Welcome to Third Grade!
Third Grade is a wonderful year to transition from primary to intermediate and build upon all of the skills your child has learned in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade. When thinking of Third Grade, think of your child’s teacher fine tuning all of those skills to be a smart problem solver and a more defined reader. For Third Grade teachers, it is exciting to teach because it is the year when children start to believe in themselves and form confidence in their thinking.
As a parent, there are many things you can do to support and help your child on their educational experiences. Listen to your child read frequently and show your child that reading is fun! Ask your child questions that promote higher-level thinking. Seize opportunities for learning that may arise in everyday activities. Be positive about school and the importance of learning. Children pick up on everything in their environment.
We are looking forward to an exciting and productive year. We especially look forward to working with you on the progressive education of your child. Communication between home and school is the key to optimum learning for your child. The purpose of this letter is to familiarize you with some of our classroom philosophies and policies.
Third Grade Vision
All Third Graders will successfully transition from primary to intermediate showing Responsibility, Integrity, and Respect. With the help of committed teachers 100% of Third Graders will pass the Reading and Math TAKS Test.
School Hours 7:50-3:10
Please call the office in the event your child is ill or has to be absent. A note when they return is necessary for our files. For every day missed, your child will have the same amount of days to make up the work.
• 18 or more absences results in mandatory summer school.
If you move during the school year, the office needs to be notified in advance. It is important that you update addresses and phone numbers, including emergency contacts.
Class Schedule
• 7:50 – 8:20 Tiger Time
• 8:20 – 8:30 Announcements
• 8:30 – 10:50 Academics
• 10:50 – 11:35 Specials (Art, Music, PE)
• 11:35 – 11:50 Pack-up/Transition
• 11:50 – 12:10 Recess
• 12:10 – 12:20 Restroom Break
• 12:20 – 12:50 Lunch
• 12:50 – 3:00 Academics
• 3:00 – 3:10 Pack & Dismissal
Breakfast and Lunch
Please prepay for the week or month if possible. *If you would like to apply for free/reduced lunch, please see one of us at the end of the orientation for a form.
Reduced lunch $0.40
Breakfast $1.25
Lunch $2.25
Adult lunch $3.00
Class Discipline
Our class rules go right along with R-Time:
• R-Time is… a structured program for schools that develops positive relationships between children. It does this by creating an environment that supports and enhances good manners, respect, attainment, and citizenship.
• Show good manners and respect at all times
• Care for everyone and everything
All of 3rd grade is on the same behavior plan this year. Each child has a clip that can be moved at any time for rule violations or disruptive behavior.
*If your child brings home a behavior chart, please discuss the behavior with your child, sign the form and return it to school the following day.
• Once the child has reached “RED”, we will begin to enforce the school-wide discipline plan.
Gifted Program
Children are chosen for the gifted program after they have been tested. Any questions or concerns should be directed to our counselor Erika Welch.
Literacy Program
Literacy is an ongoing process in our classrooms. We read and write all day long! Students read independently, in small groups with teacher instruction, and one-on-one. Students read and respond to literature and we share about our books everyday. Students will also be making their own books and participating in other reading and writing activities.
Writing workshop takes place everyday where the children are writing independent stories, class books, or partner stories. We write by following the writing process: brainstorm ideas, rough draft, conference with peers and teacher (revising and editing), publishing, and sharing. Students will also learn the six traits of writing and teachers will be looking for these in their writing.
We will continue working on cursive writing.
Spelling
Spelling will take place weekly. They will bring home a spelling bag in their homework folder daily. Please make sure your child is studying their words nightly. There are nightly Spelling assignments in their homework folder.
Math
Our district has adopted Math Investigations as our math curriculum. Please look in your child’s folder nightly for Math TAKS practice and Investigations homework.
We encourage you to create an account with Pearson SuccessNet to use as a resource for daily Math homework assignments. Refer to your child’s homework folder for the access code registration for the program.
