Welcome to 3rd grade!  This will be a very exciting year for your children, yourselves and for me.  While school may seem a little overwhelming sometimes, because there will be so much learning and progress going on, I can also assure you that there will be lots of fun as well.

      The instructional program at our school provides students with a balanced curriculum.  Our program includes information and skills that are presented sequentially.  It is important that your child master the grade level skills and concepts so that he or she will have a strong foundation for learning in later grades.

 

CURRICULUM

     The way we taught students in the past simply does not prepare them for the higher demands of college and careers today and in the future.  Your school and schools throughout the country are working to improve teaching and learning to endure that all children will graduate high school with the skills they need to be successful.

Reading

     The primary goal of our reading program is to help your children develop an appreciation and love of literature while learning the skills required of a successful reader who can read and think INDEPENDENTLY.  Your children are well on their way! The major components of the reading program are as follows:

 

Read Aloud - We will be reading to your children one to two times a day.  Research has shown that children who are read to become better readers themselves.  Read-aloud material will span several literary genres (poetry, memoir, picture books, chapter books, informational books…). We would like to expose children to many different types of writing to help them discover their reading preferences and to enhance their reading and writing skills.  Useful reading strategies will be discussed and modeled in conjunction with read-alouds as well.

 

Readers Workshop- We will have Reader's Workshop 3-4 times a week. The Readers Workshop model, as developed by Columbia University Teachers College and Lucy Calkins, has been adopted by our district in all elementary schools. This model allows for children to read at their own instructional level while learning important skills and strategies of successful readers. We want the children to realize that ALL readers use these strategies (which just become more subconscious as we mature), not just third graders!

Many workshops begin with a mini-lesson on reading strategies (for example, predicting, characterization, sequencing of events, vocabulary, etc.). Children will then independently read self-selected books at their levels. Independent reading is a time for students to practice positive reading strategies and to explore reading interests.  During this time, we will confer with students - listen to them read and discuss strategies that may help them become stronger readers. At times during the year, we will read and discuss novels together.  It is important that you encourage and support your children in their home reading as well and that they fill out their reading log nightly and bring it back to class the next day.

 

Also during reading workshop, the children will meet in small reading groups at various times throughout the year.  These groups are flexible; sometimes they are based on reading level, and other times on a particular strategy that a group of children is wrestling with.  In groups such as these, we will read stories, discuss literary elements (plot, setting, character motivations, etc.), and practice our reading strategies and discussions in a smaller setting.

 

Reading in other curriculum  areas - Children will read in virtually all content areas.  Third grade is a year in which focus begins to change from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." 

 

Reading Resource with Karen Keller and Ashley Stevnovic will continue to be available to students as a pull-out program.  The program is an option for children who are continuing to read below the third grade level.

 

Writing

Students will participate in Writer's Workshop two to four times a week.  Writer's Workshop begins with a mini-lesson (5-10 minutes) designed to introduce or emphasize different positive writing strategies.  These strategies could range from using beautiful language and imagery in writing to making sure each sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period.  Literature from read-alouds as well as the children's own writing will be used to illustrate the writing strategies.  Students will then spend the period writing.  When students have written and collected several "pieces" they will choose one to expand, edit, and publish.  We will have Writing Celebrations periodically to share published pieces with family and friends.

 

Because writing is a means by which children can clarify their thinking and show what they know, writing will also be integrated into other subject areas including math, science, and social studies.

 

Spelling

The goal of our spelling program is to expand and refine children's reading and writing skills. The vehicle for exploring letters, sounds, words, and patterns is Word Study. Rather than rote memorization of a particular list of words, we emphasize pattern recognition and application of prior knowledge. We'll study word groups such as homonyms, synonyms, and contractions as well as discussing common word patterns. We will have periodic spell checks (low-key quizzes) that are designed to reinforce learning patterns. We will also look at writing samples to evaluate spelling progress. We expect children to use available resources and to apply their understanding of patterns to their spelling.

        

In order to increase children's responsibility for their own work, we will also teach them to check their writing for "No Excuse" words. The children will have these words (the most frequently used words in English) in a little booklet in their desks.  We expect the kids to check EVERY piece of writing for the correct spelling of the no excuse words.  This does not mean we don't expect other words to be spelled correctly.  We also expect the children to spell their best at their particular developmental levels. Not every piece of writing is expected to be perfect! Remember, we are talking about 8- and 9-year-olds; the point of this program is to train children to proofread and to model and expect high quality work.

 

Grammar

In addition to Word Study, we will study the grammar of the English Language. Sample topics include parts of a sentence, parts of speech, subject/verb agreement, and punctuation.

 

Handwriting

We will be teaching Contemporary Cursive using the “Loops and Other Groups” curriculum. We have already taught many lower case letters, and will finish with the capital letters. After we have learned and practiced our cursive, we will ask children to write some assignments in cursive. Concurrently, children are learning keyboarding skills in the lab – look for opportunities to practice at home!

