Welcome to Third Grade

1. Welcome to Third Grade Becca Burnside Teresa Parkinson Ruth Powers Kristin Shelton Michelle Vogl

2. School Hours 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.

3. Dismissal 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.

4. Third Grade Schedule 7:45-8:05 Morning Work 8:10-9:00 Specials (Music, Art, PE) 9:00-10:30 Math 10:30-11:00 Science/Social Studies 11:00-11:20 Recess 11:30-12:20 Lunch 12:30-1:30 Language Arts 1:30-2:00 Intervention/Enrichment 2:00-2:30 Science/Social Studies 2:30-2:42 Closing/Dismissal

5. FRIDAY Schedule 7:45-8:00 Morning Work 8:00-9:00 SWEET Friday 9:05-9:45 Specials (Music, Art, PE) 9:45-11:00 Math 11:00-11:20 Recess 11:30-12:20 Lunch 12:30-1:30 Language Arts 1:30-2:00 Intervention/Enrichment 2:00-2:30 Science/Social Studies 2:30-2:42 Closing/Dismissal

6. Additional Information 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)

7. RRISD Scope & Sequence 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)

8. STAAR testing 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.

9. Balanced Reading Program • 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

10. Balanced Writing Program *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

11. Writing continued… • 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

12. Math Instruction • Six overall objectives • Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning • Patterns, relationship, and algebraic thinking • Geometry and spatial reasoning • Measurement • Probability and statistics • Underlying processes and mathematical tools • Financial literacy—2014 TEKS

13. Math Instruction • 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

14. Homework • 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.

15. Why can’t I skip my 20 minutes of reading tonight? 1.) Multiply minutes per night times 5 nights each week. Student A reads 20 X 5 = 100 minutes/week Student B reads 4 X 5 = 20 minutes/week 2.) Multiply minutes per week times 4 weeks per month. Student A reads 400 minutes/month Student B reads 80 minutes/month 3.) Multiply minutes per month times 9 ‘school’ months per year. Student A reads 3600 minutes/school year Student B reads 720 minutes/school year

16. Reading 20 minutes continued… 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?

17. Third Grade Behavior Classroom rules reflect Pioneer Pride. P- Positive Attitude R - Respect I - In control D - Determination E - Excellence

18. Pioneer Pride

19. Discipline Plan • 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.

20. Grading • 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.

21. Home Access Center • 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.

22. From the Pond Springs homepage, choose Parent Resources > Home Access Center This 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.

23. Pond Springs Elementary is a S.W.E.E.T. campus! School-wide Exciting Enrichment Time

24. Teacher Webpages Pond Springs website Our Teams Third Grade Teacher’s Name *upcoming events *classroom ‘happenings’ *resources to reinforce 3rd grade concepts *downloadable documents

25. E-news • 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.

26. P.R.O. Center • 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.

27. Watch D.O.G.S. • 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.

28. Background Checks • 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.

29. Field Trips • Fall Field Trip—Westwood Theater Production at the RRISD PAC • Spring Field Trip--Pioneer Farms

30. Cafeteria ‘Extras’ • 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.

31. Birthday Celebrations • 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.

32. Additional Notes: • Parent/Teacher Conferences • Fall Festival—see sign up sheets huge fundraiser requires a lot of volunteers tons of fun

33. Thank You! • 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.