Syllabus

Welcome to Third Grade

Mission Statement:

The mission of Mountain View Elementary School, in cooperation with the community, is to provide a safe, positive environment where children build skills, knowledge, and character needed for lifelong learning.

Classroom Expectations and Procedures:

Our classroom will be built as a community of learners. Our "constitution" will be based on control of body, voice, imagination, concentration, and cooperation. The more the students are involved with the management of the classroom the more I am allowing students to apply life skills and show responsibility. They apply for jobs and establish job responsibilities.  Research shows that when children have input into rules and expectations, they are much more inclined to take ownership of their behavior. Every year the classroom takes a different shape.

Classroom Management: 

Our classroom management system will be derived from an integrating the arts strategy called The Actor’s Toolbox or Acting Right. This system incorporates skill building activities to develop concentration and cooperation. The activities allow the students to take ownership of and be responsible for their own behavior and learning. When a student displays unacceptable behavior, he/she will be asked to step away from the group and observe a specific task until he/she has regained control of that skill. This is NOT time-out.

Other management strategies:

 

Student Records: 

The district computer grading program is PowerSchool. The grading scale for Greenville County is posted online. 

Reading, Language/Spelling, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Handwriting are the assessed areas. 

Grading Scale

A: 100-90

B: 89-80

C: 79-70

D: 69-60

F: 59-50


Attendance and Tardy Policies:

Attendance is very important to your child’s education. Be sure your child arrives on time. Students begin activities at 7:30 am. The news show begins at 7:45 am. The day starts smoother if all students are in the classroom by 7:30 am. See the Mountain View Handbook. 

Homework Policy:

Students receive a weekly Cannada's Clips and/or a Third Grade Newsletter. Assignments and due dates will be listed. Occasionally, assignments can be turned in by Friday of that week if unable to meet a due date.  

A Third Grade Newsletter will go home most Mondays. The newsletter will stay in the front of the daily folder until the end of the week. The sheet will show an outline of topics/objectives for the week and the “contract work” that is expected. (Your child may be asked to add some assignments to the sheet during the week.) These assignments are to help your child review and practice what was taught that day or to review important facts, to help the child work independently, and to take responsibility for completing work. Please encourage this.  It is important to check the folder daily. Look for graded papers, fliers, PTA news, or papers from the office. I will check the folder each day. Please send a note if you have a question.

Missed Work/Make-up Work:

Each student makes-up work as soon as possible in the daily schedule. Sometimes, a student may need to stay after school to complete the work. The classroom work will need to be completed at school not sent home in a packet.

Graded Papers and Behavior Sheet: 

Parents need to check their student's folder daily for papers from the office or fliers. The folder will be used to send the behavior sheet and graded papers which are described below.

Your child’s work will be sent home weekly to biweekly with work that he/she has from the previous week(s). Note: There will be tests and other graded items that will be viewed online. It would be beneficial to your child if you would review the papers or online materials. Please follow up on behavior also, if needed. Please sign the behavior sheet and return it by the next school day or as soon as possible. Keep all the papers inside the “Take Home” section. Please sign and return all papers in the “Return to School” section. Please correct and sign any low grade papers (D or U). (A note or email will alert you to look for the graded papers. The day will vary.)

Reading:

The reading curriculum will focus on third grade state standards AND on the student's independent reading level. A rubric will be used to assess the student's independent reading goals. More will be discussed at the Fall Parent Conference.

Note: READING IS NOT A MATTER OF CHOICE. Your child must read!  Make sure that your child reads each day! I will explain more of my expectations at the Fall Parent Conference. 

Spelling/Language:

I will call out spelling words and will have the students dictate sentences. The spelling section of the assessment will count as a spelling grade. Language skills will count as a language grade. The students will be assessed using an online and/or pencil and paper assessment.

Mathematics:

The mathematics curriculum will focus on the third grade state standards using "Big Ideas  Math" online program or consumable text. Many mathematics assessments will be taken online. Your child should be able to show you their completed tests. I will explain more at the Fall Parent Conference.

Birthdays:

Birthday party invitations can be distributed by the student. Every student in the class must be included. (You can invite boys only or girls only.) You are welcome to send in a treat for your child’s birthday for the class to eat during our scheduled lunch time. If you plan to come for lunch, please inform me prior to the day.  Thank you for helping ensure the health and safety of our children.

Classroom snacks:

Only healthy snacks are allowed to be eaten in the classroom. Each student is responsible for their snack. Students can eat when they are hungry. This will be discussed more in the classroom.

Lunch and related arts schedules will be sent home and posted when the schedules are completed.

Standards: Refer to the links on the District Website.  

 Closing:

I am excited to be helping with your child’s educational development. It is important to have good cooperation and communication with the parents. If you need to talk with me, please call 355-6814 and leave me a message or write me a note. My email is tcannada@greenville.k12.sc.us. Please note that I do not carry a cell phone to check emails, nor do I check emails during instructional time. I do not text parents from my personal cell phone.

During school hours, my focus must be on the students in my class. I can not conference with parents while students are in the room. I will be glad to meet with you before or after school. (School hours are from 7:30-2:30.)