Welcome to 3rd Grade with Mrs. James!

1. Welcome to 3rd Grade!

2. Meet Mrs. James • Graduate of Perry Central High School, and Indiana State University B.S. and M.S. • Currently beginning my 31st year of teaching at Ferdinand Elementary. • Married to Tony James and mother of three children, Tim, Aubrey, and Mackenzie. (First grandchild on the way!)

3. The Basics… • Your child is in room 207 this year. I will be corresponding with you via e-mail, phone, and in person this year. • Please read the handouts from the office and return all signed documents within 2 school days. • Refer to the school handbook for procedural information. • Make all book order checks out to the book club on the order form. I cannot accept cash for books. Please remember to send checks.

4. Things to know… • Report cards will be given each nine weeks. • Letter grades will be given in reading, math, spelling, and English. • Effort grades (1, 2, or 3) will be given in p.e., social studies, science, and conduct. (SS and Science are graded in 2nd semester.) • Reading effort will be based on class effort and AR points. • Conduct grades are based on behavior. Repeated warnings and/or pink slips will result in a 2 or lower in conduct. (5 names = contact…10 = principal visit) • Your child is responsible for telling you if he or she is disciplined at school. • Pink slips are sent home to be signed if your child receives repeated warnings on a given day. Yellow slips will be sent home if effort is lacking.

5. Tidbits… • Parents must bring medications, if needed, and pick them up. Ask your pharmacist to prescribe separate bottles for school and home. • P. E. - Your child must participate in p.e., unless I am notified by a parent or physician. • Visitor Policy - All visitors, parents, and volunteers must sign in at the office and receive a visitor pass. This is even if you are stopping in briefly. This is per our corporation safety plan. • Write a note or call in advance if you plan to come to school to “visit” your child. I will usually have some work for you to do to help the class in some way.

6. Reading Guided Reading: Reading in our basal reader will be guided by the teacher. Focus is on fluency and comprehension. Weekly tests will be given on Fridays using Chromebooks. Self-Selected Reading: Students will read for 20-30 minutes per day in materials which they choose. The books must be on their reading levels. A.R. tests will be taken on these books. Writing: Students will write each day. They will write mostly in response to text in subject areas with modeling of structure and grammar by the teacher. Students will periodically work on essays guided by the teacher. Spelling Our weekly spelling list will be in the newsletter/web page . Students should practice reading and spelling them each night.

7. Accelerated Reader • A.R. is a computer management system for reading comprehension. • Children have opportunities to take tests on computers in the classroom and in the library. • Many of the selections in our reading series are A.R. titles. • A.R. % will account for 10% of the reading grade. • Parents are able to check AR points online. This is the site parents should use at home to monitor Accelerated Reader tests.  The login ( first letter of first name, first four letters of last name) and password (lunch number) are the same as the student uses at school.  • https://hosted137.renlearn.com/123739/HomeConnect/Login.aspx • Check to see if your child is bringing home A.R. books from the library(bright green tags).Encourage them to read and reread a book before taking the tests. • We encourage to strive for an average 80% or better in A.R.

8. Saxon math is used. The program is comprised of a math meetings, manipulative experiences, fact drills and timed tests. Homework M-Th. There will be a test after lesson 10, then after every 5 lessons. • English and grammar skills, along with writing, will be taught during language arts/reading time. • Social Studies and Science are for CR the first semester, then letter grades are given 2nd semester. We also do some activities and lessons online. Tests will be given. I will publish a study guide a few days before each test on our web page. • All textbooks are available on our web site. Please make use of our web page and newsletter. They will be your right hand! Math, English,Social Studies, Science

9. We use a math textbook this year. It’s quite a change for them. We will work part of the written practice at school, but the rest is HOMEWORK. • Your child will have math fact homework and skills homework most evenings. Please make sure your child returns it to school the next day. • If your child forgets to turn in homework 3 times during a grading period, then a “2” will placed on the effort grade for math.

11. Jaden Bettag Hattie Dilger Ben Ebert Tyler Fetter Summer Fleck Charlie Hasenour Will Hasenour Rachel Hassfurther Colten Hopf Halie Jochem Maggie Kerber Gavin Kieper Jake Kitten Emma LaGrange Ava Luebbehusen-Nelson Owen Martin Issac Mohr Terry Oeding Carrington Persohn Mariah Schaefer Adi Schipp Gabe Steckler Aaron Tretter Linzi VanMeter Julian Verkamp

12. Rules/Grading • Complete and turn in all work. • Talk only with permission during instruction. • Follow the teacher’s directions. • Sign and returns must be received within 2 days. Grading Scale 100 A+ , 94-99 A, 90-93 A- 87-89 B+, 83-86 B, 80 - 82 B- 77-79 C+, 73-76 C, 70-72 C- 67-69 D+, 63-66 D, 60-62A D- 0-59 F

13. Ways to help: Below is a list of much needed item for our classroom. Please consider something from the list below. Thanks for your support. • Baby Wipes • Hand Sanitizer • Colorful Sticky Notes (all sizes) • Box Tops for Education (Your child earns a ticket for each Box top brought in!)

14. Helpful Hints... • Read to your child every day. • Listen to your child read. • Encourage them to write all kinds of things: grocery lists, letters, thank you notes, stories, journals, etc. • Talk positively about your child’s education and school. We are a strong team, if we work together. • Encourage him or her positively. Be lavish in your praise! • Send healthy snacks to school. • FES is encouraging non-food items for birthday treats this year. • Contact Mrs. James if you have any concerns. (***)

15. Class newsletters will be e-mailed each week. (For some short weeks newsletters may be combined.) • http://tinyurl.com/greatdayin3j Visit our web site!