Mrs. Cloutier’s

Third Grade Class 2010-2011

Responsibilities and Discipline
Text Box: Weekly Homework and other Responsibilities   Dear Parents: September 1, 2010 Welcome to third grade!! Over the next couple weeks we will discuss: the role of a third grader, classroom rules, schedules, expectations, student planners, and begun our new curriculum. I am sending this letter home today so that you will have time to review the information which will be presented at the open house. Homework Each week the students will be given homework that reinforces concepts that have been taught in class. These homework assignments are geared to take the students 30-35 minutes to complete. If it is taking your child longer to finish their homework, and you have concerns, please let me know. If your child is finishing their homework quickly, please also let me know so that I can adjust what is given. Homework will be assigned every day including a reading log on Friday. In class the students will fill out their homework assignments for the week in their student planners. Please refer to the student/parent handbook for homework requirements and grading policy. Homework is an important part of each student’s grade. It is extremely important that homework assignments are completed and past in on time. Monday – There will be two assignments given on Monday. One will be an Everyday Math paper, due on Tuesday. The other will be a writing assignment in the student’s composition notebook called ‘Monday Night Journal Write’. This journal write homework assignment will not be due until Friday. Students will begin writing a half-page on any topic. This writing assignment is a ‘free write.’ It allows the children to write about anything they want and not worry about their spelling and/or other grammatical errors. Throughout the year we will be working on specific skills. Once a skill has been introduced, the students’ Monday Night Journal Write will reflect that skill. Once the students’ writing becomes more fluent, specific topics and longer writing requirements will be assigned. For now, allow them to free write and not worry about spelling errors. Tuesday – Two math assignments will be given. One will reflect what was introduced in the Everyday Math lesson, the other assignment will be a ‘Ground Works’ assignment. Wednesday – A grammar, reading, or skill paper reflecting what was studied in class along with an Everyday Math paper will be assigned. Thursday – A spelling paper and an Everyday Math paper will be assigned. We will be starting a new program called ‘Imagine It’ this year and I’m hoping that each student will have their very own leveled spelling words. On Monday the students will be introduced to their weekly spelling words. Then the students will work from two different challenge lists to create their own word preview paper to be quizzed on Friday. If this changes, I will notify you. Friday – A reading log paper will go home each Friday and should be returned on Monday, completed by both the student and parent. Along with the weekly homework, the students will be responsible for getting their student planners signed each night. After your child completes their homework assignment, please initial or sign at the bottom of that column under each night’s homework. On Friday, student planners will be checked for signatures. Please make sure your child’s student planner is brought back and forth to school every day. It can be left at school on Friday so that it will be in their desks when they arrive at school on Monday. For those students who have successfully completed ALL homework assignments and had their student planners signed for the entire year, a special celebration will be held over the summer. Those ‘super students’ will get together and go to Pawtuckaway for a day of swimming, eating, and playing! Always strive for success!!! Updates Every Friday, an update on your child’s progress for the week will be sent home in the form of a “Just an Update.” This notice will keep you informed as to the responsibilities your child has within the classroom and as a third grader. If incomplete classroom work is attached to your child’s update, that work must be completed over the weekend and returned to me for credit on Monday. If the update requests a signature, please sign and return the update by Monday. Please watch for these every Friday. They are an important connection between home and school. Book Projects The students will be doing 5-6 book projects this year. Book projects will be assigned approximately every other month starting in September (November, January, March, and May). Requirements will be sent home and placed on the web once the book project is assigned. Science/Social Studies This year your child will have Mrs. Duffy for Social Studies and myself for Science. Our class will be starting our first science unit (Life Structures) in September and information will be sent home informing you of each unit when it is introduced. Literature Circles Literature Circles will also be introduced this year. Once the NWEA testing is complete, I will set my groups and notify you of each of the roles, students, and books for each Literature Circle group. Reward Systems There are two types of reward systems in our classroom this year. One is an individual ‘bean’ reward and the other a ‘marble’ whole class reward. Individual beans are given to those students who are following the classroom rules, working cooperatively, listening to directions, and other characteristics that promote achievement. Beans can be traded in for rewards every Friday. Marbles are received when the whole class works together in cleaning up, working in groups, paying attention during lessons, participating, listening to instructions, and any other whole class behavior that promotes teamwork. Once the marble container is filled the class will decide how they wish to celebrate their accomplishment. The jar can be filled as many times as the class can fill it throughout the year. Class Schedule: Monday - Computer Lab 10:00-10:40 Tuesday - PE 10:00-10:40 Wednesday - Guidance (1st + 3rd) 10:00-10:40 - Enrichment (2nd + 4th) Thursday - Art 10:00-10:40 Friday - Music 10:00-10:40 Media Center RECESS - 12:00-12:25 LUNCH - 12:30-12:55 Please pack a water bottle for your child to keep at school. If there are any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My e-mail address is kcloutier@sau15.net or you can call the school and leave a message on my voice mail and I will return the call as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and cooperation. I look forward to working with both you and your child this year. Mrs. Cloutier