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Northeast School Northeast School Back to School Night Back to School Night
2014-20152014-2015
Mr. Dalicandro Grade 3 Teacher
Room 224
A little about me…A little about me… A product of Waltham Public
Schools Bachelors in Marketing -
Bentley University.◦ in business for 3 years
before pursuing education Masters in Elementary
Education - American International College.
2 years @ Northeast as a paraprofessional in Grade 2 with Mrs. Burt.
This is my 4th year teaching 3rd grade @ Northeast, but my 6th year in the building.
Students know my favorite word is persevere!
Teaching PhilosophyTeaching PhilosophyI strive to create a safe classroom
community where students are held to high expectations and provided with a structure that allows them to take academic risks and push themselves as learners.
I believe in modeling and scaffolding my instruction in order to allow students to develop their independence and ownership of their education.
Two of my goals for this school year are to create a community of VORACIOUS readers and true math problem solvers.
Code of ConductCode of Conduct1. I will be respectful of students,
teachers, and property.
2. I will be kind and help others.
3. I will try my best and PERSEVERE when solving challenging problems!
4. I will ask questions if I need help or don’t understand something.
5. I will always tell the truth (even when it’s hard).
Specialist ScheduleSpecialist Schedule
Agenda Book & Reading LogsAgenda Book & Reading Logs
Students 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.
Reading logs & agenda books come back to school daily (Contracts signed each Friday and returned following Monday).
HomeworkHomework 20-30 minutes daily with a “good fit”
book from our genre focus for the month.◦Students are responsible for completing one
book at his/her reading level each week.
◦Book discussions will be held on Mondays (or Tuesday if school is closed Monday) to allow students additional time to complete books over the weekend if necessary.
◦Once per month students will complete a writing assignment related to one of the books they read for homework.
Monday-Thursday (up to 45 min/night)◦usually Math in Focus or fact practice
If students are absent, make-up work may be assigned over the weekend.
Homework assignments should be completed independently by the student.◦Math homework is from previous lessons where
students have practiced independently.Please let me know if your child needed
help by writing a note on the assignment or separately.◦This allows me to provide additional instruction
in areas of difficulty.
HomeworkHomework
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 21, 2014
November 18, 2014December 9, 2014
April 7, 2015
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:◦Monday, December 15, 2014 ◦Monday, March 30, 2015 ◦Last Day of School
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. A new state law also requires chaperones to be fingerprinted.
*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 in Reading & Math.
Grade 3 Reading Comprehension MCAS are scheduled for March 2015.
Grade 3 Math MCAS is scheduled for May 2015. ◦Please avoid planning trips on these dates
We will be preparing for these assessments every day by helping students improve their reading, writing, and problem solving skills.
Our Classroom WebsitePlease visit my website which is full of resources and information that you may find helpful. Access to student usernames, recommended websites, important dates, and other information can be
found on my website.
The website address is below:http://mrdalicandrosclass.weebly.com/
Thank you for visiting the site to complete the “Guardian Contact Information” form. If you
haven’t yet, please do so by using one of the computers in the back of the classroom before
leaving tonight.
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 that
was adopted last year by the City of Walthamfor 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.
WritersWriters’’ Workshop 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.◦5 days per week using the Lucy Calkins Units of
Study
Students learn the writing process:Prewrite, Draft, Revise, Edit and Publish
MCAS Close Reading/Writing practice
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: up to 20 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:
