Welcome to Third Grade

1. Welcome to Third Grade Merriam Park 2014-2015 Mrs. Griffith 993-3627 or barbaragriffith@smsd.org

2. ClassroomManagement • Classroom and School Expectations: • Be Safe • Be Respectful • Be Responsible

3. Classroom Management • If a student is unable to follow one of our rules, he/she will be asked to change their behavior. • If the behavior continues, they will be asked to fill out a think sheet. We will process through this when the teacher is not directly teaching. • The parent will be asked to sign and return the form.

4. Specials12:00 to 1:00 • Monday: Art • Tuesday: Computer Lab/Music • Wednesday: PE/Music • Thursday: Library • Friday: PE/Computer Cart • Lunch: 11:25-11:50 

5. Grading: The grade students earn in 3rd grade are: S = 80-100% S = Satisfactory N= 70-79% N= Needs Improvement I= 60-69% I = Improving U= Below 59% U= Unsatisfactory

6. GradingGrades are based on the following:1. Assignments/Tests2. Homework3. Work Habits4. Ability to remain on task5. Responsibility

7. Homework • Students will bring a planner home each night with their homework assignments. This will be used to remind students of their daily homework tasks. • Homework consists daily of: Math(daily and review of day’s lesson) reading, and spelling. • I encourage you to work with your child on what they may have missed on tests and quizzes. • District guidelines state that homework for 3rd grade should take 30 minutes nightly. • I do allow students to use their time wisely. – If we have 10 minutes at the end of the day, begin their work.

8. Reading • We will be using Wonders as our reading series for reading, language arts, and spelling this year. Wonders believes strongly in integrating reading and writing. Many language skills will be taught through this program.

9. Reading • This year, students in 3rd grade will be receiving 90 minutes of core reading time, plus 30 minutes of workshop. Workshop activities may include small group time with the teacher to cover more intensive practice on comprehension skills, small group work on novel units or author studies, and independent work time, which will be used to reinforce objectives in other curriculum areas such as social studies and science. • Some students may use workshop time to meet with a reading specialist. The needs of these students to receive additional instruction will be reviewed and changes will be made as needed.

10. Spelling • We will be using the Wonders series for spelling. I will adjust list for moderation or enrichment as I feel necessary. There are 20 words per week.

11. Math • Third graders receive 90 minutes of math instruction daily. This will include daily computation practice as well as daily drill on concepts. • We will be using Envision Math. Another big focus for 3rd grade is learning multiplication and division facts, as well as problem solving.

12. Math • We will be doing the MAP test, Measurement of Academic Progress 3x this year to help us see the progress of each student.

13. Social Studies • The focus of the 3rd grade social studies curriculum is communities. We will be using the text book to explore topics such as goods and services, landforms, citizenship, rights and responsibilities, and economics. • We will discuss rural, urban, and suburban communities. • Map skills will also be emphasized.

14. Science • Many hands-on experiences will be given as the class moves through the Scott-Foresman series. There are many topics covered including: matter, energy (sound), plants, animals, cycles of the earth and forces. • Throughout the year we will be getting the students comfortable with the scientific method.

15. Language Arts • We will be integrating much of our language instruction with our reading. • In 3rd grade we also begin to use cursive writing. We will be teaching the Zaner-Bloser method of cursive. By 4th quarter, I really encourage all students to be using their cursive skills in at least spelling.

16. Testing • Third graders will be participating in two major types of tests this year: • The MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress)test will be given at the beginning, the middle and the end of third grade. This test is designed to measure individual growth in the areas of math and reading. • We will also be giving the Math and Reading sections of the Kansas State Assessment in the Spring. • We will be preparing for and discussing these tests throughout the year.

17. FYI • When your child is absent, please request homework through the office as early in the day as possible. • We do go out for recess all days that the weather permits. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately. • Birthday treats are fine however please do not send party invitations to school to be passed out. This avoids hurt feelings if all students are not invited. Please let me know ahead of time when the child will celebrate his/her birthday in the classroom. • We will be ordering from the Scholastic Book orders this year. Book orders will come home intermittently depending on interest. Please make checks out to Scholastic. Online code: GQXZ7 • Do not feel like you have to buy!

18. Together we will enable your child to achieve their potential TODAY, so that they can be proud of their YESTERDAYS, TOMORROW!

19. Any Questions?