Welcome to a Treasured Year
rd
in 3 Grade!
Mrs. Ewers’
Treasured Third Grade Class
Pickett’s Mill Elementary
Open House
August 28, 2012
Created by: Ashley Magee, www.firstgradebrain.com Graphics © ThistleGirlDesigns
Meet the Teacher
Just celebrated our 24th anniversary! Our son Michael James is a sophomore at
Chattahoochee Tech and in his 4th year of working at Walgreens.
• 22nd year of teaching -- 1st grade (13.5 years), Curriculum Support Teacher
(2.5 years), & 3rd grade (6 years)
• *BSEd (University of North Texas 1990 and MEd (KSU—2003)
• *Loves teaching, football, baking, cooking, gardening and movies
Classroom Goals
 To develop and inspire leadership in each of our
students.
 To provide a supportive, safe and fun classroom
environment.
 To build the self-confidence and interpersonal skills
children need to become successful learners.
Classroom Mission
Mrs. Ewers’ 3rd Graders
Treasure the 7 habits by being
Helpful
Independent
Neat and
Kind to others
Everyday
Reaching our goals as
Successful LEADERS!
PIRATE BINDER
The purpose of the PIRATE (Prepared, Informed, Ready, And
Together Everyday) binder is to help students develop
organizational skills and learn to be proactive by putting first
things first. Helping your child stay organized is very important. It
can be a struggle for many children. Establish a routine at home
for going through their binder each night and doing homework.
You'll be happy you did.
 Sign agenda on a daily basis
 Reading log should be filled out in agenda and we will calculate
reading minutes at the end of each month.
3rd Grade
Transition Year
• Moving from teacher directed to independent work
• Becoming more responsible for their learning
• Testing and emphasizing content areas like
Science and Social Studies
• Critical year for CRCT
Testing Tidbits
~STUDY GUIDES~
• Will be used for major tests in Science and Social
Studies
• Will be sent home at least a week in advance of a
test
• You may keep them at home or in the binder to
study
Math
• Guided Math ~ guided practice, math game, graphing,
independent practice, challenge, First in Math, computer,
SMARTboard
• Hands-on learning
• Math Journals ~ POD/Problem Solving
• Math Busters (timed fact fluency tests given on Thursdays)
Reading
• Moving from learning to read to reading to learn
• Focus more on oral reading and fluency
1st nine weeks 90 WPM, 2nd
nine weeks 100 WPM, 3rd nine weeks 110 WPM, 4th nine weeks 120 WPM
• Digging deeper into text(DRA 2 Levels M, N, O, P)
• Differentiated reading groups
• UNRAAVEL Strategy
• Should be reading at least 15-20 minutes daily at home
Writing
• Writing becomes more vivid, detailed, and thoughtful!
Ideas, Voice, Conventions, Organization
• Moving from teacher directed writing conferences to
student directed….taking ownership.
• Power Writing, 6 + 1 Writing Traits
• Writing Genres – Narrative, Informational, Opinion, &
Research
• State Writing Assessment
Science
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Rocks & Minerals, Fossils, Soil
Magnets
Heat
Georgia Habitats & Organisms
Conservation & Recycling
• Science Journal
• Units will alternate
• Generally no homework other than studying for a unit test
• Study Guides will be posted on blog.
