Third grade marks a distinct change in a child's education, as they begin the shift from learning to read, to reading to learn. This year we will do several themed book reports in language arts in addition to acquiring new reading skills and strategies. Students will be introduced to many different genres of books including the expository texts which will be used for Science and Social Studies. Mathematics instruction will consist of the mastery of number facts in addition, subtraction and multiplication as well as concepts relating to place value, problem solving, fractions, measurement and elapsed time. The delivery of instruction will consist of individual, whole class and small group lessons in order to meet the needs of all students. Groupings will be done using a variety of methods such as interest, random, and skill-based. There will be a variety of both individual and group projects throughout the school year. We have field trips planned for Mt. Philo State Park, where we will work on team building and explore plant and animal life cycles in our own area; the Flynn Theater to experience Black History through the eyes of Dr. Martin Luther King; and the Montshire Museum of Science where we will have hands-on Science exploration as well as learn more about patterns of the sun, moon and stars. I will also be looking for other opportunities that arise to get the students out of the traditional classroom and into the larger classroom of our world.
Homework Policy
I believe homework to be an extension and practice of concepts taught in the classroom. It is very important that your child does his/her homework independently in order for me to assess whether or not the class has mastered a particular concept or a re-teach is necessary for some or all of the students. That said, I do understand that students sometimes experience confusion about some assignments, and I wholly support the supervision of homework for the purpose of clarifying directions or expectations. Additionally, I am available in the classroom Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:45-3:15 p.m. and I encourage students to come and see me if they have any questions about in class work or related homework assignments.
All homework is expected to be handed in on the day it is due
Students will be given 3 “oops” passes per trimester in the understanding that life is hectic and homework is sometimes forgotten. An “oops pass” does not excuse the work altogether, as the work must be handed in the following day in order to receive 100% credit.
Should a student use all 3 oops passes before the end of the trimester, they may hand in work the next day for a maximum of 75%
Expectations for Spelling Homework
All the above policies apply
All spelling homework must be done in spelling notebook. Work handed in on loose-leaf paper will receive an automatic 75%
All spelling words must be spelled correctly on homework to receive full credit
Corrected Work Policy
Given the enormous leap between learning in second and third grade, I have a corrected work policy to ensure that each child can be successful in all areas. I will often be heard saying to my students that one assignment will not “sink their ship” and I want to keep that promise. Although students are often extremely focused on their grades, I believe that whether or not they have mastered a skill or understand a concept is of far greater importance. That said, students can resubmit any assignment on which they have scored less than an 80 (except for tests and quizzes, which are handled on an individual basis), and I will change the grade to an average of the two, up to 75%. For example, if a student receives a 60 and resubmits the assignment with corrections made, I will change the grade to an 75. Second trimester students are allowed to resubmit work as well, but the grade will only go up to a 70. Third trimester students will not be allowed to resubmit work for a grade change. At any time during the year, if a student needs extra help in order to be successful in any area, I encourage them to come to me, as I am happy to re-teach or clarify any and all work. Online Grading Third grade is the first year that online grades are posted weekly here at Christ the King. You can access your child's grades by logging on to your RenWeb account with the same username and password used to fill out your online documents. Please keep in mind that the grades are not “live.” By this, I mean that although I may have changed an assignment grade in my grade book, it may take a week for this change to be shown online. I encourage you to look at your child’s grades periodically to make sure they are handing in all assignments. (This also helps as a conversation starter if assignments that are less than spectacular are not making it home!)
Behavior Policy
It is my goal from the beginning of the year to create a classroom where every student is a contributing member and co-owner of the community we establish here. In order to do this, I present the students with the ability to make their own behavioral choices, and I establish logical consequences when they choose not to make a good choice for themselves. This philosophy of classroom management embraces the belief that all children want to do what is right, and often when given the choice they will chose the desired outcome without having the teacher force the decision on them. I base my classroom management on the Responsive Classroom model. During the course of the day, there are times when a student will need to “take a break” because his/her behavior is not appropriate for the classroom. When students take a break, it is their job to refocus their energy, regain their self-control, and rejoin the class when they feel that they are ready to be a respectful participant in the activity taking place at that time. This transition is student directed. If a student that has been directed to take a break cannot use this time to refocus or continues to purposely disrupt the class, he or she will then be directed to Mr. Laverty or Mrs. Livak in order to regain control of their behavior, process the reasons behind it, and work out a plan to help them make better choices in the future. If any student needs more than three breaks in one day, I believe it is necessary to explore the cause(s) of the disruptive behavior in order to discover why the student is having a difficult time staying on task. For this reason, I will contact the parents and request that we meet to discuss the child’s behavior and develop a success plan in order to help the child avoid similar circumstances in the future. If and when other behavior issues arise, it is our policy to deal with them within the classroom as well. If a student's behavior needs to be redirected, we will process with that student on the spot or as soon as an appropriate time presents itself. I am a firm believer in clear communication between teachers and parents and will contact parents face to face or via email when the situation requires follow up from home.
COMMUNICATION
I believe strongly that the teacher and parent relationship is essential to each student's academic success. My door is always open and I encourage you to get in touch with me via phone, email, or appointment should any issues arise this year in or out of the classroom. Additionally, I will communicate via email and the website to keep families informed about what is taking place in the classroom. It is my goal to send a brief note weekly to let you know what we have been working on in class. I will post these on the website for reference, along with important reminders of upcoming events such as field trips or other CKS events. The best way to read me is via email. I check email each day before and after school. If I have an opportunity I will check during the day, however, if you have alternate arrangements for pick up or after school that take place during the school day, please phone the front office and leave me a message, as I don't check email when I am with the students.