Transcript Ride The Learning Wave Into A Super School Year

Mrs. Antonette Urik
Third Grade Teacher
Buffalo Elementary
Freeport Area School District
(724) 353-9577 ext: 4018
[email protected]
The Teacher
 My name is Mrs. Antonette Urik and this is my fourth year




as part of the Freeport family.
I’ve taught the previous three years at South Buffalo
Elementary as a first grade teacher.
Prior to coming to Freeport I taught third grade and was a
math specialist in the Cypress Fairbanks School District,
Houston, TX.
My Elementary Education Degree is from LaRoche College,
Pittsburgh, PA. I’m currently taking graduate level credits
through Wilkes University.
My husband, Ryan and I are proud parents to a one year old
daughter, Natalia. I am excited to teach in the township
that we call home.
Goal-Oriented Classroom
 Each student will be successful at his/her level of




learning.
Each student will give 100% and beyond in all aspects
of our classroom community.
Each student will be responsible for his/her work and
behavior.
Each student will use good listening skills.
These goals will be made attainable via multiple
opportunities for success supported by
educational research including inquiry based
learning and technology.
Support from other Buffalo Staff
 Mrs. Rabbitt
Title I (Reading) Teacher
 Mrs. Kobelenske
Learning Support Teacher
 Mrs. Crytzer
Challenge Teacher
Speech Teacher
Elementary Counselor
School Nurses
 Mrs. McIntyre
 Mrs. Vaughn
 Mrs. Sutara and Mrs. Jones
Special Area Teachers
 Gym/Physical Education (Day 5)
 Visual Arts
 Music Education
 Recorder
 Computers/Media
 Library
Miss Krol
Miss Alesse
Mrs. Serwon
Mr. Ortego
Mr. McGrath
Mrs. Calabrese
Reading
 Our Language Arts program includes reading, spelling, and grammar.
 There are many things available online at www.macmillanmh.com for
students to use.
 We will read a new story each week from the anthology. A
comprehension quiz will be given on each story. The children may use
their text to look for answers. We are testing reading skills.
 Each week we will learn new vocabulary words associated with the
story. A new skill will be presented each week and tested using a new
piece of literature where the students apply that skill. That test will be
on Friday.
 Each student will be placed in a guided reading group based on DRA
testing results. I will work with each group on skills that are introduced
each week as well as skills that have not been mastered. At some point
this year, those groups will be across the third grade level, so your child
may be placed in a group with a different teacher to better meet their
needs. The tests we use for placement were given last spring to each
student and will be given again in early October. I will share those
results with you at conferences.
English
 English consists of grammar and writing.
 In grammar, we study sentences, nouns, verbs,
pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Students are
tested periodically on these.
 In Writer’s Workshop, we will begin the year
writing simple paragraphs. As the year progresses,
we will produce multiple paragraph pieces. These
will be graded using a rubric which will list the
specific things that are important for that writing
piece.
Spelling
 Every week the students will take a pretest
on Monday. This will determine which
spelling words the student needs to study.
There will be 20 words on each list. There
will be a test each week on these words.
 The students will be given their lists at the
beginning of each week.
 Words can also be found on the Macmillan
site. www.macmillanmh.com
Math
 It is vital that the students know their addition and





