Classroom Guidelines
Development of the Third Grader:
- It is a critical time of the year where relationships are established. Our goal is to establish a safe environment where the children will grow and feel comfortable taking risks.
- Third grade is a sensitive time for children academically and socially because they are learning to become organized and independent.
- Responsive Classroom is the foundation for our character development program and supports our behavior management system.
Responsive Classroom Guiding Principles:
- Social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum. To be successful academically and socially, children need to learn and practice specific social skills. Five particularly important sills are cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control (C.A.R.E.S.)
- Through this, we hope to improve social skills and academic engagement, establish a positive classroom environment, and increase learner investment and independence, while encouraging respectful and responsible class behavior.
- Life Skills sheets will be used when reflection is needed.
Here’s What You Can Do:
- “Allow your child to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and inner determination necessary for success. “ How to Raise An Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims
- Establish a homework routine at home: designated space & time
- Establish organizational routine for evenings and mornings: backpack, student materials
Third Grade Schedule:
- Please use the schedule to help you choose convenient times for your child’s doctor and dental appointments.
Security:
- Parents and any other adults are required to check-in at either the Hilbert or Lower School front desk and will receive a guest badge.
- Parents must sign their child in and out for appointments at the Lower School front desk. Please be aware we are unable to send a child out of the school building to be picked up unless it is the all school dismissal time.
Dismissal:
- Dismissal is at 3:25. If your third grader is the youngest or only child, they should be picked up at Foster Hall. Otherwise go to the pick up site of the youngest child. Please use name cards on car visors, which will clearly display the last name of your child. These will be provided by your teacher at Back to School Night.
Absences/Tardies:
- Because of a child’s need for socialization, it is beneficial for them to be able to enter the classroom at 7:50.
- Our morning meetings and academics begin promptly at 7:55 a.m. If your child arrives late, he/she will need to report to the office before coming into the classroom.
- If your child is absent please call the office. Emails directly to the homeroom teacher are also appreciated.
- If your child has a tutor or any private lessons on the day he or she is absent notify that teacher directly.
- Please get approval from Ms. Mary McGonagle if you need to take your child out of school for an extended trip.
Homework / Assignment Notebook:
- Assignments will be written daily in the assignment notebook.
- Homework should travel to and from school in your student’s homework folder.
- Help provide a consistent homework routine for your child as this will be essential for the development of time management skills and the balancing of extracurricular activities.
Assessment:
- Student corrected papers will be in red pen.
- No letter grades are given on assignments until second semester.
- Letter grades will not be used on the report cards until fourth grade.
Other Forms of Communication:
- Take Home Folder- Completed classwork will be sent home on Mondays. After reviewing your child’s papers, remove their work to keep at home. Please sign folder to let the teacher know you have received the papers, and have your child return the folder to school the next day.
- 3rd Grade Website- Important dates, essential class information, photos, projects, archived newsletters, important links will be communicated here.
- Email- This will be used for personal and direct communication between teacher and parents. This will also be used for newsletters, memos and quick reminders.
- Blackboard (MyPT). This is your Dashboard for all school communication and resources.
- Phone/Email Communication- Be aware that phone messages may not be heard and email messages may not be read until the end of the school day due to teacher duties and classroom obligations. Please make every effort to communicate with your child before the school day begins of what their afterschool schedule will be to help alleviate any confusion or anxiety.
Curriculum:
Language Arts- Reading, Writing, Phonics/Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar:
- McGraw-Hill Reading Wonders is a program based on building a strong reading foundation accessing complex text, finding and using text evidence, engaging in collaborative conversations, and applying Six Traits Writing skills.
Genre Writing:
- Narrative Text: Friendly letter, Personal Narrative, Fictional Narrative, Poetry
- Informative Text: How-To, Explanatory Essay, Biography Research
- Opinion Writing: Opinion Letter, Book Review
Novel Study:
- The skills learned in Reading Wonders will be practiced and extended during novel studies.
Social Studies:
- Social Studies is integrated into our novel studies and projects. Our main topics this year will be Biographies, Native Americans, and Westward Movement.
Time for Kids is used for current events and global education.
Free Reading:
- This will be encouraged throughout the school day and also should be part of your child’s nightly routine at home.
Book Buddies:
- Third graders read aloud to a kindergartner partner weekly.
Student Projects:
- Here will be various student projects assigned this year. Due dates and project requirements will be announced as they are assigned.
Math:
- Math in Focus Singapore Math by Marshall Cavendish is our math program. This is the American version of the Singapore Math approach.
- Emphasis is on critical thinking and problem solving along with a mastery approach of grade-level skills
- Students are required to have addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts memorized by the end of the year.
Science Instruction by Mr. Waters:
- In third grade students begin to explore the properties of water, the water cycle and weather, interactions between water and other earth materials, and how humans use water as a natural resource.
- Students engage in science and engineering practices in the context of water, weather, and climate and explore the crosscutting concepts of patterns; cause and effect; scale, proportion, and quantity; and systems and system models.
- They are introduced to the nature of science, how science affects everyday life, and the influence of engineering, technology, and science on society and the natural world.
Organization:
The children will learn to use subject specific folders as a system of organization within the classroom and at home. Below are listed the folders they have been provided:
Homework Folder
This folder will contain homework and school notes.
It should be taken home each night and returned the next morning.
Assignment Notebook
Red Folder – Literature folder
This folder will contain chapter book material.
Class Work Folder
This folder contains “work in progress” materials.
Once A Week Take Home Folder
This folder will go home once a week containing work from the previous week. Typically it will come home on a Monday. Please sign each week.
Writing Portfolio
Children’s selected writing pieces will be stored in the classroom and sent home at the end of the school year.
Special Dates:
Camp Tecumseh
- October 13th and 14th (right before fall break)
- Three to four fathers are needed from every classroom
Birthday Celebrations:
- Birthdays are so wonderful and we want your child to feel special on their day. Although we are unable to have a party we would like to acknowledge their birthday by sharing a few moments in class. If you wish to send in a treat, we request a simple treat (cupcake, cookie, or other simple treat; no cakes please) and napkins. Please remember peanut free foods.