What do third-graders learn?
Communication Arts: I use the Four Blocks Framework to teach Communication Arts. The blocks consist of Guided Reading, Writing, Working With Words, and Self-Selected Reading. These blocks work together to form a balanced literacy program for your child.
Science: We will be exploring many exciting units in science this year. These units include: weather, space, animals, plants, electricity, energy, magnets, simple machines, matter, and the scientific process. We will be doing many experiments and activities with these units.
Social Studies: This year your third grader will be learning about government, history, geography, economics, and current events in social studies.
Math: In math this year your child will be working with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and problem solving. We will also work with measuring data, estimation, measurement, geometry, and fractions. The Investigations math curriculum Mathews has adopted is based on years of research about how children learn mathematics. Units of study are presented through investigations that involve students in the exploration of major mathematical ideas. This kind of approach with mathematics will help students develop flexibility and confidence in approaching problems. We'll use a variety of manipulatives to find solutions. I will assess your child with various tools, such as check-ups, to document growth. **Students coming into third grade should have their subtraction facts memorized. Please work with your child NOW if this is not the case.
Spelling: This year’s spelling will be a little different than what you and your child are used to. Instead of weekly lists of words to memorize, the emphasis will be on the learning of important words, not for a Friday Test, but for a lifetime of spelling in the real world- that is, spelling correctly in writing. This lifelong spelling ability grows over time. It grows through skills instruction, through your child’s everyday writing and through word study on specific words the students have not mastered. The students will be assessed on their spelling in all areas of writing. Activities dealing with phonics, word origins, rules, and usage will occur on a daily basis. **Any words missed on assessments will come home in your child’s assignment book each week. These missed words will be your child’s spelling list to practice with. Ideas on how to practice spelling with your child are given in this packet.
Reading Logs: Reading is encouraged and expected at home. Each child will be expected to read at least fifteen minutes a night for three nights a week. Two out of the three nights are to be read silently and one aloud to a parent. Up to 15 points a week will be rewarded for this assignment. Quarterly incentives will also be given to those that turn in their reading logs. The reading logs need to be returned every Friday. If we don't have school on Friday, the log is due on the last day of the week.
Academic Assignments
Are We Going To Have Homework?
Research has shown that repetition (review-rehearsal) of information can be a valuable learning strategy, but is only effective when the information is reviewed/ rehearsed correctly. Therefore, homework is a great extension of learning but should include only information already taught and reviewed at school. For example, after a math lesson has been taught and reviewed, further practice could be assigned as homework. There will be one homework assignment each week that will be given on Monday and due back on Friday. It involves participation from a parent or older sibling, as well as a signature. Along with this one homework assignment and spelling review, your child will also be responsible for filling out a weekly reading log and turning it in on each Friday. *Just a suggestion: talk to your child each afternoon/evening about what he/she did at school that day. This conversation will help your child as a way of review of information learned.
**Corrected Work: If your child receives a C or below on a test or graded class work, a signature will be requested when it is sent home. It must be signed and returned to school within two school days. Your child also has the option to correct any graded work to receive extra credit on the assignment. Half the points earned when corrected will be added to the original grade. For example, if the assignment is worth ten points and only two points are earned, the student may correct it and receive four (half of the eight) extra credit points for that assignment.
***Extra points on corrected work will only be given the first two quarters.
Absences
Good attendance is highly encouraged! Many of the classroom activities and assignments are hands-on and interactive. When a student returns from an occasional absence, they will find needed papers and directions inside a “While You Were Out” folder. Together, we will sit down and discuss a due date for absent work. Assignment Books
The purpose of the assignment book is to enable students to have a daily record of their assignments, tests, and projects. At the beginning of each day, the students will fill out their assignment book with things they will be learning about in each of the subject areas. The student will then take the assignment book home, at which point you will need to look it over and sign it. There is a space provided for any questions that you may have for me on a given day. Also, if there were a change in transportation plans for the day, this would be a good way to let me know and keep me up to date with what is going on. This will be one of the best ways to communicate short notes to me each day as it will be the first thing I check in the morning. Students will be paid $2 for filling in their assignment book and getting a parent signature. Assignment books will be used in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. I believe that this assignment book is a great way to develop the responsible study habits and accountability needed in those grades. Money, Money, Money
An ongoing economics lesson will take place in our classroom throughout the year. From the first days of school, students will be given a “classroom job” which they will complete on a daily basis. Completion of this job will result in wages being paid to the student. The jobs will rotate between students, with each job lasting one week. Every student will get an opportunity to have every job available. Parent signatures in the student’s assignment books also earn the students money. Students will save their money for auctions held throughout the year. Small auctions will take place every few weeks, leading up to big auctions, which will take place at the end of each semester in December and May. Classroom Discipline Philosophy
In order for children to experience success at school, teachers must be able to teach, and students must be able to learn. A positive classroom environment is a vital part of the teaching and learning process. My classroom discipline will be aligned with the principles of Love and Logic. There are two basic guidelines providing a foundation for student self-discipline: 1) I accept responsibility for my choices and actions
2) I respectfully treat others in the same manner I wish to be treated.
