Welcome to Third Grade!

Classroom Information and Procedures 2012-2013

Mrs. Heemstra
Dear Families, Welcome to a new school year! Thank you for the opportunity to get to know your child! In this booklet you will find the answers to many of the questions commonly asked about classroom policies and procedures. If your questions are not answered after reading this booklet, please feel free to send me an e-mail at [email protected], send a letter to school with your child, or set up an appointment to meet with me before or after school.

Sincerely, Mrs. Heemstra

Attendance
It is vital that your student attend school whenever possible. Much of what we do takes place in a hands-on manner- during class. Though third graders are still young, what they do in this grade is built upon for future grades. When you stress to your student the importance of school, you set an example that your child will carry with him/her throughout his/her schooling as well as later in life! If there are days where your child becomes ill or must attend an unavoidable appointment, please contact the office to excuse your child. The STUDENT is responsible for finding out what he/she missed, making sure it makes its way into his/her purple folder and backpack, and for returning it in a timely manner. The student will have the same number of days to make up the missed work as the number of days he/she missed. For example, if a student misses Monday and returns Tuesday he/she will have an entire day to complete the work, handing it in by Thursday morning. Late work is not accepted. Below you will find detailed information for each core subject area.

Reading
Literacy is the bridge that connects students to all other areas of learning. If a student has difficulty reading, he/she will have difficulty comprehending information in other subject areas. Reading is also the BEST way to become a better writer AND speller! At the third grade level, students must learn various strategies readers use to comprehend and analyze text. They must interact with various kinds of text. They take cues from different types of text to serve as models for their writing. Teachers and parents must do their best to help match readers to texts that are appropriate and engaging. Once a student has made up his/her mind that reading is monotonous and purposeless, it is a monumental task to convince them otherwise. Start planning visits to the library! GRADING: Ultimately, students will be graded based upon their reading level. It is hoped that the average third grade student would reach a level 20 (at least) in our Rigby program. Of course your students progress will depend upon his/her efforts as well as the level at which he/she reads upon entering third grade. Information with be collected in the following ways in order to address individual student needs and for grading purposes: Running Record: To determine types of errors student is making

DIBELS: To determine reading fluency (rate) one indicator of student reading success Readers Notebook: Used by students to record reading strategies and to determine students use of such strategies and depth of understanding of independent text. This is also a place where students respond to and analyze their reading. AR Tests: Used as one indicator of comprehension

STAR Test: Used as one indicator of comprehension Anecdotal Notes: Teacher observational notes during reading time Student Self-Evaluations

Report card scores will be as follows:

4 = student is reading above the third grade level with consistent success and shows a strong understanding of classroom reading strategies 3= student is reading at grade level with consistent success and understands classroom reading strategies 2= student is reading below grade level and shows a limited understanding of classroom reading strategies 1= student is reading significantly below grade level and does not understand and/or incorporate classroom reading strategies. Interventions will be applied to meet the students needs and families will be updated as to progress and future recommendations.

Writing
Students will learn research-based strategies to improve their writing skills. They will have time to record and reflect upon these skills, practice them with partners or in other guided settings, and use them when working on independent pieces. Each day they will have the opportunity to share their works as well as their thoughts ABOUT their works in a setting where students learn positive ways to offer and receive feedback GRADING: A Developmental Writing Continuum will be used to indicate whether a student has met grade level expectations. This document displays the writing behaviors commonly exhibited at particular ages. It is used to show growth over time, and gives families and educators a way to determine concepts needing additional work. Periodic student writing samples will be used to complete the continuum. Information from this continuum will be shared at parent-teacher conferences. Students may not bring regular writing pieces home; however, they will add required pieces to a Display Binder in class. This binder will be available to view at any time by making an appointment to meet with me before or after school. This binder will also go home with your student at the end of the year. Information will be collected in the following ways in order to address individual student needs and for grading purposes: Developmental Writing Continuum to determine writing behaviors and skills being used

Writers Notebook: Used by students to record writing strategies and to determine the students use of and understanding of such strategies. Student Writing Samples: Used to determine student strengths and needs as well as evidence of independent use of writing strategies. Display Binder: Includes all required, published pieces of student writing. Students who do not complete required display binder pieces will be unable to receive a score above a 2 on the report card. Periodic, short notes will be sent home if your student is missing any required pieces.

