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PARENTS AS PARTNERS

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A Little About Me…

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Miss Scalzo’s Teaching Philosophy:

My job is to make your children want to come to school EVERY DAY!

I believe that learning should be broken into three parts

(1) Academics

(2)Character Education

(3) Home Support.

With these three parts, I know we can have a successful year.

Students play a huge role in their learning process....

so I am expecting them to be responsible people in the classroom,

My primary goal is to be on the team of your child. It is always my top priority.

Being in room 26 means learning/growing both academically, as well as personally.

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Writing:

We will be writing almost everyday in our writing journals this year!

We will be starting each writing period with a mini lesson with a goal in mind.

We will be focusing on adding details to our paragraphs this year.

Your child will be practicing all the steps of structured writing (which will be grades) ,

as well as keeping their own personal journal (which is not graded).

A third grade paragraph has a topic sentence, detail, support of the first detail, a second detail, support of the second detail, and a closing sentence.

A third grade paragraph should be more than 5 sentences long. This is our long term goal this year.

We will be learning how to write:

1) Narratives (a story about a character that has a beginning, middle, and end)

2) Informational Pieces (sharing facts about a topic)

3) Opinion Pieces (sharing an opinion and supporting it reasons,

acknowledging oppositional views, and writing a closing sentence)

IN both Reading and Writing (English Language Arts), we will be discussing why author’s write (author’s purpose: entertaining, informing, and persuading), genres (the groups that books belong to (i.e. mystery, science fiction, realistic fiction, etc), as well as who the audience is who is reading the story or they are writing for. Any discussions that you can have at home about these would be most helpful!!!!

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Math

We will be reviewing and learning new concepts this year in Math.

The biggest concepts that we will be learning is MULTIPLCATION and DIVISION !

The scope and sequence is on our website!

It is VITAL that your child practices these concepts, so that they can continue to achieve as they go through their schooling years.

Your child should have multiplication flash cards and division cards.

In addition we have some great multiplication game on our classroom website!

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IN order to get your child’s math materials online, follow these directions:



(1) Click on the link

(2) Put in the information for school, state, etc. 

(3) Click save school information, so you don't have to do this each time

(4) the username is thirdgrade and the password is thirdgrade (i tried to use an easy one--- if you are anything like me, you have so many passwords to remember!!)

Here you will find the textbook, workbook, and other tools!!! 

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Reading

In school, your child will have an hour reading block where they will either be engaging in reading indendently,

completing reading actvities, or conferencing with me.

Students will be made aware of their reading level. They are encouraged to read, independently, at or below their reading level for comprehension.

Students should read, each night, at home. I ask that your child reads 5 out of 7 nights, they can pick and choose which nights and check off on their planner when they have read.

Reading also involves talking about reading. I encourage parents to read and discuss a book each night for 20 minutes. This means, you or you and yoru child can read for 10 minutes and then talk about what you read afterwards (this is almost as important as actual reading, because we are working on COMPREHENSION!)

Some questions/discussion topics during at home reading:

ask “What’s happening here? Who is talking? What’s the problem? What do you think will happen next?”

• After reading, have your child predect what will happen next… you can write this down and the next day when you read, see if they were right or wrong. This will help your child become a more accurate predictor…make it a game!

• Have a discussion on whether or not you and yoru child would make the same decision or do the same actions that characters are doing in the book.

• Make a connection between movies, tv shows, your child’s life, and what they have just read.

We are really moving towards UNDERSTANDING reading.

Book should be about 50 or more pages now on a topic they both understand and like.

Studies show that students need a bulk of their day to indepently read a book of their choosing. Since we have a lot of subjects to go through during the day, we need that extra time at night to read!

Tips and Tricks for Parents to Motivate Their Children to Read At Home:



We will be learning about: genres, author’s purpose, how to write summaries, inferring, drawing conclusions, predicting, finding the problem and sharing the solution of stories, characters, describing characters, understanding Non-Fiction and it’s text features (graphs, captions, etc.) determining the main ideas of reading and sharing the supporting details. Sharing themes (messages) of stories and supporting it with details (EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT).

