Syllabus

Grace Christian School

1111 South Conyer Visalia, CA 93277

559-734-7694


Third and Fourth Grade

Mrs. Joanne Cook 2019-2020


Welcome

Welcome to 3rd and 4th Grade at Grace Christian! This will truly be a busy room with lots of learning opportunities happening every day! I hope you are just as excited as I am to get started on our year together! I thank you for blessing me with your child this year and pray that each one finds joy in the journey.

What will we learn this year?

Here are just some of the highlights we have to look forward to this year…

Bible

  • Weekly memory verses to hide God’s Word in our hearts!
  • Wednesday chapel services
  • Daily instruction with a focus on disciple-making as we study:
  • Knowing God
  • Growing in faith
  • Identifying ourselves as members of the Body of Christ
  • Living in joy and harmony with one another
  • Valuing god’s creation
  • Witnessing our faith in Jesus
  • Living in the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus


Reading

  • We will participate in whole class Literature Studies
  • We will practice our reading strategies and comprehension daily
  • Phonics and spelling patterns will be reviewed through our spelling program
  • Vocabulary words will be introduced
  • Literacy centers
  • Students will be read to and will read independently
  • Accelerated Reader program will be implemented
  • Reading practice will be required at home, too – reading is not just for school : )

Writing

  • Writer’s workshop
    • Personal Narrative
    • Informational
    • Opinion
    • Fictional Narrative


Spelling – Third Grade

  • Short vowels
  • Abstract vowels
  • Long vowels
  • Digraphs
  • Soft g and c
  • Schwa sound
  • R-controlled vowels
  • Double consonants
  • Contractions
  • Plurals
  • Suffixes
  • Compound words

Spelling – Fourth Grade

  • Short Vowels
  • Long Vowels
  • Diphthongs
  • Vowel Sounds
  • R-controlled Vowels
  • More Letters than Sounds
  • Silent Consonants
  • Complex Consolnants
  • Double Consonants
  • Final –le and –en
  • Schwa
  • Base Words with Suffixes and Prefixes
  • Homophones
  • Plurals
  • Calendar Words
  • Possessives
  • Compounds
  • Words about our World

Math- Third Grade

  • Addition and Subtraction Within 1,000
  • Represent and Interpret Data
  • Multiplication Facts and Strategies
  • Two-Dimensional Shapes and Angles
  • Time, Length, Liquid Volume and Mass
  • Division Facts and Strategies
  • Flash card practice is a must!!!

Math – Fourth Grade

  • Place Value and Operations with Whole Numbers
    • Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Factors
    • Place Value to One Million
  • Fractions and Decimals
    • Comparing, Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying Fractions
    • Relating Fractions and Decimals
  • Geometry, Measurement, and Data
    • Two-Dimensional Figures, Angles
    • Relative Sizes of Measurement Units
    • Algebra: Perimeter and Area

Science

  • Roles of Living Things
  • Forms of Energy
  • Sun, Moon, and Earth
  • Life Cycles
  • Earth’s Water

Social Studies

  • Communities and Geography
  • Native American Communities
  • Communities Change
  • California Changes
  • Modern California

Handwriting

  • Review D’Nealian style manuscript
  • Introduce and review cursive!
  • A copy of the correct letter formations is enclosed in your packet!



Fine Arts, Computers, Physical Education


  • Fall Musical/Chapel presentation
  • Christmas Musical
  • Spring Musical/Chape; presentation
  • Art - Drawing, painting, watercolors
  • Drama / Reader’s Theatre
  • Keyboarding / Word Processing
  • Educational Websites
  • Accelerated Reader
  • Physical Fitness
  • Track and Field
  • Oral Interpretation




Grading Scale


100-98% A+

97-93% A

92-90% A-

89-87% B+

86-83% B

82-80% B-

79-77% C+

76-73% C

72-70% C-

69-67% D+

66-63% D

62-60% D-

59-0% F



Homework

Homework will be assigned for the purpose of:

  • Memorizing scripture to keep God’s Word at the tip of our tongues and deep in our hearts.
  • Completing assignments unfinished in class.
  • Reviewing a difficult concept introduced at school for extra practice.
  • Memorizing addition, subtraction and multiplication facts for mastery.
  • Studying for scheduled exams.
  • Preparing home/school connection projects.
  • Independent self-selected reading practice.



