ABCs of Ms. Basner’s Third Grade Classroom

 A: All About Ms. Basner

Hello!

My name is Brooke Basner, and I am beyond fortunate to be a part of the wildcat family as a third grade teacher!

I most recently finished my 11th year of teaching. Before Wilder, I was a third grade teacher for three years at Flagstone Elementary in Castle Rock, Colorado. I received my Master of Arts in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade Education at the University of Northern Colorado, and I graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, with a focus on early childhood. Go Rams! There, I established my love for children and teaching. I have had experience with early childhood, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade.

 Throughout my life, I have never imagined myself within a profession that doesn't involve education. My favorite aspect of teaching is watching students develop and express themselves individually. I strive to demonstrate the qualities necessary to motivate, build meaningful relationships with my students, and create a classroom atmosphere that provides security, management, routines, and trust for my students, as well as an acceptance of all individuals. My role in preparing students for their future is to establish a positive learning environment. I live for my students' motivation and enthusiasm toward learning. Also, in order to prepare students for their future, I will find new approaches to meet individual needs. Students who enjoy their application of knowledge will find ways to expand it within various contexts.

I am very excited to be a part of Littleton Public Schools, as I am an alumni of Wilder Elementary, Goddard Middle School, and Heritage High School.

I am a Colorado girl, born and raised in Littleton. In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, activities on the water, the beach, traveling, dancing, and cheering on the Avalanche, Broncos, Packers, and the Yankees. I also have an obsession with my niece, Charlie, and sharks! I am looking forward to marrying my fiancé, Sean, in June of 2026! He is the absolute best! 

I look forward to a wonderful year!

Love,

Ms. Basner

B: Birthdays

We would love to celebrate your child’s birthday! If you would like to send something in with your child, I will need at least one day’s notice of the treat you plan on bringing in. In addition, I will have a small present for each child’s birthday, and our class will make his or her day very special! If your child has a birthday during summer break, we will celebrate his or her half-birthday.  

We will continue to support the District Board Policy ADF promoting healthy food choices for students. All food items need to be store-bought. If your child has a food allergy or other health concerns, you may provide a supply of alternative treats for them to enjoy during birthday celebrations if you would feel more comfortable.

         Birthday invitations should not be passed out at school in order to avoid hurt feelings. Thank you for your support and understanding.

 C: Communication

My goal is to use various forms of communication in order to create and maintain a connection between school and home. The following are some of the various forms of communication I will be using:

I believe that it is important to form strong bonds with students and parents to inspire a shared commitment in quality education. The best way to reach me is through email at bbasner@lps.k12.co.us. I will do my best to respond within 24 hours.

A red folder will be sent home every Thursday with important school forms, notes, and graded assignments. Please have your child return the empty folder (unless something needs to be returned)  to school on the following Friday.

I will be sending an email every Thursday: The Third Grade Weekly. This will include announcements, areas of focus for the week, important dates and reminders, and a link to the Third Grade website. 

You will find EVERYTHING on our class website, including our focus for the week, daily OPTIONAL homework, important events and dates, Scholastic book order details, and third grade curriculum. The website is updated every Sunday.

Sign up for Class Dojo to see pictures of your child in action at school! A registration form was sent home with your child. If you need a new copy, please let me know. Third Grade does not use Class Dojo for behavior management.

Google Classroom is a tool we will use for managing and completing student work online.

D: Daily Schedule 

Third-Grade Daily Schedule 

7:35 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. – Arrival: Soft Start and Breakfast

7:50 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. – Attendance, Morning Announcements, and Community Time

8:10 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. – ACCESS

8:40 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.  – Reading: Foundational Skills and Grammar

9:05 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. – Specials (Music, P.E., Art, Smart Lab)

9:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. – Reading

10:50 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – Snack and Recess

11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Writing

11:30 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. – Number Ninja (Math Intervention)

11:55 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. – Math Differentiation

12:20 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. – Lunch 

12:40 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Lunch Recess

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. –  Math 

2:00 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. – Social Studies or Science

