The document provides an overview of the daily schedule, curriculum, and policies for Ms. Dini's third grade classroom, including subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies as well as information about homework, behavior management, technology use, and communication. Reading and writing workshops will follow the Lucy Calkins Units of Study structure while math uses the My Math curriculum and online program ALEKS.

1. Welcome to
Third Grade!
Ms. Dini

2. Our Daily Schedule
Reading
Writing
Lunch
Math
Social Sciences
Words their Way
Block
Block Schedule
A: PE
B: Music
C: Art
D: PE/Health
E: Technology/Library

3. Reading Workshop
• Lucy Calkins Units of Study
• Structure:
• Mini-Lesson: Introduce strategies for reading comprehension, decoding words, or
reading fluently using the Lucy Calkins units
• Independent: Students read self-selected books on their reading level
• We will confer with students during this time using the CAFÉ model which
highlights the four parts of a good reader: Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and
Expanded Vocabulary.
• Guided Reading Groups
• Reflection: Share and reflect on progress/noticings
• Why Reader’s Workshop?
• Students are allowed to progress at their own reading level and receive more time
to implement the learning topic- motivation is high because books are self-
selected.

4. Reading Workshop
• Guided Reading Groups
• Students meet with teacher in small groups based on reading level and/or
skills/concepts that students need to support their growth
• Grouping is flexible -- students will not stay in the same groups
• Unit Focus:
• Reading Community
• Characters
• Informational/Nonfiction
• Biographies
• Mysteries
• Folktale and Fairytale
• and more!

5. Writing Workshop
• Lucy Calkins Units of Study
• Structure:
• Mini-Lesson: The teacher will introduce and model writing skills
• Independent Writing: Students work on their own writing- they have
control over the topic, but their topic falls within a particular unit.
Teacher will conference with students during this time either individually
or with a small group
• Reflection: Share and reflect on progress.
• Why Writer’s Workshop?
• Students advance at their own pace- because they choose their
topic, motivation is intense and, in turn, immense growth is made

6. Writing Workshop
• Unit Focus
• Narrative
• Informational
• Persuasive
• Fairy Tale
• and more!
• Writers Notebooks
• Students will have a writers notebook that they will use as a place to
store their ideas

7. Math Workshop
• My Math
• Structure:
• Mini-Lesson: Focused on specific topic/skill
• Stations:
• Teacher Group: Remediate, practice, extend
• Independent Work: Reinforce topic/skill
• Game: Students will be playing interactive games
• Computer: Practice current and previously taught skills on ALEKS
• Flashcards/Problem Solving: Students will first work with a group to solve a
real world problem then practice fluency
• Share and Reflect
• Why? Each students instruction is tailored to their needs

8. Math Technology - ALEKS
• Online Program:
• Math tool that students use to practice basic math facts and work
towards meeting different math standards
• Students will practice at school and will also have access at home
• I will send home more information as the year progresses

9. Science
• We will alternate between science and social studies units
• Topics will include:
• Living Things/Plans
• Ecosystems
• The Water Cycle
• Matter
• Earth, Sun, Moon

10. Social Studies
• We will alternate between science and social studies units
• Topics will include:
• Geography/Maps
• Government
• Newcomer’s Settle/Westward Expansion
• Communities
• Economics

11. Word Study/Spelling
• Words Their Way
• Students are given a pre-assessment in the beginning of year
• Students are placed in group
• Students will receive a word sort that will focus on spelling patterns
• Groups will complete activities based on their sort for the week
• Rainbow Write, Word Hunt, Silly Sentences, etc.
• Spelling tests will be given about once a week

12. Student Binders
• Thank you for helping your student label their tabs
• Binder will go to and from school every day to help students
stay organized and it will be a great communication tool
• It includes a planner and calendar as well as a tab for every subject
• Binders will be cleaned out at the end of every unit so please
keep all papers inside the binder until then

13. Homework
• All about practice!
• Reading
• Reading log every week
• Monday-Thursday students should read 20minutes a night
• Friday-Sunday students should read 30 minutes total over the weekend
• Math
• Students will have math practice Monday-Thursday
• Additional:
• Spelling practice
• Science and social studies practice

14. Grades
• Letter grades begin in 3rd grade!
• A = 95%-100%
• A- = 90%-94%
• B+ = 87%-89%
• B = 84%-86%
• B- = 80%-83%
• C+ = 77%-79%
• C = 74%-76%
• C- = 70%-73%
• D+ = 67%-69%
• D = 64%-66%
• D- = 60%-63%
• F = 59% and below

15. Behavior
• Classroom Dojo
• Independent, group, and class points will be earned
• Classroom Jobs
• Every student will have a job that they apply for and keep for an
entire quarter

16. Technology
• B.Y.O.D. – Bring Your Own Device
• Students are welcome and encouraged to bring devices as long
as…
• They can access our student wireless network and/or include applications
of educational value
• You know that your student has a device present at school and you are
liable for it

17. Classroom Parties
• Halloween, Holiday, and a Valentine Party will be
held
• Sign-up sheets are available tonight classroom for
volunteers
• Nurse Klahs will approve food/treats up to 1 day
before the party.

18. Birthdays
• Birthday treats are welcome, but please make sure
the treats are PRE-PACKAGED
Examples: an unopened package of Oreos, pre- packaged
cupcakes, fruit gummy packs
• Birthdays will be celebrated in the Cafeteria
• Snacks and treats must be approved by Nurse Klahs
• If you are handing out invitations at school, please
make sure there is one for everyone

19. Communication
• Communication is KEY
• Please contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns – We
are a team!
megandini@lindberghschools.ws – preferred method of communication
• Follow us on our classroom blog
• http://dinithirdgrade.blogspot.com/
• I will update the blog with all of the learning that is happening in our classroom
so that you can follow along

20. Please let me know if you
have any questions!