Welcome to a Treasured Year
rd
in 3 Grade!
Mrs. Ewers’
Treasured Third Grade Class
Pickett’s Mill Elementary
Open House
August 14, 2014
Created by: Ashley Magee, www.firstgradebrain.com Graphics © ThistleGirlDesigns
Meet the Teacher
Celebrating our 26th anniversary! Our son Michael James attends KSU and in his 6 th
year of working at Walgreens.
• 24thyear of teaching -- 1st grade (13.5 years), Curriculum Support Teacher (2.5 years),
& 3rd grade (8 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 Seven Habits by being
Loyal learners who are
Engaged
And
Determined
Everyday
Reaching our goals as we
Synergize!
Engaged in Learning, Leading in Excellence
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 End of Grade Assessment
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
Common Core
• The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what
students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to
help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world,
reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college
and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities
will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.
• You can also visit this link for more information,
videos, and FAQ's.
Math
• Guided Math ~ guided practice, math game, graphing, independent
practice, challenge, Skills Tutor, computer, SMARTboard
• Hands-on learning
• Math Notebooks ~ POD/Problem Solving
• Math Busters (timed fact fluency tests given on Fridays)
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 –Opinion, Informative/Explanatory, Narrative
Science
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Rocks & Minerals, Fossils, Soil
Magnets
Heat
Georgia Habitats & Organisms
Conservation & Recycling
• Interactive Notebook
• 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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•
•
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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, Skills Tutor, Pebble Go, CVL
Typing
•
Downstairs computer lab/laptop cart
•
Students will create their own GA Habitat Slideshow
BYOD
• Sign and Return Guidelines
• Edmodo class code: Coming Soon
• Blurb on Website
• BYOD Resources
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
• Make-up work will be sent home with a “Homework” stamp on
it
• Not all work can be made up
• Send in an excuse letter/doctor’s note
• After 5 absences I must contact you
• After 10 absences the school will contact you
(regardless of absence notes)
Grading
Standards Based Report Card
• Papers with a comment, check, star, TOG, etc are practice pages
•
Papers with a 3+, 3, 2, 1 are graded for assessment purposes
• Grading Scale:
• 3+ Exceeds Standards
• 3 Meets Standards
• 2 Progressing Towards Meeting Standards
• 1 Limited Progress or Does Not Meet Standards
Any grade of “1” is to be signed and returned
Assessments
Conference Week will be during the week of
October 20-24
(Early Dismissal at 12:10)
Report cards will be sent home at the end of each nine week
grading period.
CogAt Test ~ October 7-9th
Iowa Assessment ~ October 10-17th
•
End of Grade Assessment (formerly CRCT)
April 15-24
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.
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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•
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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
 Leader In Me Symposium February 25-27th
 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 Room Moms
Tina Adams, Christi Hutto,
Shannon Smith, Sarah Huffman
• They will keep you up to date on class
events.
• As events come up you will be
emailed.
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!