Welcome to Parents’ Night!

1. Welcome to Parents’ Night! • Thank you for being here! You are helping your child become a super Pfaff Puma! • Please sign up for a Fall conference, volunteer opportunities, and enjoy a snack at the back table. • We will begin in a few minutes.

2. Who is Mrs. Radzai? • Graduate of Quakertown High School in 1985 • Bloomsburg University Graduate • Pennridge School District Teacher for 12 years • Masters in school counseling from Gwynedd Mercy College • Fifth year as a Quakertown Teacher (Kindergarten and Third Grade) • Wife and a mother of two (Austin-16 and Ally-10) • Owner of Putter, the most adorable Beagle ever. • Most often found at children’s sporting events • In my free time I enjoy reading, zumbaclasses, and anything in the outdoors!

3. My Classroom Management We take full pride in the Pfaff Pledge and the new Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program in room 215. In fact, we use it for our class rules as well. For the first few weeks, we have had individual lessons on what the Pfaff Pledge looks like and sounds likeusing PBS Matrix in various areas of the school, such as the classroom, hallway, playground, cafeteria, and so forth. We expect all classroom citizens to abide by the Pfaff Pledge at all times. Students found following the Positive Behavior Support Matrix will receive a “paw print” from any staff member. After collecting 25, they can trade them for a “puma”. Students are trying to earn three pumas to attend the first “mystery award assembly” in November. The entire program runs on positive reinforcement. In the rare case of students making a poor choice that is unsafe, bullying or not easily redirected, they will have a consequence in the classroom and/or parents will be contacted if warranted. Consequences include loss of recess time or a contact home, either by note, email or phone.

4. Our schedule • 9:10-9:30 Morning Mtg./Assignment • 9:30 – 9:45 Math • 9:45-10:15 Target Time • 10:15-11:00 Math • 11:00-11:45 Special Day1= Art, Day 2= Music, Day3=Library, Day 4= Phys. Ed. • 11:55-12:25 Lunch • 12:25-12:50 Recess • 12:50-2:25 Reading/Writing Block (includes Guided Reading) • 2:25- 2:40 Recess • 2:40-2:50 Wrap up RELA/Read aloud • 2:50-3:35 Science/Social Studies • 3:35 – Pack up – First Bell 3:40

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

6. 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

7. The Third Grade Writing Curriculum • JOURNEYS Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • Spelling, Grammar, Writing Process • Targeted skills every week • Three spelling practice pages will be assigned with every lesson. • Students may also visit Spellingcity.com on my webpage for extra practice! • Word wall and personal spelling booklets • The QCSD Writing Rubric Domains • Focus • Content • Organization • Style • Conventions • Types of Writing • Narrative • Persuasive • Informational

8. The Third Grade Math Curriculum Everyday Math Program • 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.

9. Example of Math Homelink Visit Student Reference Book (SRB) online as a resource.

10. Science Curriculum • Rocks/Minerals/Landforms • Chemical Testing • Plant Growth and Development

11. Social Studies Curriculum • Civics and Government • Economics

12. Pfaff Reading & Math Goals Reading Goal: They must meet this goal in order to attend Beach Day at the end of the school year!! • 25 Books Per Year • A book is ‘appropriate’ if it is on your child’s level! • Book equivalencies: (approximately 50 pages =1 book, or 3 picture books =1book) • Reading Log is turned in at the conclusion of each month and kept in homework binders. **Please help your child add up their pages, divide by 50 and write the correct number of books for that month on the bottom of their log, until they get the hang of it!!** Math Goal • Multiplication facts from 0-12 • 45/50 facts in 4 minutes (We will learn the 0 ,1, 2, 5, 10 and 11 facts first-Feel free to start practicing now!)

13. Assessments • Formative Assessments (Are all pieces of evidence toward meeting a learning target.) • Projects • In Class Assignments • Reading Responses/Lesson tests (Vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, etc.) • Writing Journals/Pieces • Reading & Math Benchmarks (Beginning, Middle, and End of Year) • Math, Science & SS Unit Tests (Vocabulary cards and study sheets first!)

14. Standards Based Grading & Report Cards • 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. • Please remember that the learning targets are year-long goals and their indicators communicate their current progress towards that goal.

15. Standards Based Grading Indicators • 4-Advanced – I know (can do) it well enough to extend the concepts, and/or create products of greater originality or complexity. I independently USE the knowledge and skills that were taught, applying them to new situations and extending my learning beyond what is required for proficiency. • 3-Proficient - I know (can do) everything that was taught without making mistakes. I have learned and can use all knowledge and skills taught to complete a task independently that is similar in difficulty and complexity to what we have practiced during class. • 2-Developing Proficiency - I know (can do) all the easy parts, but I don’t know (can’t do) the harder parts. For example, I may have memorized the definition of simile. I can usually identify a simile in a text, but I am unable to explain why it is an effective writing technique for the author to have used. I (can do) it some of the time. • 1-Beginning - With help, I know (can do) some of what was taught.

16. SBG in Third Grade • SOME STUDENTS WILL NOT BE PROFICIENT AT SOME TASKS RIGHT AWAY. * They are after all, learning new information and practicing new skills.* • SBG and Reading Below, On, or Above the Expected Guided Reading Level at a Certain Time. • Writing Rubrics • Math Units Tests Include Advanced Problems for Each Learning Target. • Science and SS Tests Will Include Advanced Opportunities. • Tracking Sheets - (22 Math Learning Targets/29 RELA Learning Targets) *You may check your child’s grades on Power School after the first marking period.* There you will see all of your child’s learning targets as well.

17. 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.

18. 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. • Groups can change daily and students could be in a group for one or several days depending on their need.

19. 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 last school day of the month. • Spelling – Students will usually bring home their Journeys Practice Workbook three times during a lesson study. Each time they will have a one page assignment to complete. Extra spelling practice can be found at www.spellingcity.com. • Additional homework – Math homelinksare assigned several times a week, however, students should be practicing their addition, subtraction (and eventually multiplication facts) nightly. Math homelinks are extensions or practice of learning targets covered in class. • Students will receive an “OOPS” notice when homework is not turned in (beginning at the end of September). This must be signed and returned with the completed work the next school day.

20. What about the PSSAs? What is the PSSA? • Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (i.e. Big state tests) When are the tests? • April 8-19, 2013 What do the PSSAs assess? • Mathematics and reading achievement (in third grade)based on academic standards What are Common Core State Standards? • http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards (Adopted by 46 states!) Want more info? Check out the Pennsylvania Department of Education website: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/

21. Communication Methods Calls, Emails, 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) • The Radzai Review: Bi-weekly Newsletter • Comes via email • Important dates/events/curriculum items Homework Binder • Keep and Return Pockets • Homework agenda/ Parent’s Signature Daily • Book log • Positive Behavior Support Matrix Website (www.qcsd.org) • Important Information, Websites, Newsletters • Mrs. Radzai's Website

22. Other Info • Birthdays • Only invitations that are given to the entire class may go home from school. • ***Please give at least 3 days notice for birthday treats to be brought into school.*** • Parent Help – Security Clearances!! • Target time • Guided Reading – Fluency practice • Class Parties • Field Trips

23. Questions? Did you sign up for a Fall conference at the back table? Please leave a note for your child! Thank you for coming! Mrs. Kelly Radzai 215-529-2898 kradzai@qcsd.org