 

Oral Language and Listening

Sharing ideas and developing thoughtful listening skills are central to success across the curriculum.  These skills are integral to the new Common Core Curriculum standards. Opportunities to develop expressive language occur as part of our daily reading group work, during cooperative learning with a math partner, and in whole class discussions around a variety of topics.

 

Mathematics

As you are aware, Piedmont Unified School District has adopted Bridges and Number Corner from The Math Learning Center.  We are excited to have a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, engaging program with which to teach our math standards.

 

We have math five times a week. Math activities include whole and small group problem solving, hands-on math activities involving manipulatives, games, and paper/pencil math. We emphasize problem-solving strategies as well as mastery of basic facts.

 

Children will often be asked to explain their thinking orally, in writing, or through pictures. These skills fall under the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct a viable argument and critique the reasoning of others, model with mathematics, use appropriate tools strategically, attend to precision.

 

(see http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/ for more information).

 

Our math program will be supplemented by Jessica Roine, our math specialist. Challenge math is always available to students in the classrooms.

 

Please refer to the attached letter from the Bridges creators for an overview of the third grade math year.

 

Science Areas of Study:

Matter and Energy                                              Water

Structures of Life                                              Sun, Moon, and Stars

 

Social Studies Focuses: 

Change and continuity over time (history),            California Native Americans

California Geography                                          Civil Rights.

 

Social/Emotional Growth:

In order to help our students develop to their full potential academically, emotionally, and socially, Havens uses Second Step.  Through this program, kids will learn the empathy, emotion-management, and problem-solving skills they need, as well as self-regulation skills.  We will practice “I Messages,” and listening skills as well.

 

Special Projects:

Optional Inquiry Projects

Science Wizard? (If time allows)

Multiplication Ice Cream Sundaes

Star Student

 

Optional Inquiry Projects:

The purpose of the inquiry project is to allow students an opportunity to facilitate their own learning based on their own interests.  Students are asked to create their own questions on a certain topic and conduct research to find the answer for which they will present to the class.  It also allows space for creativity since kids get to choose from a list of presentation choices (typically around our current area of study in any subject matter) in which to present their findings.  This project is optional and will be introduced to the class to go along with a new unit of study throughout the year.

 

Science Wizard 

This year students will have the opportunity to be the “Science Wizard” for the day!  This project is intended to be a fun project that helps students choose and prepare a science experiment following the scientific method, and then present their experiment to the class on their assigned Friday.

On Friday, a bag with several science books that each containing numerous science experiments, however, they may use any source they wish, will go home.  It is the job of the third grader to choose, prepare, demonstrate, and explain their experiment to the class on their assigned Friday.  Anyone at home can help, but it is their responsibility!  Make sure they bring all materials needed for your experiment to school.

This is a great project that all students I have taught in the past have thoroughly enjoyed!

 

Multiplication Ice Cream Sundaes:

A very important part of 3rd grade is committing those multiplication facts to memory!  After Winter Break, we will begin timed tests, each week mastering facts in order from 2’s to HOPEFULLY 12’s.  They will have 30 problems to complete in about a minute.  Their levels are matched up with different Ice Cream Sundae parts and toppings, which will be celebrated once they complete their sundae with a real sundae!  Start practicing your multiplication facts now!!!

 

Star Student:

Each Friday a student will be chosen at random to be the Star Student the following week.  That student brings Sadie, the class Springer Spaniel stuffed animal home over the weekend and writes in Sadie’s Journal.  The Star of the Week also completes an “All About Me” poster to be posted on Monday.  They can also bring in photos, caged pets, or whatever else suites their desires!

 

Schedule

         The daily schedule for our class varies according to units of emphasis and schedule changes due to testing, presentations, special projects, assemblies, and teacher teaming.  However, our ideal weekly schedule will look like this:

                  8:30 – 9:10            Prep

                  9:10 - 10:10            Check in/Number Corner

                  10:10 – 10:30          Recess

                  10:30 – 11:25          Reader's Workshop

                  11:25 – 12:25           Bridges Math

                  12:25 – 1:10            Lunch

                  1:10 – 2:10             Social Studies/Science rotating monthly

                  2:10 – 3:00            Second Step/Spelling/Cursive…

 

 

*We are fortunate enough to have wonderful enrichment classes offered here at Havens that help complete our program!

Enrichment Classes

                Monday                   PE   

                Tuesday                   PE A/Library B

                Wednesday               Computers

                Thursday                  PE

                Friday                     Art A/Vocal Music B

All of our prep classes this year will be taking place first thing in the morning from 8:30-9:10.  On Tuesday and Friday, the classes will be alternating, either the "A" week or the "B" week.  I will have a mini whiteboard right outside my classroom door letting students know where their class is if they arrive late.

                                            

Discipline Policy

"Discipline is teaching, not punishment.”

