What you need to know to help your child have a positive third grade experience.

Third grade is a big step.No longer learning to read but reading to

learnEmphasis on problem solving Development of language, both written and

oralDevelopment of organizational skills

At school At home

Learning to be more independent

ORGANIZATION AT SCHOOLBinder – contains homework assignment notebook

and home/school folderEach day all assignments are copied from the board

to the notebookAll homework materials go into home pocket of

folderBackpack – the binder and all necessary books are

packed before the end of the dayEvery morning – Each student unpacks backpack,

removes from binder all homework, notes, etc. from home/school folder and files in the appropriate place.

CLASSROOM POLICIESChildren should be at school by 8:00 after

having a good breakfast to organize their work for the day.

Students who arrive late (after 8:10) must sign in at the office accompanied by a parent.

Good attendance is extremely important; please keep absences to a minimum.If absent, pick up work at the office after 2:00.All extended absences due to vacation travel

need to be approved by Mr. Pacelli.

ORGANIZATION AT HOMEEVERYDAY a parent checks the homework

assignment notebook and home/school folder.After homework is completed STUDENT

returns homework to school pocket of folder.Almost all homework problems can be solved

if the parent and child consistently follow the above steps.

If your child is not arriving home with the necessary materials, write a note to the teacher.

ORGANIZATION AT HOMEDevelop a homework schedule that works for

your familySet aside one place for working on homeworkThis year most homework is for practice of

skills taught in schoolStudents work independently – parents may

check it –let me know if you are helping by circling the problem

Some more about homeworkIt takes longer in the fall since your child is

adjusting to a new situation. It should take less time as the year progresses.

If your child is spending more than an hour most nights after mid-October, we need to talk.

All homework will be completed in an acceptable fashion.

Homework that is incorrect or unacceptable will be sent home with an explanation on how to redo it correctly.

And even more about homeworkMissing homework receives a homework

reminder slip.Slip must be signed by a parent after seeing

the newly completed work, and the slip and homework will be returned the next day.

Any homework missing more than 2 days will be done at a time the teacher assigns during school.

All assignments, workbooks, and tests must be revised until acceptable.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENT AND TEACHERThe Friday Folder – main line of communication

Each week we send home all graded assignments from the previous week. This folder is your best way of determining your child’s

pattern of academic success. Please take the time over the weekend to look at this

folder WITH your child Praise successes, note areas of weakness, make any

comments you think the teacher needs to know. PARENT SIGN AND RETURN on Monday morning.

Handwritten notes, e-mail, call the office. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Conferences can be set up for issues serious in nature.

MATH in THIRD GRADESingapore Math is our program.It uses problems to reinforce a range of skills

and understandings.It uses higher-order questions and more

advanced text.We’ll be covering less topics, but in more depth.

Whole numbers, fractions, measurement, geometry, and data analysis

Textbook and workbook are the major materials we use.

READINGMacMillan Treasures – same as second grade

Materials include textbook, practice book, spelling book

Reading is taught in whole groupReading skills are developmental.

Not all children progress at the same rate.Most stories are pre-read at home on Monday nights

(very important for developing comprehension skills)The Home-School Connection is a supplemental

material sent home with vocabulary and spelling lists as well as skills for the week’s story.

READINGScholastic News with its skill building questions is a

part of our program. Stories are introduced in class then completed independently at home.

Reading Genre Challenge - Students will independently read ten different genres through the school year and report on them, either orally or in writing. Fun theme days will occur at various times through the year to celebrate the students’ progress in the reading challenge.

Please encourage your child to complete the books and presentations by the assigned day or they cannot participate in our fun-filled theme day.

MORE READINGNOVEL STUDY with Mrs. Pampel

Six novels read in-class throughout the yearMrs. Pampel reads aloud to the students who

each have a copy of the novel.Focus is on vocabulary development, use of

words in context, character development, plot and theme.

It’s an extension of reading skills taught in the classroom.

Journal writing gives students an opportunity to respond and react to the stories as it pertains to them while developing their expressive language.

LANGUAGE ARTSIncludes Wordly Wise, spelling, grammar,

handwriting, expressive languageAssignments and formal tests are used to

measure achievement in these areasJournal writing, expressive writing, letter

writing, and poetry are the different genres used to develop writing skills.

OTHER AREAS OF STUDYScience

Mrs. Calahane will be teaching at the Soler Science Center

Social StudiesMrs. Alexander will be teaching topics in

American history using the American Girl Series. Map skills will also be covered.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIESParents, please make sure your child knows in

the morning how he/she is getting home each day

Send a note if your child is going to be picked up by someone other than the usual person

Parents, please keep track of the assigned dates for after-school clubs. Fill out the club selection sheets each week. I must send your child to the selected activity unless I receive a note advising of a change. This is for your child’s safety.

HOMEWORK CLUBRuns Monday though Thursday excluding

half daysFrom 2:20 until 3:00Quiet supervised time for students to get

homework doneExtra help is availablePickup is at 3:00 at the lower school circle,

but if you need to pick up your child earlier, you must come to the classroom.

FINAL THOUGHTSWe have high expectations for all our

students in the areas of academics, organizational skills, and social behaviors.

We expect all the children to grow in each of these areas as the year progresses.

Our classroom manner is fair and firm.We believe children learn best in a classroom

that offers structure and guidance.We want our students to be happy, feel safe,

and be willing to take academic risks to increase their knowledge and skills.