2:35 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Clean, Pack, and Dismissal Procedures, and Teacher Read Aloud

Third Grade Wednesday Schedule 

8:35 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. – Arrival: Soft Start and Breakfast

8:50 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. – Attendance, Morning Announcements, and Community Time

9:10 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. – Reading

9:45 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. – Specials (Music, P.E., Art, Smart Lab)

10:25 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. – Reading: Foundational Skills and Grammar

10:50 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Writing

11:30 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. – Number Ninja (Math Intervention)

11:55 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. – Math Differentiation

12:20 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. – Lunch 

12:40 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Lunch Recess

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. –  Math 

2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – ACCESS

2:35 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Clean, Pack, and Dismissal Procedures, and Teacher Read Aloud

E: Expectations

As a class family, and as a school, we are expected to adhere to Wilder’s PAWS traits:

·       Practice Respect

·       Always Be Kind

·       Work Responsibly

·       Stay Safe

  Our Third Grade team relies heavily on the PAWS traits. Third graders earn “PAWS” letters every week in order to attend Wildcat Friday, a fun non-educational celebration every Friday afternoon to celebrate PAWSitive behavior!  Students may get letter(s) taken away if they are not following  PAWS expectations.  Should any concerning behavior continue in a week (after a private warning), I will communicate this to you via email and/or phone call, depending on its severity. In addition, please expect a PAWS to Reflect form should your student miss Wildcat Friday. Please see Wilder Elementary’s school website for more information regarding our school-wide PBIS behavioral approaches and a definition of minors and majors.

  Finally, our classroom will have many exciting opportunities to celebrate individual and class successes, including a weekly raffle and class “Kerplunk” parties. Thank you for your continued support toward creating a positive environment for your child! ♡

F: Flexible Seating

  Students learn differently and have different bodily-spatial and kinesthetic needs. My hope is that EVENTUALLY  students are given the choice of where they sit on a weekly basis in my classroom this year. Students will be able to choose where they sit, as long as I agree with their choice. In addition, more flexible seating choices will be offered weekly by student number.

         Alternative seating will allow movement, while helping individuals to collaborate and think critically. We believe that when students have choice, they are able to focus, keep themselves motivated, and feel more comfortable while they work.

         Although my students are entrusted to choose how they work best, those who break their “contract” will lose privileges and be assigned a good-fit working spot.

G: Grading

Students may receive a score of:

Students should strive for a score of “three” on their assignments, illustrating that they are performing at a third grade level. A score of “four” is only given to students consistently mastering above grade-level standards. Scored assignments will include discussions, behavior, group work and partner work, specific content assignments (math, reading, writing, science, social studies), and summative assessments. You will be informed regarding your child’s progress with rubrics, conferences, and report cards every semester. In addition, your child's work will be sent home in his or her Thursday Folder. Please make sure to check these folders for your child’s scored assignments.

 H: Homework

Wilder Vision 

Wilder Elementary School seeks to create a 21st-century learning environment that promotes student growth by providing equitable access to information, literacy skills, and encouraging lifelong learning. Our school strives to be a center of collaborative learning that produces innovative students who have a love for reading, critical thinking, and respect for self and others.


Wilder  Mission

Inspiring a community of learners to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively.

Research does not show evidence that homework is beneficial for elementary school students.

·       Elementary School Homework Probably isn’t Good for Kids

·       What is the Right Amount of Homework

·       Inequities Hidden in Plain Sight: Homework

Homework Guidelines for Wilder Elementary:






The Why…






In third grade, students begin using a daily planner in order to practice responsibility and accountability. Students are expected to read at least 20 minutes, Monday through Thursday. In addition, students receive spelling words every Monday to write in their planner. Spelling words align with the foundational skills we are focused on in reading for the week. It is optional for students to practice spelling these words at home. The words will show up in dictation sentences every Friday. Words for the following week will be sent home in Thursday folders. Finally, students write optional  mathematics practice pages (Reveal Math Student Practice Workbook), in their planner. These align with our daily math instruction and serve as a great refresher! Big projects, such as maps, biographies, immigration, etc. will be done in class.

