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Language Arts:A Balanced Reading

Program Phonemic Awareness Phonemic awareness is the understanding that spoken words are made of individual sounds (syllables, rimes, onsets, and larger units of sound).

Phonics Decoding is the process of translating written words into speech (word blending, word building).

Fluency Fluency is reading with speed accuracy and expression at an appropriate rate. When reading is oral, it reflects a speech like pace.

Vocabulary The more words a student acquires, the better chance they will have success in reading, writing and spelling.

Comprehension Comprehension is the complex process of constructing meaning from texts. Most students need instruction in comprehension strategies.

Components of our Reading Program CAFÉ– Strategy reading groups

Daily 5 Stories in Harcourt Text

Literature Studies Leveled ReadersAuthor Studies

Read AloudStudent Selected Books

Students will be engaged in meaningful literacy activities during our daily reading block.  Using "The Daily Five," a set of literacy specific tasks, students will be reading to self, reading to someone, listening to reading, writing, and working on spelling/word study activities.  Students will also be improving their literacy skills and focusing on improving their comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanded vocabulary (C.A.F.E) as they read a variety of texts and genres.

6+1 Writing Traits

Ideas and ContentThe writing is clear and focused. The main idea stands out and there is strong support for the main idea with quality, relevant details.

OrganizationThe writing demonstrates a sequence (beginning, middle and end). Details are in the right place and the reader wants to find out what’s happening next.

Sentence FluencyThe sentences are clear and the writing flows smoothly. The writer uses a variety of simple and complex sentences; there is a rhythm and flow to the writing.

Word ChoiceWords that are colorful, creative and descriptive are used in the writing. VoiceThe writing has personality and the reader feels the story is talking right to them. The writing has flavor, charm, liveliness and pizzazz!

ConventionsThe writing has few errors (spelling, punctuation, grammar) and could be easily published.

PresentationThe paper looks good (neat, centered, legible, illustrations, etc.) 

The Writing Process

Prewriting

Prewriting involves using strategies to generate, plan and organize ideas for a specific purpose.

Drafting

Drafting incorporates prewriting activities to create a first draft containing necessary elements for a specific purpose.

Revising

Revising includes evaluating and refining the rough draft for clarity and effectiveness. Does the draft say what it is supposed to say?

Editing

Editing includes proofreading and correcting the draft for conventions (spelling, capital letters, punctuation, etc.)

Publishing

Publishing includes formatting and presenting a final product for the intended audience.

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Write From the Beginning:Writing Program

Components of our Writing Program

The Writing Process6+1 Writing Traits

Daily 5: Work on WritingWriter’s Workshop

JournalsFamily Journals

Writing Across the Curriculum

Writing Applications

Throughout third grade students will use the writing traits and writing process to publish a variety of writing pieces:

Functional Text

Functional writing provides specific directions or information related to real-world tasks. This includes friendly letters, thank you notes, invitations, schedules, procedures, recipes, directions etc for specific content areas.

Persuasive Text

Persuasive writing is used for the purpose of influencing the reader. The author represents an issue and expresses an opinion in order to convince the audience to agree with the opinion or to take a particular action. Persuasive writing projects will include writing advertisements and persuasive paragraphs.

Expressive Writing

Expressive writing includes personal narratives (personal experience), stories, poetry, songs and dramatic pieces. Writing may be based on real or imagined events.

Expository Writing

Expository writing includes nonfiction writing that describes, explains, informs or summarizes ideas and content. The writing supports a thesis based on research, observation and/or experiences. Students will be writing summaries, newspaper articles, reflections, and keeping journals.

Literary Response

A literary response is the writer’s reaction to a literary selection. The response includes the writer’s interpretation, analysis, opinion and/or feelings about the piece of literature and selected elements within it. Students will write reflections, journal entries, book reviews, and responses that connect text to self, text to world, and text to text.Research

Research writing is the process in which the writer identifies a topic or question to learn more about. The writer locates and evaluates information about the topic or question and synthesizes the information into a finished product.

Spelling and Word Study

Sight and 3rd grade Core Spelling Words

Students will be responsible for knowing how to read and spell third grade core/sight spelling words (in Curriculum Packet).  Mastery of these sight words will be useful in reading and writing activities. Please help your child practice reading these words until your child can read each word automatically and without hesitation. In addition, each student will have their own Words To Learn booklet with words they have misspelled either in everyday writing or third grade words that need to be mastered. 

