Welcome to Third Grade!

The third grade teachers are looking forward to working with your student this year.  This handbook is intended to give you an overview of the policies, procedures, and expectations for the upcoming year. If you have any questions throughout the year, please feel free to contact us.  Our email addresses are listed below, or you can leave a message with the office at (309) 389-5025.  

3A-Mrs. Sorrell asorrell@ib327.com 

3B-Ms. Bitner mbitner@ib327.com 

3C-Mrs. Lox llox@ib327.com 

Grades

Parents may access their child’s grades on TeacherEase by visiting the school website.

If a student does poorly on an assignment, they will be asked to make corrections. The grade they earned originally will remain in TeacherEase. 

Reading/ELA

Illini Bluffs Elementary School uses the Wonders reading series. Wonders is designed to foster a love of reading for all students. This curriculum is used for reading, grammar, writing, and spelling. Reading stories will be taught over a period of two weeks.  Many of our stories will be taught from our textbooks, but we will also make use of classroom chapter and nonfiction texts. Each story read will have activities and assessments that align with the third grade Illinois State Standards.

Spelling/Phonics

We use the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) for our spelling curriculum. This program is an evidence-based reading program, particularly UFLI Foundations, which teaches systematic, explicit phonics to build foundational reading skills based on the "Science of Reading," helping students decode words through structured lessons, routines, and resources. 

Math

Illini Bluffs Elementary School uses iReady for our math curriculum. It is directly tied to our Illinois State Standards. A study guide will be sent home for each chapter with the test date listed. Third grade students are expected to know their multiplication facts before the end of the year. 

Science & Social Studies

We will rotate back and forth between the two subjects throughout the year.  A big part of our science curriculum is the wildlife unit. We will complete an animal research project to accompany this unit. A field trip to Wildlife Prairie Park will also be planned; more information will be sent home as the time approaches. 

Independent Reading

Students will have opportunities to read throughout the school day, and we will encourage them to make the most of these reading opportunities.

We will also be introducing Book Bucks as a fun way to encourage and celebrate reading! Students may earn Book Bucks when they are randomly caught reading during the school day. They can then use their Book Bucks to earn special prizes in the library.

We would also love to encourage reading at home! Parents are welcome to send in pictures of their student reading at home. Students can earn additional Book Bucks for these reading moments.

Our goal is to make reading fun and help students see themselves as readers both at school and at home!

Assignment Notebooks

Assignments are written down in the students’ assignment notebooks each day.  Parents are requested to check it each night to see that homework is completed.  Please sign the notebook and return it the next school day. Students receive dojo points for getting it signed by an adult.

Homework

Homework is due the morning after it is assigned unless otherwise noted.  The completion of homework is very important. Students who do not turn in their homework on the due date will receive a “HOMEWORK NOT DONE” slip for every assignment that is late. “HOMEWORK NOT DONE” slips will need to be signed by the parent/guardian and returned the following day along with the completed homework.  If a student receives 3 or more “HOMEWORK NOT DONE” slips in one week, he/she will receive an after school detention. 

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is used as the third grade behavior system.  A note will be sent home with your student’s login information.  You can login and check on their behavior throughout the week.  A monthly conduct grade will be taken based on the percentage they earn through dojo.  Students earn points for following classroom expectations, but lose points when they are not. If a student loses 3 or more points in a day, they will receive a loss of recess slip. 

Classroom Treats

Students are able to bring in birthday treats. Any treats that come into the classroom must be store bought.  If your student has a summer birthday and wishes to bring in a treat, please contact your student’s teacher for scheduling.  If your student has a special allergy, feel free to send in parent approved snacks for them in the event of a birthday. 

Snacks & Lunch

Due to our early lunch, students are allowed to bring one healthy snack each day. Students are also able to get a free school breakfast and lunch each day.

Transportation

Your student will be sent home on the bus if he/she is a bus rider.  If you wish for other arrangements to be made, you will need to send a note or notify the office. Do not email your student’s teacher with changes to transportation.  

Children who are car riders with a sibling in PreK - 1st grade will be dismissed by the supervisors at door 1 by the front entrance of the building. Children who do not have younger siblings will be dismissed by supervisors at door 4 between the elementary gym and the high school. Children who attend after care will be dismissed to the designated area. Walkers will be dismissed to the commons and supervisors will release them after the buses leave.

We understand that emergencies do occur.  Please contact the office if there is an emergency change in transportation.  Please do not send these requests via email.  Many different circumstances could prevent the teacher from receiving the email.  

For Your Information

For scheduling purposes, our specials are during 10:05-11:05 (except Wednesday). Wednesday specials are from 10:15-11:05. Our lunch and recess is from 11:15-12:05.

Websites

Please visit our websites at https://www.illinibluffs.com/o/illinibluffselementary/staff  Our websites often include important information, such as daily assignments, educational resources, spelling information, etc.