Classroom Rules
The behavior of the students in and out of the classroom has a definite effect on the learning environment. Therefore, rules and guidelines must be followed by all students. I expect each student to follow the rules for ALL teachers and aides, not just in their classroom.
Here are the classroom rules:
1.Follow directions quickly
2.Raise your hand for permission to speak
3.Make smart choices
4.Keep your dear teacher happy!
We use Class Dojo as our classroom management system. Students earn/lose points for good/bad behavior, participation, following directions, etc. If you haven't signed up online, please do so!
We also have a school wide language of rules for this year. They are:
I can be a Role Model to others.
I am showing Good Character.
I am doing my Best to learn.
I can make Better choices.
I can Reflect on my choices.
Grading Policy
One of the greatest differences between 2nd and 3rd grade is the grading system. In third grade, we implement letter grades that are based upon a percentage of points your child earns. The grading system is as follows:
A=100-93
B=92-85
C=84-75
D=74-70
F=69 and below
As per the Mantua Township Board of Education, the final grade is averaged with the following:
Assignments will be graded with the following marks:
(check) + 9.5/10
(check) 8.8/10
(check) - 7.7/10
(check) -- 7/10
Tests
Reading will operate on 3 week schedule (unless otherwise noted). We will spend 3 weeks on a common core skill before we test on it.
Reading quizzes/tests will be a mixture of multiple choice and open ended using the RACES strategy.
Spelling tests will be conducted after each unit.
Study guides for science and social studies will be sent home 4-5 days before a test
Not all math tests/quizzes will be announced
*Some projects may count as test grade
Retesting Policy
One of the key tenants of our district vision is to develop a “growth mindset” by creating a culture of continuous learning where students are challenged with a rigorous curriculum and have multiple opportunities to re-learn and re-assess on material until they have reached intended levels of mastery. Students should understand that failure is never final and that through determination, persistence, and practice they can improve themselves.
Our teachers' aim is to consistently follow up with struggling students with personal attention and establish classroom cultures of re-teaching and reassessment. How this actually plays out each day in the classroom may differ slightly but the guidelines below should be consistent among schools and grade levels:
Homework
Homework/Assignment Book: Please make sure to check your child’s assignment book every night. Please see handbook provided for other information regarding homework.
Full credit is given for homework that is turned in on time and completed to the best of the student's ability. If your child has difficulty with the assignment, please let me know so we can practice the skills. Please do not spend hours on homework!
Homework is worth 10 points.
1 point will be deducted if homework is turned in 1 day late. The student will have to option to complete the assignment at lunchtime or complete it at home.
If homework is not completed on the second day 2 points will be deducted. The assignment will have to be completed at lunch time.
I know that everybody has crazy days and I will try to be as accommodating as possible. However, please note that sports, dance and other similar activities are not an adequate excuse for late homework.
Curriculum
Reading
The focal point of the language arts program is a Common Core literacy program. This program is challenging, and better prepares students for the PARCC test, as well as everyday thinking and problem solving. Every five days(unless noted), your child will be introduced to a new story. The comprehension skill will be continued for three weeks, and then we will move into a new skill. Skill pages will be completed together and independently and sent home for you to use as a reference.
We have a new format for Reading tests. The test is what we call a "Fresh Read" The students are have to read a short story and apply the comprehension skill learned that week. They will also have to answer a question using the RACES method. In the beginning of the school year, we will only be asking the students to Restate and Answer (RA), but as the school year progresses, they will be asked to do all 5 parts of the open ended answer. If you have questions about the RACES method, please watch my Screencast to get a better understanding.
Writing and Grammar
Science and Social Studies
Math
Our math lessons are now aligned to the Common Core Curriculum Standards using the program, Math Expressions.
Some areas of study are as follows: Multiplication and Division, Understanding Fractions as Numbers, Solving problems involving all four operations and then explaining “how” they came up with an answer in writing and verbally. For our open ended questions, we will be using the IDEAL strategy.