The Homework Folder

The most important thing to know about the homework folder is that it needs to come to school every day! The homework folder serves several purposes:

  1. Communication - If you have a note for me, just place it in the “For teacher” pocket inside the folder. Notes from school will be placed in the “For Parent” pocket. Check here for newsletters, flyers from the office, field trip permission slips, daily behavior notes, book orders, etc.
  2. Responsibility – Just taking the folder home and bringing it back every day is teaching your child to be responsible and follow directions. Those are great skills to possess!
  3. Organization – Homework packets will be placed in the “Homework” folder on the first day of every week. If your child does not have one, please contact me. The packet is to be completed and returned every Friday. Please be sure to check the cover sheet for information regarding upcoming projects and tests. Students should review materials included in the packet prior to taking the exam. Not all exams occur on Friday. Be sure to give the packet a once over for completion and accuracy before it is returned on Friday. Unfinished class work will also be placed in the “Homework” pocket of the folder to be completed that evening. Should your student ever have questions regarding an assignment, please have him/her ask me during the week for assistance.
  4. Completed work will be placed on the “Stay at Home” side of the folder for your review. Please make sure to empty the stay at home side of the folder frequently. Overflowing folders can cause problems.




Citizenship

Grace Christian is definitely a team! This staff is a beautiful example of Christians working together to educate the young and spread the Gospel message. We not only work together, we also pray together, study God’s Word together, spend time with each other outside of school and support each other at all times. That is the same atmosphere that I hope to create with your students. Together Everyone Achieves More – TEAM! Together we will practice following our class rules. Together we will look for solutions and possibilities. Together we will accomplish tasks, research, edit, converse, and try out new things. Together we will work hard to earn marbles in our jar and “Cook’s Cash” by completing our work, returning homework, earning table points, receiving compliments or simply do something terrific in class! When the jar is full, our team celebrates with a class party!

Redirection is used when necessary to keep the students on the right track. Up to three warnings are used in the classroom – warning, serious warning and final warning. If a student chooses not to make better, more appropriate, classroom choices after the final warning, they will forfeit their green “great day” card. A note home will be written to be signed and returned the following day. Making mistakes is all a part of growing up. Mistakes allow us to ask for forgiveness, seek better choices for next time and experience the joy of being forgiven. Consequences may include paying the teacher with “Cook’s Cash”, a recess time out, a visit to the office, a written apology, or loss of classroom privileges.

Bucket Fillers

“You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” Have you ever heard that one? My mom used to say that to us growing up. As a teacher, I have found it to be true. The idea of Bucket Fillers is based on the book “Have You Filled a Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness For Kids)” by Carol McCloud. The premise of the book is that we all carry an invisible bucket that contains our feelings. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When our bucket is empty, we feel sad. A bucket filler is someone who says or does nice things for other people. Compliments are given out as often as possible and model behavior is pointed out for the others to emulate. By doing this, they are filling other people’s buckets and filling their own bucket at the same time. On the other hand, a bucket dipper says or does things to cause other people to feel bad. A bucket dipper empties their bucket when they say and do mean things.







Field Trips

We will be out and about this year! As always, drivers and chaperones will be needed throughout the school year. All adults must be cleared through the office prior to attending a field trip or helping in the classroom. Thank you for your cooperation and quick attention to those matters. We love to take our learning on the go and are so thankful to everyone who helps us get from here to there!

Field trips currently booked on the calendar are:

  • September 12, 2019 - Tulare County Fair (8:30-1:00)
  • October 2, 2019 - AgVentures Heritage complex (8:45-11:30)
  • October 25, 2019 - “Prince Caspian” Enchanted Playhouse at the Fox Theater (8:30-11:00)
  • October 29, 2019 - Mooney Grove Museum (8:35-12:30)
  • November 22, 2019 - Exeter Murals Walking Tour (8:30-11:30)
  • January, 2020 - Railroad Museum, Old Town Sacramento (All Day)
  • January 30, 2020 - Roller Towne (11:45-2:30)
  • February, 2020 - Pena Planetarium (8:30-11:30)
  • April 21, 2020 - Mooney Grove Museum (8:35-11:00)
  • March 6, 2020 - “Cinderella” Enchanted Playhouse at the Fox theater (8:30-11:00)
  • May 26, 2020 - End of the Year Celebration, TBA






How Can You Help?