Report card scores will be as follows: 4 = student exceeds grade level writing expectations consistently 3= student meets grade level writing expectations consistently 2= student sometimes meets grade level writing expectations 1= student does not meet grade level writing expectations. Interventions will be applied to meet the students needs and families will be updated as to progress and future recommendations.

Math
Most of our work is done in a hands-on manner, in class. Therefore, if your student misses days, he/she misses important instruction that is difficult to make up. GRADING: Daily work will be used to determine whether or not a student is grasping the concepts taught. A checklist of state-required benchmarks will be used to indicate which benchmarks the student has met and which he/she may need additional practice to master. A copy of family-friendly benchmarks will be available to you in hard copy form as well as for print on the classroom website. Periodic progress updates will be sent home. If your child needs to continue to work on particular benchmarks, activities or suggestions will be sent home indicating ways in which you can help at home. Marking Period 1: Marking Period 2: (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) Marking Period 3: Marking Period 4:

Note: Concepts are continuously taught beyond the marking periods in which they were introduced, as well as in other subject areas. It is possible for a student to master concepts in later marking periods. Additional concepts will be taught as time allows. Information will be gathered in the following ways in order to address individual student needs: Beginning and End-of-the-Year Inventories Anecdotal Notes: Teacher observational notes during math time Concept Checklists: Checklists that indicate what has been taught each marking period as well as all of the related skills Daily Work

Report card scores will be as follows: 4 = student has mastered all concepts covered and consistently exceeds expectations 3= student has mastered all concepts covered 2 = student has mastered some of the concepts covered 1 = student has not mastered concepts covered. Additional support may be necessary.

Daily Work
Work that is incomplete due to lack of time will come home to be finished as homework and must be turned in the following day. Work that is incomplete or late due to lack of effort is NOT ACCEPTED. If a student repetitively fails to turn in homework, a note will be sent home.

Homework
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Money for Lunch/Field Trips/Book Orders

It is not uncommon for money to be lost or stolen on its way to its destination. And backpacks have a funny way of eating such items every now and then. Therefore, it is recommended that if you must send money with your child it be in the form of a check. Cash will be accepted and any funds should be placed into an envelope with your childs name, the purpose of the funds, and the teacher name. Students and parents will have a place to drop important items, homework, etc. For lunch accounts, students or parents can choose to go directly to Food Service in the Munch a Bunch Caf to settle amounts owed.

Scheduling an Appointment
I can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. I attempt to answer all e-mails within 2 days. If you have an emergency, please contact Pat in the office at 637-0549. Our days are extremely busy right up until 3:50; therefore I am often away from the phone or in the middle of a lesson. If your situation is crucial, you may ask Pat to page me in the classroom. During the first few days of school it is common to accompany your child to the classroom. This is acceptable! However, as time progresses, please encourage your child to enter and exit the building independently. Also, as teachers are often performing several duties at the end of the school day, please make every effort to wait for your child to exit the school through the front doors if you are in the car line. This helps avoid confusion and delays. We are REALLY getting good at getting students into the proper cars and out of the lot without delay. You are welcome to visit the classroom at any time. Please stop by the office to sign in and get a name badge. If you would like to meet to discuss a topic in-depth please set up an appointment with me for before/after school. I am often willing to remain late in the day for such occasions. It is nearly impossible for me to step away from the class for an impromptu discussion as my attention is focused on their instruction and safety. I welcome and encourage volunteers for classroom assistance, field trips, parties, etc. If you are unable to get your questions answered at the open house, please contact me for further information.

Report Cards and Progress Reports

Report cards will be issued at the end of each marking period for a total of four times throughout the year. Progress reports will be issued at each mid-marking period with short explanations of student progress.

Student of the Week

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Snacks
Third grade lunch is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. each day. Since lunch is so late in the day, we host a daily snack between 10 and 11 a.m. A Snack Schedule is sent home so that

students can share the responsibility of supplying snack. You will note that your student is likely asked to supply a snack two times per month. If you have any difficulties doing this, dont hesitate to contact me and I will find an alternative snack for that day. Two students are scheduled each day to avoid days without snack. Any time you would care to donate snacks to our classroom we would be HAPPY to accept them! Healthy snacks are encouraged, and a list of ideas will be included with the snack calendar, at open house. You are also able to find these ideas on our classroom website.