Social Studies and Science

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Some concepts we will be covering for Social Studies and Science this year are:

Science:

• Life cycles (plants, butterflies)

• The Water Cycle

• How to keep a science journal and safely conduct experiments

• Electricity

This year your child will be going to Mrs. Gardner for Social Studies:

• Map skills

• Landforms

• Different Cultures: China, Japan, Mexico, etc.

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Miss Scalzo’s contact information:

[pic]WEBSITE:



[pic]SCHOOL EMAIL: nicole.scalzo@

• I check and respond more frequently to this email address

[pic]SCHOOL NUMBER: (845)227-1756

• Please leave a message with the secretary and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to. Sometimes I am unable to call back right away.

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REFRIGERATOR WORTHY

|DAY |SPECIAL(S) |

|1&4 |PE (Mrs. Boccini) |

| |SNEAKERS NEEDED |

| |It’s a good idea to keep sneakers in backpack |

|2&5 |MUSIC (Mr. Coates/ Guay) |

|3&6 |ART (Mrs. Pidanick) |

| |*SMOCK NEEDED |

|Contact info |Nicole.scalzo@ |

| |(845)227-1756 |

| | |

* Day 1 computer

*Day 6 library

A Third Grade Heading

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Name Date: mm/dd/yy

Subject Assignment

**All school work and homework written on loose-leaf paper should include a heading**

*It’s very helpful to have students write their class assigned number in the corner of their class work and homework

* Writing on the left side, should start after the line on the left

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BEHAVIOR

Dear Parents/Guardians

Please note, no matter what the situation, I make it clear to the children that each day is fresh and clear and we begin over again.

Sweet Coupons- Earned for individual good behavior. Used at the end of the week to choose (by lottery) Super Star Student of week.

Reward Jar- Earned for good behavior as a whole group

• Rewards, chosen by teacher

• Past Awards: baseball day, ice cream day, pizza day, pajama day, etc.

• If your child is unable to participate in the reward day due to a medical issue, please send in a snack or comparable item for them (i.e. if they have braces and can’t chew gum, send them in with a lollipop)

Card Flipping - Consequences for breaking rules

1st time: warning

2nd time: 5 minutes from recess

3rd time: ten minutes from recess

4th time: at least 15 minutes from recess and/or :

-phone call/letter home from student

-phone call/letter home from parent

-visit to principal’s

** students will be filling out their behavior card color each night on their planner if they flip their cards

Class Rules THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK, ACT, ETC “Is this a good idea?”

Give Me Five (please see poster in classroom, as well as ask your child)

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Miss Scalzo’s Homework Policy

Homework is a chance for your child to learn new ways of learning and having one on one instruction!

Your children will be assigned homework Monday –Thursday evenings.

Homework should take no more than thirty minutes a night, (additionally students will be expected to read nightly, practice their multiplication tables and study before tests). Students will record their homework each night in their daily planner.

I will do my best to give a one week notice for all tests.

If students choose not to do their homework and bring it to school the next day, they, in turn, choose to complete their homework using some of their recess time.

Responsibility is huge in 3rd grade. Therefore, if a student misses an assignment, instead of giving up at home and saying “oh well! I don’t have it”, if your child finds worksheets, writes out some questions, etc, this will be taken as homework. It just takes a little initiative! (

However, if there is a legitimate reason as to why they have not completed their homework, please send me a note the day the homework is due.

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A Day in the Life of Your Child

Below is our Daily Schedule, please note, we sometimes alter the schedule in order to fit class needs.

2011-2012 Schedule

8:50-9:00 Morning Work/Routine

9:10-9:30 Morning Meeting

9:30-10:30 Math/Snack

10:30-11:00 Spelling/Reading

11:00-11:30 Reading continued

11:40- 12:20 Lunch

12:20-12:35 Cursive

12:40-1:20 Special

1:30-2:00 Writing

2:00-2:30 Science/Social Studies

2:30-2:45 Pack up and Planners

2:45-3:05 Recess

3:05- End Read Aloud

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MORNING MEETING

Morning Meeting allows us, as a class, to build our positive classroom atmosphere. It is a time for the class to work together in participation, listening, respect, and thinking. Morning Meeting takes approximately 20 minutes of our day, but it is well worth it!

