1. Welcome!
1. Please take a moment to estimate
the number of Skittles® in the jar.
1. Write your child’s name and your
estimate on an index card.
2. Place the index card in the bag.
3. Your estimate will be added to your
child’s estimate and divided by 2.
4. Winner takes all! 

2. • My philosophy on teaching and learning.
• ACPS goals and vision for students
– Lifelong Learner Standards
– Seven Pathways
– Standards of Learning
• Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
• Curriculum & How We’ll Get There
• How you can support your High Achiever at home & at school
• Your thoughts and questions.
Helping you get a better sense of
how your child spends his/her day.

3. • When students enter the school, they should feel like they are
walking into their future, not my past.
• Students should feel like every adult they know is on their side
and wants to see them succeed.
• Students need the confidence, the knowledge, and the skills to
pursue whatever interests them.
• It is my responsibility to meet students where they are and to
keep pace with the rapidly changing technologies that impact how
students learn, interact, and demonstrate knowledge.
• Teaching is a constantly evolving practice that requires ongoing
professional development and meaningful reflection.
My Philosophy on Teaching & Learning

4. • Lifelong-Learner Competencies
• Seven Pathways in Practice
• Virginia Standards of Learning
* My mission is the seamless integration of these three
components.
* Data driven planning and instruction.
* Responsive Classroom
ACPS Goals and Vision for Students

5. Our Daily Schedule

6. Rights
 Challenging & engaging work
 Comfortable spaces to work
 Personal ‘bubbles’
 Breaks when necessary
 Acceptance for who we are
Responsibilities
 Lead by example
 Use materials and spaces
responsibly
 Meet expectations wherever
you are
 Be in control of you
Students’ Rights & Responsibilities

7. – Number & Number Sense
– Computation & Estimation
– Measurement
– Geometry
– Probability & Statistics
– Patterns, Functions, & Algebra
* Multiplication tables through 12’s
* Numbers < 1 (fractions/decimals – identification & computation)
* Computation with much larger numbers
* Parent Math Night
Third Grade Curriculum - Math

8. • Reading Workshop : explicit instruction of reading and
comprehension strategies
• Writing Workshop (Being a Writer/Power Writing)
• Word Study & Vocabulary
• Language Arts Task Cards & Integration of Subject Areas
• Assessments ensure fluid groupings and informed planning
• Publishing (cursive and keyboarding)
• Typically synchrony between reading, writing, and word study
Language Arts

9. Importance of Nightly Reading
Student A
Additional 20 minutes/day
Student B
Additional 5 minutes/day
3600 minutes in a school year 900 minutes in a school year
Exposure to ~1,800,000 words Exposure to ~282,000 words
By the end of 6th grade, Student A will have read the equivalent of
60 whole school days while Student B will have read just 12.

10. Science Social Studies
 Scientific Investigation,
Reasoning & Logic
 Force, Motion, & Energy
 Matter
 Life Processes
 Living Systems
 Interrelationships in Earth/Space
Systems
 Earth Patterns, Cycles, and
Changes
 Natural Resources
 Geography & Map Skills
 Economics
 Ancient Greece
 Ancient Rome
 West African Empire of Mali
 Early Exploration of the Americas
 Government & Civics
 Famous Americans - Wax
Museum
Third Grade Curriculum

11. Third graders take SOL tests in four subject areas:
– Math
– Reading
– Science
– Social Studies
* Contain technology enhanced items (15%)
* Far more interesting – requires higher order thinking skills
* SOL Tests as a genre of literature
SOL Tests

12. • Young Filmmakers’ Academy (hope to finish this week)
• Quadblogging with two schools in UK and one in Australia (starting this
week)
• Mystery Skype with various schools around the country and around the
world (starting next week)
• Wax Museum – Students will research an historical figure who has
helped shape the America we know today. They will write & publish a
research paper (complete with bibliography) and will be the main
attraction at our classroom Historical Figure Wax Museum. You’ll
receive advance notice and an invitation.
• Expanding Science Friday – potential for partnering on challenges with
other ACPS schools. We’ll win.
• Global Read Aloud (starts September 30th)
Upcoming Projects (1st Quarter)

13. Communication
• E-mail is best bet: kheathcock@k12albemarle.org
• Visit our webpage – I keep it updated – feel free to suggest
categories or information that you want to see on there.
• Follow us on Twitter (@karenheathcock)
• Conferences (Fall will be for parent-teacher; spring will be
student-led)
• Parent Information Nights – dynamic – will change based on need.
• Send notes in daily planner
• Feel free to drop by, but know that I can’t interrupt instruction for
non-emergencies

14. Does your child have access to a computer at home for school-
related work?
A) Yes
B) No
Questions for You

15. What are your thoughts on homework:
A) Load’em up.
B) 30-45 min/night seems reasonable.
C) Little-to-None, unless for a project.
Questions for You

16. Would you prefer paper copy of a monthly newsletter or is it enough
to update webpage with information about curriculum and important
dates?
A) Paper copy would be great.
B) Save the paper. I’ll check the website.
Questions for You