All Aboard! Destination: Success

1. All Aboard! Destination: Success • Welcome to the new school year 2013-2014 Back to School Night • Mrs. Henderson’s Web Page • http://www.spsdfw.org/pages/Saint_Paul_the_Apostle_School/Classes/03_COND_A • Miss Fraga’s Web Page • http://www.spsdfw.org/pages/Saint_Paul_the_Apostle_School/Classes/03_COND_B • RenWeb and the Web Page

2. Parent’s Guide to Navigate Third Grade • Statement of Philosophy • I think I can…

3. Philosophy: • Each child is unique and has special talents. Our job is to provide experiences in an atmosphere where these talents will be nurtured and new talents will be acquired and encouraged.

4. Goal: • A major goal will be to help children develop accountability for their learning through time-management practices. Emphasis will be on quality of work rather than quantity. In this way, we will be able to provide the optimum learning environment.

5. Program Skills Emphasized • Basic Skills • Higher Level Thinking Skills (analysis, synthesis, evaluation) • Organization • Creativity—awareness of the world through different perspectives • Emphasis on the Whole Child—emotional, spiritual, and academic growth

6. Affective Goals: • Make each child aware of his or her capabilities. • Emphasize each student’s uniqueness as an individual. • Communicate the need we all have for others; use team effort approach. • Develop self-confidence within each child, a positive feeling of his or her self-worth and that of others. • Develop and nurture “happy” human beings. • Celebrate individual growth in all subject areas.

7. Cognitive Goals: • Have each child develop his or her own full potential at this point considering age, past and present performance, etc.Develop and/or improve basic skills (math, reading, language arts). • Broaden creative skills (poetry, creative writing, arts, music, drama). • Develop decision-making and problem-solving capabilities. • Expose the students to learning experiences (field trips, neighborhoods, communities, citizenship, and government). • Develop divergent thinking skills and higher level thinking patterns. • Strive for excellence.

8. Expectations We allow the teacher to teach and students to learn by: • showing respect and courtesy for others; • exercising self-control; • obeying school expectations; • following directions; • responding to the signal for attention; • exhibiting appropriate behavior in school/field trip situations; • displaying good manners, common courtesy; • exercising good judgment, thinking before acting; • demonstrating good feelings, respect for oneself and others, and • acting as a Christian example at all times.

9. Communication • What makes a special program work is the mutual respect and support we have for one another as teachers, students, and parents. We value your insights and concerns. When questions or problems arise, we would request that:

10. Communication (cont’d) • Student and parent discuss concerns before they become major problems. • If there are questions about homework, write a note to the teacher at school on the assignment pad. The teacher will clarify or call. • Each afternoon, we sign assignment pads and make sure all students understand the next day’s expectations.

11. Every Friday, the following formswill be sent home for your review: • Student’s Weekly Progress Report • Student’s Self-Evaluation of Behavior • Please sign the sheets and return them to school on Monday.

12. Conferences with the Teacher • We are always willing to set up a conference before school or during conference period time. These are made by appointment only. We ask out of consideration for our schedules and your time that you do not “pop in” for a conference. You may write a note or call during school hours at school. We will always return your phone call.

13. Email • Email is a great tool for asking a non-technical quick question or for giving me a “heads up”. • Please do not ask specific questions about your child over email. • We check our emails at the end of the day—if time permits. We strive to return emails within 24 hours. • If you need a timely response with a matter, please write us a note-the old fashioned way. • Please do not contact us on our cell phones or via text.

14. Course of Study Religion

15. Religion • Religion is part of everything we do—a way of life. • Continuation of Sacramental Preparation • Understanding that “We” are the Church and Jesus gave us our mission as disciples. • Study Parish Life • Follow liturgical year • Basic Prayers • Mass/Liturgical Celebration • Lives of the Saints • Comprehension of the Year of Faith

16. Course of Study Language Arts

17. Reading • Reading Logs—Ride the Reading Railroad • Red Paper • Independent Reading • SSR—Sustained Silent Reading • Additional 20 minutes every night • Basal Reader • 1 Story per week • Comprehension Quiz on Friday

18. Reading Continued • Novels • Summer Reading • Little House in the Big Woods • A Cricket in Times Square • Reading Railroad—suggested list • Various Author Studies • Journals—Reader Response • Book Reports • Nonfiction/Content Reading

19. Spelling and Phonics • Spelling Program • Continue our study of Saxon Phonics • Learning phonics patterns • Practicing in class • 10 words to study • 5 words applied to pattern • Phonics Program Words • Third Grade “Must Know Words List” • Weekly • Individualized Instruction—as time goes on