Homework
Homework will be assigned on Monday for the entire week as a review of concepts taught in class. Students will be required to read at least 30 minutes each night in addition to the other homework assignments. If homework is not returned or is incomplete, students will have to complete it during recess, and may receive a 50% for that weeks packet.
Planners
Assignment planners will be filled out every day. The planner will include homework assignments and special notes. Planners should be signed each night after homework is completed. This will show you have seen their completed homework during the week and their Friday Folder on the weekend. If we have any comments to write to you, we will write them in the planner. Also, look for notes concerning behavior during the week. Students are responsible for making sure their planner gets home every day AND gets back to school!
The planners cost $3.00 for those of you who have not purchased one yet.
Friday Folders
Graded and checked papers will be sent home every Friday. These folders will also contain papers from the office, PTA information, special notes, etc. Please look over the work in the folder, and return the empty folder to school on Monday.
TAKS
Third Grade will be taking the Reading and Math TAKS Test. Summer School will be mandatory for failure of one or more sections of the Reading and/or Math TAKS.
Important Dates –
MATH TAKS April 27th
READING TAKS April 28th
Report Cards/Progress Reports
Student progress will be reported in Reading, Spelling, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. 60% will be tests/quizzes and 40% will be daily work/homework.
Student’s reading levels will also be indicated on their report card each 9 weeks.
*Students will have an opportunity to complete any unfinished work during study hall (Recess time). No excuses for incomplete work or not turning an assignment in.
You will receive progress reports every 4 ˝ weeks in a grading period.
It will require a signature by a parent.
* Report Cards are sent home at the end of each 9 weeks.
Character Education
We will be focusing on one trait every six weeks along with R-Time lessons and FISH Philosophy.
Respect
Responsibility and Pride
Integrity
Leadership
Cooperation
Friendship
Recess
We will not go outside on the days that are below freezing, a wind chill below freezing, rain, or temperature greater than 100 degrees.
Parent Volunteers
Please volunteer! Children feel so good when they know their parent is helping out at school. We understand that not everyone can make it the school. Therefore, if you would like for us to send something home with your child we would greatly appreciate it. A sign-up sheet is available for those of you who can assist in the classroom or at home. Our goal is for each parent to volunteer at least 15 minutes a month.
Medication
If your child is sick and needs to take medication they will need to keep it in the nurse’s office. It needs to be brought in its original container with your child’s name on it and a note from you explaining how and when it needs to be administered. Everything will have to be taken to the nurse, even cough drops and over the counter medication (for example Tylenol, aspirin, etc.)
Newsletter/Friday Folders
These will be sent home on Friday’s. Look forward to reading and learning about all that is going on in third grade. Friday folders need to be returned on the following Monday. Sometimes there may be fewer papers in the Friday folder because we are still working on it, putting it in your child’s portfolio, or displaying it in the classroom.
Visitors
All visitors must check into the office and wear a nametag. This rule is for the safety of everyone in our building.
Parent Teacher Conferences
10:50 – 11:35 We will be glad to meet with you to answer any questions about your child’s progress. Please call the school or e-mail us to schedule a conference.
Communication between school and home is the key to a successful year for your child! Parent conferences will begin in October after we have assessed each child’s reading and math progress.
Dress Code
Standardized dress
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
• Bottoms - khaki or navy slacks, shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers
• Shirts - navy, white, red (long or short sleeve) knit polo with collar, button-down or regular-spread collar; turtlenecks and sweaters in same colors may be worn in cooler weather
– ALL SHIRTS HAVE TO BE TUCKED IN!
• Socks and tights - red, white, navy, khaki
• Shoes - closed toes
Exceptions to the rules
Wednesday – College T-shirt & standard bottoms
Friday – Sprit T-shirt & standard bottoms
Report card/Progress Report day – students may wear their college t-shirt & jeans for $1 donation to PTA
We are looking forward to being your child’s teachers this year and will work hard to make this a successful year for your child. Please do not hesitate to call or email if you ever have a question or concern about your child.
Thank you for all of your support and cooperation!
Jody Ruth
972-968-1751
http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/ruthj/
Talitha Basom
972-968-1748
http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/basomt/