Words Their Way

Word Study is a hands process that contrasts/compares word features while discovering similarities and differences between categories. Word sorting helps students to learn many of the reliable patterns that will improve their spelling ability. As students investigate words each week they will learn to examine words for speech sounds, vowel patterns, word structures, endings, syllables, meanings etc.

Cursive HandwritingWe will begin learning cursive the second semester. They will learn upper and lowercase letters, proper connections between letters and how to form words and sentences.

This year in third grade we will be focusing on a variety of math concepts and we will be utilizing  multiple approaches and strategies to solve problems. CUSD has also started

a Math Acceleration program.

Pathways to Acceleration ProjectWhat is it?

The Pathways Acceleration Project, or Acceleration Project for short, is a new program being implemented in grades 3-6 Chandler Unified School District. The goal of the project is to foster student’s mathematical talents and accelerate them in the areas in which they are

ready. Students will take pre-tests before units are taught to determine if they are ready for an accelerated curriculum in particular topics. A student may be accelerated in only one

area, or many.

Math

Math Facts

Math facts are an important part of number sense. Many math concepts spiral and it is important for your child to have a solid understanding of their math facts. We will be reviewing/learning addition and subtraction facts. If your child does not know these facts automatically please practice them on a regular basis…the more they practice the better they will get. During first quarter we will begin learning multiplication facts. It will be important to practice and learn those facts automatically as well.

Science and Social StudiesScience

In science the inquiry process is utilized throughout the science curriculum. Students question, plan, conduct investigations and use appropriate tools to gather data. Students then communicate the results of their investigations in a variety of ways. As a class, we will participate in the science fair in January. This year students will have the opportunity to investigate through inquiry rocks/minerals, light and sound and the life cycle of plants. We will also learn about many scientists and scientific technologies.

Social Studies

The social studies standards cover many topics. Social studies instruction will involve research, projects, activities as well frequently integrating reading and writing. This year your child will be learning about American History, Civics & Government, Geography, World History and Economics. A variety of significant people in history will also be studied throughout the year.

Character Counts!

C C F RRT

T R R F C CStudents can use this acronym to help them remember that people with good character

are terrific:Trustworthiness

RespectResponsibility

FairnessCaring

Citizenship

Trustworthiness

Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect

Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility

Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness

Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring

Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship

Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

Tribes

Tribes is a step-by-step process to achieve specific learning goals. Four agreements are honored:• attentive listening• appreciation/no put downs• mutual respect, and• personal best

Students learn a set of collaborative skills so they can work well together in long-term groups (tribes). The focus is on how to:• help each other work on tasks• set goals and solve problems• monitor and assess progress• celebrate achievements

Our Classroom Constitution:~ Acitve Listening: We will listen with our eyes, ears, and heart.~ Mutual Respect: We will treat people the way we want to be treated.~ Appreciation/No Put-Downs: We will speak kindly to others and think of other people's feelings.~ Right to Participate/Pass: We have the right to pass in certain activities, and to know that the more~Personal Best- Each students gives 100% effort in all they do..

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Along with character traits, Santan will be implementing a new bullying prevention program. The rules the kids are following are:

1. We will not bully others.2. We will try to help students who are bullied.3. We will try to include students who are left out.4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.5. We will practice each Pillar of Character each day.

The Olweus definition of bullying is: “A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself.”

Reading Minutes

At Santan Elementary, we like to emphasize the enjoyment of literature. It is our hope to instill a love of reading; therefore we would love for parents to model and encourage reading in the household. Talk about a great story and model effective oral reading with your child. Take turns reading, or share a favorite book you remember reading as a child. Our reading homework will consist of 90 minutes per week. Students will keep track of the minutes they read in their Agenda Binder. Students will need to indicate the number of minutes read by adding the minutes and a parent initial on the Friday they are due. Reading homework is the responsibility of the student. Students who complete all homework will have the opportunity to participate in Fun Friday.

Word Study and Sight Words

A list of the 3rd grade sight words your child should know how to read and spell by the end of this year is attached.  A pretest over the words will be given within the first few weeks of school with results sent home shortly thereafter.  Mastery of these sight words will be useful in reading and writing activities.  Please help your child practice reading and spelling these words until your child can read and spell each word automatically and without hesitation. Practice words in small groups (5-10) and gradually increase as words are mastered.  The words that are missed on the pretest will be put in their “Words to Learn” booklet to practice at school. Each child will have their own “Words to Know” booklet at school.

