Third Grade Parent Packet

Mrs. Gordon CCES

2014 - 2015

Lower School

245 CAVALIER DRIVE, GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29607-4265 · (864) 299-1522 Character. Community. Excellence. Service.

Dear Parents, Welcome to third grade! I am looking forward to a fun and exciting year working with your children. We will experience together the challenges and rewards of learning. This parent packet is for you to use throughout the year. It is a resource of information about the third grade curriculum, activities, and special projects. Each week you will also receive a weekly e-newsletter which will always have a link to this document. I hope this will be a valuable and easy reference for answering some of your questions.

Sincerely, Ellen Gordon

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PYP Information

As you know, our curriculum is based around the “PYP” or Primary Years Program of the International Baccalaureate Organization. I am enthusiastic about this year’s plan for third grade. As the third grade team plans each unit, we write a “planner” or “unit of inquiry” that is shared with other teachers and specialists. Within each unit of inquiry we reach out to incorporate as many areas of the curriculum as possible. Our units of inquiry are:

“Past to Present” – Social Studies/Language Arts focus Central Idea: People from the past affect our lives today.

• SC History • Personal Heritage • Timelines and decade research • Traditions • Walnut Grove

“Everybody” – Science/Social well-being/PE focus Central Idea: Different systems are at work to support the life functions of the human body. Study of these systems and how they work together:

• Skeletal • Respiratory • Circulatory • Muscular • Nervous • Digestive

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“Fascination with Imagination”- Language Arts/Art focus Central Idea: Artists use their imaginations to express their thoughts, feelings and opinions.

• Artist research • Art Project and Class Art Show • Greenville Art Museum

“Common Cents”- Economics/Math/Language Arts Central Idea: People create economies to trade goods and services.

• Wants/needs • Profit/loss • Supply/demand • Goods/services • Kids in Business

“Mother Nature Rocks”- Science Central Idea: Natural disasters affect people and their surroundings in different ways and in different locations around the world.

• Weather • Types and causes of natural disasters • Research of disasters

“Out Your Back Door” – Language Arts/Social Studies Central Idea: People have rights and responsibilities to human and natural resources.

• Geography • 3 regions of SC • Human and Natural Resources (outside of and within SC) • Salute to South Carolina • Columbia Field Trip

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After we have introduced each unit, we ask the students the questions – “What do we know about this topic?” and “What do we want to learn about it?” From these questions we know the path that we will take. When writing a unit of inquiry we develop the best method of learning, which will always vary. The main approach whenever possible will be for the children to be the inquirers. This may be individual or a cooperative group-learning environment. We understand that there are concepts and knowledge the children need to learn and we endeavor to ensure that this happens, but we are committed to developing their skills at every level. We are sure our curriculum offers a balance between these two essentials. At the conclusion of each unit we will reflect on what we have learned, and as teachers we look at the unit of inquiry and make any adjustments and improvements we consider necessary for the next year. You will see over the course of the year that the students are actively involved in their own learning. They will be aware of the role that they will play and how the way that they think and react is important. In each classroom the students will discuss and will be familiar with the attributes that make up the IB Learner Profile. They are: Thinkers Risk-takers Communicators Balanced Open-minded

Principled Inquirers Caring Knowledgeable Reflective

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We as teachers are committed to inquiry as the approach to teaching and learning. It enables us to focus both locally and globally in our effort to build your children into lifetime learners. I look forward to a great year with you and your child. PYP-IB Student Attitudes As well as involving our students in understanding concepts, acquiring skills, and gaining knowledge, as an IB school we encourage them in the acquisition of certain attitudes, which are valued in our school community. These attitudes are: Appreciation Commitment Confidence Curiosity Cooperation Creativity

Empathy Enthusiasm Tolerance Independence Integrity Respect

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Expectations

Teacher’s Expectations of Pupil 1. Respect for self, others, and environment 2. Participation in class activities 3. Cooperation with teachers and peers 4. Completion of class work and homework

(neatly, orderly, and on time)

Teacher’s Expectations of Parents

1. Support of your child – encouragement, guidance, positive attitude

2. Communication with teacher – concerns about grades, homework, or any situations that may interfere with child’s work, attitude, or feelings

3. Support for teacher – believe that we sincerely want what is best for your child

What You and Your Child Can Expect from Me

1. Honesty 2. Fairness 3. Openness 4. Availability 5. Confidentiality

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Curriculum Overview

READING – Historical Biographies of SC Increase each student’s reading level 10-12 novel studies Open Court reading selections Daily DEAR time Accelerated Reader Vocabulary Study “Time for Kids” (non-fiction)

