Welcome to Mrs. Rosenstein’s Class!

Room 205

Welcome to Mrs. Rosenstein’s Class!

Room 205

Back to School NightOctober 1, 2014

Welcome!

Thank you for coming to Back To School Night. I hope you will leave with a good understanding of our daily life in Room 205 and how we implement the Third Grade Curriculum.

Classroom Environment

• Positive expectations: Empower children by believing that they can do anything they set their minds to do.

• Active “hands on learning” without fear of making

mistakes. We aim for a “best try.”

• Curriculum that inspires students to be interested and engaged.

• A step by step approach building a foundation for skills.

• Considerate, supportive behavior by all to all. Our Character Education Program will support this goal.

Character Pledge

Third Grade Daily Schedule Unpack, order lunch, organize , check math homework and read Morning Meeting8:50-10:10 Language Arts with a break for snack10:15-10:55 Monday: Gym Tuesday: Music Wednesday: Art Thursday STEM with me11:00-11:30 Classwork- varies11:30-12:30 Math12:35-1:10 Recess/Lunch1:15-1:5 Mon./Tues.: Classwork-varies Wednesday Gym Thursday Health Friday: Library2:00-2:55 ELA/Science/Social Studies

Dismissal

Specials Schedule

Monday: Gym 10:15-10:55 AM Tuesday: Music 10:15-10:55 AM Wednesday: Art 10:15-10:55 AM Gym 1: 15-1:55 PM Thursday: STEM 10:15-10:55 AM (Headsets please!) Health 1:15-1:55 PMFriday: Library 1:15-1:55 PM Remember the sneakers for Gym!

Lunch and Snack

• Keep it healthy- no peanuts or tree nuts please

• Morning “working” snack (10:00 AM) Lunch is later so the children need a good snack.

• Please remember our “no sharing” policy because of possible food allergies within the class.

• Small labeled water bottles are fine as long as they are changed regularly (germs).

• Wipes are helpful because we do not have a sink. • Sanitizer is fine if you wish.•

Changes in Dismissal• Please send a note in the folder regarding any change

from your usual dismissal plans. I have a “ Notes for Mrs. Rosenstein” basket for any notes from home.

• Our day revolves around the children. Depending on the day’s schedule and my meetings, I may not check my email until after school.

• Emergencies and weather happen. Please contact the school office for any last minute changes. School policy requires a note or fax from home. Of course, in an emergency the office will try to help.

• Boy scouts/Girl Scouts and Sports Pick Ups- Please send a note or schedule if your has a change in dismissal for these.

• Enrichment: I will have a master list, and must send your child to enrichment unless I have a note.

Class Rules

• Be kind and a good friend. Treat classmates the way you want to be treated.

• Hands and feet to yourself. Sit criss-cross applesauce.

• Follow directions and the SBS rules.

• One voice- Listen and look at the speaker. Raise your hand. Indoor voices in school.

• Make good choices as best we can.

• Take turns.

• Be polite: Say please, thank you, excuse me and I’m sorry. • Share, but not food.

• Consequences- meet with student, Apology of action • note, call home.

My Teaching Strategy• My goal for each student to learn and progress as much as he/she possibly can this year.

• Class work is differentiated to accommodate the many learning styles and levels within the classroom.

• Within project work, it is possible to challenge the faster pace students and also to help those who need a little extra support.

• We work as a class, in groups, with buddies and independently. We “mix it up.”

• I know the areas of our curriculum that will be tough and I try to spend more time teaching those skills. However, our math program has a district mandated pacing guide. We usually do a section a day. I will talk more about math in a few minutes.

• PARCC- twice a year.

Homework

The third grade teachers develop the homework together for the grade: There will be math and language arts each night. Monday- Spelling Sort and Math. Tuesday: Spelling Sentences and Math . Wednesday: Reading Response or Grammar and

Math Thursday: Spelling and Math

Vocabulary may ne part of the homework as well.Daily reading 20 minutes and “book talk”.

Writing journals due every Friday.

Helping with Homework

• Homework reinforces school learning. Reading really makes a difference!

• Please have your child correct any mistakes that he/she understands and have a parent sign the finished corrected homework.

• If you see that your child doesn’t understand something, please write me a note to let me know.

