1. Welcome to
Open House !
Thanks for coming!
Sanford Creek Elementary School

2. Agenda
• Curriculum Overview
• Standard Based Grading
• Flow of the Day
• Homework
• Volunteers
• Q&A Notecards

3. Curriculum Overview
• Connections
– http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/
• Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop based on Teacher’s
College of NY, Focus lessons –Wake County Public
Schools
• Math Expressions by Houghton Mifflin & Math
Trailblazers
• Word Study by Words Their Way
• Science kits from FOSS and Carolina Biological
Supply

4. Standard Based Grading
• Wake County Handout
• Standard Based Grading, Levels 1, 2, 3, 4
based on the objectives for 3rd grade
• Go to www.wcpss.net for more information
• In the search window, type report cards
• Opportunities for a level 4 will be offered
on most assessments

5. Reader’s Workshop
• 5- 7 minute Mini-lesson each day with active
student involvement
• Read Alouds
• Building stamina in our readers: Expected to read
independently for 30 min. or more each day
• Independent Reading with “Just Right” books
• Guided Reading groups
• Book Studies and Author Studies
• Readers “post it” their thoughts
• Partner Talk– have authentic conversations about
what you read with your child

6. Writer’s Workshop
• 5- 7 minute Mini-lesson each day with active
student involvement
• Conferencing will be used to help individual
students develop stronger writing skills
• Students will be introduced to and compose a
variety of writing with a beginning focus on
personal narratives
•Other units of study include letters, feature
articles, fantasy, poetry and a non fiction research
• Watch newsletter for information about each unit

7. Word Study
• Complete activities each day to practice words
including writing complete sentences to build on
grammar
• Word patterns, concepts, and spelling rules are
introduced to groups of students through mini-
lessons
• Weekly spelling quizzes

8. Math Units
• Math Expressions is based on many years of
researching children around the world
• Parent letters for each unit
• Very hands on and full of problem solving
• Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
• Measurement
• Fractions
• Geometry
• Data Analysis
• Algebra

9. Science Units
• Taught with hands on activities and experiments
• Human Body-Skeleton
• Plants – Life Cycle
• Soils – 3 types of soil and composting
• Objects in the Sky –sun, moon, and stars
• End of unit tests are given
• These tests will help prepare students for 5th
grade NC End of Grade test

10. Social Studies
• Citizenship
• Government
• Geography
• Changes in Communities
• Natural Resources
• Producers and Consumers-Economics
• Technology in home, school, and community

11. Flow of the Day
• Daily Schedule
– 8:45-9:15 – Unpack, morning work (please have your child
here on time!)
– 9:15 - Morning Meeting
– 9:30 –Literacy Block
• Includes Readers Workshop, Word Study, Guided Reading,
independent reading time and Writers Workshop
– 11:30 – Specials –Schedule varies by class
– 12:20/12:25 – Lunch
– 1:00 – Math
– 2:00 – Enrichment Time
– 2:30- Recess
– 3:00 - Science/Social Studies
– 3:40 – Pack Up/Dismissal

12. Homework
• Math
– Homework is a review of strategies taught or review of
previous topics
– Practice addition and subtraction with games on your
own; multiplication and division comes 2nd quarter;
should know them in a snap; practice for 3 min. a day
• Language Arts
– Reading for 15-20 min.
– Practice writing complete sentences, review of concepts
discussed; writing prompts
– Spelling – review and concentration of studying spelling
patterns that will flow into your child’s reading and
writing
• Should not exceed 30-40 minutes

13. Parent Volunteers
• All parent volunteers must register each year
to become a volunteer at the school
• Parents may not volunteer in the classroom
until they have registered
• Parents should check in at the office on the
day they come to volunteer
• Parent volunteers are needed for:
– our field trips
– Copying & cutting out laminated materials
– working with small groups
– helping out with special classroom projects
– returning books in the library
– in the lower grades during center time

14. General Questions?
Be sure to check our website at
sanfordcreek3rd.wikispaces.com
Specific questions for your child’s teacher?
Please write it on an index card and she will
contact you.