Imagine

Curriculum Night2011-2012

Save the date: October 25, 20116:30- 8:00 pm

The Unified Arts ExperienceAn opportunity to meet the unified

arts teachers, visit the classrooms, and learn about each program

through hands on activities.

Team PhilosophyTeam PhilosophyTeam Imagine is a blending of talents, strengths and a celebration of each person’s individuality. We embrace the diversity of the students and teachers on our team. Each person’s strengths enhance the whole. Team Organizations/Application of LearningThe students are organized into two heterogeneous prime rooms. All learning time is organized into whole group, small cooperative groups and/or independent studies. Our social studies and science units are presented through Multiple Intelligence experiences, acknowledging and embracing the philosophy that each person has unique gifts, talents and strengths. The students learn through a Constructivist approach. They are actively engaged in “scaffolding,” connecting prior knowledge with newly acquired knowledge. These Vermont Standards based units are thematic and address the varied students’ learning styles through hands-on activities as well as individual projects. This allows each student to explore his/her strengths and to challenge him/herself to reach his/her own potential. We explore along with the students, which we believe enhances our knowledge and creates opportunities to share acquired knowledge with the team. Learners’ Needs/ HomeworkThe student’s individual weekly assignments are organized and reviewed at the beginning of each week by the student and teacher. Students are responsible for these weekly assignments through daily homework to reinforce the concept under study. Throughout the week the students confer with their teacher to review the week’s successes and challenges. Students reflect upon successes and challenges on their goal sheet. Goal sheets also serve as an important weekly communication tool between team and family. A Reader’s Workshop format outlines our reading program. Reader’s Workshop has three main components: guided reading, independent reading, and literature groups. During guided reading students read, analyze, and discuss various genres of literature. These small groups are teacher led and based upon reading level or interest. Along with reading students are also required to respond in writing to their reading. Our thematic units are often integrated into our guided reading. The second piece of our reading program is independent reading. This creates an opportunity for students to make good reading choices, to practice reading comprehension strategies, and to confer with their teacher regarding reading progress. Literature groups occur a few times per year, these groups are interest based and focus on enjoyment and discussion of literature. Writing is taught through a Writer’s Workshop format which connects both conferencing and mini-lessons. Teacher conferencing allows us to differentiate our instruction. Mini-lessons are used to teach genre structure and mechanics. Spelling is taught through flexible grouping based on learner’s needs. Mathematics is delivered through Bridges Program a standards-based program that has been adopted school wide. Problem solving is used as a vehicle to teach and apply mathematical concepts.

Throughout all of these curricular areas, we practice the Habits of Mind. Some of the Habits of Mind we focus upon include: listening with understanding, persistence, striving for accuracy, gathering data through all the senses, striving for accuracy, managing impulsivity, thinking flexibly, thinking about their thinking, questioning and problem posing. TechnologyTechnology is integrated as a teaching and learning tool throughout all subject areas. Virtual manipulatives are used in math as an interactive tool to learn math concepts. Children use the internet as a research tool. Children use Hyperstudio, Inspiration, Photostory, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Publisher to represent their learning. AssessmentsTeaching, learning and assessing are key components of continuous academic growth. We believe that assessments guide teachers in making appropriate instructional strategies. The assessment of student work is an on-going process. A great deal of assessment is observational, authentic and project based. Results and feedback are immediate. Portfolios are authentic tools used to assess each student's personal growth. Portfolios are used in writing and math problem solving. We use objective, skill-based assessment to demonstrate grade level growth several times throughout the year.

Writing Expectations

Each Student is expected to:

• Write daily in Writer’s Notebook · Have a writing piece in progress at all times · Actively participates in the writing process – draft, revise, publish writing pieces · Completes a piece of writing in each genre:

NarrativeInformative ReportOpinion Piece

• Completes in-class writing assignments in short time frames (i.e. science notebooks, written reflections on learning)

Reading Expectations

Each student is expected to: • Use a variety of strategies when reading for fluency, comprehension and analyzing text • Read fictional, nonfictional text connected to units of study • Be in the process of reading a book at all times • Read a variety of topics • Participate in reading groups • Read a minimum of 20 minutes 5 days a week • Keep a record of genres read each trimester • Complete reading responses in class and as assigned by teacher

