Curriculum Night 20153S

Information sheet—Northpoint is going Green!

• I’ve got an information page going around. If you can complete I would appreciate it.

• Your preferred name, email addresses, phone numbers and who is likely to answer. Ex. Home, Mom, Dad etc.

• Many of you filled this out on Supply Drop Off Night

• Also remember to sign up for conferences and for help at parties.

Who is teaching my student? • Bobby Scott• Lived in Bloomington-Normal my whole life. • I went to Glenn, Chiddix, NCHS and then ISU. • Taught eleven years of fifth grade at Colene

Hoose. • Beginning 10th year of 3rd grade at Northpoint. • I have my masters degree in administration. • Married and have two sons, one daughter and

a dog.

• I enjoy sending time with my family. • I enjoy being outside. • We like to travel and camping. • I enjoy sports—playing, watching, and

coaching. • I incorporate a lot of sport stuff into the

classroom.

Home Family

Goals

• Have fun. I’m on a constant search for fun.

• I try to transfer that to the classroom. • Balance school with life.

• I take this job very seriously. It’s a job that

never ends. I think about school very often, knowing that there is always something more that can be done.

• I recognize that it is not your typical 9-5 job, and that it’s difficult to reach me during the day (since I’m with the students most of it).

• Feel free to call me at home 451-1955 if you feel it is necessary. I may not get back to you until the next day.

• Best way to reach me is email. scottbw@unit5.org

• I always try to respond– it might just be a “thanks” or short response.

• Typically the shorter the email the quicker the reply.

• Class website http://www.unit5.org//Domain/1706

Class make up this year

• 27 students• 13 boys • 14 girls• Student Teacher- Ms. Zeipen

School Family

Personal Beliefs/goals for third grade students

• Respect and polite to all • Learn organization skills • Learning is fun and ongoing• Goes well with “Get your

Armorrr on”- (Respect, Responsibility, Ready)

3rd grade • One of the great things about 3rd grade is that

everything students learn, they will learn again. • Everyone grows at learns at a different pace.• Some students take a different “route”. • We are building the base of the pyramid. • Lots of fact based learning moving toward developing

deeper thinking skills.• They are growing up in a world that allows people to

have a computer in their pocket.• Memorization not as important as locating and using

the information. • Hope spur curiosity.

Homework • We will have some– Likely not too much • Enough to create good organization habits

and enrich classroom learning• If you find your student spending too much

time with it, let me know• 15 minutes of reading every day• IXL is encouraged

Assignment Notebook• We will do this daily• Students have the responsibility to get

their assignment notebook signed. • Signing it means you have communicated

with your child about their day and assignments.

• Feel free to leave a note. I try to respond back.

Handwriting• We will be practicing cursive handwriting

throughout the year. • Students are encouraged to use cursive. • I will not be grading handwriting practice

sheets but usually review them. • I occasionally give out a “cursive writing

bonus” on assignments. • Please encourage your students to write

neatly and use cursive.

Skyward

• I typically update Skyward every Sunday. • I give each student a note of missing

assignments on Monday mornings. • Check it every couple weeks or so, but

don’t micro manage. • Don’t panic if you see a low grade– if

you see many then we should talk.• As a district we are moving toward

skills based assessment– which doesn’t blend well with grades

My Philosophy on Grades • What students know is the most important. • Don’t put too much pressure on students. • Don’t compare students to each other. • Encourage and praise effort. • Grades are not perfect– likely will doing

away with grades in the next couple years• I believe skills are more important than

grades

Math• Often do math stations– really it’s math workshop• Pretest to see where students are at.• Group according to need.• Encourage students to engage in a variety of math activities-

miscellaneous math. • Requires a lot of self discipline. • We will use journals daily. • Home Links often- sometimes in class, sometimes for home• If a lot of help is provided, please let me know • I encourage you to assist them– but please let me know if they

are not grasping a skill or concept. • Mastery of multiplication facts 0-12 is expected in third grade• Games• SRB (Student Reference Book) Page number won’t match this year.

• Flash Cards are great!• esuite

Reading• 60 minutes a day.• We are using a workshop approach. • Still new at this approach to teaching—grading is a

big part of the challenge. • Requires a lot of self discipline. • I’ll read out loud to the class daily. • Lots of small groups.• Hopefully move into “book clubs” or Lit. circles • Always assign 15 minutes to read– adjust as

necessary. • I used to let students take my books home, but I don’t any

more– causes a lot of wear and tear and several are missing. If you find books with my name on them at home, please make sure they are returned.

