Third Grade Handbook



Third Grade HandbookMs. Matthew: Linda.Matthew@(623) 445-8251Mrs. Flory: Holly.Flory@623) 445-8257Mrs. Hammit: Barbara.Hammit@ (623) 445-8252Mrs. Butkiewicz: Christa.Butkiewicz@(623) 445-8256Mrs. Turner: EJ.Turner@(623)445-8255Welcome to the Third Grade! The third grade team at Norterra Canyon strives to create a learning experience complete with academic challenge and personal growth for all students. We believe that by working together as partners with families we will create the best possible learning experience for all third graders. We are very excited to be working with your child this year. We are looking forward to a fantastic educational journey. 3rd Grade Schedule8:15-11:15 Language Arts 11:15 Lunch/Recess12:00 Specials12:45 Math 2:15 Science/Social Studies3:00 Dismissal*Schedule subject to change. Special Area ScheduleWe have specials from 12:00-12:45 daily. Please contact our special area teachers directly with any questions or concerns. They are also an important partner in your child’s education!Policies & ProceduresBehavioral ExpectationsStudents are expected to act in good character and treat others with respect. We model and teach these expectations across our campus with Pirate PRIDE. Our students understand and value the traits of Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence. PRIDE has become an integral part of our daily lives at Norterra Canyon, and we find continuous ways to reinforce and celebrate these values.Students will not be allowed to interfere with the learning environment, but are expected to behave within the cultural norms of the classroom. Classrooms at NC have a “Recovery Corner” for students to use when they are having difficulty with their behavior. Moving to this area may be a student’s choice or a teacher’s choice. This is a positive way to meet a student’s need to reflect on choices or just find a quiet place to focus. While we can usually prevent or resolve behavior concerns within the classroom, times may arise when a disruptive behavior continues. In those situations, we will work with parents to solve any problems together. Tardy & Absence ProceduresIt is important that students arrive on time to class. Warm-up and review activities will begin upon entering the classroom. Students who arrive at school after 8:15 will need to go to the office to obtain a pass to enter the classroom. Please call or e-mail your child’s teacher for homework when absence occurs. If you have a planned absence which will require make-up homework, please give your child’s teacher a week’s notice to gather materials. Please refer to the Student Handbook for Norterra Canyon’s tardy policy which went into effect during the 2011-2012 school year.Please call the attendance line to report an absence at (623) 445-8290.Parent Volunteer InformationParent Volunteers are a wonderful and enriching part of a classroom environment and we welcome your involvement. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the sign-up information that your child’s teacher will be sending home at the beginning of the school year. If you do wish to volunteer, please attend Norterra Canyon’s volunteer training. If you’ve previously attended the training there is no need to attend again.Also, if you have a special skill, interest or hobby that you would like to share with your child’s class, please let your teacher know. We welcome guest speakers! Snacks and Water BottlesDue to the heat, water bottles are important to maintain hydration on hot days. Please be sure to send a labeled water bottle to school with your child on P.E. Days. Water bottles are acceptable on other days as well. (Please note: No color water or vitamin water is allowed in class)BirthdaysBirthdays are special times for children. We will celebrate birthdays during the last fifteen minutes of the school day. It is important to the integrity of our classroom structure that you plan these events with your child’s teacher in advance. If you choose to bring in a food item please be sure that it is store bought as per district policy.Homework ExpectationsHomework is a great opportunity to practice concepts taught in class. Math homework will be sent home most days and will be recorded in their student planner. Each class may have a slightly different homework schedule based on the students’ needs and teacher’s preferences. Contact your teacher right away if you have questions about your child’s homework routine. Students should not spend more than 30 minutes on homework each night. Homework should never become a stressful or frustrating experience! If you have any concerns about the amount of time you are spending on homework, it is crucial that you contact your child’s teacher right away. Modifications can be made, but we can only do that if you communicate your concerns! One of the most important responsibilities that parents have in their child’s education is establishing expectations and a routine for homework completion. Please help your child to be successful in school by showing them that you value their homework responsibilities, and teach them the organizational and time management skills they need to become independent. Students will keep a weekly reading log. Students are expected to read a minimum of 20 minutes per night in addition to the regular homework. A reading log will be given at the beginning of each week and returned on Fridays. Please be sure to sign this nightly. Research shows that children who read daily with a caring adult score higher on standardized tests, develop a love of reading, and achieve better academically. Grading Policy and ScaleDVUSD uses an on-line gradebook called Powerschools. If you do not already have your child’s access code, please request it from the front office. Please view your child’s grades frequently and communicate any concerns with your teacher immediately. The grading scale for third grade is:100-90A 89-80B 79-70C 69-60D 59 & belowFPlanners Each third grader will be receiving a yearly Norterra Canyon planner the first week of school. This needs to be brought to school each day. The homework that your child is responsible for completing will be written in their planner. Please check and sign these daily. Academic InformationSubject Areas & CurriculumAll lesson planning is directly aligned with the Arizona Third Grade Academic Standards as defined by the Arizona Department of Education.Reading: Language arts is taught for the first 90 minutes of the day. The following are some research based, high-yield curriculum models and programs that we use:Pearson Reading Street (can be viewed online)Literacy StationsLiterature StudiesGuided ReadingSkill GroupsWriting:Writing is integrated into all content areas. The following are some processes we will use on a daily/weekly basis:Reflective JournalsWrite From the BeginningSpelling:Spelling will be differentiated based on students’ needs. Please help your child study their words throughout the week so they will be successful on their tests. Mathematics:Math is taught for 1 hour each day. We use a hands-on approach to build a strong conceptual foundation for each new concept. Math homework is assigned as practice of what we have learned in class and is an essential part of your child’s learning process. Some of the resources and models we use are:Scott Foresman envisions (can be viewed online)InvestigationsCenters and gamesSocial Studies and Science The third grade team will rotate classes for these content areas. This will allow us to provide a rich and exciting project-based curriculum that integrates technology, literature, and writing with our science and social studies standards. Homework will not be assigned frequently, but you will be asked to complete some home projects throughout the year. These are designed to offer meaningful opportunities for you to learn with your child while building vital connections that children need for valuable, authentic learning.The following are the areas of study we will explore:Social Studies: American HistoryWorld HistoryCivics and GovernmentGeographyScience: Life science: life cycles and functions of plants, plant and animal adaptationsPhysical Science: light and sound, energyEarth Science: rocks and minerals, layers of the Earth ................
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