Welcome To 3 rd Grade!

1. Welcome To 3rd Grade!

2. Above the Line Behavior Parents will always be notified if their child is “in the red”. These behaviors endanger, harm or hurt others and are potentially dangerous for the perpetrator as well. Parents will be notified by note and/or phone call in a timely manner.

3. Rewards and Consequences Rewards Consequences GBTO Good Behavior Time Out DTO Detention Time Out • September-Kickball • October-Game Day • November-Movie & Popcorn • December-Winter Bingo • January-Game Day • February-Dr. Seuss/PJ/Read In • March-Checker’s Tournament • April-Extra Recess • May-Extra Recess + Treat • Students work with an adult to come up with a good solution to their problem. • They may come up with a “fix it.” • They may lose some free time. • Notification is sent home from either the office or the classroom teacher when a child falls Below the Line or Bottom Line.

4. “…We are a bully free school, so we all do our best to be our best! You are ALWAYS welcome in our classrooms! Please… …Enter through main/center school door. You will be “buzzed” in… …stop at the office to sign in and get a “guest badge!”

5. AGENDAS Every student receives a really cool Agenda to keep track of homework, and special events! We use them everyday to learn to be organized and responsible! • Students are responsible for writing in their assignments each day. • Parents SHOULD sign the Agenda nightly. Your signature means that your child has his/her homework complete and ready for the next day. • Agendas can be used for communication between home and school. Feel free to write notes for your child’s teacher, but also be sure to check for notes to you from your child’s teacher. • Students receive one Agenda. If this agenda is lost, it will not be replaced.

6. MATH “…1,2,3,4! Who loves MATH shout for more!” • Everyday Math… • Timed Test/Facts Test • Math Journals/Corrections • Major Concepts

7. BALANCED LITERACY READING • Guided Reading-both trade books and leveled books. Groupings may be related to a skill, a tested ability, or may be grouped by interest. Trade Books are used to correlate to our learning in Science and Social Studies. • Shared Reading-Anthology Books. Excellent stories, poems and related writing experiences that tie into distinct themes throughout the year. • Daily “Read to Me” time-Snack Time. Students are read aloud to, or may follow along with a read aloud portion of a shared reading. Books include: Charlotte’s Web, Because of Winn Dixie, Stone Fox, Magic Tree House, etc. • Book It. This rewards students for the time they spend reading outside of school. Reading takes practice!

8. SOCIAL STUDIES We love learning about the world around us! Sheboygan Falls is just one of many communities around the world! • Topics Include: • Continents, Oceans, Mapping Skills • Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities • Our Land and Resources • America’s Early Communities • Communities in History • Newcomer’s Settle • Immigration and Ancestry • Being An Active Citizen • Government: How it works (Local, State and National) • Project and Activities Include: • “Country Brochure”- Students research a country of their ancestry and create a brochure for that country. • Family History and Ancestry-Students interview family members to learn more about their own heritage. • Mapping games and skills-From Portfolio Assessments to games, students learn about and apply geographic/mapping skills.

9. SCIENCE Science is WAY COOL that’s for sure, but this year it’s going to be BEYOND WAY COOL! It’s going to be out of sight! • Ponds, Wetlands Let’s learn about the Food Chain and Ecosystem of a Pond and other wetlands. How does weather affect this habitat? Hey, what is “habitat” anyway?!? A field trip to Camp YKODA in October makes our Unit amazing! • Animal Studies Animals are clever critters! They have unique and amazing ways to survive and thrive in their homes! They have incredible adaptations…. • Weather Storms, weather phenomenon and pressure systems make this unit “way cool!” • Motion and Design This EINSTEIN UNIT promises 6 weeks of inquiry based, hands on learning that goes beyond fun! If you like K-Nex, this unit is for you! • Flight This EINSTEIN UNIT takes us to the clouds and beyond! Just how did the Wright Brothers do it?!?

10. SPELLING Spelling is easy when you learn to spell the sounds you hear! • Preview-Similar to a pretest. 5-7 key words are tried out that relate to a specific Phonics Skill. Students correct their own Previews. • Phonics Concepts-Each Unit has 2-3 key concepts that cover everything from vowel sounds to consonant digraphs and easily confused words. • Practice-Students practice words throughout the week that go along with the key concepts for the Unit. There is a “Dear Parents” letter that gives students practice with key Unit skills. • Unit Test- Applies key concepts from the Unit with a “Word Test”, a “Skills Test”. • Priority Words and Core Words. • Most students become better spellers because of the repetition, phonics component and the applied usage of new words.

11. Cursive Writing and 6-Traits of Writing • Cursive • Step by step method • Groups letters by “motion” made to create letter. • Includes a “write in” book and extra worksheets for daily review. • 6-Traits of Writing • CONVENTIONS • ORGANIZATION • IDEAS • Voice • Word Choice • Fluency • +1-Presentation • Writing Process • Prewriting • Drafting • Editing • Revising • Publishing Writing is even better when we can use cursive! We love writing using the 6-Traits of writing and the Writing Process. We write like authors!

12. Field Trips We love field trips. • Camp YKODA-This day trip enhances our learning about Ponds and Wetlands, as well as environmental studies. Chaperones will take a “hands-on” role along with the students. We “go” rain or shine.

13. We’re all part of an important LEARNING TEAM Parent+ Student+Teacher=SUCCESS! “Staying in touch and working together means success in learning, AND makes learning tons of fun!” • 3rd Grade Newsletters-Grade level newsletters will keep parents aware of events, projects or just share current classroom learning. • Student Led Conferences-Each October and March conferences provide a chance for students to share their learning and classroom successes through the sharing of their portfolios. • Contacting Your Child’s Teacher • Contact information is available through the school web site. • Send notes with your child to school, or use your student’s Agenda. • Call during regular school hours. You may leave a message with secretary, a voice mail or speak directly to teacher. • Calling after school hours-input teacher’s extension number to leave a voice mail.

14. WKCE Testing Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination “…This is a very important statewide test that helps me show what I really know in Math and Reading.” • Given each October/November to 3rd Graders throughout the state. • Assesses students in Reading and Mathematics. • Testing is conducted mornings only during the dates of testing. • Students MUST be in attendance during the dates of testing. • Parents will be notified of actual testing dates as soon as possible. • Students should… • Eat a good breakfast • Get a good night’s sleep each night • Have all needed materials for testing.

15. Sheboygan Falls Elementary School! We’re looking forward to a great year!