WELCOME TO PARENTS’ NIGHT!

Thank you for taking part in your child’s education!

We will begin in a few minutes! While you wait… enjoy some

photos that capture our classin action!

WHO IS MS. FARRELL?

I am a/an/the:Graduate of Souderton High School

University of Scranton Graduate

2nd year as a Quakertown Teacher

Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education (Pre K – 4th grade)

Youngest of three children

Sister to a nurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital

Sister to an Army Lieutenant who recently returned from Afghanistan

Soccer Player

Runner

Reader

MY CLASSROOM PHILOSOPHY…

•Every student can succeed.•Raise the bar – set expectations high.•Take risks as readers and writers.•Keep it real.•Learning to read. Reading to learn.•Become decision makers & problem solvers.•RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE.•Fair is not always equal. We’re all different!

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT AT PFAFF

PBS - For the first few weeks, we have had individual lessons on what the Pfaff Pledge looks and sounds like in various areas of the school (classroom, hallway, playground, cafeteria, etc.) We expect all classroom citizens to abide by the Pfaff Pledge at all times.

Students found following the Pfaff pledge will receive a “paw print” from any staff member. These paw prints are collected at the end of the day and entered into a school wide prize box by the Library.

The entire program runs on positive reinforcement. In the rare case of students making a poor choice that is unsafe or

not easily redirected, consequence are handled by the classroom teacher. “Let’s Talk” notes – avoids disruptions and distractions &

allows me the time to have a discussion to develop effective DECISION MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING skills.

Parent Contact – working together to find what works best for your child

OUR SCHEDULE 9:00 - First Bell  9:10 - 9:25 – Morning Routines 9:25 – 9:55 – Target Time 9:55 - 10:15 – Spelling/Grammar/Cursive Writing 10:10 – 11:00 – Special

Day 1=Art Day 2=Library Day 3=Music Day 4=PE

11:00 – 12:00 - Math 12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch 12:30 - 12:55 - Recess 12:55 - 1:40 - Science/Social Studies (Life Skills) 1:40 - 2:40 – Reading/Guided Reading 2:40 - 2:55 - Recess 2:55 - 3:40 - Writing 3:40 - Organize and Pack Up For Dismissal 3:45 - First Dismissal Bell See more at: http://www.qcsd.org/Page/8526

THE THIRD GRADE READING CURRICULUM

Balanced Literacy Shared, Guided, Independent Reading

JOURNEYS – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt www.thinkcentral.com

Provides Shared and Leveled ebooks - Extra practice pages for all targeted skills

Comprehension is the key to 3rd Grade Making connections Asking questions Making inferences Visualizing Main Idea & Supporting Details

Reading a variety of genres Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, fantasy Common Core Standards = 50% nonfiction reading

Monthly Book Logs! (Available on our website)

READING ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME:

Have your child Summarize what was read Tell the main idea of the passage/story Describe the setting by drawing a picture Identify the character’s or story’s main problem Write a paragraph telling what the story means to you Tell what the character’s point of view is Compare characters in the story or to another story Describe how the problem develops and is resolved Describe the feelings of the characters Describe how the character changes Reread a part of the story with expression Tell how the character changed from the beginning of the story to the end Tell how you acted like the character in the story Compare the setting of the story with where you live Tell about something in your life that this book reminds you of Make a list of questions to ask the author or a person described ion the passage Describe how the author used character names to enhance the story Compare this story to another story Tell if you would recommend this story to someone else – tell why or why not Tell how you would change the story Tell what the author had to know to write the story

THE THIRD GRADE WRITING CURRICULUM

Spelling Targeted spelling strategy each week Pre-tests, challenge lists, and homework packets www.spelllingcity.com/efarrell7

Writer’s Workshop Types of Writing

Personal Narrative Informational (Wax Museum) Persuasive Fictional Stories

Building stamina as writers Interactive Process

(with both peers and myself)

THE THIRD GRADE MATH CURRICULUM

Everyday Math Program & Common Core Progress Will cover all of the Common Core math standards Has a hands-on approach Problem Solving & Basic Facts www.everydaymathonline.com

Parents can find Family Letters (which contain answers to homelinks).

Parents can print copies of Homelinks. Parents and students can revisit parts of the lesson covered in

class. Students and parents can access the Student Reference Book. Students can access online games to practice skills from class.

EXAMPLE OF MATH HOMELINK

Visit Student Reference Book

(SRB) online as a resource.

REPORTING MATH PROGRESS

Unit Tracking Sheets Based on “exit tickets” If a child receives a 2, another opportunity will

ALWAYS be provided after remedial instruction

SCIENCE CURRICULUM

Rocks/Minerals/Landforms

Chemical Testing

Plant Growth and Development

SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

Civics and Government

Economics

PFAFF READING & MATH GOALS

Reading Goal 25 Books Per Year A book is ‘appropriate’ if it is on your child’s

level (longer books can count for 2+ books). 50 pages = 1 book.

Reading Log, turned in at the conclusion of each month; kept in homework binders. (Also on website)

Math Goal Multiplication facts from 0-12

Emphasis on conceptual understanding first (arrays and equal groups)

(We will learn the 0 ,1, 2, 5, 10 and 11 facts first!)

