Becca BurnsideTeresa Parkinson

Ruth PowersKristin SheltonMichelle Vogl

The school opens for students to enter at 7:20 a.m.

School dismisses at 2:45 p.m. (12:45 p.m. on early release days).

Please try to schedule appointments outside of school hours so that instructional time is not missed.

In order to help all students get home in a safe and timely manner, please follow these traffic procedures:

Make sure your child knows how he/she will go home each day.

If you pick your child up, please remain inside your car, and in the car rider line.

Do not pull around other cars unless instructed to do so by a teacher.

7:45-8:05 Morning Work8:10-9:00 Specials (Music, Art, PE)9:00-10:30 Math10:30-11:00 Science/Social Studies11:00-11:20 Recess11:30-12:20 Lunch12:30-1:30 Language Arts1:30-2:00 Intervention/Enrichment2:00-2:30 Science/Social Studies2:30-2:42 Closing/Dismissal

7:45-8:00 Morning Work8:00-9:00 SWEET Friday9:05-9:45 Specials (Music, Art, PE)9:45-11:00 Math11:00-11:20 Recess11:30-12:20 Lunch12:30-1:30 Language Arts1:30-2:00 Intervention/Enrichment 2:00-2:30 Science/Social Studies2:30-2:42 Closing/Dismissal

Tardy Bell: 7:45 a.m.

Conference Time: 8:20-9:00 a.m.

Fridays: 9:15-9:45 a.m.

Library Check Out: Tuesday Computer Lab: Friday (A week)

TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills)http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148

ARRC (Aligned Round Rock Curriculum) This is the outline from the district that tells us what we are to teach each 9 weeks. This insures continuity across the district in the skills being taught.

STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness)

The STAAR test is given beginning in 3rd grade. Third grade students will take the STAAR test in both reading and math in April. On the STAAR test, students will be asked to answer a number of questions that involve higher-level thinking. Many of the questions will cover more than one of the TEKS. The STAAR test has a four-hour time limit.

Teacher Read Aloud - teacher models fluency, thought process, reading skills

Shared Reading – all eyes on same text Word Study – phonics, spelling

patterns, vocabulary, prefixes & suffixes, contractions, compound words, etc.

Guided Reading – small group instruction for students who have similar reading needs

Independent Reading – students read individually and silently with self-selected text

*Teacher Write-To - teacher models thought process and writing skills

*Shared Writing – all eyes on same text

*Word Study – phonics, spelling patterns, vocabulary, prefixes & suffixes, contractions, compound words, etc.

*Guided Writing – small group instruction based on writing needs

*Independent Writing – students work individually on self-selected topics

The Writing Process - Students prewrite, draft, revise, edit and publish a writing piece

6 + 1 Traits of Writing- Ideas: develop the theme- Organization: help the reader make connections-Word Choice: use descriptive language- Sentence Fluency: making the writing flow- Voice: acquaint the reader with the author’s tone- Conventions: proofread and correct mechanics

Six overall objectives

o Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning

o Patterns, relationship, and algebraic thinkingo Geometry and spatial reasoningo Measuremento Probability and statisticso Underlying processes and mathematical

tools

o Financial literacy—2014 TEKS

Instruction: whole group small group guided math groups enrichment individual practice

Math journals: use higher-level thinking skills to solve real-world

problems model strategies explain their reasoning in multiple ways

Several problem solving strategies are: *guess & check *draw a picture*make organized list *look for a pattern*make table or chart *use logical reasoning*work backwards

Thursday—homework is due and new homework comes home.

There are 2 parts to the homework: Weekly Reading Log Math Problem Solving

Other homework will be added soon

• Students who do not return their completed homework on Thursday will stay in at study hall to complete the assignments.

1.) Multiply minutes per night times 5 nights each week.Student A reads 20 X 5 = 100 minutes/weekStudent B reads 4 X 5 = 20 minutes/week

2.) Multiply minutes per week times 4 weeks per month.Student A reads 400 minutes/monthStudent B reads 80 minutes/month

3.) Multiply minutes per month times 9 ‘school’ months per year.Student A reads 3600 minutes/school yearStudent B reads 720 minutes/school year

Student A practices reading the equivalent of 10 whole school days each year.