In addition, it is crucial that your child study his/her basic +/-/x and division facts all year. We will also be incorporating Evan Moore Daily Math Practice daily to ensure consistency and continuity between grades 1-3.
Miscellaneous
Students are permitted, and encouraged to bring a daily, healthy snack. Some suggestions are a granola bar, fruit snacks, pretzel rods. Please be advised that we are a peanut free classroom, so please make sure that any snack is peanut free.
Students are permitted to bring in a small water bottle for their desk. Other types of drinks (soda, juice boxes, flavored water) are not allowed at their desks.
Please notify the office if your child has a change in their dismissal procedure. If a child tells me at the end of the day they are to be picked up, but I have received no note, they will be put in their bus line.
ENCORE Schedule:
Monday: Computers
Tuesday: Music
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Library
The behavior of the students in and out of the classroom has a definite effect on the learning environment. Therefore, rules and guidelines must be followed by all students. I expect each student to follow the rules for ALL teachers and aides, not just in their classroom.
Here are the classroom rules:
1.Follow directions quickly
2.Raise your hand for permission to speak
3.Make smart choices
4.Keep your dear teacher happy!
We use Class Dojo as our classroom management system. Students earn/lose points for good/bad behavior, participation, following directions, etc. If you haven't signed up online, please do so!
We also have a school wide language of rules for this year. They are:
I can be a Role Model to others.
I am showing Good Character.
I am doing my Best to learn.
I can make Better choices.
I can Reflect on my choices.
Grading Policy
One of the greatest differences between 2nd and 3rd grade is the grading system. In third grade, we implement letter grades that are based upon a percentage of points your child earns. The grading system is as follows:
A=100-93
B=92-85
C=84-75
D=74-70
F=69 and below
As per the Mantua Township Board of Education, the final grade is averaged with the following:
- Primary Assessments (Tests, Projects, etc.) = 50%
- Secondary Assessments (Graded Practice, Quizzes, etc.) = 35%
- Other (Homework, Guided Practice, Notebook Checks, etc.) = 15%
Assignments will be graded with the following marks:
- A number over another number. A 10/12 means your child received 10 out of 12 problems correct.
- Check marks:
(check) + 9.5/10
(check) 8.8/10
(check) - 7.7/10
(check) -- 7/10
Tests
Reading will operate on 3 week schedule (unless otherwise noted). We will spend 3 weeks on a common core skill before we test on it.
Reading quizzes/tests will be a mixture of multiple choice and open ended using the RACES strategy.
Spelling tests will be conducted after each unit.
Study guides for science and social studies will be sent home 4-5 days before a test
Not all math tests/quizzes will be announced
*Some projects may count as test grade
Retesting Policy
One of the key tenants of our district vision is to develop a “growth mindset” by creating a culture of continuous learning where students are challenged with a rigorous curriculum and have multiple opportunities to re-learn and re-assess on material until they have reached intended levels of mastery. Students should understand that failure is never final and that through determination, persistence, and practice they can improve themselves.
Our teachers' aim is to consistently follow up with struggling students with personal attention and establish classroom cultures of re-teaching and reassessment. How this actually plays out each day in the classroom may differ slightly but the guidelines below should be consistent among schools and grade levels:
- Students and parents should be aware of our commitment to offering re-takes. The message to our students should be “This is important, you can do it, and we are not going to give up on you.”
- Students should earn re-assessment opportunities through extra study and teachers may have to remediate on material that has been previously unlearned.
- Once a student is prepared for a re-take, it should be administered and scored (this should not necessarily be the same test and alternate versions of the material may be utilized).
- Furthermore, students earning lower than a 70% on a test will have the option to retest to demonstrate mastery of the specific skill missed. The students will get reteaching in class on that concept. In addition, students will be given a retake request that they will need to complete. This sheet should be filled out and completed by both the student and the parent in order to retest. If a student/parent does not want to retest, it will be noted on Power School. However, regardless of retesting or not, your child will be pulled in a small group so they can enhance their understanding.