—T. Berry Brazelton

The students have spent time in the beginning of the year creating a learning environment that stresses that we are a “Community of Learners.”  Students are expected to be respectful of their peers as well as adults, and follow rules to make the learning environment conducive to all, so everyone has a fair chance at doing their best.  If students need constant reminders about their behavior, parents will be contacted via email to help establish a plan for their child, for any extra distractions that some students bring to class really makes it difficult for every child to succeed to their fullest potential.  Please encourage your child to make good choices and follow the rules for appropriate classroom behavior.

 

Homework

Homework will be in the form of a packet that will be sent home every other week.  Your child will have 2 weeks to complete their assignments.  Homework will consist of:

• Nightly Reading for at least 20 min & logging what was read

• Bridges “Home Connection” pages

• Occasional written reflection from the day’s Reader’s/Writer’s Workshop lesson

• Word sorts and study spelling

• Study math facts

• Keyboarding

*Please refer to “Third Grade Homework Overview” pages in packet as well as district homework letter.

 

Assessments

Your children will be assessed throughout the year, both formally as well as informally. 

Formal Assessments in Math:  The Bridges and Number Corner curricula has a variety of assessments imbedded in the curriculum.  In Bridges, there are 8 Units(representing the months in school.)  In each unit, there are 4 Modules (representing the weeks in the month), and 5 Sessions (representing the days in the week) Prior to the start of each unit, students will take a pre-assessment, which helps us guide our focus for that particular month.  There will be periodic “Check Points,” mini quizzes throughout the Unit and then a culminating assessment at the end of each Unit.  The daily rigor of this curriculum will sufficiently prepare your 3rd grader for these assessments.  The Number Corner component of Bridges stresses more math fluency.  In this component, students will be taking “Baseline Assessments,” focusing more on mathematical fluency as well as strengthening other concepts learned in Bridges. 

Informal Assessments in Math: Through your child’s day-to-day classwork, participation, and general understanding of the subject matter, your child will be informally assessed.

Reading and Writing Assessments:  Your 3rd grader will be assessed with unit evaluations, assessing whether or not the comprehension/writing skills have been learned.  Adequate progress is more likely to be demonstrated on these tests and informal authentic assessments if your child attends school and does homework regularly.

 

Conferences

         We will have 2 formal conferences this year.  They will span a full five-day week.  More info to come on the website in regards to signing up!  During these conferences we will go over report cards, plan goals, and strategize for success.  If, however, there is any need to contact me prior to our scheduled conference, don’t hesitate to do so! 

 

Parent Volunteers

         I welcome your help and participation!  Please fill out the Volunteer Forms online once posted if you are interested in participating.  I welcome volunteers to participate in helping prepare for or lead arts, crafts, science, gardening and technology lessons.  Also, if any of you have any special talents and would like to share with the class, I welcome that as well!  Don’t forget, we will need party and event planning and coordinating as well! (The most important part of the school year!!)

 

Birthdays

        This year PUSD Elementary Schools are going with a NO FOOD policy for birthdays.  Instead of a food treat, your 3rd grader is encouraged to donate a "Birthday Book" to our class library.  This book could be new or used.  In addition to the "Birthday Book" donation, we will celebrate your child and everyone else who celebrates their birthday that month at the end of the month with 15 min. of free time outside.

 

Field Trips

         Exact Dates For SOME TBD:

         Sept/Oct                       Chabot Space & Science Center

         December 8th                 Peralta Hacienda

         January 25th                  San Francisco Symphony

         March 15th OR 16th           Zellerbach Hall (Alvin Ailey)

         April 21st                       Hayward Shoreline

 

We appreciate the donations and volunteer drivers that afford us the opportunity

to give our students these wonderful hands on experiences. 

We will need drivers for all trips.  We couldn’t do it without you!

*Sign-ups to come on class website

 

 

Postcards

         It is always a lot of fun for the class to get mail!  If you happen to go on a trip and you can help your child send us a postcard, we would all enjoy it!  (It’s a good way to sneak in a little writing too!)

 

Communication

         Questions can be dealt with as we see each other, by sending a note to school with your child or through email messages.  The phone number for the school is 594-2680.  Please be aware that I often have meetings before or after school, in which case I am not able to check phone or email messages.  If you need to get a message to me before the end of the school day, call the office.  They will be sure I get the message before the day’s end.  I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.

 

Final Note

         In addition to helping my students achieve academic goals, I hope to encourage them to become open-minded, respectful, and empowered individuals.  That is a tall order, but working together, we can do our best to give each child the support they need.

         I am really looking forward to working closely with each and every one of you as we progress together through the next nine months of your child’s life.  If you have any questions about your child’s education or, if you would like to meet with me regarding your child’s progress, please call, email, or send a not with your child. 

         I am looking forward to sharing the wonderful experience of being a part of your child’s development with me.  Together, I know we can and will be a great team!

 

Sincerely,

Shauna Revelli