We are glad to have your child in third grade this year. This is
to help answer questions you may have concerning schedules, grades, conduct,
and communication.
3rd Grade
Academic Expectations
Your
child will be taught by all three third grade teachers. Mrs. Isbel
teaches reading. Mrs. Moon will teach writing and spelling. Math will be
taught by Mrs. Marshall. Accelerated Reading, Handwriting, Science, and Social
Studies will be taught by your child’s homeroom teacher.
Spelling
The
weekly spelling list consists of approximately 20 words each week. There
will be a test over the words on Friday.
Math
Students
will have math homework every day except Friday. Even students that
finish their work in class will be expected to take the assignment home so that
it can be checked and corrected before being turned in to the teacher. Homework
will count 40%, tests 50%, and quizzes will count 10% of the 6 weeks math grade.
One fact test each six week will count as a regular test grade.
Reading
Students
reading homework will consist of reading 1 book each night and be ready to test
on it when they get to school the next morning. They will also have literary
vocabulary words to study and be ready to test on each week.
Accelerated Reader
Forty-five
minutes of class time each day is dedicated to AR. During this time your
child will be reading and testing on AR books. Your child is expected to
read 1 book every night and be ready to test on that book when they walk into
class the next morning. They should also take a test on another book
during class. One of our end of year awards is 100 points. If your child
is doing this assignment each night, they will achieve this award. We
encourage each student to take 2 tests a day so that they can work towards the
100 point reward trip in January and the 200 point trip in May. To do
this they will need to get an average of 33 points a 6 weeks. Please
encourage your child to work to earn this special trip.
Homework
An
assignment sheet is filled out by the
student each day. Please take time to look over your
child’s assignments and initial it at the bottom each night. They will
need to keep all assignments and work in this folder and return with it each
day. Homework will consist of reading an AR book, math assignment, and
studying spelling and reading vocabulary words.
Absences
When
students return to school after being absent expect for them to have make up
work to be completed. This work will be due within three days of their
absence. They will also need to make up AR and in class instruction
during recess/tutorial time. It is important that your child be at school each
day. We begin working immediately after entering the classroom and don’t stop
until the final bell rings. New skills are taught every day!
Conduct
Each
third grader is given five good behavior “tokens” at the beginning of every
week. You will see the tokens at the bottom of your child’s weekly
assignment sheet. Students who have had good behavior will be rewarded
with a free Friday Snack Bar item. Tokens will be marked off for breaking
classroom rules and for not being prepared for class. Excessive or chronic
misbehavior will be addressed by the principal.
End of Year Awards
Third
graders have the chance to earn several end of year awards. Awards are
given for UIL participation, 100 AR points, six flags ticket for reading,
perfect attendance, and for running a marathon during PE. The three
students with the highest AR point totals will be recognized. These are
the only awards that will be recognized at the end of year assembly. Please
encourage your child to work hard to earn an award.
Online Information
You
have access to your child’s grades and AR testing. There are also subject
specific programs for reading and math. Information on each of these things
will be coming home with your child soon. We will also be using ClassDojo to
keep you informed about things that are happening in third grade throughout the
year.
Teacher Conference
The
third grade teacher conference is each day from 1:15-2:00. Please call to
schedule a conference if you have any questions or concerns.
UIL
Third graders can try out
for UIL spelling, storytelling, ready writing, music memory, and chess. Please
encourage your child to try out for these contests. Information about each
contest will be going home soon.