Information
Expectations
I have very high expectations for the students in my class, both academically and socially. We will always follow the Golden Rule: Treat others how you would like to be treated. We will be responsible for our own actions. We will impress others in the hallway with our behaviors and actions. We will turn in work when assigned. We will work hard each and every day to improve ourselves. We will learn from others and teach others. We will always have a positive attitude. We will listen to our teachers and our classmates in a respectful manner. We will ask questions if we don't understand. We will work together. We will be the best we can be at all times. We will have a FABULOUS year in third grade! :)
AR Reading
Homework
In our class this year, we are going to put an emphasis on AR reading. Our goal for all students for the first semester is to pass 50 quizzes! All books from my classroom library have an AR quiz. If you check out books from a public library or have books at home, you can check to see if they are AR and what level they are here. Students reading levels will be determined at the beginning of each quarter and students are expected to only read and take quizzes on books in his/her level. (Ex. Sam is reading books leveled 2.2-3.2. He/She may not take a quiz on a 1.5 book or a 3.9 book. These will not count towards his/her 50 quizzes.)
Students will receive a short reading with accompanying questions on Monday which must be completed and returned to Ms. Fivecoat by 3:00 pm on Friday of the same week (ReadWorks). These will count as points towards your student's homework grade each week.
Students will also complete at least 1 IXL assignment each week. They will have time to work on these in the classroom but can also complete them at home. IXL log-in information is on the Log-In Information tab of this website and on student log-in cards that were sent home the first week of school.
Classroom Behavior Plan
In our classroom this year, we will be using ClassDojo. If you are unfamiliar with the site, it is used to give students positive points for positive behaviors and negative points for some behaviors that need improvement. You will receive a log-in at the beginning of the year and you can link your students' behaviors to your smart phone or access the website whenever you choose.
At the end of each quarter, students will use their cumulative points to earn prizes. Prizes include:
10 points: Pencil or Eraser
20 points: Pen Pass
30 points: Choose Your Seat
40 points: Line Leader for a Week
50 points: Choose a Beverage
60 points: Teacher Chair for a Day
70 points: Homework Pass
80 points: Lunch with the Teachers
90 points: 20 Minutes of iPad Free Time
​100 points: Extra Recess with a Friend
Google Classroom
This year, third graders will be utilizing Google Classroom to complete various assignments. On the first week of school, students will log in and learn the ins and outs of Classroom. This is a free app that can be downloaded to IOS or Android devices to be accessed at home. Students will also learn how to access the website from their school-issued Chromebooks.
The majority of assignments in my subjects will be posted through Classroom to reduce the number of worksheets sent home throughout the year. Students already have a Google account created by SWE, but parents can also sign up to review student work at home and receive updates on assignments and grades through Classroom.
Classroom Tests
ILEARN, IREAD-3 and More
Each week, students will complete various tests in my classroom.
Every Thursday, students will take a spelling test on the assigned words. These tests will have 20 words each week from the reading series. If we are completing a novel study, these lists will only have 10 words. The spelling list will be sent home on the weekly newsletter every Friday.
Every Friday, students will take an online reading assessment that covers the skills that were taught in class throughout the week. Depending on the week, these tests will be between 2 and 10 questions.
Every other Friday, students will complete a vocabulary assessment. These will always be 8 words. These words will be sent home on the weekly newsletter each Friday for students to study.
Grades will be updated by the following Monday to reflect these tests. Please log onto PowerSchool to see updated scores and grades. Log-in information was sent home in August. If you need a new copy, please contact your student's homeroom teacher.
Each quarter, students will also complete STAR Reading to determine reading groups and assess progress towards reading goals.
As a third grader, students will begin taking the required state standardized tests. These include ILEARN, IREAD and possibly other tests. I know these seem daunting as a teacher, so I can only imagine the feeling of preparing your child for these important assessments. I will be doing everything I possibly can to prepare them for these tests and make sure students don't feel overwhelmed. But they really need your help too!
I will send notice home with testing dates as soon as they become available. During these weeks, please make sure your child is getting extra sleep and always eating breakfast before class. I will also be asking for parent volunteers to provide snacks and drinks during these weeks of prolonged testing. If you are willing to donate these supplies, please let me know!
Be sure to emphasize the importance of these tests with your students, but try not to overwhelm them! We want them to do their very best and show everyone how smart they are!
I have faith that we will have 100% passing on all state tests and students will sail through third grade with ease!
Missing Assignment Policy
SWE has implemented a new policy that applies to all students, grades K-6.
For each missing assignment, there will be a slip sent home for the parent to sign. We would like you to acknowledge that you understand this policy and the repercussions it will have if your student continues to miss assignments.
Consequences:
Missing Assignment #1- Warning
Missing Assignment #2- Warning
Missing Assignment #3- Lunch/Recess Detention
Missing Assignment #4+ - After School Detention held on Wednesdays until 4:30 pm with Mr. Edwards
eLearning Information
eLearning What do I do_ (1).pdfSouthwestern Elementary will utilize eLearning days throughout the school year. We will use these in place of snow days. Students will be informed of the expectations of eLearning days at school.
This document gives general information on how to access student assignments on an eLearning day. Ms. Fivecoat and Miss Baute are available through email, Class Dojo, and Google Classroom from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on an eLearning day for any questions.
Log-in information was sent home on a Student Log-In card during the first week of school. If your student has lost this card, please email Ms. Fivecoat ASAP. Not knowing a password is NOT a valid reason for not completing eLearning assignments.