3rd Grade General Information
We are so excited to welcome you to third grade! We’re looking forward to getting to know each of you and working together to make this a fun, engaging, and successful school year. This year, we will be team teaching, and we’re confident that this approach will provide a supportive and enriching learning experience for all students. Below, you’ll find important information to help us start the year off smoothly and set everyone up for success.
Attendance:
Attendance and promptness are very important. It is impossible to replicate the learning experience with make-up work. Students should be in class by 7:30 AM to begin the day promptly at 7:40 AM. When your student is absent, you must submit a note online at: https://forms.dentonisd.org/Forms/absence-note.
Birthdays:
We love celebrating birthdays! If you would like to send a treat for your child’s birthday, you are welcome to bring cupcakes, cookies, or another snack to share with the entire class. All birthday treats will be enjoyed during lunch time. Please note: Invitations to birthday parties may not be handed out at school unless the entire class is invited. Teachers are not responsible for distributing birthday invitations or sending birthday information via email.
Communication:
Open and consistent communication between teachers and families is essential to student success. We value your questions, comments, concerns, and encouraging feedback, and we welcome the opportunity to work together to support your child.
How to Contact Us:
ClassDojo is a communication platform that helps teachers connect with parents and keep them informed about their child's progress in school. It allows teachers to share photos, videos, messages, and updates about classroom activities.
Email is a great way to reach your child’s teacher. Emails will be returned during planning times or after school hours.
Phone: You may also call the school to leave a message at 940-369-2900.
Your child will bring home a daily Communication/Take-Home Folder. This will include important papers, homework, and a monthly calendar to keep you informed about classroom events and updates. Please make it a habit to check the folder each night and help your child stay organized and prepared.
Conduct:
In third grade, students are encouraged to develop self-control and become more independent and self-monitoring in their behavior. This is an important part of their growth both academically and socially.
Teachers will maintain open communication with parents and guardians to:
Celebrate positive behaviors and qualities, and
Work together to address areas where improvement is needed.
Our goal is to support students in making responsible choices and becoming respectful, caring members of our classroom community.
Dismissal:
At the beginning of the school year, parents/guardians will provide information about how their child will go home each day. If there is ever a change in your child’s dismissal plan, it is important that you notify the teacher by note, email, or phone call no later than 2:00 PM. If no communication is received, your child will be sent home according to their regular dismissal plan.
Distractions:
To help maintain a focused learning environment and avoid unnecessary distractions or issues in the classroom and on the playground, we ask that the following items stay at home:
Toys – unless it is a ball intended for playground use
Make-up
Cell phones and Smart Watches – must remain off or on airplane mode and kept in your child’s backpack until dismissal
Collectible cards (such as Pokémon cards)
These guidelines help us create a respectful and distraction-free space for all students.
Homework:
Your support at home plays a vital role in your child's success. Students are expected to bring home their daily folder each day. This folder will include:
· Completed classwork
· Assignments to be completed
· A reading log
If any papers are marked “Redo” or “Please Correct”, please review them with your child, help them make the necessary corrections, and return the corrected papers in the folder. We encourage you to talk with your child about any problems they missed or concepts they find difficult. These conversations help reinforce what we are learning in class and support their academic growth.
Please also check the folder regularly for any important updates or additional information that may be sent home throughout the year. PTA will be sending communications home in this folder as well.
Homework Guidelines
· Students are strongly encouraged to read for at least 20 minutes each day and record it in their homework log.
· Math enrichment homework will be sent home on Monday and returned on Friday morning.
Math:
To ensure success in Math, please begin reviewing and reinforcing addition facts 0 – 10 for instant recall. (Example: 0+1, 0+2, 0+3…..10+10) This home practice can be completed in your choice of ways. At home suggested homework practice include, but are not limited to: flash cards that are handmade or purchased, online practice, if internet access and a device is available at home, games, decks of cards, dominoes, dice
The focus of the math operations are as follows: addition/ subtraction in the fall semester, multiplication/division in the spring semester. Each student should gain instant recall of each operation by the end of the school year. Math enrichment homework is sent out each week.
Parent/Guardian Involvement:
We highly encourage and welcome you to be a part of this school year! Your involvement makes a big difference in our classroom community, and there are many ways you can help. We are looking for volunteers to serve as:
Reading listeners
Student mentors or tutors
Field trip chaperones
Grade Level Room parents to help coordinate class parties, Field Day, and other classroom events.
If you're willing to volunteer in any of these areas, please let us know—we truly appreciate your support!
Important: All volunteers must complete the Denton ISD background clearance and be approved by DISD Central Administration before volunteering on campus. Apply here: Denton ISD Volunteer Background Clearance
Reading:
For your child’s academic growth and reading development, we strongly encourage students to read for at least 20 minutes each night.
Teachers will:
Monitor reading logs regularly
Conference with students to discuss their reading choices, habits, and progress
Consistent nightly reading builds vocabulary, comprehension, and a lifelong love of books. Supporting this important habit at home shows students the importance of reading.
Science:
This year, our science lessons will be highly hands-on and experiment-based to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for discovery. Most of the students' work, including experiment notes, observations, and results—will be kept in their Science Journals, which will remain at school. We’re excited to explore the world of science together through engaging, interactive learning!
Social Studies:
Social Studies will be taught by your child’s homeroom teacher this year. Our curriculum will cover a variety of important topics, including government documents, good citizenship, communities, scientific breakthroughs, physical characteristics of locations, economics and personal finance, innovators and their contributions. We’re excited to explore these topics and help students understand the world around them, fostering both curiosity and critical thinking!
Recess:
Students will have the opportunity for outdoor recess each day, weather permitting. If the weather does not allow for outdoor play, we will provide an indoor recess time to ensure students get a break and some physical activity. We encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather so they can enjoy their recess time to the fullest!
Snacks:
Students are welcome to bring one small, healthy snack each day. Snacks are not provided by the school, so please be sure to pack a snack for your child each day. Some good options include:
Crackers
Cereal bars
Cereal (without milk)
Fruit (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Yogurt
Other snacks that are low in sugar and not too messy
Please note: Water bottles are encouraged. No other drinks are allowed in the classroom (soda, drink mixes, and sports drinks).
SSO/Portal (online access) directions:
Students can access many school resources through the Denton ISD SSO or portal.
· Go to the Denton ISD SSO/Portal at: https://myapps.classlink.com/home
· Students will log in to the SSO/Portal using their username and password (to be assigned the first few weeks of school).
· Student can then access the available programs supported by the district. Frequently used programs:
o I-Ready (Reading and Math)
o Google (Classroom, Drive)
o Stemscopes (Math)
o HMH Ed (Science)
o Studies Weekly (Social Studies)
o Typing.com
STAAR Testing:
This year, students will take the Reading and Math STAAR tests. To help your child succeed, it’s essential that they continue practicing daily reading and develop instant recall of math facts. Your support in reinforcing these skills at home will play a crucial role in their success on the test and throughout the year.
Technology:
Any personal electronics brought to school are the responsibility of the student. Sam Houston and the third-grade teachers are not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items. All electronics must be turned off or on silent and left in backpacks during the school day, per state law.
We hope the information provided gives you a clear understanding of our procedures and expectations for third grade. As the year progresses, we will keep you informed about any additional activities or important updates. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need further clarification. We are here to support you and your child!
Sincerely,
Sam Houston Elementary 3rd Grade Team
Teacher Team 1 Email Phone Extension
Heather Lasater hlasater@dentonisd.org 5102224
Carrie Layton clayton@dentonisd.org 5102222