Reading CurriculumThis year in Reader’s Workshop we will work on the following:

• Establishing Reader’s Workshop – The First Twenty Days• Monitoring our Comprehension• Activating and Connecting • Asking Questions• Inferring Meaning• Determining Importance• Text Structure• Main Idea and Details• Summarizing• Literature Circles

Math and Problem Solving Expectations

•Demonstrate personal growth in mathematical understanding and skill development

• Represent/Record Solutions using a variety of organizers: tables, graphs, diagrams

• Use variety of problem solving techniques/strategies

• Use appropriate mathematical language

• Work collaboratively with partners or groups to solve problems

• Use appropriate tools in solving problems

• Practice facts weekly

Bridges Math Program• Bridges supports best practices of discourse and inquiry

• Bridges trades the appearance of rigor (worksheets) for deeper conceptual understandings

• Components of Bridges: Number Corner (time, money, fact practice, patterns, etc.), Work Places(games), regular math lessons (embedded problem solving), Home Connections (usually mirror the Work Place games)

• http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/materials/parents - Great resource for families and teachers!

Spelling Expectations Each student is expected to: · Practice and learn assigned spelling skills · Complete spelling homework each week · Learn and apply weekly spelling rule · Actively participate in spelling activities

Homework Expectations

• Read for 15 minutes each school night• Math Homework (Bridges Home Connections)

3 nights per week (Mon. – Wed.)• Spelling Homework 2 - 3 nights per week plus

a weekly test at home (Thursday)

Homework & Headline NewsSept. 12 – Sept. 16, 2011

Homework:Math:Home Connection 1 – Solving Addition Facts Book

Due Thursday - Please return completed book and signed front sheet. Please spread the work out to equal 15 minutes per night.

Spelling:Blackline Masters, A & B

Due Thursday - Spread this work out for an additional 15 minutes per night.

Reading: 15 minutes each night Parents please initial to show complete

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri

Headline News:

•Salsa making week - Ask your child about making salsa!•PTO Meeting, Sept. 13, 6 pm•Innisbrook Gift Wrap Sale starts Sept. 14

Please return this initialed sheet on Monday morning to school. Thanks!

Social Studies and Science Expectations

Each student is expected to: · Participate actively in science/social studies activities · Complete investigations and projects on current topics · Work cooperatively with classmates

What is Shelburne’s Story?

• Year long science and social studies unit• We will study the topics of geology, history, ecology, civics,

government and economics using the town as our lens • Examples include studying the geology in and around

Shelburne including Shelburne Farms, walking to and observing local habitats, interviews of town residents and historians, presentations by town officials and business owners.

• In addition to regular class activities students will be required to complete a year long Shelburne scrapbook, and a culminating group project.

Student: · Reflection of weekly work in school · Weekly conversation with teacher discussing progress Teacher:

· Assessment in each content area · On-going informal assessment · Daily conversations with students · Assessment of individual and group work · Trimester progress reports

State/Federal Testing:· NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program) Reading and Math Assessed in 3rd Grade

Assessment

Type to Learn• Third grade students will use a program titled Type to Learn when learning how to type this

year.

Here is some important information:

• Each student will be introduced to Type to Learn and will spend time getting to know the program.

• The students may also use Type to Learn if they finish another activity early or we are in the computer lab and they finish a task earlier than other students.

• Imagine students will be asked to type some work during the school year. We do support children with typing as much as possible.

• If you wish to practice Type to Learn at home please go to the SCS homepage and follow the link under Headlines.

Thanks for your support!

Imagine 2010-2011

Special Events

• September 29, 2011 – Team Field Trip to Shelburne Farms (Topic: Shelburne’s Geology)

• Early October – NECAP Testing

• November 21, 2011 - Imagine Harvest Feast

• December 3, 2011 – PTO Craft Fair

• March 19, 2012 – Team Field Trip to the Flynn Theatre Performing Arts Center – “Jason and the Argonauts”

• April 18, 2012 – Team Field Trip to the Flynn Theatre Performing Arts Center – “The Hundred Dresses”

• June 2012- End of Year Evening Celebration, Shelburne Farms Coach Barn

• June 2012 – End of Year Celebration at Kingsland Bay