Homework
Homework/Assignment Book: Please make sure to check your child’s assignment book every night. Please see handbook provided for other information regarding homework.
Full credit is given for homework that is turned in on time and completed to the best of the student's ability. If your child has difficulty with the assignment, please let me know so we can practice the skills. Please do not spend hours on homework!
Homework is worth 10 points.
1 point will be deducted if homework is turned in 1 day late. The student will have to option to complete the assignment at lunchtime or complete it at home.
If homework is not completed on the second day 2 points will be deducted. The assignment will have to be completed at lunch time.
I know that everybody has crazy days and I will try to be as accommodating as possible. However, please note that sports, dance and other similar activities are not an adequate excuse for late homework.
Curriculum
Reading
The focal point of the language arts program is a Common Core literacy program. This program is challenging, and better prepares students for the PARCC test, as well as everyday thinking and problem solving. Every five days(unless noted), your child will be introduced to a new story. The comprehension skill will be continued for three weeks, and then we will move into a new skill. Skill pages will be completed together and independently and sent home for you to use as a reference.
We have a new format for Reading tests. The test is what we call a "Fresh Read" The students are have to read a short story and apply the comprehension skill learned that week. They will also have to answer a question using the RACES method. In the beginning of the school year, we will only be asking the students to Restate and Answer (RA), but as the school year progresses, they will be asked to do all 5 parts of the open ended answer. If you have questions about the RACES method, please watch my Screencast to get a better understanding.
Writing and Grammar
- Writer’s Workshop and Quick Writing will be held regularly.
- Students will use a writer’s notebook or Chromebooks on a daily basis.
- Various skills, such as writing great leads/closings, word choice, and clearly expressing ideas will be taught.
- New grammar skills, are now infused into our new writing program, Write Steps.
- Cursive writing is being introduced through our Fundations program.
- This is our 2nd year using the curriculum, Fundations, across all grade levels.
- Wilson Fundations makes learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for life-long literacy. Students in grades K-3 receive a systematic program in critical foundational skills, emphasizing:
- Phonemic awareness
- Phonics/ word study
- High frequency word study
- Reading fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension strategies
- Handwriting
- Spelling
- The instruction aligns with states’ rigorous college- and career-ready standards, including the Common Core State Standards.
Science and Social Studies
- We will be switching between Science and Social Studies after each unit. We will start off the year with Social Studies with the TCI online program. For Science, Social Studies, and Health, we will be incorporating Social Studies Weekly, Mystery Science, and other supplemental materials.
- In both subjects, there will be projects and writing activities to help reinforce concepts.
- Some quizzes will not be announced.
Math
Our math lessons are now aligned to the Common Core Curriculum Standards using the program, Math Expressions.
Some areas of study are as follows: Multiplication and Division, Understanding Fractions as Numbers, Solving problems involving all four operations and then explaining “how” they came up with an answer in writing and verbally. For our open ended questions, we will be using the IDEAL strategy.
In addition, it is crucial that your child study his/her basic +/-/x and division facts all year. We will also be incorporating Evan Moore Daily Math Practice daily to ensure consistency and continuity between grades 1-3.
Miscellaneous
Students are permitted, and encouraged to bring a daily, healthy snack. Some suggestions are a granola bar, fruit snacks, pretzel rods. Please be advised that we are a peanut free classroom, so please make sure that any snack is peanut free.
Students are permitted to bring in a small water bottle for their desk. Other types of drinks (soda, juice boxes, flavored water) are not allowed at their desks.
Please notify the office if your child has a change in their dismissal procedure. If a child tells me at the end of the day they are to be picked up, but I have received no note, they will be put in their bus line.
ENCORE Schedule:
Monday: Computers
Tuesday: Music
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Library