Steps To Morning Meeting:

Pledge

Superstar Student Entrance

Greeting

Share

Activity

Reflection

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GRADING POLICY

We have new report cards this school year.

We were just shown them in September.

Your child will be given a grade based on a number scale 1-4.

In grading, all factors are taken into consideration:

• Classroom performance

• Completion of work

• Preparedness for class

• Attitude

• Effort

• Testing- written and oral

97-100%= A+

94-96%= A

90-93%= A-

87-89%= B+

84-86%= B

80-83%= B-

77-79%= C+

74-76%= C

70-73%= C-

Anything lower than a 70 is considered a D,F, or Not Passing

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REPORT CARDS

Report Cards go Home 4 times throughout the school year, the dates are as follows:

*dates may change

1st Report Card:

Date: November

• Parent teacher conferences last for approximately 10 minutes, please try to be on time to your appointment, so that other parents are not waiting

• This is a meeting just for adults, thank you!

2nd Report Card:

Date:

*please review your child’s report card and returned the signed envelope

3rd Report Card:

Date:

*please review your child’s report card and returned the signed envelope

4th Report Card:

Date: June 21st – Last Day of School

• report cards will be sent home on the last day of school (June 23rd )

NEW YORK STATE TESTING DATES

Please do your best to schedule vacations around these dates!

Third Grade now has THREE DAYS of ELA test and TWO DAYS of the Math test.

Math Test …….. April 23rd and 24th

ELA……. April 17th and 18th

How can you help?

• Prepare throughout the school year, so cramming isn’t necessary! (homework, flash cards, reading)

• Review any testing materials that go home

• Make sure your child gets a good night sleep

• Make sure they get a great breakfast!

• Send in number 2 pencils

For more details on the NYS Exams go to :



There is usually an informative meeting, after school, to discuss both the ELA and the Math tests.

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Vacations and/or Days off in Succession

• Please let me know, if you can, in advance

• District Policy is not to send work ahead of time; students should read and/or keep a journal, as well as practice math facts

• Your child is responsible to make up all missed work upon returning, within a reasonable time (a week)

Sick Days

• If your child is sick, they are responsible for all missed work within 1-2 days of absence(s)

• Please call ahead (before 11:50 am) if you would like for me to put their work out (note: not all work will be ready, student may have work at school when he/she returns)

• Please send in a note IMMEDIATELY on the return of your child to school with their student ID (this is their lunch account number)

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BIRTHDAYS and Celebrations

• School Policy: non-edible treats

• If your child has a nut allergy and you would like to provide a different snack from them should a birthday arise with questions on whether there is nuts in them, please feel free to do so!

If your preference is that your child does not participate in birthdays/holidays/celebrations, please let me know a head of time and discuss a plan, so that your child does not have to be in the room at that time.

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INVITATION POLICY

Room 26 Birthday Policy is as follows:

Your child may place invitations in classroom mailboxes if:

1) Either all girls or all boys are invited.

2) The whole class is invited.

If you are unable to invite the whole class, then please send out invitations to personal homes. Thank You!

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25 BOOK CLUB

Gayhead has a school-wide program, where students strive to read 25 or more books.

In our class, students are responsible for keeping their own record of books that they have read.

They must provide evidence of having read a book in one of two ways:

1) Book Report sheets (found near the classroom library)

Books at home DO COUNT! If your child reads a chapter book at home (50 pages counts as one book) then have them take home a Book Report Sheet.

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Field Trips

• Last year we were told field trips were cut

VOLUNTEERING!

From time to time, it will be beneficial to have parent volunteers!

If you are interested, please sign up on the table!

I will choose 1-3 Room Mothers and give the rest of the volunteers’ names/numbers/emails to assist!