Our Classroom Community

 

In a Nutshell• Homework sent home on Mondays

• Homework is due from student on Friday, upon arrival to school.

• School-Home Communication Folder is to remain in binder at all times.

• All papers will be sent home in this folder. Please check your child’s folder frequently.

• Friday Folders and Weekly Reflection will be sent home every other Friday.

• Friday Folders and signed evaluation need to be returned the following Monday..

Behavior Expectations

Students are expected to come to school ready to learn. I expect “great” behavior. Students who choose to follow the STORM rules and class guidelines will be given verbal warning followed by signing the Responsibility Book if necessary.

Responsibility Book

If a student receives a verbal warning, he/she will sign the Responsibility Book. After signing the Responsibility Book, he/she will fill out a form communicating the incident in which occurred. The Responsibility Book form will be signed by me and will be coming home the same day as the incident occurred. The Responsibility Book form needs to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned the following school day.

General Information

Volunteers: I welcome and appreciate parent volunteers!Once we have a daily routine in place I will be sending home a volunteer calendar for the month. Please remember that all classroom volunteers and visitors need to check in at the office and receive a visitor’s badge prior to coming to class.

Tax Credit: Extremely Important for Upcoming Field Trips

You can make a donation to the third grade team and receive the entire amount (up to $400 for a married couple, $200 single) back on your taxes!!! These tax credit donations help support extracurricular activities including field trips. Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity to support Santan Elementary 3rd graders!!!! Feel free to spread the word….grandparents, aunts, uncles and any other Arizona tax payer can take advantage of this opportunity. More information will be come home as it gets closer to the end of 2011.

Website:Please check our school and classroom website on a regular basis to help you stay informed about school and classroom events.  Homework projects, newsletters, and other important information (such as this packet) will also be available on the website.  

Birthdays:  Please feel free to send treats to school for your child's birthday.  Just a reminder, all treats must be store purchased items. 

Fun Friday :  Most Fridays, our class will be having free choicefor 30 minutes.  Your child will be able to participate in an activity of choice.  In order to participate, your child must have had appropriate behavior and they need to have turned in all of their homework (including reading minutes) and class work from the week.

Snacks: Must be HEALTHY

Please send your child in with a healthy snack everyday. Also, send water bottles to school with your child daily. Please be sure that they have water only in their bottles. Label water bottles!! Lunch:

If your child will be purchasing lunch through the school, please have them give us their money or check in the morning so we can add it to their lunch account or bring it to the MPR room before school starts. You can also access your student’s lunch account at www.mylunchmoney.com.

Dismissal:

Please be sure to send an email or a note with your child anytime he/she will be going home a different way than usual ( bus rather than walk, home with a friend, etc.)

Language Arts Web Sites 

Read Write Think http://www.readwritethink.org/This web site provides great interactive graphic organizers to help students with writing and reading, games, and homework help. 

Chandler Public Libraryhttp://www.chandlerlibrary.org/This city's library is a great sources for research, book lists, book talks, and downloadable books. 

Spelling Cityhttp://www.spellingcity.com/This amazing site offers students the opportunity to create and practice their own spelling list through games. 

International Reading Association http://reading.org/InformationFor/Parents.aspx

IRA resources are available to help parents as they take on their critical role as their children’s first and most important teachers.

Helpful Web Sites

Math Web Sites 

Math Facts Cafehttp://www.mathfactcafe.com/At this site you will be able to create your own math practice worksheets along with time test worksheets to help sharpen those pesky math facts.  There's even a way to create your own flash cards. 

Math Playgroundhttp://mathplayground.com/Math Playground is an action packed site that allows students to practice math skills, play logic games, and have some fun! 

NCTM- National Council for Teachers of Mathematicshttp://www.nctm.org/resources/families.aspxThe National Council for Teachers of Mathematics has put together a great site to help parents and students with understanding math concepts and provides homework help.  They also have great family activities and games for the whole family to enjoy!

 

Science and Social Studies 

Social Studies for Kidshttp://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/ancientcivilizations.htm 

History for Kidshttp://www.historyforkids.org/ 

PBS for Kids (science and social studies)http://www.pbs.org/topics/science-nature/natural-disasters/ 

Thank you!I look forward to an amazing year of academic, social and emotional growth for your child. Thank you for support!

If you ever have any question, concerns, or comments, please feel free to email, call or stop by the classroom.

Logan.mary@chandler.k12.az.us 480-883-4734