Homework
Your child
will usually get homework each evening except during special events. It should only take them less than half an hour.
If, for any emergency, your child cannot complete his assignment, a
note would be appreciated. Any incomplete assignments will be made up during recess or
that evening with any new homework, if there is any. Homework is given in order that the student learns
responsibility, and to understand that it is their own responsibility.
Please initial each sheet so I know you have seen and reviewed the
work. Too many times parts are
skipped. I ask that you allow
your child to do the work, for it is work that I covered already.
Nothing new is ever sent for homework.
Something new this year has been
added to help with keeping homework organized.
We now have a spiral homework tablet.
I would ask that you sign the homework tablet each evening at the
bottom tan part where it says “initials”.
I will most likely have all the homework ready to be entered for the
week on Monday. That way
you will have an idea of what to expect.
Important
Papers
There are many important papers coming home in the next few days.
Returning them promptly will help us to get all correct information to
the office and our files.
Even if the sheet does not apply to you, send it back with your
signature so we have a record that your received it.
In the event of an early dismissal or other special events, a message
will be sent home.
Absences
and Notices
After a child is
absent, he needs to bring in an excuse when he returns. If an excuse is
not turned in within 2 days, the office will call the home requesting an
excuse be sent. When a child is absent, his schoolwork will be sent home
with a family member or friend, so don’t forget to fill in the Homework
Buddies Sheet. I’ll make every effort to send home the day’s work
for your child so they are not behind.
If your child is to leave school in any different manner than usual
(walking home instead of riding the bus), I need to have a note so that we
know where the child is to go.
Also, please be sure your child knows where to go if there is an early
dismissal.
Cafeteria
Money
The cost of a lunch in the cafeteria for the 2003-04 school year is
$1.25.
I will keep money in a drawer in case your child forgets their lunch
money for that day.
They can then return the money to me the next day.
This is on an honor basis.
I do this so the children will not skip lunch because they forgot their
money. They
are not allowed to use this money for snacks, only for the cost of a lunch.
Students are also allowed to charge a lunch in the cafeteria, if they
should forget their money.
The
Worry Box
In my room there is a box marked “Worry Box”.
Many times a child has a question or a fear that they’re
uncomfortable about discussing.
All they need to do is write down the worry or fear and place it in the
box. No
one is to mention any names or to sign their name.
During the week I will discuss those worries with the class.
Many times more than one child has the same worry.
By addressing these worries, as they arise, adjustment to the third
grade will be much easier.
Special
Days
On certain days I will announce a special dress day for the third grade
students. Sometimes
it may be “Gold, Green, and White Day”,
“Jeans
Day”, “Sweatsuit Day” or “Papoochie Day” (bedroom slipper day).
Your child is under no obligation to participate, but I feel it’s fun
to vary from the normal daily routine.
Journals
We will be doing journals in the third grade.
Your child will write in their journal once a week.
They will be assigned a certain day of the week.
Each entry must be at least one page. (No skipping lines)
They can make a few smaller entries instead of one longer entry if they
find it easier.
They are to write down any stories they’d like to tell about their
life, any thoughts or concerns they may have at the time, or a question
they’d like to ask me.
I will answer their journal each week and return it.
This is a conversation between your child and myself.
No spelling or punctuation will be checked as I want this to be a free
expression of your child’s thoughts and ideas.
I do however, expect basic rules of grammar to be followed.
Your child may not want you to read this and there is no problems with
that. It
is a wonderful way to establish a closer bond between your child and myself.
Classroom
Library Book
In my classroom are hundreds of books.
Your child may sign out any book to take home overnight or on the
weekends. They
then can read a book of interest at their leisure.
I do ask that they’re returned after a few days and also be taken
care of properly.
Many of these books are of high interest to their grade level and
rarely get back onto the shelf because someone’s waiting for it.
I also have lots of reference books that may be read in the classroom.
These cannot be taken home for they are hard covered reference books
that are everyone’s favorites!
Book
Orders
We order from Troll
Book Club and Lucky Book Club. Every 2 or 3 weeks and order will be sent
home. Your child is under no obligation to order any books. There
are many students who like to accumulate their own “library” at home.
These books are designed for the third grade level. If you would like to
write a check (which is easier for me) please make it payable to that book
company.
Science
and Social Studies
We have a new science book this year, so the approach will be new.
I am also piloting a new social studies book.
Language
Arts
Our reading series encompasses reading, language, and spelling.
Therefore your child’s curriculum has these three subjects
correlating with each theme in the reader.
Extra drill in spelling, language, and reading will be used as a
supplement to reinforce these skills.
We will also be working on test taking skills to prepare us for the
PSSA’s.
The spelling list will be used for four days. Spelling words are mostly
from the story and the rest are from the content areas such as math, science,
and social studies.
There are 15 list words and 10 from content areas.
On the third day, the 15 list words will be dictated in 10 sentences.
On the fourth day, there will be a test on the list of 25 words.
Tests are normally given after each theme, chapter, or unit.
There will also be additional tests or quizzes given.
Math
The math series devotes a lot of time to reasoning and logic and the
“how” and “why” of math, so there may not be a lot of computation
problems to practice for homework.
There will be at least one or two questions for homework that require
an explanation each assignment.
We
will do practice sheets and a daily review sheet for homework.
These will not take long as they are an application of that day’s
lesson and reviews of previous lessons.
We will still drill addition and subtraction facts.
I will send home a set of flash cards for your child to use at home.
Before the second half of the year multiplication and division will
start. As
with addition and subtraction, it is important to know the facts comfortably.
I will send home flash cards, games and tricks to make the learning
more comfortable.
Handwriting
Not all penmanship is perfect, but I will not accept careless or sloppy
work that I cannot read.
It will have to be redone.
If you have any questions regarding anything, please send a note and
I’ll try to answer it at quickly as I can.
If you need to reach me by phone, it’s best to call before the day
begins at 8:40.
Thank you,
Mrs. Madrack
Grade 3- Room 105