Families are given a Third Grade Survival Guide in their Open House packet. Please hold on to this packet throughout the school year as all of our processes and procedures are outlined. The intent of this packet is to help navigate any questions you may have. Make sure you keep it somewhere safe! 

Below you will find an abbreviated version. 

 Classroom Routines and Information:

 Third grade is an important transition grade. This is a year when students become responsible for their own belongings, routines, assignments, and behavior. Students also routinely experience letter grades and standardized testing. Students make great strides in self-confidence and independence during this year. We are here to guide and support your child during these changes.

       Third grade is also a significant year academically. Math concepts include multiplication, division, fractions, measurement and complex word problems. Reading concepts include: critical stance, interpretation, and greater comprehension. Narrative and explanatory writing skills are honed. Non-fiction reading strategies are applied in social studies and science. We will appropriately challenge your child in each academic area, helping him or her to grow in knowledge and skills.

Class Values:

Be Safe, Be Productive, Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Kind

Daily Schedule:

7:40 - Late bell rings

7:40 to 12:00 - Instructional time

12:00 to 12:25 - Lunch/restroom

12:35 to 1:05 - Instructional time

1:05 to 1:35 - Recess

1:40-2:30 Specials

2:35 - Dismissal

Specials:   

"C Day" – PE (Please wear athletic shoes.)

"B Day" - Music

"E Day" - Art 

We will continue to rotate "C.B.E." each week

Supplies:

• 2 packs sharpened Ticonderoga pencils – standard size, yellow

• 1 pack Pink Pearl erasers

• 1 spiral notebooks, one subject – no glitter please

• 1 five subject notebook

• Plastic 5 tab binder dividers 

• 1 pack wide-ruled notebook paper

• 1 pocket folder (solid color, no glitter)

• 3-ring binder, 1-inch, view binder, white

• zippered pencil pouch (no boxes)

• earbuds

• 2 glue sticks

• 1 pack 3x5 index cards 

• 1 pair of scissors 

• 1 pack crayons (8, 12, or 24 pack, no jumbos)

• 1 pack 12-count colored pencils

• 1 pack 8-markers 

Newsletters:

Each week students receive a newsletter. It will include homework for the week, announcements, reminders, and daily behavior. Students will turn in the parent-initialed newsletter each Monday.

Folders:

Each student will receive a Homework Folder and Finish Folder. Homework folders go home and come back to school every day!! Homework folders hold homework and the newsletter for the week. All notes should be sent in homework folders and given to the teacher by the student. I do not check folders for notes. Students are responsible for bringing homework folders to school.

Finish Folders go home at the end of each week. They contain work from the week, tests, quizzes, and flyers. These folders go home on the weekend and come back the first day of the next week. So that behavior can be signed and recorded, newsletters also go home on the weekend and come back at the start of the next week. Please review the material weekly with your child. There is a place for you to sign before returning it. The most important materials to save from folders are: tests, quizzes, and study guides. All class work can be sorted and placed where you see fit. 

Please help your child by encouraging them to keep track of their folders! This is a major step in developing responsibility in our classroom community.

Homework:

       Most weeks, homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. This may include reading, spelling, or math. Homework assignments will be on your child’s weekly newsletter. Please check the newsletter daily.

Please see Policy 3135 for our county’s thoughts on homework.

Graded Assignments and Tests:

       Graded assignments will be sent home in a timely manner. Please check over this work with your child. Celebrate, support, and provide encouragement.  Student grades come from formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments (60% weight) are classwork, quizzes, and weekly assignments. Summative assessments (40% weight) will consist of end of module tests, unit tests, projects, and written assignments. 

Grading Scale:  

Beginning in third grade, students are assessed in core subjects as follows:

A: 90–100 Excellent            

B: 80-89 Above Average

C: 70-79 Average

D: 60-69 Below Average

F: Below 60  Failing

Behavior: 

Our class goal is to work together as a community to follow our class values. Working together in a productive, positive environment helps our class community function to the highest potential both academically and socially. To encourage positive behavior and good choices, our class has personal behavior charts, personal reward incentives, and whole class rewards! Behavior is tracked on our weekly newsletter.  I keep a record of behavior color and if it has been initialed. Our class behavior model focuses on direct expectations and routines, consistent positive reinforcement, consistent and clear consequences, and restorative practices when a mistake is made.  

What else can you do to help your child be successful this year?

• Be sure your child gets a good night’s sleep (9-11 hours recommended) and a healthy breakfast.

• Talk with your child. Have conversations about their day, your day, their feelings, current events, etc. Ask open-ended questions! 

• Help your child understand the importance of doing their best in school. Praise effort, not just results!

• Encourage your child to ask questions when they do not understand.

• Set routines for at home- let your child take responsibility for checking their folder, unpacking and packing their backpack, showing you forms and flyers that are going home, etc. 

• Support your child with a positive attitude about learning.