Welcome to Third Grade

Third Grade Objectives We want our Third Graders to become: Self-Directed Learners Self-Managing Students Responsible Citizens Life-Long Learners

How Do We Reach These Goals? Teamwork Communication Letting go and letting the child achieve, falter, and learn

Belmont Station is a PBIS School! PBIS = Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports A proactive and interactive approach to establish a social culture in a school that supports social, emotional, and academic success We call it... being a STAR and showing S-T-A-R Behavior! Classroom Behavior Referral/Think Sheet

What does S-T-A-R Stand For?

For example, at Recess S-T-A-R should look like this...

Behavior-PBIS Rewards for good behavior will vary from class to class and includes earning: STAR Bucks Classroom Incentives Some examples might include earning the chance to... Take your shoes off in class. Sit in the teacher’s chair.

Homework Reading - 10-15 minutes a night The LCPS guidelines for third graders suggests 30-45 minutes of homework per night. Reading - 10-15 minutes a night Math Homework –Reflex/DreamBox/Worksheet Science, Social Studies and Language Arts – assigned on select days Study Spelling - Test each Friday, unless otherwise noted Please sign the Student Agenda daily! Belmont Station Elementary School Website

Homework If a student repeatedly forgets to complete and return homework assignments, he or she will go to the “Opportunity Station” to complete the work during lunch. Homework will not normally be assigned on Friday, Holidays, or Field Trip Days.

Please choose healthy snacks! Please be mindful: we do have snack in the classroom and have children and teachers who have severe food allergies. We ask that you only send snacks that do not contain any tree nuts, peanuts, or nuts.

Communication There are many ways to communicate with your child’s teacher: Student Agenda Remind Email -Third Grade Website Handwritten Notes Telephone Conversations Parent/Teacher Conferences

Remind

Summative Report Card Grading (4) A = Outstanding Self directed, demonstrates skills and concepts at a highly proficient level, consistent insightful understanding (3) B = Very Good Developing proficiency with skills taught, applies skills and concepts appropriately and overall understanding (2) C = Satisfactory Recalls and uses skills with some consistency and limited understanding (1) D = Needs Improvement Needs significant teacher support and responses are limited or incomplete F=Not Performing

Third Grade Progression Scale (Formative) 4 = Exceeds Standards 3 = Meets Standards 2 = Progressing Towards Standard 1 = Below Standard

Assessment, Phoenix, Report Cards Diagnostic Assessments– PALS Test and Beginning of Year Inventory Tests Formative Assessments– Classwork, Observations, Participation, and Exit Tickets Summative Assessments– Unit Tests, Knowledge Checks, and Projects/Presentations

Third Grade Tests PALS – Phonological Awareness & Literacy Screening MAP- Measures of Academic Progress (Math, Reading, Science) SOLs – Standards of Learning Tests (Math, Reading) Naglieri-Search Department

Our Journey     We are on a journey of change with the primary objective to transform the delivery methods in our classrooms to match the learning needs of the modern student.  

Personalized Learning

Empowering Students to Make Meaningful Contributions to the World

Belmont Station Problem of Practice Teachers need a way to visualize what successful implementation of differentiated instruction looks like and how it benefits students because student success is at the heart of any instructional practice. Students need a way to take ownership of their learning because it leads to better engagement and a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

The Third Grade Math Curriculum Covers: Subtraction Graphs Place value Time Money Multiplication Addition Division Geometry Fractions Decimals Measurement Probability

How You Can Help Practice Math Facts - Reflex Play Math Games - Internet Dreambox - 60 minutes per week (2 times at school, 1 time at home)

Dreambox Math Software Available to all students at Belmont Station from home and school (web-based) Individualized, conceptually based math program Program continually assesses in a fun and engaging way and adjusts to your child’s needs Robust reporting will be shared with parents at conferences and within report card comments Dreambox Math Software Students complete sessions at school but we would like all students to complete one session a week (about twenty minutes) at home.

Reflex and Dreambox are available on iPads!

Spelling Objectives Use correct spelling on weekly spelling tests Use correct spelling of common words in writing assignments

How You Can Help Review spelling words and homework nightly Give practice tests Look for good spelling in all academic subjects

Reading Objectives Fluency Comprehension Strategies Working with Words Independent Reading

How You Can Help Discuss current book selection Continue to read developmentally appropriate books with your child Encourage library visits Ask comprehension questions

Writing Objectives Paragraph Writing Descriptive Writing Writing for an Audience Writing for a Purpose Multi-Paragraph Stories Reports

How You Can Help Talk about possible writing topics Encourage use of powerful adjectives and verbs Read their writing and praise them Have them write in their journals at home

Scientific Investigation Science Objectives Scientific Investigation Soil Simple Machines Plants Living Systems Energy Matter Life Processes Earth, Sun, Moon Natural Resources Water Cycle

Social Studies Objectives Geography and Map skills Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Ancient Mali Economics Famous Americans Famous Explorers Government Civics

BeST Third Grade Website Nine Week Plans Upcoming Tests/Special News Website Links Spelling Lists Homework Belmont Station Elementary School

We look forward to working with your children and doing our BeST to help them have a successful year in third grade!