Volunteers are needed for the following:

• Halloween (Fall) Celebration

• International Feast

• Winter/ Winter Holiday Celebration

• Valentine’s Day (cupcakes only)

• End of the Year Picnic

** If you and your child prefer not to partake in celebrations, no problem, please let me know ahead of time, so we can make separate accommodations/plans for them (

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YOUR HOMEWORK!

Parent Interview

Directions: Please complete the following interview and have it returned with your child before the end of this week!

Child name_________________________

Your Name _________________________

1. Tell us about your child’s history?

2. Describe your child’s strengths.

3. What are your hopes and goals for your child?

4. What does your child really like?

5. What does your child dislike?

6. What fears does your child have?

7. What are your biggest fears about your child?

8. What emotional, physical, and academic needs does your child have?

9. How can we provide an ideal day for your child at school?

10. Describe your child in ten words

• You may email this to me as well! You can copy and paste this into WORD.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS CHECK LIST

1) Did I remember to sign up for a conference day in November?

2) Did I remember to take any handouts?

3) Did I remember to write a letter to my child and leave it on their desk?

Room 26

Miss Scalzo

Third Grade Course Syllabus

Course Description

* (see elementary district syllabi/course handbook pgs. 32-39

• Reading

• Writing

• Social Studies

• Science

• Spelling

• Handwriting

• Character Education

Assessment

*(See Elementary District Syllabi/Course Handbook pgs.32-39)

Textbook, handbook(s) and other resources

*See elementary District Syllabi/Course Handbook, pgs. 32-39

1) Reading: independent books/ guided reading books

2) Writing: various handouts/write source books

3) Math: MIF

4) Social Studies: various handouts/packets

5) Science: various handouts/packeets

6) Spelling: Fundations

7) Handwriting: Fundations and various handouts

8) ELA/Math/ NYS Prep: Various handouts/past examples of tests, etc.

Classroom expectations and procedures*

Students in the intermediate grades are expected to come to school, everyday, prepared. Students take on more responsibility for themselves in third grade.

Absence Policy:

If your child is absent, please send in a note upon their return. If your child is going to be absent for three or more days, and you have advanced notice, please either send in a note or contact the school.

I recommend calling the school, if your child is absent, that day and requesting homework pick up. I will do my best to gather homework materials. The homework pick up table is located outside the office. This will allow your child a chance to complete his/her homework and not fall behind in class.

Homework Policy:

*Please see attached sheet for details

Your child is responsible for:

(1) Filling out their planner

(2) Bring in all homework materials home

(3) Completing homework

(4) Handing in homework, everyday.

We go over planners at the end of each day.

I do not require parents/guardians to sign planners IF your child is consistently getting homework in. *However, if they have difficulties getting homework in, then we will start a program where their planners get signed and they fill out a more comprehensive sheet, with me, at the end of each day, until, we can get them back on tract.

Activities/projects unique to this class (if applicable)*

In this class, we focus a lot on character education, primarily respect, responsibility, courtesy, and kindness.

• Morning Meeting

• Reward Jar

• SWEET COUPONS

• Behavior Chart

• Superstar Student

• Monthly book reports (starting in October)

• Social Studies/Science long term projects

• Field Trips

• Birthdays

• State Tests

Recommended/required materials for class*

Throughout the year, we may need refills on some of the items you have already sent in. I thank you in advance for providing these items when/if we need them!

Grading procedures*

Grades are based on the following scale:

100-96 (A or A+)

90-94 (A-)

89-86 (B or B+)

85-80 (B-)

79-76 (C or C+)

75-70 (C-)

69-65 (D)

64 and below (F)

Teacher contact information*

School Phone: 227-1756

School Email: Nicole.Scalzo@

• I check my school email every morning, during my break at school and after school.

• I check my home mail every night and if I get a chance during my break at school.

• If you need to call the school, please understand that I only have a limited amount of time during the school day to get back to you(unless it is an emergency). Please leave a message with the secretary and what the message is regarding and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.

