Northeast School Northeast School Back to School Night Back to School Night

2012-20132012-2013

Mr. Dalicandro Grade 3 Teacher

Room 224

Specialist ScheduleSpecialist ScheduleDay Time Class

Monday 9:50-10:45 DRAMA

Tuesday12:50-1:45

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Wednesday 1:50-2:45

MUSIC

Thursday9:50–10:45

&2:30–2:45

SCIENCE&

LIBRARY CHECKOUT

Friday 8:50–9:45 ART

Agenda Book/ChecklistAgenda Book/ChecklistStudents are responsible for writing down

all homework assignments.

The agenda book is a helpful way to teach good organizational skills.

Please check your student’s agenda book for assignments.

Responsibility Checklist & agenda books come back to school daily (Checklist signed each Friday and returned following Monday).

HomeworkHomework Monday-Thursday (up to 45 min/per

night).Expected to read nightly for 20-30

minutes.If students are absent, make-up work

may be assigned over the weekend. *Please let me know if student needed

a lot of help by writing a note on the assignment or the Responsibility Checklist*.

ConferencesConferencesA yearly parent conference will be

scheduled to discuss each child in depth.

Assessments will be shared with parents.

Conference dates on Early Release Days:October 18, 2012

December 18, 2012February 12, 2013

April 9, 2013

Report CardsReport CardsThree yearly progress reports are

issued. Developmental indicators are used on the progress reports:◦E=Exceeds the Standard◦M=Meets the Standard◦P=Progressing Toward the Standard◦N=Not Yet Progressing Toward the Standard

Report cards dates:◦December 10, 2012◦March 25, 2013◦June 14, 2013 (or last day of school if snow days)

Field TripsField TripsPlimoth Plantation – (fall date to be

announced).

Paine Estate (spring date to be announced).

If you are interested in chaperoning you must have an updated Criminal Records Check (CORI). That can be done in the main office.

*The number of chaperones is often determined by the venue we are visiting. Those to respond to requests for chaperones first

will be selected (if several reply at the same time, a lottery will be done).

No guardians will attend more than 1 field trip.

MCAS Reading & Math TestMCAS Reading & Math TestIn the spring third graders in

Massachusetts take the MCAS Reading &Math Test.

Grade 3 Reading Comprehension MCAS are March – April, 2013

Math MCAS is scheduled for May, 2013.

We will be preparing for these assessments throughout the year.

Our Classroom WebsiteThis year I have put together a classroom

website which is full of resources andinformation that you may find helpful.

I will update it periodically so please check it from time to time.

The website address is below:http://mrdalicandrosclass.weebly.com/

Thank you for visiting the site to complete the “Guardian Contact Information” form.

Media Center /Computer LabMedia Center /Computer Lab

The students will visit the media center and select two books to take out for the week.

During the year we will work on research projects in collaboration with both the media & instructional technology teachers.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Math in FocusMath in FocusMath in Focus is a new math program thathas been adopted by the City of Waltham

for students in grades 1-5.

Based on the “Singapore Math” approach Highlights fewer topics, but in greater

depth in order to move students towardmastery

Focused instruction uses the C-P-A, (concrete-pictorial-abstract) approach, and provides time for students to learn, consolidate, and apply concepts.

English Language Arts:The Daily Five is a literacy structure thatteaches independence and gives childrenthe skills needed to create a lifetime love ofreading and writing. It consists of five tasksthat are introduced individually.

1. Read to Self2. Read to Someone3. Listen to Reading4. Work on Writing5. Word Work

The Literacy CAFÉ MenuThe Literacy CAFÉ MenuThis is a menu of strategies successful

readers use when reading.

CAFÉ is and acronym that stands for:◦ Comprehension

Understanding what is read◦ Accuracy

Correctly reading the words on the page◦ Fluency

Reading accurately, with a good pace, and expression

◦ Expanding Vocabulary Knowing, finding, and using interesting words

Guided Reading/Strategy GroupsGuided Reading/Strategy GroupsStudents will participate in guided

reading or strategy groups each week.

Groups assigned different books based on instructional reading levels or strategies they are practicing.

Students will make connections, increase their vocabulary, participate in discussions, learn reading strategies, and extend understanding through writing activities.

Writers’ WorkshopWriters’ WorkshopWriting in various forms relating to all

subjects.

Writers’ Workshop – students learn to become writers by learning strategies for generating personal narratives, expository, and persuasive writing.

Students learn the writing process:Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit and Publish

MCAS Close Reading/Writing practice

Handwriting and Spelling Handwriting and Spelling Concentrate on letter formation,

connecting strokes and spacing.

Most spelling lessons are based on a phonetic pattern or spelling rules.

Weekly spelling lists will be given on Monday and a test will be given most Fridays.

Science Units of StudyScience Units of StudyCharacteristics of Living/Non-Living

Things◦Parts of a plants, photosynthesis, animal

classifications, tadpole observations, habitat & ecosystem, biome project, adaptations, food chains, life cycles (frogs)

Forces of Motion◦Simple Machines, Invention Convention

Universe/Galaxies◦Solar System, Phases of the moon, Planet research

Health ◦Food pyramid, nutrition, and healthy/eco-friendly

food choices

History and Social StudiesHistory and Social Studies◦Geography

Continents & Oceans, New England States, Massachusetts Cities & Waterways

◦Early settlements Wampanoag, Pilgrims, and Puritans

◦Causes of the American Revolution

◦Founding Documents Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, The Bill of Rights

◦Massachusetts Biographies

◦History of Waltham

Open CircleOpen CircleOpen Circle Curriculum, a comprehensive

social and emotional learning program that supports elementary school children in developing skills needed to be a good learner and to form healthy, positive relationships with people throughout their lives.

Frequency: Thirty minutes per week throughout the school year

Thank you in advance for your support throughout the school year. I look forward to working with you to make third grade as enjoyable and educational as possible

for your students.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at:

AdamDalicandro@k12.waltham.ma.us