students will be taking the PARCC (third graders are tested in reading and math) – March and May

MAP testing (reading and math) completed on computers two times this year (September and January)

DIBELS reading fluency testing completed three times per year

HOMEWORK

Assigned as needed for extra practice and reinforcement of skills, especially in math, reading, and vocabulary/spelling

Some homework will be electronic once we start using the iPads

Students should read for 20 minutes outside of school daily

Assignment notebooks should be updated by students and signed by parents daily (X is a missing assignment)

Sunrise (7:30) and Lunch Study Hall are available

TECHNOLOGY

1:1 iPad initiative Used when it enhances the lesson, saves

time, motivates students, and personalizes learning

Focused on the 4 C’s: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking

One universal log-in and password for all sites/programs –kept in assignment notebooks

For more information, please visit the iLearn97 website linked to my webpage or contact the district technology director, Michael Arensdorff, at marensdorff@op97.org

OAK PARK EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Non-profit organization separate from District 97

Provides a variety of excellent programs for our schools

Third graders participate in “Geared Up Legos,” which brings engineering, physical science, math, and technology challenges to our students.

Science Alliance – Scientist Sally To learn more visit: www.opef.org

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Individual Behavior Chart: 4 levels- Rainbow, Green, Yellow, and Red. Students move colors based on choices. Stay on green for being respectful, responsible, and safe. Move to Yellow or Red when repeatedly making poor choices

Compliments and Kindness: Catch a classmate and write a Post-It. Whoever has the most moves to rainbow. I can also move students for behaving above and beyond

Pebble Jar: When the class as a whole receives compliments from adults. A filled jar is rewarded with a class celebration

Bear Necessities: Individual reward which can be used towards the school raffle and/or class passes

SPECIALS SCHEDULE

Mondays– Art Tuesdays & Thursdays –Music/Spanish Wednesdays – Library (don’t forget book

returns) Fridays– P.E. (don’t forget gym shoes)

SNACKS AND CELEBRATIONS Due to some severe allergies, third grade

classroom snacks can be fresh fruits and vegetables

In lieu of birthday treats or food at parties, you can consider sending in small party favors (mechanical pencils, stickers, erasers, etc) – enough for 24 students or a book to read aloud

Send in a full, cold water bottle daily (water only, please)

COMMUNICATION

Email is the BEST way to contact me: lscheck@op97.org

Visit my website regularly for curriculum updates, important dates, homework, etc. http://www.op97.org/lscheck/

Notes, forms, permission slips, lunch money, etc can be sent via the red take-home folder

Trimester report cards will go home in December, March, and June

Formal parent/teacher conferences will be scheduled during the weeks of October 20th and February 9th and as needed by appointment

Any AdditionQuestions?

If you would like to write your child a note you can use the notecard at your desk

Have a great rest of your night!