Mrs. McGarry’s Third- Grade Class
2012-2013
Room 222
It’s going to be a tremendous year!
WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIRD GRADE?
Longer periods of attention Level of responsibility higher Expectations higher Textbooks More text on a page Application of learned skills More detailed writing Attention to organizational skills 1st and 2nd grade learned to read 3rd grade we are reading to learn
OUR DAY
8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting 9:00-9:45 Spelling/ Writing/
Grammar 9:45-10:30 Specials 10:30-12:00 Reading/Language Arts 12:00-1:00 Recess/Lunch 1:00-2:15 Math 2:15-3:00 Science/Social Studies
LANGUAGE ARTS Our Goal is to become…
Effective communicators! How?
By reading, writing, thinking, and speaking Shared, Guided and Independent Reading
Decoding and Oral Reading Fluency Comprehension Strategies
Collins Writing Program Word Study
Spelling – apply in writing Vocabulary
WRITING Collins Writing Program will be
implemented across all curriculum areas.Type 1 – Capture IdeasType 2 – Correct Answer/Short
ResponseType 3 – Graphic Organizer, Edit for FCA’sType 4 – 2 drafts, Peer editType 5 – Many drafts and revisions
Students will write daily and often. Most writing work will remain in
students’ writing folders to use for additional instructional purposes throughout the year.
WORD STUDY Base Word Study lists following specific
syllabic patterns. Syllable patterns are directly instructed and practice is provided.
Focus on vocabulary and phonetics. Main goal is application of skills in daily
writing. One list per week. Pretest will be given for
challenge lists.Grammar
Parts of speech are directly instructed and practiced.
Additional focus will be given to sentence structure and application of rules in writing.
INDEPENDENT READING Your child should read for > 20
minutes each night and record on the reading log. I will check logs each Friday and record as homework.
Students will write a letter to me weekly in their Reading Response Journal about the book they are reading independently. I write back to them each time they write to me.
MATH Math Expressions
Problem-Solving Based NCTM/PSSA Standards Common Core Standards Number Sense
Flexibility with numbers Writing!
Journal Explaining Work Justifying Thinking
Math Fact Fluency Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division
MATHEMATICS
Math curriculum will be delivered using a variety of instructional approaches & materials
Application of math skills into real world problems and problem solving.
Independent and small group work will occur regularly.
Homework may be differentiated. Mastery of basic facts is expected.
First In Math, triangle fact cards, on-line games (see my page)
CONTENTSCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES FOSS Program Hands-on-Approach Four Modules
Human Body Sound Water Measurement
Literature Based Program Magic Tree House
Series Rosen Trade Books
World Geography Ancient Civilizations
Egypt Greece Rome
HOMEWORK Purpose:
to revisit topics from class to develop responsibility
Monday through Thursday Student Responsibilities:
Record ALL assignments Complete ALL assignments
Spelling Math Independent Reading/Log
Get Homework Book Signed
PSSA First Year the students take Reading and Mathematics 2013 Test Date: April 8 - 16 Test Preparation
Embedded within curriculum throughout school year
Make it a FUN week!
REPORT CARDS Skyward On-line Grading Program ONE report card sheet
All subjects Math - letter grade Social Studies/Science O, S, U LA Continuum 1,2,3
Conferences November and February
GRADING POLICYMath
90-100 A80-89 B70-79 C60-69 D
Below 60 FScience & Social Studies
0= OutstandingS= Satisfactory
U= Unsatisfactory
Language Arts3: Work exceeds
grade level expectations
2: Work meets grade level expectations
1: Working toward grade level expectations
PROCESS SKILLS RUBRIC
As important as GRADES!! Scored 1, 2, 3 3 = Consistent Evaluates Key Life Skills:
Responsibility Preparation Participation Persistence Work Ethic
THE PHANTOM WAY Be Safe Be Kind Be Responsible Be Respectful
BE YOUR BEST!!!!
REMIND YOUR CHILD ABOUT THESE THINGS:
Watch and listen during lessons. Participate to show you understand. Ask questions when you are confused. Check work carefully. Take papers home daily-Don’t leave them
in your desk! Read and re-read directions carefully. Put name and date on every paper. Complete homework each night.
FYI
Absence excuses need to be sent in the day your child returns to school. Your child will have three days to make up missed work.
We will participate in the Scholastic Book Club. Please consider ordering on-line or in school.
You may notice work coming home with corrections made in colored pencil. This is for both of us to see the original mistake made and how it was corrected.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT
Please look around the room and in your child’s desk.
Write a letter to your child in their Reading Response Journal. They wrote to you today.