It is exciting as a new year begins! The following pages are to answer questions you might have about Third Grade. If you have any questions please bring them to our class or you can contact me at school: 884-3876 ex 12, home: 856-6483, or e-mail: melcrow@comcast.net.
Third grade class information
Schedule: Enclosed is a general copy of the daily schedule.Classroom door opens at 8:20am - earlier arrival must make arrangements. School starts at 8:30am, students arriving after that must get a tardy slip from the office. Three tardies equal an absent. School ends at 3:30pm and your child may leave with you as soon as they are checked out on the clipboard. I must see that your child goes to you. Attendance is recorded every day and Church atttendance is recorded every Monday. This record is then kept on their permanent Report Card. Your child receives a certificate for perfect attendance in Church and School attendance and it helps them earn items from the reward drawer.
Assignment books: Assignments entered for a subject in the Assignment Book must be completed before that subject the next scheduled time, which means it can become homework. If the student has completed the assignment in class that day it will be stamped or initialed to indicate it is completed. There are no assignments on Wednesday because of the many church/school activities. The space for the assignments is small, therefore we use abbreviations. Assignment books are only signed when you know their work is complete.
Homework: Any homework assignment stays in their book (from the assigned class), homework folder, or 3ring binder. When given an assignment they have till the next time the class is held to get the work done - this may mean that an assignment turns into homework. (Example: A math assignment given on Monday is due when class is held again on Tuesday.) If your child was unable to finish an assignment at home they can come in, in the morning or any study time before that class finish the assignment. Assignments taken home should not take more than an hour - except special projects. (In school 15 min - ½ hr may be given at a study time and all the students have proven they can get a lot done in that time.) Call me instead of debating an assignment. This saves us all from stress!
Grading: The students are learning to find their own percentage (number correct / number possible) and then check the charts located around the room to find their grade. An Assignment will be worth no less than 10 points. The grade points drop each day assignments are late. Papers handed in with no name are thrown away; I don't mess around with guessing what belongs to whom. Dishonesty during testing is rewarded with a 0.
Communication: Every Monday your child will bring home notes, corrected papers, updated grades and "Crusader News" in a folder. The "Crusader News" is to tell what will be happening that week and the following week. At the end of the month there will also be a calendar for the next month as well as Memory Work for the month. On the folder is a paper that has every Monday of the school year; this is signed to show you have viewed the contents of the folder. The school note comes home on Monday.
Journals: These are loose-leaf papers kept in their 3ring binder unless indicated. - Prayer journal (spiral bound notebook): prayers we would like others to say for us, for use in personal prayer time, and thoughts on the Bibke verse of the day.
- Math journal: keeps track of notes taken to help us with a lesson
- Reading journal: lists of books read, skills learned
- Science journal: lab notes
- Language journal: writings and class notes
- Social Studies journal: class notes
Parent involvement: There will be times in the Crusader News or the school newsletter asking for your involvement. Please let me know if there is a time you or someone you know can enrich our learning. You are welcome to join us periodically (just check in and wear the visitor badge).
Student of the Week: Your child is Star of the Week. This is a special week for your child. We make the week special in our classroom by giving them a certificate, and their own bulletin board telling the rest of us about themselves. It also makes it special for your child when you visit their classroom. In the folder your child has brought home, please choose a Value Devotion. How extensive you are or how long the devotion is, is up to you (you know your comfort level, expect to take no more then ½ hr). You may have a discussion involving the snack or a summery of how the snack represents the Value. Please let me know what day and time you would like to come do the Value Devotion. If you would like to make any other plan for your child that week let me know. I am excited to share this time with you as we share our faith with your child.
Recess: Students must be visible to the adult(s) supervising. During a break snacks may be eaten, but the student must be seated in a designated area.
Lunch/snacks: Nutrition is important to a growing body. The school handbook clearly states what is appropriate in the classroom.
Bathroom breaks: Common breaks are before school, recess, lunch, and after school. Bathroom breaks are not while I am trying to teach unless very necessary (let me know of medical reasons and the like). There are also times in the afternoon during activities to use the restroom.
Water: Your child may have water bottles at school (one full at the desk at all times). They are dumped out for the weekend and stored in the cubby unless you have asked your child to bring it home for cleaning. Opportunities for the water fountain are the same as bathroom breaks.
Pencil sharpening: Pencils are only to be sharpened when there is no one studying or teaching or testing.
PE: The student must be dressed to exercise, run, and play games on these days. The best suggestion is t-shirt and shorts, socks and tennis shoes.
Chapel: Every Wednesday from 8:45 - 9:15 (approximately) we meet in the church for Chapel. Offerings are encouraged and the mission that will be supported is specified in the Monday newsletter. Parents may join us.
Science: If a student is assigned to bring something for an experiment it will be written in the reminders at the bottom of the assignment book and on the Tuesday before the experiment is due. Each student at some time may be asked to bring things for experiments.
Book orders: Different book clubs send order forms. These are sent home as an optional purchase. NO CASH! Checks are made payable to Scholastic.
Library: Each week we go to the Library. The student may check out two books - one must be a chapter book. The books must be brought back each week to renew or return. (The students must have a book available to read at their desk at all times.) This time is the same time that some students have designated to be working in the computer lab.
Computer: Student use Jump Start Typing in the computer lab. In the classroom, students use educational games and activity software provided.
Birthdays: We celebrate as close to the birthday as possible (summer birthdays are celebrated as ½ birthdays in December and January unless you let me know otherwise). If your child would like to bring a special treat just let me know so I can let you know about any allergies. Any invitations to personal parties go directly to the mailboxes not passed out to the student.
Field trips: You may be asked to drive and/or chaperone. If you are a field trip driver a copy of your current insurance and license must be on file in the office. All students must have turned in a permission slip to participate in a field trip.
Discipline: (as defined in the student handbook)
Student entry requirements: (to be discussed)
Curriculum: (upon request)
I am pleased that you and I get the privilege to help your child grow at Christ Lutheran. In working together we help this special gift from God grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically - learning from their mistakes and proud of their accomplishments.
(updated 7/06)