Reading incentive program

WRITING – Sentence structure; 4 kinds of sentences Nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs

Grammar skills are embedded in writing Paragraph structure

Writing process Letter writing project Poetry Mastery of cursive handwriting formation

Dictionary skills (guide words, definitions) Research skills

Study skills/organization/headings What do good authors do? Self reflections Goal 3-5 paragraphs on a single topic

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SPELLING – Sitton Spelling (high frequency words and spelling patterns)

Cyclical in nature (words are tested repeatedly during the year)

Wednesday Take Home Tasks (require parent help and signature)

Friday tests (cloze story, skill activity, dictated sentences)

Spelling City (www.spellingcity.com) (activities and homework on Thursdays)

Homework in form of Spelling Contracts SOCIAL - South Carolina History

STUDIES Weekly Studies: SC Edition

Economics in “Common Cents”

Time for Kids *The third grade has one major performance each year. “Salute to South Carolina” is a performance in May. The children will present songs and dances of our state. They will also teach YOU, the parents, many interesting facts about our state. * SCIENCE - Discovery Class Human Body Systems Natural Disasters

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MATH – Place value Measurement & Geometry

Fractions Probability Decimals

Time Money Addition/Subtraction (4 digit)

Multiplication (4 digit by 1 digit) Division (1 digit divisor/4 digit dividend) Addition and subtraction facts to 18

(100 in 4 minutes) Mastery of multiplication facts through 12’s Math Journal and Mental Math Math in Focus curriculum

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Major Field Trips (subject to change)

Walnut Grove Plantation Our first field trip! This is a half-day trip in early September. We travel back in time to the late 1700’s to Walnut Grove near Spartanburg. We tour the grounds, main house, and outer buildings. We experience how candles were made in the 1700’s. After a picnic lunch, we return to school around 2:00. We will transport the children by a chartered bus and/or parent cars. Cultural Art Experience (varies each year) Columbia The big one! After studying South Carolina all year, we make our way by bus to Columbia. We tour the State Museum, the State House, and end our trip at the Riverbanks Zoo. After a picnic and zoo tour, we return to school in the late afternoon. This trip will be in late April or early May.

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Grading and Assessment

Statement of Philosophy Christ Church Lower School recognizes that assessment and evaluation are integral parts to the learning process. We believe that both students and teachers should be actively engaged in the assessment process. We believe that assessment provides feedback on the learning process and informs our practice. We believe that assessment is one avenue to further our school’s mission to “nurture students’ intellectual development.”

Goal on all non-numerical graded assignments is the “Smiley Q” (for Quality). You will also see , √, or √- Missing homework and incomplete assignments do count against them. This includes nightly reading. Graded work will be projects, published writing, spelling contracts, some class work (like quizzes) and tests. You will receive a grade average at progress report time and at report card time. A current grade average is always available via NetClassroom. Remember… they will receive lots of grades in a semester!! Graded areas: reading, writing, spelling, math

CCES Grading Scale: 97-100: A+ 87-89: B+ 77-79: C+ 65-69: D 93-96: A 83-86: B 73-76: C 64&below: F 90-92: A- 80-82: B- 70-72: C-

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Important Information

Birthdays – We love to celebrate birthdays in third grade at CCES. In addition to the birthday blessing at a Monday Chapel (parents are invited and will be notified the week before), students are allowed to bring a birthday snack to be shared during our morning recess snack time. Grab-and-go snacks are preferred, thanks! Examples are doughnuts, cookies, fruit kabobs, bags of snack mix, popsicles, rice crispie treats, etc. Napkins are always appreciated! Attendance/Tardies – Students should make every effort to arrive daily before 8:00. I greet students and we get started with our day at that time. Students are counted tardy by the school if they are not in the classroom by 8:15. Please review our schedule (in your child’s TRIP binder) when making any necessary appointments during school hours. Class time is crucial and many activities cannot be made up if your child is out. I appreciate your help with this! Thanks!

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Homework – The expected time for homework in the third grade is 40-50 minutes which includes 20 minutes of reading. It is always a good idea to have a set time and place for homework to be completed. Please check your child’s assignment book nightly. Wednesday Folder – This black laminated folder comes home each Wednesday and includes notes from CCES, work to keep at home, as well as a signature sheet.

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Contact Information Ellen Gordon gordone@cces.org cell: 864-907-8482 CCES 864-299-1522 ext.1995 Schoology Group – Mrs. Gordon’s Third Grade Letter Writing Address: Mrs. Gordon’s Third Grade 245 Cavalier Drive Greenville, SC 29607

Attn: “Student Name”