Third Grade Curriculum Night Power Ranch Elementary Third

�Third Grade Curriculum Night Power Ranch Elementary Third Grade Team August 2016

Housekeeping • SCHOOL HOURS: School starts at 8: 05 am and students may arrive at 7: 45 am. We dismiss at 3: 05 pm except for Wednesday, which is a 1: 00 pm early release. • SNACK: We don’t eat lunch until 12: 00 pm and the students work hard and get hungry! If you would like you may send one healthy snack (brain food) for your child to eat in the morning. Please nothing that contains nuts (for the nut- free classes). • NUT-FREE ZONE: Some third grade classes are nut free. Please do not send in treats or snacks that contain peanuts to those classes. Your child's teacher will communicate this to you. Please only send in storebought treats for celebrations.

Basic Information • The 8 foods included in food allergy labeling that account for 90% of allergic reaction: – – – – Milk Eggs Peanuts Tree Nuts Fish Shellfish Soy Wheat

Basic Information • Teachers will communicate with parents if their child is in a nut free classroom • The school provides a lunch table for students with allergies • Hand sanitizer does not break down the protein enzymes - students do need to wash their hands with soap and water • Desks and tables need to be wiped down after snacks • Younger students do feel “different” because of the allergy and don’t like to be singled out

Tree Nut & Peanut Students can be allergic to one or both types of nuts • Tree Nut – – – – Grow on trees Cashews Pistachios Almonds Pecans Walnuts TRAILMIX • Peanuts – Are a Legume

We appreciate your support • Student safety is our top priority. We appreciate your support with these procedures. • Parents please communicate any allergies with school health aide • HUSD has a suggested list of nut free safe snacks • All shared snacks must be store bought. This allows the health aide to check labels • Store bought baked goods can be brought in for celebrations but students will be taken outside or to the cafeteria to eat them

What can parents do? • Provide extra snacks for your student with an allergy • Communicate with the teacher – Schedule a meeting with the teacher early in the school year • Talk to your child about not sharing food with others • Encourage students to wash their hands with soap and water before and after eating

Parent drop off and pick up Recommended for 3 rd-6 th Pick up and drop off No Recommended for K-2 nd grade pick up and drop off Pa g in ou h. H nc se No U-TURN rk Ra KY PW

We appreciate your support In order to ensure the safety of our students and staff, Power Ranch Elementary has established these parent drop off/pick-up procedures: • All traffic travels in one direction as noted on the map • We recommend the drop off and pick up locations based on the safety of our students and the number of students at each grade level • U-turns are prohibited • When parking your car we insist that you use the crosswalks in order to get to and from the building • Please only park your car in designated spots. Parking along the curb in any location will cause safety issues and violators can be issued tickets

Appropriate Behavior and Feedback • Please note that we have 5 MPH speed limit on our campus that is enforced and that we work closely with GPD. • We understand that the drop off and pick up process can be frustrating and stressful at times. Please refrain from yelling, using inappropriate language and creating an unsafe environment for our students. • Feedback is always welcome as we are continually trying to improve systems to ensure a safe school. Please contact our office with your observations. • Parents can also participate on our Safety Team where we discuss such matters as the parking lot.

Crosswalks Ranch House PKWY @ E. Spring Ln. Crossing Guards on duty from 7: 40 -8: 20 & 2: 55 3: 25 Ranch House Pkwy @ Arrowhead Trail Crossing Guards on duty from 7: 40 -8: 20 & 2: 55 -3: 25 E. Haven Crest @ East Driveway Crossing Guards on duty from 7: 40 -8: 20 & 2: 55 3: 25

Communication • Agendas and Binders *Please sign each night upon completion of homework • Daily homework *20 minutes of reading *spelling practice • Email is the best way to contact us.

Common Core Standards • The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a stateled effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

District Grading Practices Higley teachers will teach the Arizona academic standards and assess how students are progressing. When teachers report student progress they will follow these guidelines: 1. Scores are related to achievement of the standards 2. Variety of assessments used to gather evidence of achievement 3. Assessment procedures support student learning

Standards-Based Grading The K-5 Grade Reports to Parents include the following levels of performance: 4 = Above benchmark / Exceeds current grade level expectations L GOA 3 = Meets benchmark / At grade level expectations 2 = Approaching benchmark / Improving but not consistent 1 = Below grade level / Needs more time and support Blank = Not yet introduced

K-5 Assessment and Grading Handbook Online Visit our website for frequently asked questions!

AR Reading Program • Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computer-based comprehension program. Students select an AR book, read the book, and then take a 5 to 10 question comprehension test, followed by a spiraled vocabulary quiz. Students are responsible for checking out two AR books, and one book of choice. In addition, one of the AR books must be a non-fiction text. We will be increasing non-fiction text as part of implementing the Common Core State Standards. Accelerated Reader provides an additional source to better understand your child’s comprehension and vocabulary skills. As always, our goal is to reach 100% achievement each quarter.

Curriculum Maps Online Visit our website to find your student’s curriculum maps by grade level and content area.

Reading • SMALL GROUPS: Students will get the opportunity to read in a small group of 4 -6 children. They will learn strategies, phonics, and comprehension skills. Teachers will guide students through literature studies connected to the Common Core Standards. • READ-ALOUDS: Teachers will read fiction and non-fiction stories. They will be exposed to proper fluency as well as have the opportunity to respond to literary elements. • CENTERS: Students will work cooperatively with hands-on activities reinforcing various skills taught throughout the year. • INDEPENDENT READING: Students will read independently in class and during AR. • CLOSE READING: Teachers will use the latest reading comprehension technique to improve student achievement.

Writing Students will learn basic types of writing such as personal narratives, story writing, friendly letters, and more. We will focus on the six traits of writing which include: • IDEAS/CONTENT ORGANIZATION VOICE • WORD CHOICE SENTENCE FLUENCY CONVENTIONS Students will be taught to use the five step writing process to refine their writing skills. Children will experience writing through: • Modeled Writing- Observing the teacher write and model the writing process out loud. • Journals- Students will have the opportunity to freely write in their journals on a topic of their choosing. This is a place for students to do some personal writing, write poetry, create lists, etc. • Publishing- Students will use the six traits of writing and publish work by creating their own masterpieces.

Math Parent Roadmaps to the Mathematics Common Core Standards • During the upcoming school year, Power Ranch children (and children across Arizona) will be exposed to exciting new math curriculum. To adhere to the Common Core Standards (New Arizona State Standards), there will be several shifts implemented in how we teach math for all grade levels. To help parents better understand these mathematical shifts, The Council of the Great City Schools has created parent roadmaps to help parents understand what their children will be learning and how they can support that learning at home. Below is a link to each grade levels' parent roadmap. These maps also provide learning examples and three-year snapshots showing how selected standards progress from year to year enabling students to become college and career ready upon their graduation from high school.

Science is divided into three primary areas; Life Science, Earth & Space, and Physical Science. The areas of focus for this quarter consist of: • Identifying the layers of the Earth • Describing the different types of rocks and how they are formed • Classifying rocks based on their physical properties • Describing how fossils are formed • Identifying how diverse people and/or cultures, past and present, have made important contributions to scientific innovations

Social Studies is divided into five strands; American History, World History, Civics/Government, Geography, and Economics. This quarter we will be focusing on: • Discussing how different types of maps serve various purposes. • Describing the rights and responsibilities of citizens. • Identifying traits of character that are important to the preservation and improvement of democracy. • Describing the importance of students contributing to a community.

Thank You! Thank you for all your help and support! We appreciate your time tonight. It’s going to be a wonderful year! Have a terrific evening!