Welcome to Third Grade!

Dear Parents,

We are to a great start this year and are settling into the routine of school. It has been fun seeing old friends and meeting new ones. We would like to share with you an overview of our philosophies and a description of the subject areas in third grade to give you a better understanding of what your child will be doing this year.

We believe in creating a safe and nurturing learning environment. Our school environment will offer a variety of strategies and learning styles to help every student succeed. We believe in helping students to do their best and in building self-esteem through these successes. Students are expected to conduct themselves with appropriate behavior as discussed in our class rules. Respect for teachers and others is essential to help create a healthy learning atmosphere. Finally, we believe that communication is the key to uniting teachers, parents, and students in the common goal of education.

Curriculum

Language Arts

This area focuses on the various aspects of communication: reading, writing, spelling, listening, and speaking. It involves daily experiences that help the students to develop impressions of quality literature, a chance to interact with the material through discussion, drama, music, art, writing, and finally the opportunity of self-expression during which time the children will apply their above experiences into real life situations.

Reading instruction combines reading aloud exemplary children’s literature, whole group instruction through the updated Houghton Mifflin series, and student-selected independent reading during designated times. The students will be involved in many forms of writing, from simple answers on tests and worksheets to writing informative pieces and creative writing. We will be stressing grammar and spelling skills, as well as communication skills. A writing portfolio is kept for every child to collect samples of their written pieces. These works are collected and passed on as students’ progress to the next grade.

Math

In the beginning, students will review additional and subtraction facts and then go on to adding and subtracting two and three digit numbers with and without renaming. We also will work with money, telling time, and fractions. Later we will learn the multiplication and division facts. It is extremely important to memorize the basic facts by practicing at home. It would be very helpful if you could buy or make flash cards to use when practicing.

Religion

Students will be focusing on what defines a Catholic. We will be studying about God as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They will use the text, Bible readings, prayers, discussion, and activities to help us on our journey of living out the words we read and speak.

Social Studies

Each class will switch classrooms for Social Studies and Science. Mrs. Herzig will teach Social Studies to each class. Students will explore geography, history, multiculturalism, humanities, citizenship, thinking skills, and current events around the world. Each child will be expected to complete long range projects at home and at school. Information will be sent home with all the details when the projects are assigned. We ask that these reports be written in the students’ own vocabulary and not copied out of resource materials.

Science

We will be exploring the world of science by using McGraw-Hill Science. Mrs. Means will teach science to each class. We will be studying units about Landforms, Natural Resources, Animal Habitats, Solar System, Human Digestive System, States of Matter, Heat and Sound. Students will do experiments and be involved in independent and group projects.

Homework

Please review and check homework with your child. Homework will be given to supplement lessons taught during the day. If a student’s homework is incomplete, they will record this in the homework log. It is to be finished and turned in the next day. If work is still incomplete on the second day, they will be given a zero in the grade book. Each missing assignment will be recorded in the homework log. Projects will be dropped five points for each day it is late.

Discipline

We try to use positive reinforcement as much as possible to encourage good behavior. However, it becomes necessary at times to use other methods when there is unnecessary talking, disruptive behavior, etc. Both homerooms will be using a Behavior Light Chart. Please see the attached description and discuss it with your child.

Light Chart Rules

Each day the children will start with four sticks (yellow, green, blue, and purple). If they are not following class rules or the teacher’s directions they will remove the yellow stick. The second warning they will remove the green stick. They will need to write the rule that needs to be followed and what they can do to improve their behavior. The third warning they will remove the blue stick. A note will go home to be signed by the parents and returned the next day. The child will lose five minutes of recess. If inappropriate behavior continues, the purple stick is removed and they will have no morning recess. Another note will go home to be signed by the parents and returned the next day. At the end of each week there will be a celebration for students making the weekly goal. This goal number changes due to the number of days that we in school for that week.

Communication

Your child will be bringing home the assignment notebook daily to let you know about homework assignments, upcoming tests, projects, and special reminders such as skating parties, donated items, etc. We ask that you look at the notebook every night and sign it so that you are aware of what your child needs to do to be prepared for class. The Wednesday Folder should be signed each Wednesday. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us through the notebook or message at school, and we will contact you as soon as possible. Please leave a phone number where you can be reached at home or at work.

We are looking forward to getting to know your children and working with them this year. We hope you all have a safe and wonderful year!

Sincerely,

Carla Means