SWORD• 30 minutes a day for SWORD time.• Students Working On Reading Development• Strategic grouping

WritingWriting is a challenge for several students• Using a workshop approach– sort of• Lots of district assigned projects• Most of the projects will be done at school, but research

outside of school is sometimes necessary• Will ask for parent help at times– usually toward the end

of a project• Goals:

– Make it fun– Help students generate a lot of ideas– Understand that writing is a process– even the best

writers complete several drafts before they are “done”• Teach students about plagiarism and tips for avoiding it.

Writers Notebook– Many students can decorate theirs if they choose to.

Writing continuedProjects for the year• Memoir• Personal narrative• Non-fiction writing- animal is encouraged• Multi-genre writing• Persuasive writing- movie and book review

Weekly Newsletter

Spelling• Words There Way• A word study• Learn about letter patterns• Lots of grouping

Science/Social Studies• Extension of reading• Less time will be spent on these subjects• Social Studies- Good mix of geography,

history, economics and government • Science- spirals, many topics may seem

like they repeat from previous years• Hope to make both fun and interesting!

Areas

• Music- with Mrs. Ogdon Wed. 9:35-10:00 and Friday 2:10-2:35

• Art- with Mrs. Cunningham Thurs. 2:35-2:25

• P.E.-with Ms. Rippy Daily 1:10-1:35

• I.M.C.- Mrs. Tindall Tues. 9:15-10:05

• SWORD- daily 10:05-10:35

• Lunch/Recess daily 12:05-12:55

Let’s work together for success• Keep me posted as to struggles,

difficulties, emotions, etc.• If something happens that you think might

carry over into the school day. • If your student is being difficult with you

about something school related, let me know.

• Keep me informed of major life changes.

Newsletter• Try to write a weekly newsletter• Students will do writing and eventually the typing. • Hopefully it will improve throughout the year. • Student perspectives are very interesting (I’ll believe

part of what they tell me about you if you believe part of what they tell you about me).

• We started last week. They will partner write the first few times then move to self writing.

• Almost all classroom written communication will come through emails.

• Try to email it out on Friday afternoons

Parent Helpers Writers’ workshop– hopefully???• PTO• IMC• A note will come home about these as they

become available.

Classroom Discipline

• Stop Signs/ Warning Signs• Positives: add a penny• Students created our 3S Classroom

Constitution• Get your Armorrr On!! • Tickets/drawings/auctions

Peanut Free Classroom

• We must remain peanut free 100% of the

time. • If you student has an allergy, I’d like to

confirm with you the severity of the allergy.

Snacks• BYOS– Bring your own snack• Fruits, vegetables (NO DIPPING SAUSES). • Remember to send a spoon if necessary.• Usually have snack around 10:45• Please keep it a snack- should be able to be

eaten in about 5 minutes.

Rusty

• We watch Rusty almost every day. • He give tips and reminders on how to be a

good student and citizen.

Various items from the office• Volunteers need to be screened. • Anyone who needs to renew their volunteer

status (from last year) can go to the NP website & click on “renewal” link.  All NEW volunteers need to email Kristin Brant or Julie Watson for the new volunteer screen link.  Their emails are also available on the NP home page.

• All visitors need a badge • Please contact the office (and me if possible)

your student will be missing school.

•  Eating with child– Call office by 9:00– No fast food

• Parents used to be able to charge their lunch to their kids account but now they have to pay in advance & can’t charge the student account.  They can purchase their lunch ticket in the office, it’s $2.50 (exact change appreciated).

Odds and Ends• Assignment Notebook $6—everyone has one!• Time for Kids (TFK) $5- only need 3 more• Calculator (optional)• Book orders once a month—due tomorrow• Water container– with lid. • Camera• 3rd grade computers• Passwords• Room is often cool– students can leave

sweatshirt/sweater here

3S Codes• A star or P= paper was reviewed but not taken

for a grade. Often I’ll spot check just one problem.

• Happy Face= paper was reviewed but not taken for a grade. Often I’ll spot check just one problem.

• C & R= Student can correct and return for partial credit.

Conferences

• Remember to sign up for conferences and room parent help!

• If you have multiple students, be careful scheduling back to back.

• Also sign parent contact sheet. • Feel free to leave a note for your student• Thank you in advance for all your support• Show class website; esuite;