20. Grammar and Writing • Various writing practice • Sentences • Paragraph • Multi-Paragraph • Content Writing • Teach mechanics • Teach grammar basics • Cursive—fully by January • Earn your mechanical pencil program

21. Course of Study Math

22. Math • Third Grade is a huge Math Year • Memorize Math Facts • Know all addition facts • Know all subtraction facts • Know all multiplication facts through twelve • Know all division facts through twelve

23. Course of Study Social Studies

24. Social Studies • Government • Understanding US History • Geography • Map Skills • Economics • Careers • Citizenship/ Wax Museum • Multicultural Heritage

25. Course of Study Science

26. Science • Scientific Method • Energy, Property of Materials • Health/Wellness • Matter • Plants and Animals • Conservation and Rocks

27. Rules and Consequences I think I can…

28. Classroom Rules • Follow Directions. • Raise Hand to Speak. • Be Prepared. • Treat Everyone with Respect.

29. Consequences • Behavior Chart • 5 = Perfect • 4 = Warning • 3 = 1 Lap around the field • 2 = 2 Laps around the field • 1 = 4 Laps around the field • 0 = Demerit/ no recess/ parent emailed immediately • A detention may automatically be issued if a student endangers another student, or if a member of the faculty or staff witnesses an extreme violation of school rules. • Demerits = 1 point off final average of weekly conduct grades • 10 Demerits in a grading period = Detention on Thursday Morning • 3 Detentions = ISS Point reductions will be explained on Friday Weekly Progress Report 

30. Rewards • As well as consequences, there are also rewards for good behavior. • Good notes home/ Good conduct grade • Treat Basket. • Completion folder stickers. • Happy children. • Community Chest Cards. • Monopoly Money—Henderson Bucks • Fraga Bucks • Class incentives: Popsicles, movies, popcorn parties, extra recess.

31. Remember…School-Wide Rules • Please see the school-wide rules and policies (playground, cafeteria, hallway) that apply to all students. These are outlined in the student handbook. • Violations of these rules may result in demerits and/or detentions as determined by Saint Paul faculty or staff.

32. Birthday Celebrations If you wish to send in a small treat for your child’s birthday, that is great. You may send in enough for the entire third grade or for just this class. Please speak with us before you plan a celebration. Do not send in party favors or plan to decorate lockers. If you send in enough for the entire grade, we will celebrate in the cafeteria at lunch. Otherwise, we will celebrate at 2:15 in the classroom during snack. Check with school handbook for policies.

33. Grades…A New Thing? Not Really

34. Grading Scale • Beginning in Third Grade, we use standard grading letters instead of E, G, S, and N. • A, B, C, D, F all follow the same scale as the other letters • Grade Scale in Weekly Folder • Renweb Grades—view online • Remember: Grades reflect adjustments at the end of a quarter; Adjustments include corrections; extra credit; classroom effort; participation; homework

35. Portfolio Party – Friday, May 16, 2014 • SHHHHHHHH! It’s a surprise. • Just be aware that you will not see many of the special projects and small seasonal projects that we complete in class throughout the year. You will be surprised in May!!

36. Specifics • Homework • Assignment Pad • Nightly Reading • Math • Projects—long range • Friday Folders • Weekly Progress Report • Correct and Return Papers

37. Specifics • Tests • Plenty of notice and a review sheet • Projects • Clear outline and due date • Make-Up Work • Make up work as soon as possible • Everything is not sent home for make-up work—only vital things • Late Work • Points deducted

38. Specifics • Homework Policy—Yellow Paper • Return to school • Volunteer Schedule—Green Paper • Return to school • Lunch • Microwave—only small things • Send things they can open and prepare by themselves (not microwave popcorn) • Snack • Something small in the afternoon—2:15

39. Remember • Third Grade is a transitional year. • Communication is the key to success. • Watch for: • Assignment pads • Monthly newsletters • Weekly Folders • Web Site • RenWeb/Website Homework • Assignment pad trumps Edline

40. I think I can… • Third Grade Students are: • Extremely Bright and Capable • Pleasers • They want to do their best—tell them often how proud you are of them. We do!!

41. All Aboard!!! I thought I could!

42. Your Assignment • Read your child’s All About Me Book. • Write your child a note and slip it into the book. • Take home your packet. • Relax and enjoy Third Grade. • Golden Rule: There is nothing that can’t be fixed in Third Grade! • They grow so much this year.