Dear Parents or Guardians,

          I would like to welcome you and your child to the third grade. I'm looking forward to the year ahead.  Your child will be introduced to many new things.  These include cursive handwriting, multiplcation, division, and more classwork.  We have many busy days ahead.  Yet, we have some fun things planned along the way.  This includes trips to the Fox Theater, the state capitol, and Shendoah Center sometime during the school year.

          Your child will be learning a new schedule at school.  They do classwork during the day.  Classwork has to be completed in class.  They can take classwork home each day if you would like to review it with them.  Everyday,  I will assign homework in two subjects.  Students are required to turn in papers the day it is due. 

          Your child will be issued an agenda.  Each week, he/she will be writng classwork and homework assignments in the appopriate places in the agenda. I will also be writing down grades and any problems or concerns in the classroom.  Your child is expected to show you the agenda each night in order to keep you informed of homework, grades, etc.  I ask that you check the homework and sign the agenda each night.  Your child will receive one free pass each nine weeks in case he/she forgets to get the agenda signed.  After his/her one free time, the child will receive a conduct cut, miss recess time and must call a parent as a reminder.  If a student loses an agenda, a replacement must be purchased at a cost of $5.00.  We hope the agendas will eliminate any confusion on homework, grades, conduct and will help with communication from school to home and back to school. 

During the first nine weeks, we will review the rules and work they did in second grade.  In math, we will review addition, subtraction and begin studing multiplication.  We will be starting a unit on rocks and minerals in science.  We will be working on this for several weeks.  In social studies, we will be reviewing how to read maps.  In reading, we will be reading stories that combine spelling, grammar and reading together.  Your child is encouraged to reread these stories at home on Thursdays.  It would be helpful if you asked your child questions about the story.  It would help to prepare them for our tests on Friday.  Examples of questions you could ask would be:  What happened in the story?  Did the main character have a problem?  What was the problem?  How did they solve their problem? 

          We will send home an envelope containing your child's work as often as possible.  Please review these papers with your child.  We believe this to be the best way for you to see what your child is doing in class and to see how well he(she) is doing.  Please sign and return the envelope the next day.  You may keep the papers. 

After the first nine weeks to help teach students the responsibilities they will need in fourth grade, zeros for missing work will not be dropped.  If they do not turn in their work on time, it can not be made up at a later date.  The exception to this rule is when a student is absent.  If a student is absent for a day, it is to be turned in within two days.  If it is an extended absence, they have a week to turn in their missed work.  So, to avoid grade threatening zeros, please encourage your child to return papers on time.

          Attached you will find a list of the classroom rules and a description of the classroom rewards and punishment techniques.  Please review these with your child.

          Also, I have included a student supply list and a list of supplies I will need throughout the school year.  Throughout the year, I supply as much as I can.  However, I would appreciate anything you can contribute to the classroom because these items can become quite expense when purchased throughout a school year. 

          If you have any questions or concerns about your child or the class, please contact me at school at (770) 254-2875, e-mail or write me a note.  I want to do as much as possible to insure your child's success.      

                                                         

                                                                             Sincerely,

                                                                   Mrs. Debbie Bassett
Student Supplies

Ø     1 inch three ring notebook (no trapper keepers!)

Ø      1 pocket folder w/ holes for notebook

Ø      wide ruled notebook paper

Ø      pencils

Ø      pencil pouch to fit in notebook

Ø      wireless composition notebook (black and white type)

Ø      colored pencils

Ø      a set of multiplication flash cards

Ø      red marking pens

These items are for classroom use throughout the year.

Ø      a large box of tissues

Ø     large bottle of hand sanitizer

Please write your child's name on all belongings.

Wish List

As I stated before, I supply as much as I can.  Yet, I can always use help in this area.

Ø      Packages of small individually wrapped candies

Ø      Dry erase markers and erasers

Ø      Tissues (for all those runny noses)

Ø      Pencils (decorated ones for rewards and plain ones for all those forgotten pencils)

Ø      Bookmarks

Ø      Sodas (for purchase after lunch with passes and also for parties)

Ø      Popcorn (for parties)

Ø      Stickers

Ø      Cups and napkins (for parties)

Ø      35 mm film (for pictures of classroom activities)

Ø      Puzzles, books, comic books, and small toys (for the treasure box)

Ø      Any other items you may think of that would be extra special for the treasure box.

You are not under any obligation to purchase any of these items.  Yet, anything you could send would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your time and generosity.

Classroom Rules

 

1.  Listen and follow directions the first time.

2.  Raise our hands using the “give me five” rules.

3.  Keep our hands and feet to ourselves.

4.  Be prepared for class.

5.  Finish all assignments neatly and on time.

6.  Respect others and their property.

7.  Talk one at a time and only with permission.

8.  Use time wisely.

9.  Be kind to everyone (no put-downs).

10. Will not leave my seat without permission.

 

These are hand signals we use to cut down on interruptions when students are working, or to get the classroom's attention quickly.

Give Us A Hand Rules

1 finger  - I've got a question.

2 fingers - I want to move/leave my seat.

3 fingers - I need help!

4 fingers - I'm finished, may I do a quiet activity.

5 fingers - 1 - eyes are on the speaker.

      2 - mouth is quiet.

                                    3 - body is being still.

                                    4 - hands are free.

      5 - ears are listening.

Behavior Plan

Rewards and Punishments

 

In order to have the best learning environment for everyone, your child's good behavior is essential.  They need to remain on task and to complete assignments on time.  Also, they are rewarded for working hard to achieve.  The following are the discipline strategies used in your child's classroom.

 

Rewards

Students can receive many different rewards.  These include:

Ø      Free passes - which can be used to purchase candy, soda, library time, free ice cream,     computer time, restroom/water break, keeping a stuffed animal on their desk, help make a bulletin board, or one free assignment.

Ø      Positive note home

Ø      Pass to sit with a friend for the day

Ø      Candy

Ø      Stickers

Ø      Pencils

Ø      Bookmarks

         

Punishments

If a student is disruptive, they will have to pull their card.  If the behavior continues, they will continue to pull cards with the following consequences.

Ø      1^st - warning     

Ø      2^nd – re-enforces first warning

Ø      3^rd – loss of half recess or free time and note home

Ø      4^th – conduct cut with a note home and no recess or no free time

Ø      5^th - 2^nd conduct cut with a note home and an office referral

 

 

Conduct Cuts

In third grade conduct cuts are used.  Each conduct cut reduces the childs behavior grade by two points.  Therefore, after five cuts, the students' grade has dropped an entire letter grade.

Class Reward                                                                                                                                                   As an added incentive for all students, the class works on a letter of the word BONUS each day.  If the class is talkative in the halls, disruptive when guests enter the room, or not quiet and ready to listen by the count of five, they receive a check by the letter of the day.  If the class receives three checks, they lose the letter and must try again the next day.  If they spell the word bonus, the class can choose to have a popcorn party, extra free time or lunch in the classroom.

 

I have found these methods to be the best overall to encourage classroom participation. Please review these with your child.

 

Homework Passes

Homework passes may be turned in at any time.  Yet, you may choose to save them.  Here is a list of the rewards and how many passes it takes for each.

# of passes                     Rewards