ELA

Mathematics

The NYS Mathematics Curriculum is designed to provide students with conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and problem solving skills. It contains five content strands: number sense and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and probability and statistics. It also includes five process strands: problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections, and representation. These strands are addressed at every grade level through the study of specific mathematical concepts and skills. In 3rd grade students review and extend their skills with addition and subtraction. A major focus is the introduction of multiplication and division, mastery of multiplication facts, and extensive practice with applications that require the four basic operations. Time, money, graphs, geometry, and measurement activities are interspersed through the year. Below are the areas of study for Grade 3 mathematics.

See Scope and Sequence on Website

SCIENCE - Cycles in the Natural World

The Grade 3 curriculum is the Science 21 Program developed at the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES. The Program was put together by area elementary teachers to provide direction and vision of elementary science education for local school districts. The program’s main focus is a hands-on, inquiry-based science, and that math, language arts and technology are integrated at points where they fit naturally.

Content and Core Lesson is divided into four units:

Unit 1: How a Scientist Investigates Plant Cycles

• What a scientist does

• How a scientist (student) keeps an account of their work

• Investigate how a seed becomes a plant

• Parts and functions of a plant

Unit 2: How a Scientist Investigates Electricity

• Introduction to electricity

• How switches control the flow of electricity

• Conductors and non-conductors

• Series and parallel circuits

• Creating a circuit board

Unit 3: How a Scientist Investigates Water Cycles

• Sources and types of water

• States of water

• Water cycle

• Weather and the water cycle

• Conservation of water

Unit 4: How a Scientist Investigates Animal Cycles

• Study and observe the butterfly

Assessment: None

Textbook: None

For additional information on the Science 21 Program, please go to the following website:

Social Studies Communities Around the World

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The Grade 3 curriculum introduces communities throughout the world. The five social studies standards that are the basis of study are social, political, geographic, economic and historic characteristics of these communities. Students learn about the diversity of the world’s peoples and cultures. They study Western and non-Western examples from different geographic areas.

Skills Outcomes*

• Master Geography Skills with focus on communities

• Develop skills using timelines, charts and graphs

• Introduce Primary and Secondary Sources

• Develop writing skills to demonstrate knowledge of social studies

• Develop research and technical skills

Content Outcomes, covering the Politi-cal, Economic, Social and Geographical aspects of each area*:

Cultures and civilizations around the world

• Define culture and civilization

• Historical events can be viewed through the eyes of those who were there, as shown in their art, writings, music and artifacts

• Compare political, economic, social and geo-graphical similarities and differences among world communities

• Different events, people, problems and ideas make up a world community

• People create government and laws to keep order and insure safety

• Political leaders help make laws and enforce them

• Citizens have responsibilities in their communities

• Economic decisions rely heavily on geographical and environmental factors

• What goods and services should be produced and in what quantity?

• How and for whom shall goods and services be produced?

• Human needs and wants differ from place to place

• Economic choices are made due to unlimited needs and wants and limited (scarce) resources

• Explain how and why cultures/civilizations change

• People in world communities exchange elements of their culture (cultural diffusion)

• Values ideas, beliefs, and traditions are expressed in legends, folktales, biographies, autobiographies, and historical narratives

• People in world communities celebrate their ac-complishments, achievements and contributions

• Families in world communities differ from place to place

• All people in world communities need to learn and they learn in different ways

• World communities may have diversity among the groups that live together

• Explore different places people settle and why they settle there

• The causes and effects of human migration vary in different world regions

• People modify their physical environments to meet their needs

• Lifestyles of communities are affected by their environment

Use communities around the world to demonstrate the different political, economical, social and geographical aspects and decisions made by com-munities. (This give students a global perspective by using communities outside the U.S.)

Assessment: No NYS or district wide assessment is used. Teacher-created tests and performance activities are used to assess students’ level of mastery throughout the year.

Textbook: Communities: Adventures in Time and Place (McGraw Hill, 2001) *limited use

*This is a summary overview and does not include the entire curriculum. For more information about the Social Studies Learning Standards and Core Curriculum, see: (NYS Education Dept.) (WCSD)

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