This document provides information about a child's third grade classroom. It includes: 1) The teacher's philosophy which focuses on student success and meeting them where they are. 2) An overview of the curriculum including math, language arts, science, social studies and SOL tests. 3) Upcoming projects and activities the class will participate in during the first quarter. 4) Methods for parents to communicate with the teacher such as email, notes in the daily planner, and parent information nights. 5) A question asked of parents regarding their thoughts on appropriate amounts of homework.

1. Welcome!
1. Please take a moment to estimate
the number of Lifesavers® 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. Helping you get a better sense of
how your child spends his/her day.
• 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.

3. My Philosophy on Teaching & Learning
• When students enter the school, they should feel like they are
walking into their future, not into 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.

4. ACPS Goals and Vision for Students
• 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.

5. Our Daily Schedule

6. Students’ Rights & Responsibilities
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

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

8. Language Arts
• 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

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. Third Grade Curriculum
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

11. SOL Tests
Third graders take SOL tests in just two subject areas this year:
– Math
– Reading
* Contain technology enhanced items (15%)
* Far more interesting – requires higher order thinking skills
* SOL Tests as a genre of literature
* Parent Night that covers details around SOLs

12. Upcoming Projects (1st Quarter)
• Young Filmmakers’ Academy (screen films 11/08 @ UVA)
• Quadblogging (on list to be assigned a quad this week)
• Mystery Skype with various schools around the country and
around the world (starting this week)
• Expanding STEM Friday – potential for partnering on challenges
with other ACPS schools.
• Global Read Aloud (starts October 6th)
• UVA Student Teachers – Kierra Chin and Rachel Case will be
starting next week. Time will increase as semester progresses.
• Typing Club, RSVP, Paramount Field Trip

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