CLASSROOM HANDBOOK
What will students learn this year?
Reading and Language Arts:
Our Main resource will be the Harcourt Reading/Language Arts Program. In additon to Harcourt, trade books will be used to meet the children's individual needs. We will also use the Accelerated Reader Program in which children will self select a book then take a simple, computerized comprehension quiz. The children will be involved in other real life reading experiences such as reasearching and reading for pleasure. One element of the reading/language arts curriculum is grammar. Students will be learning skills that will assist them in becoming a well rounded reader and writer.
Writing:
Students write daily in third grade. Along with the Harcourt Language Arts Program, writing instruction will consist of teaching the children how to write a five paragraph essay in response to a given prompt. This method enables the children to write in a very organized and detailed manner. Many of our lessons will focus on the 6 +1 Traits of Writing. Students will participate daily in a "writer's workshop." Writer's workshop will consist of mini-lessons, independent writing time, and share time. There are also many opportunities for the children to write creatively through different literature experiences. All writing prompts and pieces are graded using the DSTP General Scoring Criteria Rubric. Students will also be learning how to write in cursive using the Handwriting Without Tears program.
Math:
For our mathematical instruction we will be using TERC (investigation/problem solving). The children will experience many hands on activities that help the children learn and acquire problem solving skills through the use of manipulatives. These resources are aligned with the Delaware State Standards. Careful computation is still important in our curriculum, but it is only one strategy that I teach for effective problem solving.
Social Studies:
We will be using the Harcourt Social Studies series and a few supplemental resources for our social studies curriculum. Units that we will study include Maps and Globes, World Geography, United States Geography, Economics, Famous People, Civics and Current Events.
Science:
We will be using the Foss Science Kits to study The Human Body, Earth Materials, and Water. We will also learn about the Solar System.
We do very hard work in third grade, but we also have lots of fun!
Parent Teacher Communication:
Every Friday, the students will bring home a Friday Report. This report is a weekly progress report that allows me to keep families informed of how their child's week went. The note must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to school the following Monday.
Homework Requirements:
Homework is an important part of the educational process because it helps your child reinforce what has been learned in school and also gives them opportunity to become more responsible. Your child will be bringing home assignments each evening, except Fridays and holidays. The children are responsible for copying down the assignments in their Assignment Book. On most nights, the homework will be reading, spelling, and math. The assignments should take no longer than one half hour per evening. Please sign the homework assignment book each night. It is the responsibility of the children to complete and return homework each day. Families can help their child accept this responsibility by setting aside a certain time and place for homework to be don by lending a helping hand if needed.
I also encourage you to take time out each evening to read with your child. Weekly reading logs are sent home on Mondays and are to be returned on Fridays. However, student may keep their reading logs to read each night over the weekend and turn it in on Monday. Any student who turns in a completed 7 day reading log on Monday will wearn a check on our reading chart. A student can earn a free homework pass by turning in 3 completed 7 day reading logs.
Class Rules/Consequences:
The following is a list of our classroom rules. The children and I have discussed each of the rules and why it is important to follow them.
1. Listen carefully
2. Follow directions
3. Work quietly. Do not disrupt others who are working.
4. Respect others. Be kind with words and actions.
5. Respect school and personal property.
6. Work and play safely.
Consequences for breaking the rules will depend on which of the rules has been broken. I believe that students should decide which consequence they think is appropriate with some guidance from a teacher or an adult. Three minor occurences will result in a referral to the principal.
Celebration Procedures:
Children are more than welcome to bring in treats for their birthdays. However, I ask that you let me know when your child plans to bring in a celebration treat. This year we will be having all birthday celebrations in the cafeteria during lunch.
Field Trips/Projects:
Once final approval for trips have been confirmed, a permission slip will be sent home. They are usually in the spring. I am always looking for parents to volunteer to chaperone trips. If you are interested, please let me know.
The children in third grade will be working on different projects throughout the year. We will work on most of these projects in class however there will be a few that I will ask the students to complete at home. The children will be learning how to research information using a variety of tools and resources. The main projects this year will be to create a timeline of their life which will be assigned in the spring. I encourage parents to help their children with the projects, but not to do it for them.
Supplies:
Pencils, crayons, folders, colored pencisl, glue, scissors, and notebooks are all available for students at school. However children are allowed to bring in their own if they would like.
Reading:
Students' progress will be monitored bi-weekly. They will be tested on vocabulary, focus skills, and oral reading fluency. Students will also be graded weekly on R.A.R.E. extended responses as well as other individual lessons/activities.
Language Arts:
Writing assignments will sometimes be graded for the specific trait that we have been working on. Other times the whole piece will be graded. The Harcourt Rubric for Writing, which is aligned with the DSTP rubric, is used to grade complete writing assignments.
Math:
The End of Book Assessments chosen by the district from the TERC series. DSTP rubric and district rubrics are used for scoring. Selected assessments throughout the each unit are also used.
Science and Social Studies:
Various assessments based on each individual unit will be used. Class participation and observation of how students work in class are also used.
**Other assessments, quizzes, projects, etc. will also be figured into your child’s grade. The list above shows the basic assessments that are used. **