Getting Started Information

A reminder that students in Grade 6 and below are not allowed to use personal devices during instructional hours, These should be left at home. We can always send students to the office to communicate with parents/guardians. 

Here is some information as to what is needed for a successful start to this school year.

1. Review Daily Message section in the planner everyday please. This will give you the most up-to-date information about what is happening at Jack Chambers and within our classroom.

2. Classroom Supplies: Please refrain from sending any unnecessary items to school like toys, fidget toys, trading cards etc.

I will supply the following items for your child:

• erasers

• pencils

• White board and white board marker

• Tangrams

• Counters

• Glue

• rulers

Here are the items that are suggested for parents to send with their child:

• Lunches with minimal waste and tupperware containers clearly labelled with your child's name (possibly lunch divided into two as we have two nutrition breaks)

• Chapter books/Picture books for daily reading.  I do have a classroom library, but, it may be beneficial to send in your child's favourite book so we have something to get started with.  I have placed some books in your child's book bin according to their reading level I received from their Grade 2 teacher. It might be ideal to send in books from home. I am hoping these can be here for Day 2 or 3 of school.

• Water bottle marked clearly with your child's name ( one bottle only please)

• Indoor/Outdoor Shoes clearly marked

• It would be a good idea to bring in a pencil case with pencil crayons and/or markers. I will have some but if students already have these in their desks, it can save some time and help with organization.

3. Homework

Homework is a part of the Grade 3 program, but should never be overwhelming. If at any time, you find that your child is spending too much time completing homework, then we should talk. We put considerable thought into exactly what types of activities go home, the learning expectations they cover, the skills they develop and the amount of time given to complete them. Homework will be coming home if not finished during class time. Homework can also be reading, playing one of Mr. McQueen's math games (more information coming), visiting and working through our links section on curriculum based activities or just having a conversation with your child about his/her time at school (ASK ME ABOUT - One or two times a week, your child will have a simple question in the Daily Message that states, “Ask me about….”. The topic will be on something we are working on in class. This is simply to start conversation at home between you and your child. I realize how busy things can be and I feel this is the best way to connect with your child on what has happened in their learning environment that day.) 

 Please note that your commitment and support is essential if your child is to become a self-motivated and responsible student who demonstrates strong work habits and organizational skills. Also, by assisting your son/daughter with homework activities (i.e., ensuring understanding, checking for neatness and accuracy, etc.) you are gaining valuable insight into the kind of learner he/she is, the attitude he/she has toward school and work in general or specific tasks, as well as his/her strengths or perhaps weaknesses (areas of concern). By acquiring this knowledge first hand, there should be no surprises as to the marks and/or comments that appear on your child’s Report Card.

 Students should set aside an average of 20 minutes a night for homework. This time may be used to complete unfinished class work (communicated in planner), work on assigned projects, review math skills/concepts taught in class (going on my website links!) and most importantly, read. It is our hope that students read with an adult each evening and that is what the majority of the above mentioned time is spent doing. A home reading program will begin in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information.

4. Weekly Behaviour Checklists:

A form will be attached to your child’s planner each Friday for the beginning weeks of school to summarize his/her attitude and effort for the week. This will give you a good indication of how well he/she is adapting to the Grade 3 program and meeting expectations. You may find them a useful tool for initiating meaningful discussions with your child about his/her performance at school, as well as goal setting. Individual student behaviour will determine the necessity for using these checklists beyond the initial months of school. These checklists will be sent home at the end of the second week of school.