As I implement my classroom and building discipline, I promote the following principles:
1) I will treat my students with respect, so they will know how to treat me as well as others
2) I will try to allow as much freedom as possible as long
as it doesn’t disrupt or cause a problem for someone else
3) If a student experiences a problem situation, I will ask them to solve it
4) If the student cannot or chooses not to solve the problem, I will work with the student to find a solution and determine a logical consequence
5) My responses/actions will depend on the individual student and situation
6) If my students feel something is unfair, I encourage them to speak with me privately and respectfully and we will address the issue.
**It is very important that my students feel secure and loved in my classroom. As positive relationships are developed, threat is removed, students feel challenged and motivated, and learning will occur much more quickly. You as a parent are my greatest resource for understanding and teaching your child, and students need to see us as a great team.
V.S.P
Each week a student will be picked to be the V.S.P (Very Special Person). While your child is the V.S.P, each day of the week will consist of an exciting event or activity to honor him or her and to help the class get to know our special classmate. Here is a quick glance at what the week will include.Monday: Me Bag
Tuesday: Favorite Book
Wednesday: Letter from parent
Thursday: Lunch Buddies
Friday: Warm Fuzzy Poster
***A more detailed note will come home the week before your child’s V.S.P week.
3rd Grade Family Fun Night
Each quarter, the third grade team will be offering a time of fun outside of school. These fun events have been a huge success the past two years and we look forward to this year’s Family Fun Times.. This is a fun time to see your teacher, classmates, and families outside of the school setting, having an awesome time. We have set the activity for each quarter, however, the dates will be announced closer to the activity.1st Quarter- Skateland
2nd Quarter- Pumpkin Patch
3rd Quarter- Incredible Pizza
4th Quarter- Picnic at the Park
Supplies
1 pkg notebook paper (wide ruled) 2 erasers (pink-large size)
5 folders w/brads and pockets (assorted solid colors)
2 pkg #2 pencils (plain yellow) 1 Fiskars metal scissors
1 pkg crayons (24 count-no more please) 2 lg box Kleenex
1 pkg Crayola Magic Markers
1 ruler with in. and cm.
1 wide ruled spiral notebooks (70 count)
4 white glue sticks
Boys
Disinfectant wipes
Girls
Unscented hand sanitizer
**These are the supplies required for all third grade students in the district.
Classroom Wish List
Paper Towels
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Yellow Hi-Lighting Pens
Sticky Notes
3X5 cards
**Please do not feel as though you need to buy these for our classroom, but if you would like to donate them, I would really appreciate it! As more things come up throughout the year for our Wish List, I will put them in the weekly newsletter.
Snacks
Nixa School District is currently implementing the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 again this year. A committee was formed to come up with a district policy, which I will briefly explain. Unhealthy foods or foods of no nutritional value will no longer be served for school breakfasts or lunches. As well, teachers are no longer allowed to give out candy or gum as incentives in the classroom. Although we do not require the student’s snacks from home to be healthy, we strongly recommend it. One way that this will affect ALL students is that parents are no longer allowed to bring in cupcakes for their child’s birthday. If you want to bring in a special snack, it must be considered healthy. If you would like to bring in a cupcake for your child only on their birthday, you may do this. Please do not bring enough for the whole class because they will not be allowed to take part.We will have a scheduled time for an afternoon snack each day. I also encourage students to drink water throughout the day. Here is a list of some healthy snack options.
Fresh Fruit Fruit cups
Fruit and cheese
Dried fruit
Raisins
100% juice Juice boxes
Raw vegetables
Chex mix Trail mix
Granola bars
Plain granola
Dry cereal
Breakfast bars
Cereal bars
Nuts/peanuts/seeds
Pretzels
Goldfish
Popcorn
Whole wheat crackers
Tortilla chips
Rice cakes
Bread sticks
Flat bread
Vanilla wafers
Gingersnaps
Graham crackers
Animal crackers
Fig bar/cookies
Yogurt/Gogurt
String cheese
Cheese & crackers
Peanut butter & crackers
Thank you for your understanding!
Parents and Visitors
Parents and visitors are always welcome in our classroom and volunteering is encouraged! Here are a few options that you have:-Mystery Reader
-PGIF: Game Day
-V.S.P Week -Class Parties
-Field Trip -Service Learning Projects
What Makes a Brain-Compatible Classroom?
Components-Absence of threats
-Cooperative learning
-Multiple intelligences
-Experience, experience, experience!
-Developing thinking and questioning skills
-Laughter!
-Immediate feedback
-Movement/Exercise
-Teacher becomes facilitator as students become more responsible
Room Appearance
-Color and music
-Teamwork
-Themes
-Multi-sensory units/activities
-Aroma
-Food
-Bright lighting
-Temperature between 68-72 degrees F
Five Characteristics of a Love and Logic Classroom
Teachers send CAN DO messages
Students feel good about themselves
Teachers feel good about themselves
Students know more about the strengths than their challenges
Real-world/logical consequences are basic discipline tools
Four Key Principles in a Love and Logic Classroom
Enhancement of self-conceptShared control
Consequences with empathy
Shared thinking (with teacher, parents, and student)
