Hello and welcome to third grade. My name is Mrs. Shaila Zimmerman, and I am thrilled to be your child's third-grade teacher this year. I am happy to say that this is my third year at Ascent Classical Academy, and I have loved being a part of the Ascent community—first serving in the front office and most recently as the third-grade apprentice teacher. I look forward to working with your students in a rigorous and virtuous environment where we will learn the true, do the good, and love the beautiful!
In our classroom, we also get the pleasure of having an apprentice teacher. She will be teaching your students math as well as helping out with many other parts of the students' day. Ms. Ledet is excited to begin teaching 3rd grade at Ascent Classical Academy. She comes to our school having nearly two decades of experience teaching high school mathematics. She recently relocated from Louisiana to be closer to her daughters and granddaughters. With her grandson currently in 3rd grade, she already feels right at home with this age group.
Classroom Overview
Homework: You can expect a total of about 30 minutes of homework a night. This will consist of 20 minutes of reading and a short math assignment that should not take more than 10 minutes per night. As part of the math homework, please spend 5 of the minutes a night on math fact practice. A packet consisting of a reading log and math homework will be sent home most Mondays. While reading should be done daily, the math can be completed a little each evening or all in one or two longer sessions depending on what works well with your family’s schedule. Please return students’ reading log and homework packet the following Monday in their gray folder. I highly encourage regular practice of math facts, beginning with addition/subtraction and moving towards multiplication/division. I will let you know via email and my website when we make the switch to multiplication.
Snack: We will have a brief snack break in the afternoon. Please make sure this is not messy to eat and is nut-free for the safety of all students.
Birthdays: In line with Ascent’s birthday policy, please do not send birthday party invitations or class treats to school. We will celebrate birthdays in the classroom.
Volunteering: Parents/grandparents are most welcome to volunteer. I would greatly appreciate it and will send more information in an email the first week or two of school regarding volunteer opportunities for reading and clerical helpers.
Grey Folders: Please check this folder regularly. (It should come back and forth between school and home daily.) On Mondays it will have your student’s homework packet, and on Fridays you will find returned work. Other notes will be sent home periodically.
Communication: I greatly value staying in touch with you, the primary educator of your child. I will do my best to reply to emails within a business day. “Handle with Care” days: be it a rushed morning or a hard family circumstance, if you’d like me to be aware that your child is having a hard day, please feel free to send me an email and say so. While you’re welcome to tell me more specifics, all that’s necessary is a “Handle with Care” one-liner to help me be aware of the need.
Curriculum information:
In third grade, we’ll enjoy Black Beauty, fossils, American colonies, meteorology, and so much more. You are always welcome to come see our curriculum! At the heart of third grade are our literacy and mathematics programs.
Literacy Essentials
The Literacy Essentials program begins with spelling, teaching students to encode (write) spoken words using phonograms—symbols representing sounds. By learning the 72 phonograms, students match sounds to symbols, enabling them to spell words correctly. Reading naturally follows as students decode the words they’ve learned to spell.
Singapore Mathematics
Singapore Dimensions focuses on the formation of a solid foundation in mathematics while developing an excitement and love for the material. Third grade is a year of great growth, including developing skills in multiplication and division.
Schedule:
Opening Ceremonies
Literacy I
Math I
Art/Music - 8:55-9:25
Literacy II
Grammar/Composition
Lunch - 10:35-11:35
Math II
Science
Literacy III
PE - 1:05-1:35
History
Literature
Literacy IV
Your child is a treasure, and I do not take lightly that you have entrusted me to be a part of their education. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me on any matter! I look forward to partnering with you this year. My email is shaila.zimmerman@nc.ascentcolorado.org
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Shaila Zimmerman