April News:
As we begin the second semester, there will be a few new routines and expectations in 3rd grade. Students will now have weekly homework to help reinforce the skills we are learning in class. We will also begin weekly multiplication fact tests to support math fluency. Students should know multiplication facts through their 12's by the end of 3rd grade.
It is very important that students are working toward memorizing their multiplication and division facts. Having these facts memorized allows students to focus on problem-solving and higher-level math skills without getting stuck on basic calculations. Practicing these facts at home regularly will make a big difference in your child’s confidence and success.
HOMEWORK MUST BE TURNED IN ON TIME UNLESS YOU ARE ABSENT THE DAY IT IS DUE. IF YOUR CHILD DOES NOT TURN IN HOMEWORK IT WILL RESULT IN A LOST RECESS and NO FUN FRIDAY. ALL HOMEWORK IS GRADED AND IF IT IS NOT TURNED IN ON TIME, IT IS COUNTED AS A 1 IN THE GRADEBOOK.
Thank you for your continued support as we move into this important part of the school year!
Important Dates
State Testing Dates: 4/14-4/15, 4/21-4/22
AMIRA end of year test 4/27
Celebration of Learning/ Spring BBQ- 4/24
-Lunch at 12:24-1:15
-Celebration of Learning in classrooms from 1:30-2:10. You are welcome to check your child out after the celebration
NWEA Testing Dates: 4/27-4/28
Announcements
We have a new behavior system in place as of 10/27/25
To support a positive and productive learning environment, I will be implementing a new behavior system in our classroom. This change is due to the increasingly challenging behaviors we have been experiencing, and I want to ensure all students are able to learn without distractions.
This structure helps students understand expectations and provides consistent opportunities to correct behavior before consequences occur. The behavior steps are as follows:
1. First Reminder: Verbal warning.
2. Second Reminder: Student’s name is recorded on the clipboard.
3. Third Reminder: Loss of 5 minutes of recess and a brief check-in with Mrs. Baughman.
4. Fourth Reminder: Loss of 10 minutes of recess.
5. Fifth Reminder: Office referral and your child will call you from class to explain the concern.
My goal is always to help students learn from mistakes, take responsibility, and make better choices moving forward.
What You Can Expect This Year:
Higher Expectations: Students will be challenged to work hard, stay engaged, and take ownership of their learning.
Respectful Participation: We will practice raising hands, listening to others, and contributing in ways that support learning for everyone.
Problem-Solving Skills: Students will be encouraged to work through challenges before asking for adult help.
Learning at Home: Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. Daily academic practice at home—reading, math facts, study skills—greatly impacts success.
Attendance Matters: Consistent attendance is key to keeping up with the pace of learning in 3rd grade.
Professional Communication: Messages on Remind should be respectful and professional, written more like an email than a casual text.
Teamwork: Working together, we can make this a year of tremendous growth for your child academically, socially, and emotionally.
Bathroom Policy: Students have multiple opportunities to use the bathroom each day, including soft start, subject transitions, and four scheduled whole-class bathroom breaks. My main rule is that they may not leave during a lesson but are welcome to go once I’ve finished teaching. It’s important that they use these times wisely, as by 3rd grade they should be able to recognize when they need to go and plan accordingly.
Hats / Hoods: These items are not allowed to be worn in my classroom. This is to promote respect, attentiveness, and clear communication. Removing hats and hoods allows students to make eye contact, stay engaged, and ensures everyone can see and hear each other without distractions. It also follows school etiquette and helps create a focused, respectful learning environment for all.
Agendas: students will come home each night with an "agenda". This is a composition notebook where they write important announcements from the classroom and where they will log their nightly reading. The student must write the book they read and parents MUST sign EVERY night!
What Will We Learn This Year
Reading (ELA)
Read and understand stories and informational texts at grade level.
Ask and answer questions about what they read, using details from the text.
Retell stories and explain the main lesson, message, or moral.
Describe characters and explain how their actions affect the story.
Figure out tricky words using context clues and word patterns.
Compare stories that are similar or different.
Use illustrations to help understand the text.
Read aloud fluently with expression and accuracy.
Writing
Write stories and essays with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Add details to make writing clear and interesting.
Revise and edit work for clarity, grammar, and spelling.
Use evidence from texts to support ideas in writing.
Use complete sentences and proper paragraphs (up to 3 paragraphs)
Speaking & Listening
Take turns speaking and listening respectfully.
Ask and answer questions during discussions.
Share ideas clearly when speaking in front of the class.
Language & Vocabulary
Use correct grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
Spell grade-level words correctly, including long vowels, r-controlled vowels, and common spelling patterns.
Use new vocabulary words in speaking and writing.
Math
Fluently add and subtract within 1,000.
Understand multiplication and division and know all facts through 12 × 12.
Solve multi-step word problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Understand fractions (e.g., ½, ⅓, ¼) and compare them.
Measure and estimate lengths, weights, and volumes using standard units.
Understand area and perimeter of shapes.
Tell time, read graphs, and work with money confidently.
Classroom Wishlist!
Here’s my classroom wishlist! Any support is greatly appreciated. Most of the items are supplies, but our biggest need right now is new stools for small group time. We use them every day, so if you’re able to help with those, it would make such a difference! Thank you for all that you do!