Welcome to the 2010-11 school year! I am very excited to be your child’s teacher. Third grade is a big year. The curriculum focus begins an important shift from ‘learning to read to reading to learn’. Your child will continue to get direct,daily, small, ability- grouped reading instruction and intensive writing instruction as well as math, science, social studies and health.
I use an integrative approach to teaching and learning because it is my experience that life does not happen in discrete boxes at only certain times. Your child will experience the same standards as any third grade (and hopefully more) but reading will not just happen during’ reading’, nor will math happen only during ‘math’. Because of this it is essential that your child be at school and on time every day.
As a parent myself, I know well just how hard it can be to get out the door in the morning, but we are responsible for the values we express to our children. I hope that you will support the value of education by helping your child with nightly reading and homework and by attending school on time regularly.
I endorse a creative approach to curriculum, and I maintain a strong expectation of personal responsibility for behavior. As such, I expect every person to treat others with respect and dignity. If your child is disruptive or does not follow our agreed upon class rules, I will contact you and we will work together to remediate any concerns.
I plan to complete my first round of reading tests during the first couple of weeks of school. This, along with last year’s testing will help me to make a placement for reading group instruction.
Testing is a fact of school, if not life, and we will participate in the state mandated standards Based Assessments (SBA) in the spring. In order to prepare my class for these important tests, we will learn and practice good test taking habits and skills throughout the year. Bandelier uses a standards-based report card with trimesters instead of four reporting periods. More on this later…
I am generally at school about an hour before and usually an hour after school. I prefer to take care of any questions or problems during this school time. However, I know that sometimes questions arise as you are putting your child to bed (as in, ‘Mom I need a shoebox for class tomorrow’…). Here is my home phone number, but please use it sparingly as I, too, have a family-256-2520 home
250-8158 cell The best way to reach me is email as I check it throughout the day erwin@aps.edu I keep my cell phone with me but will not answer it during class, so if you need to reach me during school either call the school and
leave a message or send me an email.
Finally, as I begin my 19th year of teaching I can honestly say that I still look forward to every new year with excitement and anticipation. Together we can make this year special for each of the 23 students on my list. I look forward to getting to know each of you and your children during the coming months.
Best Regards,
Mary Erwin