subtraction facts. We will add and subtract numbers with
6 digits this year.
We will use many manipulatives in Math to help the
children understand different concepts.
Each day the students will do problems and write about
their math problems. Third grade students must explain in
written form how to do a math problem.
Math books and math notebooks may go home at any time.
You can access the Harcourt Math Lab through a link on
the Buffalo Homepage if you have Internet access.
You may also access an online version of our math book
using the username and password provided.
Science/Health
 In Science, we will learn about plants, animals, rocks,
soil, simple machines, and space.
 During the second semester, (3rd and 4th nine weeks)
Science will be graded on the report card. During the
first semester, the students will learn how to organize
the information we work with in class so they can
study.
 Some units will be Health units. In Health, we will
study teeth.
 We will go to the Science lab to apply or learn new
Science concepts.
Social Studies
 We will learn about different communities
throughout the world and some in the past.
 We will learn about rules and governments.
 Students will also learn to read different maps,
graphs, and tables.
 Our field trip in the spring will enhance our
pioneer unit.
Handwriting
 During the first month of school, we will review all of
the cursive letters. It is the choice of the student to
either write in cursive or manuscript at this time.
 When we begin the month of October, all written work
must be done in cursive with the exception of the
Spelling pretest or things normally done in
manuscript. Some items may be done in either and
the students will know that. Special arrangements will
be made for students who can not make the transition.
 Usually third graders are very slow at the beginning of
the year with their cursive. As the year progresses and
they become more familiar with it, they usually
become quite comfortable and sometimes even a little
sloppy. That is normal.
Rules
 Only one person talks at a time.
 Do NOT bother others while they are working.
 Do your own work.
 Respect others. (including space, property, and ideas)
 Raise your hand before speaking.
 Use an appropriate voice for the task.
 Follow directions the first time they are given.
 Keep a tidy desk with school supplies only.
Weekly Consequences
 Warning
 Check mark and lose 5 minutes of recess (walking)
 Check mark and lose 10 minutes of recess (walking)
 Check mark and lose 15 minutes of recess (walking)
 Check mark and lose ALL of your recess (walking)
• Write a letter to parents and/or call home.
 Have a talk with Mr. Poleski.
Rewards
 Weekly BINGO board (no check marks for the week)
 Class Rewards
Grades
 Grades will only be taken on work where the
students have had enough practice.
 You will know if the paper has been graded,
because it will have a percentage written on it.
 Grades will be taken on tests, homework,
classwork, and performance tasks.
 You will be able to access grades on the computer
again this year. More information will be sent
home.
Grading Scale
91-100
81-90
70-80
60-69
0-59
A
B
C
D
F
Homework
 Homework is a review or practice of work done in class.
 Students should be able to complete homework independently.
 All work must be written by the student.
 Homework assignments should be written in the student planner.
 Parents, please sign the planner once a week. Please sign every Tuesday.
 Homework will also be on the Homework Hotline which can be accessed
from my voice mail.
 Please provide a space at home for homework.
 A half hour should be set aside for homework nightly.
 If no assignments are given that evening, please use that time to study
facts or to read a book.
 Please let me know if your child is not bringing home the needed
materials. We can set up an individual plan.
 You will receive a notice if your child does not have his/her homework.
Please have him/her complete it as soon as you receive the notice.
Testing
 Third graders will take the PSSA test in
Reading and Math.
 The test will contain multiple choice
questions and written response tasks.
 The testing for this year will be in April.
Our exact testing days will be sent to you at
a later time.
Communication
 Communication is the key to making this year
successful for your child. Please feel free to contact me
with any concerns. I can’t address a problem if I don’t
know it exists.
 Parent conferences are a time to for us to talk about
your child’s progress and goals. Longer conferences
can be scheduled any time they are needed.
 Routinely go through your child’s GO folder.
 Look for a weekly preview to come home on Mondays.
 Either email, send a note, or leave me a voice message.
I will get back to you as soon as possible.
General Information
 There are 20 students in the room.
 Birthday treats are allowed. The treat must be something
that can easily be distributed by the child. There are to be no
large cakes, cookies, or pizzas. There should not be any ice
cream that needs to be scooped.
 Book order checks should be made to the book club. Make
checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. No cash please.
Credit cards can be used by ordering online. Look for
information on doing this with the first book order of the
year.
 In the cold winter months, students need coats, hats and
gloves to go outside for recess. I’ll use my discretion for the
well being of the child.
The End
 Thank you for taking time to meet with me tonight.
 Please let me know if anything is needed throughout
the school year.
 I can’t wait to meet your children next Wednesday.
 I know that together we will have the ride of our lives
on the third grade waves of learning.