  1. Please make sure your student is on time and ready for the day. A good breakfast and enough rest really help your student to succeed!
  2. Even though your student is beginning to read independently now, continue to read aloud as often as you can. Everyone loves to hear a good story!
  3. Pack only lunch items that your student can easily open by themselves. You may also pack a simple snack to nibble on at morning recess. Spoons, napkins and forks need to be packed in the lunchbox. Be sure to include a drink every day or purchase a milk card.
  4. Please see that all toys, gizmos and gadgets are kept at home unless I have sent a note requesting such items. Lost or damaged toys upset the learning environment for everyone.
  5. Get involved! Attend Booster meetings, help in the lunchroom, drive on a field trip. When everyone pitches in the kids win!
  6. Collect box tops! Clip off those little box tops from your cereal boxes, frosting containers, etc. It may seem like a small thing to do, but it earns money for our school and every little bit helps!
  7. Consider ordering from a monthly book order! Every dollar you spend earns books and learning materials for our classroom!
  8. Stay in touch! The best time to get ahold of me in person is after school. You may also email me at any time and I will respond as soon as possible (gracethirdgraderocks@gmail.com).
  9. Remember Grace Christian in your prayers! Your support and dedication to our school is priceless!

You Are Invited

Spending time in worship is very important at Grace Christian School. Each Wednesday morning we gather in the sanctuary for songs, Scripture, prayers and a message. Everyone is welcome to attend our chapel services which begin at approximately 8:35 a.m. Worshiping together strengthens our school community and joins us together through our faith in Jesus Christ and our love for one another.

We would love to have you join us on Sundays if you do not already have a home church of your own. Many of the teachers are involved in the ministry of Grace Lutheran Church so there will be several familiar faces each week! Both services offer a kid’s talk time with handouts and snacks. 8:00 is a traditional service with the organ and liturgy. The 10:30 service has a contemporary flair with a worship band and contemporary music.

Every once in a while the school children will be asked to present a song or two to the congregation. The members of Grace Lutheran Church love to see and hear the little ones! It is great to stay connected and support one another on our walk in faith. Between school and church, your child should have a strong base that will help him/her as s/he grows!

Links

You can place Scholastic Book Orders online! You may order from multiple catalogs at any time during the year. Your books will be shipped free of charge to me and you do not have to worry about sending money to school. Just write me a quick note when you order online so I can complete the process on my end and get your books to you quickly.

Go to: clubs2.scholastic.com

Our class code is: J4NRZ


Visit our class webpage! Get the latest news, announcements, memory verses, etc.!

Email: joanne@gracechristianvisalia.org

Website: https://sites.google.com/gracechristianvisalia.org/grace3rd4th/home

If you want to look up a book title to see if it is in the AR reading program you can simply go to AR book finder. It is a free online tool that you can access at home or on the go. Now books that you read at home or at the library can be used in class at AR time to earn points!

Go to: http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx

Practice Third Grade Spelling words on-line! Lost your spelling list? Not a problem! Spelling City has all of our spelling lists saved! Play a game, print your words, or find some extra practice activities.

Go to: https://www.spellingcity.com/cookvisalia/


Does your student love computer games? ABCYA is an educational website including K-5th grade computer games and activities designed to practice grade level skills in the areas of language arts and math. There are also fun games for practice in geography, keyboarding, holiday fun, etc.


Go to: abcya.com

Choose: Grade 3 or Grade 4


Extra math fact practice that will be used for homework assignments:


Go to: Xtramath.org



Need some extra math practice? I found a website with GoMath! Grade 3 Games!


Go to: http://www.mrnale.com/Go_Math_G3_Games.html

Go to: http://www.coolsciencelab.com for Math Magician!





Texts

Gentry, J. Richard. Spelling Connections. Columbus, OH: Zaner-Bloser, 2012. Print.

Go Math! Orlando, FL: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print

Banks, James A. California Vistas. California Communities. New York: Macmillan McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

History-Social Science: California Studies, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2007

One in Christ. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Pub. House, 2011. Print

Rueda, Robert. Houghton Mifflin English. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. Print.

Science DiscoveryWorks. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Pub. House, 1999. Print.