Welcome Back to School

Carol Hanson

Third Grade

2013 - 14

Alta Vista School

Purpose of this evening

• Parent/Teacher Introductions

• Overview of the Curriculum

• Daily Schedule and Field Trips

• Volunteer Sign-ups

Language ArtsReading• The focus is comprehension – reading to learn• Houghton-Mifflin texts• Self-Selected Reading• RtI – targeted instruction/differentiation• Reference Skills

Writing• Personal Narrative, Creative Narrative, Response to

Literature, and Expository (biography, animal adaptations)• 6 Traits of Writing• Cursive handwriting and keyboarding skills

MathematicsGoals for Third Grade• Master basic skills (addition & subtraction)

• Internalize multiplication facts

• Reason and communicate mathematically

• Gain confidence in their own mathematical ability

Units of Study: (Common Core)• Number Sense: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Fractions and Decimals

• Measurement & Geometry

• Algebra & Functions (incl. Graphing)

• Mathematical Reasoning / Problem-solving

• enVision Math, Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley

Social StudiesContinuity and Change

Geography• Map skills• Identification of physical features of the United States

Local History• Ohlone Native Americans• Local History/Economy

Diversity• In the classroom and in the community• Cultural Dolls

Three Branches of Government

Our Communities - Scott Foresman

Science

The Goals for third grade:• Work individually and as a team member to collect and share

information• Conduct simple investigations to test a hypothesis and record

results• Begin to communicate scientific information through writing,

pictures, charts, graphs and models

Units of study:• The Sun, Moon and Stars – Stargazing Night

and the DeAnza Planetarium

• Structures of Life – Monterey Bay Aquarium• Matter and Energy – Mad Science

Science Resources - FOSS

Music/ Physical Education / Art

Music• Third grade students receive 30 minutes music instruction

weekly – ORFF program

Physical Education• Third grade students receive P.E. instruction through the

S.P.A.R.K. (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) and the Rhythm & Moves programs

Art• Students participate in the Art Vistas and Clay programs

P.E., Art Vistas and Clay are made possible by parent volunteers.

Reporting on Student Progress

Ongoing throughout the year

November Reporting• Parent / Teacher Conference (beginning Nov. 14th)

• Report Card

March Reporting• Parent / Teacher conference (beginning March 13th)• Report Card

June Reporting• Report Card

Communication

Telephone/email• Alta Vista School 356-6146 x107• email hansonc@unionsd.org

Wednesday Weekly Envelope• School info/Student Work

Class Website

• Alta Vista website, Class Pages, 3rd Grade

* Monthly Newsletter on our class webpage

School Website

Field Trips

• Sanborn Park (Ohlone)

*May, 2014

• Monterey Bay Aquarium *Feb. 27th, 2014

DeAnza Planetarium - TBD

• Campbell Historical Museum –Local history trunks

“Don’t tell me where you went to school, tell me where you’ve been…”

Mark Twain

Volunteering

You make a difference!

Some examples of things you can do:• Copying/Filing for grade level• Art Vistas, Clay, S.P.A.R.K. P.E. Helper• Reading/Math Tutors• Room Parents/Help with Class Parties• Library Helper – Tues., 1:00 – 2:00• Computer Lab Helper – Tues. 1:00 – 2:00

Our Weekly Schedule

• Library/Computer Lab – Tues., 1:00-2:00

• Rhythm & Moves P.E – Wed., 8:20 – 8:50

• Music – Thurs., 1:00 – 1:30

• RTI – Mon. - Thurs., 11:00 – 12:00

Nature never repeats herself, and the possibilities of one human soul will never be found in another.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton