Rose Tree Media School District s11

Sailing Into Third Grade Mrs. Julia Davis Indian Lane Elementary School

Dear Totally Terrific Third Grader, Welcome to Mrs. Davis’ Dock!! I hope that your summer was enjoyable; I look forward to hearing about it! I am also looking forward to being your teacher this year! Here are a few tips to make sure you’re prepared for the first day of school.

The first thing you should know is that our class website has been updated and contains all the information that will keep you and your family “in the know” about what is happening in our classroom. There are pages for most areas of our curriculum and you can find out more about me on the website too! Please make sure that your family registers for e- alerts or updates your subscriptions! E-alerts will be the easiest way for me to communicate with your family this year.

Reading every day is important and it is the only proven way to become a better reader. Please make sure that you have a great book going as the summer comes to a close. You must bring a book to school EVERYDAY starting on the first day of school! You will be reading independently on the first day!

In addition, writing everyday is just as important as reading! To be ready for the first day of school, please find a composition book and decorate the front and back cover so that it represents you as a person (things you like, places you’ve been, etc.) You can put photos, magazine clippings, print outs, stickers, etc. on the covers to help you personalize the book. This will be your writer’s notebook and it will prepare you for a great year of writing!

I do hope that you have been working in Khan Academy for 30-60 minutes a week over the summer. I will be checking in with your progress shortly but you need to add me as your COACH. Log into your KhanAcademy.org through your Google account (rtmsd.net) and join Mrs. Davis’ Class 16-17 by entering the code 5XT9NA on the “Add a Coach” tab of your profile page. I can’t wait to see how well you are progressing on all your skills!! Next, I would like you to create a “Me Bag” which I hope will be fun for you! In a lunch-sized paper bag, please put in 5 small items that will tell our class something about YOU (make sure the items fit inside the bag)! The items can be pictures or objects that are special to you, represent your talent or hobby, things you enjoy doing with others or by yourself, etc! Please just make sure that one of the five items reminds you of a special summer memory (you’ll see why in class!) Bring the bag to school on the first day; we will use this bag throughout the first week of school.

Your brain has special needs for you to do your best learning. It needs food, water, exercise and sleep. Therefore, you are welcome to bring a water bottle and a healthy PEANUT/NUT FREE snack to school everyday starting on the first day! Snack is not provided in class so please do not forget! Remember all fruits and vegetables are nut free and great for your brain! Wear comfortable clothes and shoes too because we will be moving everyday to keep our brains focused and alert!

September 1st is Open House from 2:00 – 3:00 pm. I look forward to meeting you then if you can stop by, or if not, on the 1st day of school. If you would like, you may bring your school supplies to this in order to lighten your load for the first day!

I hope that you are excited for the first day of third grade! I sure am! Please use the attached checklist to help yourself prepare for the first day of school. It is very important to be prepared and organized in third grade. The only other things you will need to have ready on the first day are a positive attitude and a big smile! I am SUPER excited to meet you soon!!

Fondly,

Mrs. Davis Email: [email protected] Third Grade: School Supplies List

 1 - Large eraser, pink, latex free  3 - 3M “Post-It” Notes, 3” X 3”, Yellow, 100 sheet/pad  1 - Earbuds with wind-up case  1 - Container of disinfecting wipes, bleach free, lemon scent  1 - 4-pack assorted Expo 2 Dry Erase markers, fine tip, low odor  2 dozen - Dixon Ticonderoga No. 2 pencils, unsharpened  1 – Crayola Markers, Washable, Classic Colors, Fine tip, 8/set  3 - Composition Book, Marble Cover, 100 sheets  1 – Staples Pencil Box, Stretch  1 – Facial Tissues, Hypo-allergenic, 200 count  6 – Elmer’s Glue Sticks, Washable, All purpose, Acid free, .21 oz.  1 – Colored Pencils, 7”, Sharpened, 24/set  1 - Scissors, 7”, Pointed tip, Latex free  2 - Highlighters, Chisel tip, Yellow, with Pocket Clip

Please remember to label all items with child’s first and last name.

*** Mrs. Davis' Special Requests ***

- 1 - 2 inch 3-Ring Binder – to be used for a portfolio of work - 1 pk. Dividers, 3 ring 5 tab w/10 pockets, assorted - Girls: 1 box Ziplock sandwich bags - Boys: 1 bottle of hand sanitizer

MY THIRD GRADE TO DO LIST:

Get my parents to register for e-alerts or update their subscriptions for my website

Decorate the front and back cover of my Writer’s Notebook with pictures, stickers and fun stuff.

Go on to Khan Academy. Log in through my Google account and add Mrs. Davis as a COACH. Enter the code 5XT9NA on the “Coaches” tab of my profile page.

Find a small brown lunch bag and put 5 “Me Bag” items in it. Put it in my backpack.

Sharpen 12 of my pencils so they are ready for the first day. Put them in your backpack.

Label all my school items with my first and last name.

Be sure to pack all my supplies including Mrs. Davis’ special requests.

Pack a nut-free snack and a water bottle in my backpack.

Remember to pack a book to read in class that is on or close to my level.

Make a lunch plan. Will I pack or buy my lunch?

Get a good night’s sleep! :o)