Curriculum Night 20133S

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.

• Also remember to sign up for conferences

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 8th year of 3rd grade at Northpoint. • I have my masters degree in administration. • Married and have two sons and one daughter

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

incorporate a lot of sport stuff into the classroom.

Goal in Life

• Have 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 all the time, knowing that there is always something more than 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

• 26 students• 14 boys • 12 girls• Student Teacher- Mr. Wilkinson

Personal Beliefs/goals for third grade students

• Respect and polite to all • organization • learning is fun• Goes well with “Get your

Armorrr on”- (Respect, Responsibility, Ready)

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• I don’t believe in giving homework for the

sake of giving homework• Chance of assigned reading from text

books.

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.

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 aren’t perfect.• I believe skills are more important than

grades

Math• Working toward a workshop approach• We will use journals daily. • Home Links nearly everyday • It is helpful if you indicate how much assistance you

provided. • Circle the “A lot, some, little, none” • I encourage you to assist them– but please let me know if

they are not grasping a skill or concept. • If a student always has a perfect paper and I don’t know they

are receiving a lot of additional help can create problems. • Mastery of every skill is not expected-series spirals• Games• SRB (Student Reference Book) • Flash Cards are great!• Multiplication 0-12 are to be mastered by end of year. • esuite

Reading• 90 minutes a day.• We are using a workshop approach. • Still new at this approach to teaching—

grading is a big part of the challenge • I’ll read out loud to the class daily. • Always assign 15 minutes to read– adjust as

necessary. • I let students borrow my books. Please help

see that they get returned.

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

WritingDifficult for many students • moving toward a workshop approach• Grading is somewhat subjective– less important than

skills• Goals:

– Make it fun– Provide 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.

Parental help is usually necessary. • Writers Notebook

– Will come home tomorrow and students can decorate it• Hope to include parents in “Writers’ Workshop”

Spelling• Words there way• A word study• Learn about letter patterns• Lots of grouping• Not sure it will be graded

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!• Hope to use the netbooks often for

research• May have to assign reading from text

books at home

Areas• Music- with Mrs. Ogdon• Art- with Mrs. Cunningham • P.E.-with Mrs. Leake • I.M.C.- Mrs. Tindall

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 will likely start it next week. They will partner write the first time then move to self writing.

• Almost all written communication will come through emails.

Parent Helpers • Writers’ workshop– hopefully???• Math workshop– hopefully???• PTO• IMC• Mrs. deFreese is in need of help as well • 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 • One confirmed and one suspected peanut

allergy

Snacks• Fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and cheese sticks. (NO

DIPPING SAUSES). • Remember to send a spoon if necessary• Otherwise students will receive 5 animal

crackers. • I will be asking for donations of animal crackers

or animal cracker like snacks. • I used to let the class bring their own snacks,

but realized I was in violation of the district policy.

Rusty

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

better citizen.

Various items from the office• Volunteers need to be screened.

– Sign up in the office • Pick up and drop off must occur out front• Eating with child

– Space is a real problem– Call office by 9:00– No fast food

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

your student will be missing school. • Remember to sign up for a conference when we

are done.

Odds and Ends• Assignment Notebook $5• Time for Kids (TFK) $5- only need 4 more• Calculator (optional)• Book orders once a month—due tomorrow• Water container– with lid. • Camera• Netbooks• Passwords• Room is often cool– students can leave

sweatshirt/sweater here• Student council- paragraphs due Tuesday.

3S Code• A star or P= 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!

• 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