Information and Procedures for Mrs

Information and Procedures for Miss Schmitt’s Class

Reading and Writing We continue on with the language arts program used in K-2. There is a shift to more independent reading and writing. Reader’s Workshop  It involves independent reading, guided reading, book discussions, and individual conferences.  We will shift from learning to read to reading to learn. We will focus on fluency and comprehension while reading longer and more complex books in various genres.  Your child will use a Reader’s Notebook to keep lists of books they have read and to write down thoughts they are having while reading.  The Bi-Weekly Reading Log will come home on Fridays and is due on Thursdays. I am asking that the students read at least 20 minutes on 10 different days out of a 14 day period.

Writer’s Workshop  It involves learning and working through the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, final draft/publishing).  Your child will be writing daily, primarily on topics of their choice. Skills will be taught through class mini lessons and individual conferences.  A Writer’s Notebook is a place to record thoughts, ideas, feelings, and anything that is interesting or important. We will plant seeds for future writing ideas. Your child will be expected to write at home for 15 minutes twice a week, but hey can bring it home anytime to write in it.

Word Study/Spelling  Spelling will consist of 2 primary components which include word sorts and commonly misspelled words.  Instead of simply memorizing words on a weekly basis, students will “sort” sets of words according to specific spelling rules and patterns. Each week on Wednesday, your child will bring home a collection of words which focus on a spelling principle he/she needs to learn. Students will then take a test on the following Tuesday. The test will include some words from the week’s sort as well as some transfer words. (Transfer words are not in the sort but follow the same principle that was studied.)  At the beginning of each month, students will bring home a list of commonly misspelled words in their Take Home Folder. These are words that often need to be memorized because they do not always follow a spelling pattern. Students will be tested on every one of these words at the end of each month. Be sure to check the planner for exact dates of these monthly tests.  Spelling words are expected to be mastered and used correctly in daily writing.

Time for Kids Our class will be receiving Time for Kids every other week excluding breaks and holidays. This provides the children with much needed practice at reading non-fiction text.

Science/Social Studies  We will be alternating Science and Social Studies units this year. Students will keep important handouts, assignments, notes, and study guides for these subjects in a 3 ring binder. Studying for these subjects will need to be done at home. Ask to see their notebook to see what they are studying because each unit will end with a test. Preparing for a test is an important skill that students will need as they continue into the upper grades. Once again, be sure to check the planner for test dates.

Math  The school has adopted a new math series. It is a more traditional approach to teaching mathematics than our previous math series. I will be supplementing this book with some activities to give the children a hands-on approach to learning new concepts as well. Your child will bring home papers from a workbook for homework practice to help support the teaching in the classroom.  Addition and subtraction facts should already be mastered. We will spend some time reviewing these facts. Third grade students are expected to master the multiplication facts (0-12) by the end of the year.  Students will be taking periodic timed tests over their basic math facts. (Addition/subtraction tests come at the start of the school year with multiplication tests to follow in January.) To help ensure that students study, there will be a monthly math calendar. Students are expected to practice their facts 3 times a week for 15 minutes each.

Homework Your child should be able to complete most of the homework on his/her own, but your involvement is still needed to check completeness, quality, and correctness.  Reading: 20 minutes- 10 different days- fill out Reading Log  Writing: Writer’s Notebook-15 minutes Tuesday and Thursday  Math: homework sheets; practice math facts- See Math Facts Calendar  Check daily planner for additional assignments, changes, or notes. HOMEWORK IS NOT DONE UNTIL IT IS TURNED IN FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. Please note that if you bring in your child’s homework later in the day, it is still considered to be late and marked in the Friday Folder as a missing assignment.

*******You can get copies of the Bi-Weekly Reading Log, math facts calendars, and monthly spelling words on Main’s website: http://www.beavercreek.k12.oh.us/main/staffpages/3rd grade/

Absent Work When students are absent, missed assignments will be sent home in an Absent Folder along with a Homework Tracker. The Homework Tracker will explain the assignments and any specific directions or notes. Students should return their work to school in this folder. The number of days a student is absent is also the number of days that they have to make up their work. This same rule applies for any tests or quizzes your child may have missed while being sick. (Note: If a student is absent only one day and misses a test, then the student will make it up the day he/she returns to school.)

Take Home Folder Students will bring home their Take Home Folder every night. In this folder, homework papers and forms that YOU need to fill out will be found in the pocket labeled “Return to School.” Students should return those papers in that same pocket. The other pocket labeled “Keep at Home” will contain any notes from me that do not need to be returned as well as work students completed and no longer need at school.

Daily Assignment Book Each 3rd grade student was supplied with a daily assignment book. Students will fill this out daily. Please check to see it has been completely filled out and that assignments are complete. Please sign the assignment book each night. The message section is an excellent way to communicate with me.

Cursive For the most part, students will be expected to write in cursive. However, on some assignments students will be given a choice such as in their math workbooks, planner and Writer’s Notebook.

Grades Students will receive letter grades along with skills and effort checklists. Both are equally important.

A B C D F 100-90 89-80 79-70 69-60 59 and below

S-Satisfactory N-Needs Improvement Consistently meets 3rd grade Inconsistently meets 3rd grade expectations and expectations. needs improvement.

Friday Folder Each Friday your child will bring home a Friday Folder. The purpose of this folder is to keep you informed on what is going on in our classroom and how your student is behaving and performing in school. The folder will include:  Comment/Signature Page – This is one way we can communicate.  Newsletters on an “as needed” basis  Graded Papers  Flyers and Handouts  Colorful Behavior Reports Please read and look over all the papers that are included in the Friday Folder. SIGN and write any comments or concerns in the box with the correct date. Friday Folders should be returned on Monday.

Special Schedule Monday Physical Education Tuesday Art Wednesday Library and Music Thursday Music Friday Reading Buddies

Lunch/Lunch Recess 11:32-12:17 Joining your child for lunch is available any day. If you would like to order a school lunch, please send in a note with your child on the day you are coming.

Lunch Accounts Each student has a lunch money account that is accessed by a pin number. (If your child attended school at Main last year, his/her pin number will remain the same.) You can add money to your child’s lunch account on the district website or by sending a check to school. You can also access the mealpay website from Main’s home page. If you do send a check to school, please be sure to put your child’s name and pin number on the memo line.

Snack/Water Bottles Students may bring a snack to school, but please try to stay on the healthy side. I have no problem with students bringing filled water bottles – these are to be filled before school starts at 7:45. Please put the water bottle in a sock to absorb the “sweat”.

Book Orders Each month I will send home book orders from book clubs like Scholastic and Troll. Do NOT feel compelled to order from these, but they do offer inexpensive book prices. If you decide to place an order, you only need to write one check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs.

School Hours Please remember that school begins at 7:45 and ends at 2:00. Ideally, students should be in their seats at 7:45 ready for the announcements and beginning their morning work. In order to help ensure students are where they need to be when the second bell rings to start school, please have your child here by 7:40. Also, students MUST go home as they usually would at the end of the day unless you have sent in a note. If it is a last minute change of plans, you have until 1:30 to call the office.

Contact Information I feel communication is very important. If at any time you have a question or a concern about your child, please feel free to contact me. I will get back to you as soon as possible. My voice mailbox # is 8641 and my school e-mail is [email protected]. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with your children and hope that this school year will be challenging for them as well as fun