• Please check and initial all homework and the agenda daily! Please use the agenda as a reading log by recording the books read at home in the yellow box.

• Thank you for your support with the • homework!

Our Literacy Program:

Language Arts• English Language Arts- includes reading, writing, speaking,

listening, spelling, grammar, handwriting, conferencing, book talks, Inquiry and comprehension clubs…

• Whole class, small group and independent work and instruction.

• Good Habits, Great Readers

• Writer’s Notebook and Anthology

• Words Their Way (Spelling / Word Study)

• Grammar lessons – Authentic

• We want the children to read across the genres for • comprehension and fluency. We urge them to read “just

right” books when reading independently.

Math• The Pearson math program is aligned with the Common

Core standards. Its philosophy is that conceptual learning = interactive learning + visual learning.

• Whole group, small group and independent work

• Concepts include: algebra, addition and subtraction (with and without regrouping), place value, geometry, decimals, fractions, measurement, time, money, multiplication…

• Problem solving, games, exploration, “hands on” manipulatives, mental math, using math vocabulary

More Math …

Timed tests for Basic Facts!

Our math program requires assessment and student work on the computer- in school and at home. It targets the strengths and weaknesses of the individual students.

Please utilize the online component at home and work closely with me if your child is having difficulty.

Science

Unit 1: Being a ScientistUnit 2: Matter and ChangesUnit 3: Forces and MotionUnit 4: Climate, Weather & WaterUnit 5: Rocks and MineralsUnit 6: Solar SystemUnit 7: Living Things

• Each third grade teacher will teach Unit 1 and one of the topics. The classes will rotate every 5 weeks

• Experiential, hands-on approach to science

• We will keep all unit materials together in school until the unit has

been completed.

Social Studies Students will be able to think analytically about how past and present interactions of people, cultures, and the environment shape the American heritage. Such knowledge and skills will enable students to make informed decisions that reflect fundamental rights, and core democratic values as productive citizens in local, national and global communities.

Unit 1: Who am I and how did I get here?Unit 2: What is change? How and why did it happen?Unit 3: What is fair and who makes the rules? Social Studies will also tie in to Language Arts.

Handwriting

• We reinforce the Zaner–Bloser approach to handwriting.

• Handwriting is partly developmental, and children progress at their own paces.

• At home, please encourage your child to take his/her time, thinking about letter formation, spacing and neatness.

• By January: Focus is on writing mostly in cursive.

What are we doing?Thematic Curriculum 2014-2015

Kindergarten: A Home for All Seasons1st Grade: Agriculture Around Us2nd Grade: Our Environment, Our Health3rd Grade: Every Drop Matters

Design and TechnologyMs. Stojanov (Ms. S)

sstojanov@chatham-nj.org

The Engineering Design Process

What is the problem?

What are possible solutions?

What will your solution look

like?

Follow your plan and build your solution.

How could you make your solution better?

Assessment is Ongoing

Math: Assessment is online and will give a very clear picture of student strengths and weaknesses. You can see your child’s progress by logging onto the math website. You can play the videos which explain the materials (explore the book) if you see a topic that needs reinforcement.

Spelling : Quizzes, class work, Words Their Way Assessment

Reading: DRA2 – Developmental Reading Assessment (given twice a year) DRA tests comprehension, fluency, and independent reading level. I observe the skills as I work with the children.

• PARCC twice yearly- details are coming

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Field Trips

• Waterloo Village

• Bronx Zoo • The logistics dictate how many chaperones we can

have on the bus for each trip. The third grade teachers pick the chaperones. We want you to come if possible, and we need moms and dads. However, parents of students with medical or special needs are asked first.

Birthdays

In an effort to create healthy birthday celebrations, our school has a “no-food” policy.

• To celebrate a child’s special day, he/she may read a

favorite book or chapter to out class. Your child will be sung to and will have the opportunity to visit Mr. Gardella’s treasure chest.

• You may send a goody bag of stickers, pencils, etc., but no candy or gum please!

Class Parents

Thank you to our class parents:

Jessie Larson mandjlarson@gmail.com

Pam Polemeni mppolemeni@hotmail.com

Wrap Up

• Thank you for coming.

• Questions?