Social Studies
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Roots of Our Democracy, Our Economy, Geography,
Maps & Globes
Paul Revere
Fredrick Douglas
Susan B. Anthony
Mary McLeod Bethune
Franklin Roosevelt
Thurgood Marshall
Lyndon B. Johnson
Cesar Chavez
Technology
• Every morning begins with PBS Morning Announcements
• Many of our lessons will be on the SMARTboard
• I-Respond
• Downstairs computer lab/laptop cart
• Students will create their own GA Habitat Slideshow
Daily Schedule
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7:15-8:00 Morning Review/Announcements
8:00-9:00 Math
9:00-9:50 Guided Reading Snack
9:50 –1 0:35 Specials
M-Music/T-PE/W-Art/TH-Tech/F-PE
• 10:40-11:40 Integrated Instruction ~Science/Health/
Social Studies
• 11:40-12:06 Seven Habits/Recess
• 12:06-12:36 LUNCH (Tables 13,14,15)
• 12:40-1:15 Grammar/Spelling
• 1:15-2:00 Writing
• 2:00-2:15 Pack-up & Go Home
Specials
Monday – Music
Tuesday – PE
Wednesday – Art
Thursday – Tech/Computer Lab
Friday – PE
* On Music and P.E. days please make sure your child wears tennis
shoes and dresses appropriately.
Attendance Policy
• Send a note for absences to be excused (see handbook
for list)
• Accumulated absences and tardies receive a letter (5, 10,
15)
• Any make up work will be sent home and should be
completed and returned within one week
Grading
Standards Based Report Card
• Examples…1, 2, 3 or 18/20
3 Proficient/consistent and independent
2 Basic Understanding
1 Minimal Understanding
• May also be marked with TOG, CW, MW
• Tally marks at top of paper indicate how many times standards
were re-taught.
Assessments
Conference Week will be during the week of
October 22-26 (Early Dismissal at 12:10)
Report cards will be sent home at the end of each
nine week grading period.
CogAt Test ~ 9/4-9/6
Iowa Test of Basic Skills ~ 9/7-9/14
Criterion Reference Competency Test
April 22-May 1, 2013
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Cafeteria News
• Menus are available on the website.
• Prices
Student-$2.15
Adult-$3.25
• Lunches may be pre-paid. Make sure to put student ID
on all checks.
• No fast food is permitted.
• Side Items--$.30-$1.00 (must have parent permission to
purchase)
Homework
Homework Policies
• Homework will be sent home on Fridays and is due back the following
Friday.
• Parents should check and sign agendas nightly.
• Homework will be checked for completion.
• Reading Logs in agenda should be completed nightly.
• Reading—a minimum of 15-20 minutes a night.
RED PTA Folders
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Goes home every Tuesday
Look over papers inside
Pirate Performance/Parent Signature
Keep papers at home unless I have asked for parent
signature
Classroom Management
• Pirate Performance
• Treasured Behavior/Treats
• Earn Coins For Proactive behavior and good choices
• Ready to Learn Chart
• Seven Habits Fish
• Perfect Pirate Day
Leader in Me
 A Leadership School
 Leadership Day January 27, 2013
 Develop essential leadership habits
 Integrate them into our school culture and curriculum
7 Leadership Habits
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Be Proactive
Begin With the End in Mind
Put First Things First
Think Win-Win
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Synergize
Sharpen the Saw
HABITS
• These leadership habits will instill the character
and life skills needed to be productive in the 21st
century.
Stay Connected!
~Treasured Tidbits posted weekly~
Class website: www. http://pickettsmill.typepad.com/cathy_ewers/
Email: cathy.ewers@cobbk12.org
Pickett’s Mill Phone Number: 770-975-7172
Snacks & Birthdays
• Please send your child with a healthy snack daily. You may also
send in bottled water. (No junk food)
• Toast Tuesday is every Tuesday
• Feel free to donate extra snacks to our class for students who may
forget their snacks.
• You are welcome to send in birthday treats for the class. Please
make sure all treats are precut and ready to serve. These treats
may be served at lunch.
Volunteers
Our Co Room Moms are:
Beverly Rhodes and Laurie Beavers
• They will keep you up to date on class events.
• As events come up you will be emailed.
• I will be in touch soon with those who volunteered
to help out in other areas.
Thank You!
THANK YOU
for taking the time to attend Open House!
I look forward to working with you and your child this
year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with
exciting learning activities!
Please write your child a quick note on the paper provided. They
would love to see a message from you in the morning!