Water Bottles
Water bottles are allowed in the classroom if they are small (8-12 oz) and contained. Please refrain from sending sugared drinks with your child. This is not just for teacher sanity as our district health policy supports such guidelines.

Supplies
You are NOT required to purchase supplies for your child. Each student is given crayons, pencils, paper, and other items necessary to classroom activities. Please consider donating the following supplies for your child: Pencil box small cost $1 at WalMart Pencils 1 pack to be added to a community supply cost $1 at WalMart Markers 1 pack to be added to a community supply cost $4 or less at WalMart 1 packet of looseleaf notebook paper (any size) 2, 1- inch, 3-ring bindesr with clear plastic front to insert printed page. Package of clear, plastic sleeve inserts for display binder. *All items should cost less than $20 total. Please do not send additional items as classroom storage is limited. All student items should fit into pencil box.

Classroom Management
Our classroom is run based on the notion that we are a community of learners and that communities must learn ways in which to interact in everyones best interest. We will often meet to discuss ways in which we can put our lifeskills into action and solve classroom issues. There is a color system used in our classroom to help serve as a visual reminder to students of their choices and behaviors. If a student reaches blue by the end of the day he/she will be required to complete a behavior sheet at home. This sheet must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to school the next day. If the student fails to return the sheet, he/she will remain indoors during the second recess to complete the sheet again so that it can be kept on file for future reference. This sheet also serves as a way to determine behavior that warrants a meeting with parents/guardians. If a meeting is necessary, I will contact you to

determine the best time for us to meet. As a parent/guardian, YOU are the most knowledgeable about your child, and often this helps to inform me of ways that may work to assist your child in the classroom. We are a TEAM and your voice is valuable! Students who consistently disregard classroom procedures or who show bullying behaviors will be directed to Mr. Jenkins, Principal, for further action. If a meeting is warranted, you will be contacted. PLEASE talk with your child often about treating people respectfully and the serious consequences that can occur when students are bullied. If you feel that your child is being bullied, encourage him/her to set up a time to sit with me to discuss the situation. Families will be notified if necessary.

Birthdays and Holiday Parties

We have holiday parties on Halloween, Christmas and Valentines Day. There are traditional activities that we host in our classroom like Holiday Bingo and other eventsand there will be opportunity at the open house for you to add your own ideas as well. You will be contacted as the time approaches for each event. On a students birthday, he/she receives a jumbo card from the class, a small gift, and a free homework pass which can be attached to a days worth of homework that the child is not required to complete. Snacks are welcome, and HEALTHY SNACKS ARE RECOMMENDED but not required.

Field Trips
We plan our field trips after the start of the year when we have been informed as to what our budget will allow. We will notify you with as much advance notice as possible when a field trip is planned. You are welcome to attend field trips with your child. Please note that we cannot host parents on the buses as we are often unable to fit all of the parents who would like to attend. Thank you for your understanding. Please do not send unnecessary funds with your child for field trips. If all students cannot partake in an event due to cost, no students will be allowed to spend extra funds for such events.

Classroom Newsletter
A very short classroom newsletter will be sent out each week. The newsletter will include upcoming events and activities as well as a short blurb about what we have covered that week. You can also view the classroom website and click on the blog button in order to read some of the latest classroom news.

PG Movies
Most movies shown in our classroom are rated G and do not require special permission for viewing. Occasionally, however, we may wish to view a rated PG movie for various reasons. Please send a note to the classroom if you do NOT want your child to view a rated PG movie.

Pictures
Pictures are often taken in our classroom of various events, field trips, etc. We also have a classroom website where pictures of our events may be posted. Pictures online will NOT include names or other personal information. Please send a note to the classroom if you do NOT want your childs picture taken or posted on the classroom website.

Classroom Website
Visit our classroom website to view the classroom calendar, activities, photos, important documents, and MORE! www.heemstrashappenings.weebly.com