This is a terrific class and I am thrilled to get to work with them this year. We spent much of this week developing routines and sharing expectations. I would like students to be as independent as possible in their routines prior to my absence.
Word Study
I administered the Developmental Spelling Assessment (DSA) this week. The DSA will provide me with invaluable detailed information about each student's phonological awareness and will help me determine which stage of phonological awareness they are currently in. The spectrum is as follows:
Letter Name Stage > Within Word Stage > Syllable Juncture Stage > Derivational Constancy Stage
Based on experience, most third graders will begin the year in either the Within Word Stage or the Syllable Juncture Stage and will progress one stage in an academic year. Each stage is comprised of specific phonological concepts such as short vowel closed syllables, long vowel open syllables, vowel consonant silent e, r-controlled vowels, doubling & e-drop with -ed and -ing suffixes, etc. The DSA is a great assessment and will also provide a meaningful benchmark to measure student growth.
Reading
We discussed the importance of choosing "just right" books: books that we can comprehend and can read with expression and fluency that mirrors our normal speaking rate and our ability to add meaningful inflection and tone based on context and punctuation. I will be assessing students' reading next week using the Developmental Reading Assessment.
Writing
I assigned an optional writing assignment, a persuasive essay for those interested in running for student council. Students will share their essays and we will hold our election next week. I stress that we do not vote for our friends, but rather for the best candidates based on the characteristics they feel would make them a good representative and their experiences that support their traits.
We discussed possible writing topics for our pen pals. We have a terrific class of students in Middlesex, UK that we will partner with this year. While much of our writing will be done on devices, our initial writing will be on paper. As it is their future, I will work with students on developing the ability to plan, draft, edit and publish using their devices. We will also spend a lot of time with partners improving our writing.
Math
I assessed students addition and subtraction fact fluency. I will discuss strategies for developing this essential skill at next week's Parent Information Night. The national norm for fact fluency is three seconds per fact. I am sending home students' assessments today. You will note that they took two addition and two subtraction assessments. I give them the benefit of the doubt and record their higher score as it can help to prime their brain with the first assessment. Students should get 23 or more correct to earn an achieving or 20 through 22 for a progressing. Anything below 20 is considered beginning. All students are expected to enter third grade at the achieving level.
I introduced two addition strategies of zero more and one more. Students learned to begin with the larger number and count on to be more efficient. Groups also worked together to sort and organize dominoes tiles using these two strategies.
Social
We watched the wonderful Windermere Way video and discussed as a community the importance of being respectful, responsible and ready to learn.
Doubling & e-drop with ed & ing
Testing dates are in bold. I will highlight changes and new dates in red.
A-E Schedule
UA schools operate on an A-E schedule, rather than a Monday through Friday schedule. Our class' schedule is as follows.
A Days: No specials
B Days: Music and PE
C Days: Art
D Days: Library
E Days: Music and PE
August 19 & 20, Elementary Device Distribution Hastings Middle School
August 22 September 16 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
August 22 September 16 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
August 23 Special Issue Election, students eat in the classroom (no nuts or peanuts please)
August 23, Parent Information/Curriculum Night 7 - 7:45pm
August 23, Parent Information/Curriculum Night 7 - 7:45pm
August 26 & 27, Elementary Device Distribution Hastings Middle School
August 30 Mr. Hudson out for ankle surgery
August 31, New Parent Breakfast, Windermere Lounge 9am
August 31, New Parent Breakfast, Windermere Lounge 9am
August 31, Walking Wednesday
September 2 Windermere Way Community Day 2016
September 4 Golden Bear BASH
September 5 No School Students and Staff: Labor Day
September 7 Walking Wednesday
September 14 PTO Meeting 7pm in the lounge
September 14 Walking Wednesday
September 21 Walking Wednesday
September 22 Fall Picture Day
September 28 Early Dismissal 1pm
September 28 Early Dismissal 1pm
September 28 Walking Wednesday
October 3-7 Scholastic Book Fair
October 5 Walking Wednesday
October 7 Fall Family Night 5 - 8pm
October 10 - 14 Boxtop Collection Days
October 12 Walking Wednesday
October 17 No School for Students: Parent/Teacher Conference Day (PM)
October 19 Walking Wednesday
October 21 Picture Retake Day
October 26 Walking Wednesday
October 26 Visiting Author Steve Harpster
October 27 Early Dismissal 1pm
October 31 Halloween Parties and Parade: 1:30pm
October 31 Trick or Treat Night
November 2 Walking Wednesday
November 8 No School for Students: (Voting Day) In-service Day for Teachers
November 9-10 Ohio 3rd Grade English Language Arts Assessment
November 9 Walking Wednesday
November 9 Walking Wednesday
November 11 End of first Trimester
November 11 Global Ed Assembly
November 16 Walking Wednesday
November 22 Progress Reports Home Today
November 22 Scarlet and Gray Spirit Day
November 23-25 Thanksgiving Vacation
December 5-16 Gifted Identification Screener
December 20 Sing Along (1pm) & Holiday Parties (2pm)
December 20 Sing Along (1pm) & Holiday Parties (2pm)
December 21-January 2nd Winter Break
January 3 No School for Students: PD (AM) /Work Day (PM)
January 4-25 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
January 4 School Resumes after Holiday Break
January 4 School Resumes after Holiday Break
January 10 Student Group Activities (e.g., Recycling Team, Orchestra, etc.)
January 13 Town Hall Meeting 12:30pm
January 16 No School for Students & Staff: MLK Day
January 18 Interim Progress Reports Home Today
January 25 Parent/Teacher Conferences
January 30 State of Schools at UAHS 5 - 8pm
February 6 - 10 Boxtop Collection Days
February 6 - March 31 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
February 20 No School for Students & Staff: President's Day
February 20 No School for Students & Staff: President's Day
March 1 Early Dismissal 1pm
March 9 3rd Grade Musical
March 10 Town Hall Meeting1:45 PM
March 10 End of second Trimester
March 13 - 17 Spring Break - No School
March 20 No School for students - Teacher Workday
March 28 Progress Reports Home Today
April 5 - 6 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
April 6 Spring Picture Day
April 10 - April 28 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14 No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14 No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday
April 24 - 28 Scholastic Book Fair
April 28 KID FEST 5 - 8pm
May 8 - 19 Terra Nova & Inview Gifted Screener
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 24 Field Day
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 24 Field Day
May 26 Town Hall Meeting 8:25am
May 26 Last Day for Students; End of third trimester
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm
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