Classroom Routines and Information

Third grade is an important transition grade.  This is a year when students become responsible for their own belongings, routines, assignments, and behavior.  This is an important year for standardized testing.  This is also the year that students routinely experience letter grades, often for the first time.  Students make great strides in self confidence and independence during this year.  We are here to guide and support your child during these changes. 

Third grade is also an important year academically.  Math concepts include multiplication, division, and complex word problems.  Reading concepts include critical stance, interpretation, and greater comprehension.  Narrative writing skills are honed.  Non-fiction reading strategies are applied in Social Studies and Science.   We will appropriately challenge your child in each academic area, helping him/her to grow in knowledge and skills. 

 Arrival/Dismissal:

Due to supervisory concerns, students may arrive no earlier than 7:30 am.  School begins at 8:00.  Students who arrive after 8:00 need to check in at the office before coming to class.

Students are dismissed at 2:30 (car pick up students are dismissed at 2:35).  Bus students go to the bus pick up area near the cafeteria doors.  Van students go to the van pick up area near the south entrance.  Car pick up students go to breezeway area at the main entrance.

Please check Parsley’s website for details regarding these policies.  As always, parents and guardians must sign in at the office before coming to the mobile classrooms, even if it is only to drop off or pick up a child. 

 Class Rules:

* Respect Others

* Respect Property

* Respect Yourself

 Health/Absences:

Please inform us of any allergies or medical concerns.  Prescription AND all over the counter medications sent to school must be coordinated through our school nurse.  Please see the nurse for the necessary forms.

All absences will require a written note upon return to school.  I will prepare an envelope of missed assignments when your child returns to school.  If you want to pick up missed assignments before your child returns to school, please contact the office in the morning.  I will prepare your child’s envelope for pick up after school that day.

 Daily Schedule:

Our daily schedule will be posted on our class website.

 Homework:

Most weeks, homework is assigned Monday – Thursday.  This usually includes reading and math.  Homework assignments are written on your child’s weekly peach calendar.  Please check and initial this calendar daily.

Homework Guidelines:

Ø       Help set up a consistent place for homework to be done

Ø       Help your child create a schedule for when each day’s homework is to be done.  Again, this is the year when your child will be establishing good study skills and taking greater responsibility for his/her class work.  What healthy patterns (or unhealthy problems) do you want to establish?

Ø       Encourage, motivate, and support your child, but do not do the work for your child!  I would rather receive an occasional parent note that says “we had a schedule conflict, we’ll do it tonight”, than to receive work that was not done independently by a student.

Ø       Ask your child about the work he/she is doing.  When inquiring about homework, ask your child questions such as these:  “How do you know?”, “How did you get your answer?”, “Help me understand how you did that”.  If your child is consistently unable to explain how or why he/she arrived at his/her answers, please contact me.

Ø         The purpose of homework is for your child to practice and use what he/she has already learned in class.  I do not assign homework on concepts that we have not already covered in class.  If your child is consistently unable to do the homework by him/herself, please contact me.

Ø       Although there may be exceptions, your child should spend approximately 30 minutes (+ independent reading time) on homework each night.  I strive to assign homework that will not take more than 30 minutes time on task.  If your child is consistently unable to complete his/her homework in 30 minutes time on task, please contact me.

Ø       I do not factor homework into your child’s grades.  However, I do provide feedback on student homework and do keep records of complete and incomplete assignments.  Ultimately, incomplete homework means fewer opportunities for your child to integrate and practice what he/she is learning in class.

             Graded Assignments and Tests:

        Graded assignments will be sent home in a timely manner.  Please check over this work with your child.  Celebrate, support, and provide encouragement.  Graded tests will be sent home after we have had an opportunity to remediate the material in class. Please sign and go over these tests with your child.  Put the signed test in your child’s Parsley Folder and return it to school. 

             Grading Scale:

        Beginning in third grade, students are assessed in core subjects as follows:

A ~ 93-100   Superior                                     D ~ 70-76       Below Average

B ~ 85-92     Above Average                           F ~ 0-69          Unsatisfactory

C ~ 77-84     Average

Independent Reading:

            One of the most important factors in becoming a better reader is to read, read, read!  Students will be doing most of their in-school independent reading when they arrive in the morning (7:30-8:00).  However, this is never enough time and needs to be supplemented with reading outside of school.  Accountability for independent reading will be tracked through reading logs and “Book Celebrations”.  One celebration will be due each week.    We will also be using a Readers’ Wheel to encourage students to read from a variety of genres.

          Accelerated Math:

            Students will have daily in-class time to work on AM.  AM goals will not be set for the first nine weeks.  See my website for more information about AM.

            Snacks, Bathroom, and Water:

            Students are asked to bring their own snacks if they want them.  We are all about brain power, so we encourage healthy snacks!   Please do not send sugary snacks or beverages other than water.

One of the advantages of a mobile classroom is having our own bathroom.  Students may use this bathroom at anytime except during instruction. 

            We do not have a drinking fountain in our room.  Students are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles.  No ice, sports drinks, kool-aid, etc.  If a water bottle becomes a distraction, I will ask that the bottle be kept in a book bag.

Supplies:                                                             1 clean, old sock

 The pencils, glue, and filler paper in our class are a community supply.  If your child has a special personal pencil, he/she should have a name label on the pencil.

Additional supplies are needed and are very welcome!!  Check the classroom wishlist for these items.

Volunteers:

            Last and CERTAINLY not least!  Parent and guardian volunteers are very welcome.  Help is needed for tutoring, reading with students, Xeroxing, hands-on projects, celebrations, field trips, guest speakers…  Please let me know of your interests and available times so the students can benefit from your knowledge and experienceJ.