Learning Management System
Learning Management System
Homework/Grades
Homework/Grades
Homework will usually be assigned daily, Monday – Thursday (mostly math) and a few Fridays . All work will be graded – either with a star or a percentage. If work is not graded, leave it in their folder (with the exception of fun sheets like mazes). At home, your student should have someone designated as a homework helper who they can go to check their work and get help.
The goal is for students to use the assignment book and do most and math and science work on their own. If they do need help, they should first try the problem themselves AND THEN ask for help. Looking at their work will give you A LOT of information where they need help and many times they will do it right, but just are not confident with their answer.
Learning how to study for test and quizzes is as important as the material itself. A study sheet, students notes, or a practice test will come home at least 2 days before each big test to help you prepare your student for it. Students will receive A, B, or a C (no D’s or F’s – instead they would receive a N for “Needs to work on”) on their work and report card. I put % scores on most work.
A 100 - 93 C+ 79 - 77
A- 92 - 90 C 7 6 - 73
B+ 89 - 87 C- 72 - 70
B 86 - 83 N 69 or below (Needs Improvement)
B- 82 - 80
Organizational Skills
Organizational Skills
To practice organizational skills and taking personal responsibility, students will be using an assignment notebook as well as having a daily take-home folder. During the day, we will record assignments that are due the next day and large projects that will be due in the future. Students should also be taking home their take-home folder daily. If homework does become too much (or not enough), please call - 262-966-9792 EXT 124.
If a student does not have their homework done, parents will receive a brief e-mail.
Discipline
Discipline
BE NICE! That covers about everything. If not...
Third grade implements a color-coded system similar to the primary grades clip system: Green- good to go Yellow- first warning Red- 10 minutes of recess Blue- entire recess & contact home White- Same as blue/contact principal
Students start on green EVERY day.
Although we try to avoid students missing recess, it is a time when we can work with them privately one on one. Recess may occasionally be missed for to discuss discipline, help with social issues, or late work. If students start missing more than one recess a week, I will call to ask for help with an alternative plan.
Stuff
Stuff
It is always exciting to have parents and other members of the community visit the classroom. Please call if you have any topics you think might interest the students. Even talking about a trip or hobby would be great. With Covid-19, I may need advance notice to get permission.
In third grade we observe (at least) the following special days with food and games: a fall festival, a winter fling, and Valentine's Day.
To help avoid hurt feelings, please do not pass out birthday or other invitations at school unless all girls, all boys, or everyone is invited.
Our school's nutrition policy encourages healthy eating habits. Healthy snacks are encouraged - PLEASE NO PRODUCTS WITH PEANUTS!
3rd Math Expectations
3rd Math Expectations
As in any classroom, our room is full of student with different interests, learning styles, background knowledge, and experiences. I try to focus on the needs of each individual student. Most lessons are taught as whole class instructions and modifications are made during practice time. For most students, listening to the lesson, practicing in class, and reinforcing it with some homework will be enough to become secure in a skill. Others may need additional assistance or even reteaching during practice time. RtI (Response to Intervention) is also a time where more remediation can take place. Other individuals or groups may not need as much practice, and move on to other learning options.
My expectations are that during math time, everyone should be on task and working on math the entire class. All students may not do the same number of problems, or work on the same type of problems, but all students should be working on math. If students are done with their practice early, they will be able to work on an independent project, work in the math center, play a classroom math game on the Chromebooks (on designated days). If students worked hard and stayed on task, but don’t have their practice done in the time we have, that is fine. They should not feel they have to do all the problems. They should do a quality, thoughtful job on the ones they do finish and feel good about their work.
Some students don’t need as much practice or may already know a skill we are working on. These students will be given several options. Saying they are done with their work and just playing is not an option.
Accelerating (doing more advanced math topics) using I-Ready lessons or Prodigy.
Compacting (shortening the practice done, skipping a lesson, or given an abbreviated lesson) so they will have time to go more in-depth into the skills we are working on. This may entail working on challenging math problem in the math center, a separate mini-math project (learning Roman numerals, using Mayan math, using multiplication to determine how much time they spend brushing their teeth, eating, etc., organizing estimation stations, and others).
Individual, self selected projects (as long as they are connected to math or science). A summary of what they are planning must be presented to the teacher. Some ideas are listed on our classrooms web site under FUN.
If students are finding the homework too difficult, or too easy, please contact me, and we will make modifications. It’s all about meeting the students individual needs.
Thank you for reading this letter. I hope it helps get the school year off to a good start. I'm looking forward to a great year working with you and your student.
You read this far!?!? Thank you! If your student whispers "mango" to me, they will get a little treat!
10 Ways to Keep Your Child Organized
10 Ways to Keep Your Child Organized
1. Use Checklists- Help your child get into the habit of keeping a "To Do" list. Use checklists to post assignments, household chores, and reminders about what materials to bring to class.
2. Organize Homework Assignments- Before beginning a homework session, encourage your child to number assignments in the order of which they should be done. Your child should start with an assignment that is not too long or difficult, but avoid saving the hardest or longest assignments for last.
3. Designate a Study Space- Your child should study in the same place every night. This doesn't have to be a bedroom, but it should be a quiet place with few distractions. All school supplies and materials should be nearby. If your child wants to study with you nearby too, you will be better able to monitor their progress and encourage good study habits.
4. Set a Designated Study Time- Your child should know that a certain time everyday is reserved for studying and doing homework. The best time is not usually right after school. Most children benefit from having some time to unwind first. Include your child in making this decision. Even if he/she doesn't have assigned homework, the time should be spent reviewing, practicing math facts, or reading.
5. Keep an Organized Binder and Folder- Help your child keep track of papers that are sent home by organizing them into a labeled binder or folder. This will allow your child to review the material and prepare for tests and quizzes.
6. Conduct a Weekly Clean-Up- Encourage your child to sort through his/her backpack and notebooks on a weekly basis. Old worksheets and papers should be organized in a separate file at home.
7. Check Your Child's Binders and Folders- Although not on purpose, children sometimes forget what is in their Take Home Folders. Please try to go through their backpacks and check to make sure that they are writing down and completing all assignments. Check their assignments for accuracy. Checking up on your child keeps them in check, so that they will be mindful that this is is something that you want them to do, and will be checking for at home, as well as my checking at school.
8. Keep a Master Calendar- Keep a large wall-sized calendar at the house that lists the family's commitments, schedules for extracurricular activities, days off from school, and major events at home and school.
Scholastic has a great Calendar Maker that you can fill in and print our in many colorful formats.
9. Prepare for the Day Ahead- Before your child goes to bed, he/she should pack schoolwork and books in a backpack. This will cut down on morning confusion and allow your child to prepare for the day ahead.
10. Provide Needed Support While Your Child is Learning to Become More Organized- Help your child develop organizational skills by photocopying schedules and checklists and taping them to the fridge. Gently remind him/her to fill in calendar dates and keep papers organized. Most important, set a good example.
This organization list was taken from Mrs. Small's Third Grade Class http://www.misssmall.com/
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