THIRD GRADE

Parent OrientationAugust 30th, 2011

OUR SCHOOL VISION STATEMENTThe Forest Creek Elementary learning community will be a model school where: students are first, high academic standards are maintained, responsible citizens are developed by providing experiences to build quality character, collaboration is valued and where students are prepared for their future as thinkers, problem solvers, innovators and risk-takers.

3RD GRADE GOALS

The third grade team will prepare every 3rd grader for: 100% passing on Reading STAAR

100% passing on Math STAAR Implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention & Support

THIRD GRADE Emphasis on responsibility and independent learning

Letter grades Reading and Math STAAR tests

EVERY MORNING YOUR CHILD SHOULD . . .

Be on-time! Students will be picked up from the cafeteria at 7:30. Students not in the classroom will be marked tardy at 7:45.

Have backpack and agenda Know how they are getting home

EVERY MORNING YOUR CHILD SHOULD . . . Have lunch or lunch money

Have homework* Have a healthy snack and a clean, full water bottle

Wear appropriate shoes

DAILY SCHEDULE7:30 Pick up students from

cafeteria7:30 - 7:40 Morning

Routine/Restroom7:45 - 8:00 Warm up activity

*Tardy after 7:458:00 - 8:30 Coyote Club/Skill Centers8:30 - 10:00 Reading/Writing

Workshop10:00 - 10:20 Recess

DAILY SCHEDULE10:20 - 11:10* Science11:10 - 11:50* Lunch12:00 - 12:50 Specials1:00 - 2:00 Math2:00 - 2:30 Supplemental

Instructional Time

2:45 Dismissal*approximate

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Consistent and non-negotiable

expectations for campus common areas including:ArrivalDismissalPlaygroundCafeteriaLibraryHallwaysRestrooms

Student recognition and reward

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR Behaviors required for a

Learning EnvironmentRespect for teacher, self and

othersCooperative learningActive ListeningEffort to try, participate and

completeAppreciation for learning

processRespect for materials

Individual Student recognition and reward

Learning is FUN! and varied

DAILY AGENDA It’s the student’s responsibility to record all homework.

Parents review nightly for daily communication.

HOMEWORK Students will read and record reading nightly in addition to other homework assignments

See specific teacher regarding homework policies

Communicate with the teacher with any questions or concerns

THURSDAY FOLDERS

Contain graded papers and PTA announcements, etc.

Make sure all class work that is below a 70% is corrected and returned to the teacher within a week.

Purple folders should be returned Friday morning.

HOW YOUR CHILD IS ASSESSED

Formative/summative assessments (universal screeners, unit tests /quizzes, short cycle assessments, district benchmarks, STAAR preparation)

Daily classwork/homework assignments Informal observation

(notes on behavior, socialization, class participation, etc.)

PROACTIVE INTERVENTIONS

Students not meeting grade level expectations will receive additional instruction in a small group setting.

RTI provides small group intervention services for reading and math.

TEKS/STAAR TEKS: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are the specific standards taught during the course of the year.

STAAR: State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness

TEKS/STAAR STAAR Reading and Mathematics tests are vital in monitoring student learning and readiness for the next grade.

TEKS/STAAR Study skills, strategies, focus (it’s an endurance test!)

Read at least 20 minutes daily (or 100minutes/week)!

TEKS Expectations – website link

April 24th, 2012 will be the Math STAAR test

April 25th, 2012 will be the Reading STAAR test.

Make-up tests will be offered in reading and mathematics the week of the test.

STAAR TESTING

GRADING POLICY A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-76 D=75-70 F=69 and below

A level 4 in 2nd grade does not correlate to an A or 4.0.

GRADING POLICY Assigments*

Homework Reading Logs Participation Quizzes Science Investigations Readers’ Responses

Assessment /Projects (This category counts Double)

Short Cycle Assessments Comprehension passages Projects

*Writing Grading categories are Assignments, Composition/Projects and Word Study

GRADING POLICY Classwork can be corrected for a 70%.

Homework and classparticipation can count for 10% of the total grade.

All students will be given the opportunity for reteach.

PROGRESS REPORTS Students with failing grades will get a progress report sent home mid-nine weeks.

All progress reports need to be signed and returned to the teacher the following day.

Report cards need to be signed and returned to the teacher the following day.

HELP YOUR CHILD GAIN CONFIDENCE

Read together! Give your child practice quizzes. Go over class work that has been

returned. You’ll know ahead of time when a test

is coming up – start studying then! Check the third grade team websites

for handouts, games, links, study guides and reviews.

BUILD CONFIDENCE WITH MATH FACTS

Students should have mastered addition and subtraction facts in semester 1. This will require independent practice.

Students will begin modeling & memorization of multiplication and division fact families in semester 2.

Teacher Web sites are updated weekly

Forest Creek Elementary 464-5350

E-mail messages are quick and easy to respond to.

Leave messages on the classroom phone if necessary.

Schedule teacher meeting times

COMMUNICATION

We’re thrilled to work with parents to ensure that third grade is a great success!