Welcome to Garnet Valley Elementary School

1. Welcome to Garnet ValleyElementary School Second Grade Transition Meeting March 6, 2012 – 7:00 PM

2. Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Grade Configuration • The Instructional Day • Third Grade Curriculum • Extra Curricular Activities • GVES Home & School Association • Transition Plans • Explore the School Building

3. Garnet Valley Elementary School The mission of the Garnet Valley Elementary School is to foster a respectful community of life-long learners who strive for continuous personal growth. We will fulfill our mission by inspiring academic, social and emotional growth within a safe, enjoyable, supportive and caring learning environment.

4. Third Grade Configuration“Teamwork Builds Communities of Learners” • Three Teams • Students stay together for Homeroom, Language Arts, Social Studies and Science. • Students switch classes for Math instruction which is grouped homogeneously. • Grouping is flexible. • The homeroom teacher serves as the key communicator with parents. • Students will have either one or two teachers.

5. The Instructional Day • Language Arts – 2 hours daily • Math – 1 hour daily • Social Studies and Science – 1 hour daily • Lunch and Recess – 55 minutes daily • Study Skills – ½ hr./wk. • Library/Book Exchange – ½ hr. each a week • Art - 1 hr./wk. • Music – ½ hr., 2 times a week • Phys. Ed. – ½ hr., 2 times a week • Health – ½ hr./wk. for one trimester • Developmental Guidance – ½ hr./wk. for two trimesters

6. Third Grade Curriculum • Language Arts / Balanced Literacy Four Blocks Model of Instruction • Guided Reading: Conducted in flexible groups at students’ instructional level • Independent Reading: 100 Book Challenge leveled texts at independent reading level with conferencing with teachers • Writers’ Workshop: Direct Instruction, Guided Practice, Individual Conferences, Sharing • Word Study: High Frequency Words, Developmental Spelling • Handwriting: Manuscript Review and Cursive • Study Skills • Test Taking Strategies • Super 6 Reading Strategies

7. Guided Reading

8. Independent Reading

9. 100 Book Challenge

10. Conferencing

11. Word Study

12. Writers’ Workshop

13. Conferencing

14. Third Grade Curriculum • Mathematics • Basic Operations – Math Facts • Emphasis on Regrouping • Multiplication and Division • Application of Concepts and Skills • Problem Solving & “Real Life” Math • Explaining and Writing Responses

15. Basic Operations

16. Emphasis on Regrouping

17. Multiplication and Division

18. Application of Concepts and Skills

19. Problem Solving & “Real Life” Math

20. Explaining and Writing Responses

21. Third Grade Curriculum • Social Studies • Thematic Instruction: Communities (geography, public service roles, global community, responsibilities in a community) • Literature Integration • Science • Rocks and Minerals • Plant Growth and Development • Planets and Solar System

22. Third Grade Curriculum ArtPhysical Education Art History Knowledge of skills & Concepts All Projects (study of artists, cultures, styles & techniques) Invasion Games Cooperative Learning Lifetime Fitness 2-D and 3-D Artwork Sportsmanship/teamwork Shows: GVES Art Show/Celebration of the Arts ACES, Mileage club Red Ribbon Week, JRFH MusicHealth Melody Hygiene Movement activities Body Systems- Rhythm/Styles Skeletal/Digestive Introduction to the recorder Wellness Note Reading Library Artist in Residence Library Organization & Concerts, Chorus 3rd grade Research & Literary Enrichment Informational Skills

23. Rhythm

24. FitnessACES

25. Third Grade Curriculum • Developmental Guidance • Problem Solving • Class Meetings • Career Awareness • Groups • Olweus – Anti-Bullying Program

26. Extra Curricular Activities • Principal’s Advisory Committee • Chorus • Chess and Checkers • V.E.F.L.S. • Art Club • Science Club • Computer Club • School News Club • 100 Book Challenge • Homework Club • Service Club • Drama Club • Math Club

28. GVES Home & School Association • Similarities • Sneak-A-Peek • Grandparent’s/Special Person’s Day • Homeroom Parties • Family Fun Night • Grade Level Funtimes & Send-Offs • Staff Appreciation Week • Book Fair

29. GVES Home & School Association • Differences • School Store • Beef and Boogie(November) • Winterfest (February) • Muffins in May • Committee Chairperson Forms

30. Transition Plans • Developmental Guidance Activities • Mr. Burns, Mrs. Mink and Miss D’Olio visited with 2nd grade classes last week • Grades 2 and 3 Buddy Program • Students in 2nd grade visit GVES – June 6th • Summer Mailing (August 2012) • Sneak-A-Peek (August 2012) • Grade Level Transition Plans • Two weeks of transition and teambuilding in the Fall • Individual Classroom Plans • During the School Year… • Parent Liaison for New Families • Buddies for New Students

31. Transition Camp • For incoming 3rd graders • Wednesday, August 22, 2012 • Tentative Agenda • 9:00 – 9:15 – Check-In • 9:15 – 9:30 – Introductions • 9:30 – 9:45 – Short Movie – A Day in the Life of a Third Grader • 9:45 – 10:30 – Activity to Explore the Building • 10:30 – 11:15 – Snack and Playground Time (split into 2 groups) • 11:15 – 11:30 – Questions and Answers • $10 includes a snack and t-shirt • Registration forms sent later this spring

34. Thank you for coming and please feel free to explore the building.