Wildcat University

1. Wildcat University Welcome, students! Mrs. Miller’s 3rd Grade Class 2010-2011

2. Welcome to Third Grade! • Let’s take a walk through a day in the life of your child. • If you have any questions during my presentation, please feel free to ask at any time.

3. All About Me • My background • I grew up in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. • I attended Hardinsburg Elementary, Breckinridge Co. High, and Western Kentucky University. • My Family • I live in Bowling Green with my husband, Ralph and 2 year old daughter, Katie. • My experience • I’ve been teaching for 7 years. • I have also taught kindergarten.

4. My Goals • To give your child to grow into responsible young people and to prepare them academically and socially for fourth grade and beyond. • To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. • To help your child make new friends and discover new interests.

5. Class Schedule Monday-Thursday • 7:20-7:30 Restroom • 7:30-7:45 Spelling/cursive • 7:45-9:00 Reading Mastery • 9:00-9:20 Shurley English • 9:20-10:30 Math • 10:30-11:00 CATS Challenge M/T- Reading, W/Th-Math • 11:00-11:10 Complete agenda, DEAR • 11:16-11:41-Lunch • 11:45-12:00 Recess • 12:00-1:00 Specials • 1:00-1:10 Restroom • 1:10-1:40 Science • 1:40-2:10 Social Studies • 2:10-2:20-Pack-up, jobs, snack • 2:22 Dismiss

6. Class Schedule Friday • 7:28-7:45 Morning Meeting • 7:45-7:55 Restroom • 8:00-8:30 Reading (in homeroom) • 8:35-9:05 Mrs. Meiman • 9:20-10:30 Math • 10:30-11:00 Finish reading, spelling test • 11:00-11:10 Agenda, DEAR • 11:16-11:41 Lunch • 11:45-12:00 Recess • 12:00-1:00 Specials • 1:00-1:10 Restroom • 1:10-2:10 CATS Coaching • 2:10-2:20 Pack-up, job, snack • 2:22 Dismiss

7. Spelling • Spelling lists are included on Friday’s newsletters. • Weekly spelling packets are given out on Mondays (or Tuesday’s on a holiday week) • Students have time in class to work on the sheets in the packet, but what doesn’t get finished in class should be finished at home. • All spelling packets should be completed and turned in on Fridays. Tests will be given on Fridays.

8. Cursive • A new cursive activity is given every morning. • Students have time in class to work on this. • What doesn’t get finished should be completed at home and returned the next day.

9. Reading • All third graders are reading in the Reading Mastery Program Monday - Thursday. They have been tested and are placed in groups based on their reading ability. • We begin the lesson by checking and correcting the previous day’s book work. • Next, we go over new vocabulary for that day’s story. • Third, we read the story and ask questions to check comprehension. • Finally, your child completes a worksheet and questions from the book on a sheet of notebook paper. • Work that doesn’t get finished in class goes home for homework and is due the next day. A signed reading log is due every day but Friday

10. Shurley English • We spend about 20 minutes a day completing on English lesson per day. Tests are given approximately every 3rd lesson

11. Math • The program your child is working in is Saxon Math. • Instead of the worksheets you are familiar with, students are using the Saxon Math text book. • This book should be coming home every night to complete that day’s written practice as homework. • We do 10 problems of the written practice together in class(time permitting) and send the other 10 home as homework. • Every 5th lesson students will get a night off from homework because assessments are given every 5th lesson.

12. Social Studies • I teach all 3rd grade Social Studies. • Social Studies books never go home since they are paperback books and are easily torn. • The only homework that will be sent home in Social Studies is to study for unit tests. Study guides will be sent home for this.

13. Science • Mrs. Browning teaches all 3rd grade science. • Homework is not usually given unless it’s to study for an upcoming test.

14. What in the world is in my child’s homework folder? • Conduct Chart Pocket • Students keep their conduct chart pocket in here to take to class • Pencil Pouch Pocket • Pencil pouches are kept in here to take materials to classes • Keep at home pocket • Graded work or notes that need to stay home. Please clean out nightly or at least weekly. • Please Return to School Pocket • Any notes, papers, cursive that needs to be returned. Some items MAY be optional. • Reading Pocket • Reading homework goes here and should come back to school. • Math Pocket • Math homework goes here and should come back to school. • Spelling Pocket • Weekly spelling packet stays here to work on during the week and is collected on Fridays. • Social Studies Pocket • Work for the current unit in Social Studies goes here and comes back to school EVERY day. • Science Pocket • Work that Mrs. Browning gives for students in science goes here.

15. Agendas • Students complete and have checked at school by me. • Please read the agenda with your child to remind them of their homework. • Please sign in the light brown area each night after homework is completed and checked.

16. Conduct Charts • Students receive a new conduct chart each month and take these to each class. • Students receive a conduct mark for breaking a classroom rule or school-wide procedure. • Work alerts are given for work not completed or not turned in on time per our school homework policy. • Conduct charts get signed on Friday afternoons on the line that has that Friday’s date on it. • Work alerts are signed whenever they are issued. • I will copy charts at the end of the month with your child’s monthly average at the top for you to keep. • I keep all originals.

17. Accelerated Reader • We have a new reward system this year. • 3rd grade students must have 10 points each nine weeks to earn reward. A note should have been signed and returned last week about this. • 1st nine weeks-ice cream sundae party • 2nd nine weeks-movie with coke/popcorn • 3rd nine weeks-pizza party • 4th nine weeks-Fun in the Sun activities with cool treat • Students can take tests in spare time at school or at home, however free time here at school is very limited.

18. AR Access at Home • Go to www.barren.kyschools.com • Click “Students” then “Accelerated Reader Online” • Click “Student” and enter username and password • Follow directions to take a reading practice quiz • Please let me know if you need your child’s username and password or if you have any problems accessing this at home.

19. Accelerated Math • Students complete work to 80% accuracy to earn objectives. • Students may complete in spare time at school or may take home. • Must be returned to school when complete to be scored. • Students will earn rewards based on the objectives they master.

20. Communication • Please feel free to call the school at 678-2722 if you have any questions of concerns. I will call you back on planning or after school. • Email if the fastest way to communicate. I am in the process of setting up e-mail to help send reminders of upcoming events and our weekly newsletter by email each week. Email me at shannon.miller@barren.kyschools.usif you would like to receive these updates. • Check out our classroom website at http://www.barren.kyschools.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=1329I upload our weekly newsletter and have pictures coming soon. • You may also access this powerpoint there if you need to.

21. Thank you for choosing Eastern Elementary! • Thank you so much for the opportunity to teach your child! • Please feel free to call (678-2722 or email shannon.miller@barren.kyschools.us ) if you have any questions or concerns. • Please feel free to volunteer, visit, or each lunch with your child.