Parent Information Night

Hello from Ms. Kestenis Teaching for 5 years: High School

Reading/FCAT, First Grade, and Third GradeK-6 CertificationReading Endorsement K-12English CertificationHave a sonLived in Florida 30 years; originally from NYLove to Watch Hockey at the ForumLike to read

Daily Schedule7:45-8:40 MATH8:40-9:10 P.E. & BATHROOM9:15-10:45 READING (vocabulary, shared reading,

phonics, comprehension, and small group)10:45-11:25 SCIENCE(M,TH,F) ART(Tues.)

MUSIC(Wed.)11:39-12:09 LUNCH & BATHROOM12:15-1:00 WRITING1:00-1:15 MATH (CALENDAR)1:15-1:35 INDEPENDENT READING/SMALL GROUP

Gifted on Tuesday

MATHFCAT practice pages in text and workbookUnit ReviewsTextbooks & Practice Internet Links

(Destination)www.harcourtschool.comwww.eharcourtschool.comwww.fcatexplorer.com

Everyday Counts (calendar math)Chapter tests (every week or two)Mad Math Minute

SCIENCEThird Grade Common AssessmentsTextbooksFCAT WorkbookStudent Practice WorkbookProjectsHands-on Investigations

READINGComprehension (FCAT Tested)

Topic, main idea, author’s purposeNarrative Elements: (plot, setting, sequence)Cause / EffectCompare / ContrastReference / Research

Vocabulary & SpellingStrategiesDOL/Grammar

READING-Reading CountsLexiles established from last year and again

in September. (Recorded in Data Folders)Reading Counts Quiz: at least one per

grading period/will take the highest test score for grade

Entire classroom library lexiledOne book from school library must be on

lexile levelTo find book from home go to the Pinellas

county web page and go to library (Destiny)

WRITINGQuick Writes (Assessment)Narrative (telling a story)Expository (how-to)PoetryProofreading/SpellingEncourage Publishing

PROJECTSSocial StudiesScience WritingReading

Projects: One Month to completeStudent Work with Parent Guidance

(brainstorm, arrange, type)

HOMEWORK GUIDELINESShould take approximately 40 minutesDue the following dayRead 20 minutes a night (7 days a week) to be

recorded in reading log w/parent signatureCan double up on reading, but must complete

entire logDue on Monday Must read everyday to receive credit

Mon:Reading, Tues:Math, Wed:Writing, Thurs: various depending on need, Fri.-Sunday:Read 20 minutes.

HOMEWORK GUIDELINESThe student’s responsibility:

Copy assignments in agenda at beginning of day EXACTLY as written.

To complete class & home assignments. Incomplete work in class will be taken home and completed at home. Children will be instructed to write down what they need to complete.

To obtain parent signature for reading log and graded work folder.

To turn in homework by 7:50 a.m.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR PLANBlue: Everyone starts the day on blue

“I’m having a good day.”Green: (after two warnings to modify

behavior)“I made a few mistakes, but I changed my

behavior.”Yellow (after two more additional warnings)

Five minutes taken off Fun Friday for everyday on yellow in week.

Red (Having a really bad day!) One red=15 minutes off Fun Friday. Two reds= No Fun Friday.

CLASSROOM REWARDSCompliment Jar

Popcorn socialGame socialSno Cone social

Fun FridayGamesArtComputers

Positive Phone Calls…Notes in Agenda

REPORT CARDS & GRADING PERIODS

End of Grading PeriodsOctober 31, February 13, June 2

Report Cards: 3 times yearlyNovember 14, February 27, June 2

Will receive a Progress Report every grading period

Common AssessmentsMath Common Assessment: 3 times

September, January, & AprilReading Common Assessment: 3 times

September, January, & AprilNarrative/Expository Writing: 3 times

September, January, & AprilFCAT Reading/Math

March 10-20

PORTFOLIOSMust pass 5 portfolio itemsReading assessments only (All three)SRI (500-given 3 tries to obtain)Other assessments

Grading ScaleA 90-100B 80-89C 70-79D 60-69F 0-59

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIESFieldtrip Drivers and ChaperonesMentoring & Tutoring StudentsClassroom ProjectsCutting, Pasting, Organizing, etc.Party Planning (only 3)

Proper paperwork needs to be completed in the office in order to volunteer and drive.

Please let me know what fits your schedule. I put all my energy into teaching your children,

seldom taking the time to call volunteers for help. However, I DO want and need any help

you can offer!!!

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENTSigning parent Title I agreementSupporting philosophy & policiesHelping children arrive on timeCommunicating via phone, internet, or

plannerReviewing all homework/signing Reading LogSigning agenda dailySigning and returning graded work folderSupporting dress code

WAYS TO CONTACT ME:Email: kestenish@pcsb.org

**This is the best way. I check in the morning and at 2pm. Any email sent after that may not be read until the following day.

School phone: 893-2187All calls will be returned within 48 hours.

Agenda Books or Notes

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITEClass websiteAzalea Home pageClick on Teacher WebsiteMs. Kestenis (3rd Grade)

Homework is listed (Two weeks stay up)Monthly Spelling wordsScience ExperimentsDestination Math/Reading