14th year of teaching, 8th year at Baker

14th year of teaching, 8th year at Baker

• 14th year of teaching, 8th year at Baker

• Taught 4th grade for 5 years, Kennett Square, PA

• Undergrad and graduate degrees from University of Pittsburgh

• Husband (Jimmy) Son (James 4 1/2) Daughter (Livia 2 1/2)

Develop independent learners that are encouraged to reach their fullest potential

• Develop independent learners that are encouraged to reach their fullest potential

• Classroom community of respect and responsibility

• Differentiate instruction so that ALL children will learn based on their own level of instruction.

7:55-8:30 Morning Journal, MUG Shot, Baker Boost

• 7:55-8:30 Morning Journal, MUG Shot, Baker Boost

• 8:30-8:45 Rocket Math/math problem solving

• 8:45-9:30 Social Studies/Science

• 9:40-10:45 Specials-Spanish is now 1/week, we share Spanish teachers with the 2 other elementary buildings. Our teacher is Sra. Gilbert ext. 8085

• 10:40-11:40 Reading/Writer’s Workshop

• 11:40-12:10 Lunch (Most important time of day!)

• 12:20-12:40 Recess (2nd most important time of day!)

• 12:40-1:30 Reading/Language Arts

• 1:30-2:35 Math

New Math Series: enVision Math

• New Math Series: enVision Math

• This new series embraces, encourages, and celebrates diverse thinking in children. It shows them that there is more than one way to think mathematically. Students are challenged to share and compare strategies as they explore Math concepts. This program stretches the children to think beyond traditional algorithms and procedures and think more flexibly.

• The actual lessons are designed differently—in first part of each day, the students are challenged to investigate the concepts with hands-on manipulatives which builds a deeper understanding of the concepts instead of being told “do it like this.”

• Mrs. Berrott, former 2nd grade teacher, now Math resource is our ‘4th third grade’ teacher for Math. Still 4 classes, smaller #’s.

• Riverdeep computer program for reinforcement, enrichment

• At least one page of Math HW per night-Please look over HW with your child, but let them make mistakes!

• Notify you of test 1,2,3 slip; please begin to study a couple of days before the test.

• Rocket Math: Subtraction now. Practice with a partner, test, check-all have individual goals. All subtraction papers are on my website.

Balanced Literacy approach: Comprehension strategies are explicitly taught through read alouds.

• Balanced Literacy approach: Comprehension strategies are explicitly taught through read alouds.

• Guided Reading: Small group instruction with novels based on instructional reading level. Meet with each group 3 times per week.

• Reader’s Workshop: INDEPENDENT reading time from my leveled classroom library. Book, post-it response sheet, mini-project, conference sheet, conference with me.

• Mrs. Gipson (librarian) will be pulling children 2/week for literacy circles. Extra opportunity to enjoy a book with classmates from the other 2 third grades. Mrs. Gipson will also be pulling skill groups during our reading block to reinforce language arts skills.

• Mrs. Zora (reading resource teacher) will be pulling kids during reading time for small group instruction: fluency practice, comprehension, etc.

6 + 1 Traits of Writing: Ideas, sentence fluency, organization, word choice, voice, and conventions. Constant revisions of writing pieces

• 6 + 1 Traits of Writing: Ideas, sentence fluency, organization, word choice, voice, and conventions. Constant revisions of writing pieces

• Mini lesson, writing time, sharing time

• Parent volunteers occasionally to help children conference with their writing. Days and times TBA.

Morning Message, MUG Shot sentences each day

• Morning Message, MUG Shot sentences each day

• Spelling: Pre-test Monday (keep at HOME!) Post-test Friday. List + 3-4 word wall words

• List B if your child gets 100% on Monday’s pre-test. Words are more challenging, but still in the same spelling pattern of the week. ALL children will do 3X each on Monday night to practice printing (now) and cursive (later). List B children will do different HW from tic tac toe grid. Very important to keep tic tac toe grid all week—it’s the only paper with the list B words.

• Homework: 1 paper each night, keep spelling book at home all year.

• Handwriting: please encourage neat handwriting always. We are learning cursive now, encourage cursive when possible. Practice, practice, practice!

Geography, American Government, India, Pittsburgh, Economics

• Geography, American Government, India, Pittsburgh, Economics

• Time for kids to supplement curriculum

We will not bully others.

• We will not bully others.

• We will try to help students who are bullied.

• We will try to include students who are left out.

• If we know that someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult at home and at school.

• Weekly class meetings each Monday to discuss bullying topics/issues/concerns/problem solve/build classroom community.

Homework: District policy 30-40 minutes/night for 3rd 4th graders

• Homework: District policy 30-40 minutes/night for 3rd 4th graders

• Not completed/lost/forgot= pink sheet and completed at home. 3 pink sheets, we need to meet.
• Homework planners--kids have multiple opportunities to write down their hw each day. Please sign your child’s planner each night.
• Stress the importance of HW--if it’s important to you, it will be important to them!
• Please encourage some ORAL reading at home. Let your child read aloud, you read aloud…SO IMPORTANT!

• Missed work: SWEP, Strings, pull outs for reading/math

• Students are responsible for getting work missed and making it up that night to not fall behind.

• Baker BOOST: Tuesday-Friday mornings for Math & Language Arts Skills practice /reinforcement. This is TRUE second chance learning!! It’s a wonderful resource we have! If your child is absent a day, they will go to Baker Boost the day they return to catch up on the Math work they missed.

• Technology: 5 computers in classroom+ lab time 2-3 times/week + lap top cart for use in classroom.

• Riverdeep/RAZ kids for Reading and Math practice
• Type to Learn to practice and refine typing skills
• Tech time: other explorations in technology-navigating internet, word processing, power point, etc.

Birthday Treats: District policy is non-food items. Other ideas: book for classroom or school library, pencils, erasers, donating a game for indoor recess

• Birthday Treats: District policy is non-food items. Other ideas: book for classroom or school library, pencils, erasers, donating a game for indoor recess

• Marble Jar: Up to 5 marbles each day

• Gold Tickets: Given out to students who display positive behavior, 4 ‘winners’ picked each Friday to get a prize.

• Chain of compliments: Add a paperclip to chain every time we receive a compliment. Goal=reach the floor

• Classroom needs: Indoor recess games: puzzles, blocks, connect four, Legos, marbles, dominoes, etc. Used just fine.

Please remember to sign up for a conference in October/November. Take a reminder slip as well.

• Please remember to sign up for a conference in October/November. Take a reminder slip as well.

• Baker Boo Bash--sign up sheet on back table.

• Library Volunteers Mrs. Gipson would love to have some volunteers to shelve books—sign up sheet on back table.

• If more than 2 parents would like to be room coordinators, please put your name on the slip of paper on back table--I will choose 2 names randomly out of a bag.

• Box tops, please collect!

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Thank you for sending me such wonderful children! We are off to a fantastic start in third grade! Please remember to contact me if you ever need anything--Communication is Key! We are partners in your child’s education!

• Thank you for sending me such wonderful children! We are off to a fantastic start in third grade! Please remember to contact me if you ever need anything--Communication is Key! We are partners in your child’s education!