I: Independence

  Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and self-confidence.  Third graders are very capable of doing many things on their own, and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom.

J: Journey

  Learning is a journey! Without mistakes, there is no room for growth!

 K: Keep Updated

  Keep updated by reading Mrs. Reinert’s (school principal) emails and my Thursday email. Also, look on our third-grade website for other important information!

 L: Library/Literacy

  I want my students to develop a LOVE for reading. Your child will be responsible for checking out books and returning them to our Creative Learning Center (library). In addition, we have a classroom library that is full of many adventures! We will follow a specific protocol to check out books in the classroom in order to ensure everyone’s safety.

  We will hold literacy blocks for 115 minutes on a daily basis in order to reinforce reading and writing. District-wide, third grade through fifth grade has adopted Into Reading as our curriculum for reading and writing. Ask your child daily what he/she has learned. Every day produces something new and exciting!

M: Math

  At Wilder Elementary, we use Reveal Math for our math curriculum. Reveal Math is a comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade curriculum that equips teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners.

The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Reveal blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.

N: Notes

Look in your child’s Thursday folder for important notes going home regarding what is happening at school. These notes may need to be filled out and returned in a timely manner. Also your child may receive a “Glow” note regarding PAWSitive behavior to celebrate! 

O: Outdoor Time

We will have two recesses every day.

If it is above 20 degrees, we will go outside for recess. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. Be sure to send hats and coats to school for colder weather. It helps to have your child’s name written on hats, coats, mittens, scarves, etc. in case they become lost.

P: (Teaching) Philosophy and Planners

  My goal as a teacher is to help students reach their full potential. I work toward this by creating engaging and authentic lessons. I strive to make subject matter relevant and challenging. Students are given choice throughout the day to help personalize their learning.

As mentioned earlier, students use a daily planner in order to practice responsibility and accountability. Please assist your child in getting in the habit of using their planner every day at home for organizational purposes. Planners will go to-and-from school every day.

Q: Quality Work

 Quality work is always expected so your child can be the best that he or she can be!

 R: Reading

  It is ESSENTIAL that third graders are reading for AT LEAST 20 minutes EVERY Monday through Thursday. Whether it is listening to a book on tape, reading independently, or listening to a parent or sibling read, ANY reading will strengthen many areas of the brain!

 S: Snack/Scholastic Book Order

Each morning and afternoon, our class will have time to eat a HEALTHY snack. The snack should be something that can be finished in about 10 minutes.

Scholastic Book orders can be viewed online from our Third Grade website. This is a great opportunity to purchase books at discounted prices! You can order online with our class code: NBJRC. Additionally, all orders help our class purchase new books for our classroom library!

T: Teachable Moments and Technology

  Learning is all about growing from our mistakes. We are a family, and we are here to support each and every individual in our class!

All Third Grade students and parent(s)/guardian(s) have signed a technology contract. Students using technology inappropriately will lose privileges, as stated in the contract. Please refrain from using SMART watches to get a hold of your child, unless of course, there is an emergency. This can become a large disruption and distraction in the classroom and on the playground.

 U: Unique and Special

  I feel that each one of my students is very special. I look forward to hearing about and witnessing each of your child’s successes throughout their entire school career!

 V: Volunteers

  We would absolutely LOVE to have your help during various classroom activities this year! Please be on the lookout for opportunities to volunteer, whether it is working with small-groups, assisting at parties, or chaperoning on field trips!

 W: Water Bottle

  PLEASE send a “spill-proof” water bottle (labeled with your child’s name) for your child to use throughout the day. Students will have access to water fountains, and they will be able to use our pod’s “filling” station for water. I do like my students to take these home daily.

X: X-Citing

Exciting times are headed our way!

 Y: You

Yes, YOU! You play the most important role in your child’s success. I look forward to working with you this school year! Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome!

Z: ZZZ’s

It’s imperative that your child gets plenty of rest every day. Setting and keeping an appropriate bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!


 I am looking forward to a fun and successful year for your child!

 

 Thank you for all of your help and support! ♡