Student B gets the equivalent of only 2 school days of reading practice.

By the end of 6th grade, if Student A and Student B maintain these same reading habits, *Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days.*Student B will have read the equivalent of only

12 school days.

One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?

Classroom rules reflect Pioneer Pride.

P - Positive AttitudeR - RespectI - In controlD - DeterminationE - Excellence

Before School

Hallway Restroom Playground

P-Positive Attitude

Be a positive role model

Follow all directions

Follow all directions

Follow all directions

R-Respect Keep hands, feet & objects to yourself

Keep hands, feet & objects to yourself

Keep hands, feet & objects to yourself

Include peers in play

I-In-control Sit down and read

Walk on right side, stop at corners

Go, flush, wash and leave

Be aware of surroundings

D-Determination

Walk directly to designated area

Go with a purpose

Complete task in a timely manner

Have fun

E-Excellence Read quietly Silence(whisper if necessary)

Silence Play fairly and safely

Self-monitoring system Incorporates intrinsic rewards for positive behavior/work habits Prepares students for successful citizenship Is an effective communication tool between parents and

teachers

Tickets are earned for wanted behavior/work habits. These tickets are then used to trade in for trinkets or extra privileges.

Teachers will give warnings to students who are not showing wanted behavior/work habits. Continued misbehavior will be noted in the student’s planner. Follow ups with phone calls and/or emails will occur as needed.

Third graders receive numerical grades once each 9 weeks in the areas of reading, writing, math, science, social studies and each of the PEW/Fine Arts classes.

Grades are based on daily classroom assignments, assessments, and class participation. 70% is considered passing.

When a student fails an assignment, he or she will be given an opportunity to learn the material again and to improve the score, up to a 70%.

Graded work is sent home in your child’s Tuesday folder each week.

You can access your child’s grades from home using the Home Access Center.

From the Pond Springs website homepage, choose For Parents, then Home Access Center

Follow the on-screen prompts. If you need help, you may contact Judy

Long at 464-4202.

From the Pond Springs homepage, choose Parent Resources > Home Access CenterThis will take you to a page with an overview of the HAC as well as a link to the log in page.

Choose the Log-In link.If you had an account set up last year, you may use that to log in again.If you are a new user, follow the directions to set up an account.

Pond Springs Elementary is a S.W.E.E.T. campus!

School-wide Exciting Enrichment Time

Pond Springs websiteOur Teams Third GradeTeacher’s Name

*upcoming events *classroom ‘happenings’*resources to reinforce 3rd grade concepts*downloadable documents

Please sign up for e-news. This can be done by going to our school website and looking under the For Parents Menu. Click on E-News Subscription.

E-news provides parents with important updates such as school closures, as well as upcoming events.

This year the system will call families of elementary students who are absent.

Here parents can check out resources, get school information, socialize with other parents, and help with teacher projects.

If you are interested in volunteering, please stop the PTA/PRO Center portable.

We will once again be hosting the Watch D.O.G.S. program this year.

Dads Of Great Students allows fathers to volunteer to spend a day at the school helping in classrooms, the cafeteria, playground, and office.

This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our students.

If you would like to volunteer in the classroom or school, or would like to attend field trips, you must complete the Round Rock ISD criminal background check.

A new background check is required to be completed each school year.

You only need to complete one background check if you have multiple children.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.

Fall Field Trip—Westwood Theater Production

at the RRISD PAC

Spring Field Trip--Pioneer Farms

At lunch, your child is able to purchase extra items. These items can significantly add to your child’s lunch bill and quickly deplete his/her account.

If you choose, you can ‘block’ these purchases by notifying Sandy Redding in the cafeteria at 464-4217.

Third grade teachers prefer that you send non-edible treats for birthdays such as stickers, pencils, small favors or erasers.

If you would like to send an edible treat, it will be passed out after 2:30 to be eaten at the end of the day or taken home to enjoy.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Fall Festival—see sign up sheetshuge fundraiserrequires a lot of volunteerstons of fun

Additional Notes:

We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to come tonight.

Working together we can optimize your 3rd grader’s learning experience and help them reach their potential.

If you have any additional questions, your child’s teacher will be happy to answer them.