Focus on one fact per week (Quiz Friday) January/June goal Quizzes given as needed Students have met goal when they’ve

earned a 45/50 on three consecutive quizzes

ASSESSMENTS Projects In Class Assignments Reading Responses Writing Journals/Pieces Formative Assessments

Recognizing Formative Assessments Quizzes/Tests

Study Guides for Science and SS Reading – Re-read the story online or bring

their book home as needed. Not every story will be tested! We mix it up!

All daily activities are focused on Common Core Standards. These standards are broken down into many learning targets. Students are assessed daily on their progress towards demonstrating proficiency of these learning targets.

Progress is reported to you formally 4 times a year. Parents can also check progress 24/7 with their Powerschool log in information. Indicators are updated at least one other time in addition to the end of the marking period. Students can receive:

4 = Demonstrates mastery of the learning target/standard 3 = Proficient demonstration of the learning target/standard 2/1 = Not yet demonstrating mastery of the learning target/standard.

Please remember that the learning targets are year-long goals and their indicators communicate their current progress towards that goal. Learning targets will also progress in difficulty throughout the year.

STANDARDS BASED GRADING &REPORT CARDS

CURRICULUM AND DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE

QCSD’s curriculum is constantly evolving to remain rigorous for student achievement.

Teachers use “Depth of Knowledge” when lesson planning, creating activities and simply questioning students.

Four levels of Depth of Knowledge – Recall – students memorize, recite, simple answer point-blank

questions Basic Application – perform procedures, conduct investigations,

demonstrate/explain Strategic Thinking – analyze/investigate new information and

communicate understanding (be able to explain) Extended Thinking – apply concepts, make connections and

critique, generate or create something new with your knowledge.

Some recall and basic application might be necessary with some learning targets, but should be expanded into the strategic and extended thinking areas.

WHAT IS TARGET TIME?

Target Time is a half hour of instructional support.

Some students receive instruction from our IST teacher, the reading specialist, aides or other grade level teachers.

It is an opportunity for the third grade team to create differentiated groups to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Your child will receive extra support, more practice, or enrichment on a specified skill as they demonstrate their abilities.

HOMEWORK

Every student is expected to read 20 minutes a night, at least 5 times a week.

Track your pages read on the monthly reading log and send back to school on the date indicated at the bottom of the page (generally the last school day of the month).

Spelling – Homework packets due at the end of each lesson (Friday). Quizzes are given the day the homework packet is due. Students can practice their spelling words at www.spellingcity.com/efarrell.

Additional homework – Math home links are assigned several times a week, however, students should be practicing their addition, subtraction (and eventually multiplication facts) nightly. Math home links are extensions or practice of learning targets covered in class.

Students who miss a homework will be instructed to bring it in the following day. If the homework is not turned in the following day, the student will receive a notice that must be signed and returned the next day. This must be signed and returned with the completed work. If the problem persists, a parent/guardian will be contacted so that we can set up a homework plan.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES FOR HOME Each student should have a “technology form” in their

binder. This contains all websites, usernames and passwords needed to access all sites.

Website Purpose Username PasswordNetwork Log On Access netbooks emilfarr12 satfromwww.raz-kids.com Reading Fluency

& Comprehensionefarrell7 (only teacher name needed) –

click namewww.everydaymathonline.com Practice math

learning targetsemilyf245 125

www.studyisland.com Practice reading, math and social studies learning targets

emilyf245 125

www.spellingcity.com/efarrell7/ Practice spelling & vocab

NA NA

www.compasslearningodyssey.com

Practice all learning targets. Complete assignments.

qc22.efarrell satfrom

www-k6.thinkcentral.com Revisit reading unit for extra practice. Complete assignments.

efarrell 18852

WHAT ABOUT THE PSSAS?

What is the PSSA? Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (i.e. Big state tests)

What do the PSSAs assess? Mathematics and reading achievement based on academic

standards

When are the PSSAs? Testing Window: 4/13 – 4/24

PSSA Practice will prepare your child with test taking strategies.

Want more info?

Check out the Pennsylvania Department of Education website: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/

COMMUNICATION METHODSEmails, Calls, and Notes

Excuse blanks after an absence Parent Pick Up (please do not email or leave a

message, please send in a note or call the office)

Newsletters via email & our website (sent monthly)

Homework Binder Keep and Return Pockets Homework agenda Book log Technology sheets w/ usernames and

passwords

Website (www.qcsd.org) Important Information, Websites, Newsletters Ms. Farrell’s website

OTHER INFO

Birthdays Only invitations that are given to the entire class

may go home from school. Birthday treats are no longer allowed in school

due to allergy concerns. Non edible treats are permitted.

Parent Help – Security Clearances! (http://www.qcsd.org//Domain/37) Target time Class Parties Typists Field Trips

QUESTIONS?

Don’t forget to check email to sign up for a fall conference!

Please leave a note for your child!

Thank you for coming!

Ms. Emily Farrell215-529-2898

efarrell@qcsd.org