Ms. Decker’s Third- Grade Class Welcome to Ms. Decker’s Third- Grade Class Welcome, students! Third Grade!!

Let's start with a prayer... “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ.” 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses 16-18  

Welcome Parents!

All About Me Graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2011. Taught both 3rd and 4th grade in Steubenville public schools.

All About Me St. Ann's School Volunteered for one year at St. Ann’s Indian Mission School. Taught 4th and 5th grade in the same classroom. St. Ann's School

Hired at St. Leo the Great July 2013 Hired at St. Leo the Great July 2013. Being at this school has been an amazing gift.

Happy to be back after a nine month maternity leave Happy to be back after a nine month maternity leave. Teaching is a HUGE part of whom I am and I’m so thankful for this class.

My Goals To bring Christ into every aspect of the classroom. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To be available for parents. Contact info: khicks@stleoschool.org or 717-394-1742  Please feel free to email at any time! I am always available and make it a point to get back as soon as possible. If you prefer to call, please use the school number listed above.

Class Subjects The subjects covered during third grade: Math Reading Social Studies Science Language Arts/Writing Religion Schedule will be posted on classroom board each day.

Specials Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Music 2:20-302 Library 9:30-10:15 Gym 1:30-2:20 Wednesday Spanish 11:05-11:55 Adoration 12:55-1:20 Thursday Art 12:50-1:40 Integrated Computers 1:40-2:20 Friday Computers 1:00-1:45 Gym: Please make sure socks are visible. No ankle socks allowed. Integrated Computer: Mr. Panyik and I will co-teach while students use computer skills to research topics throughout all subject matters. Students may also practice typing skills.

Reading Leveled Groups Read & Respond Meeting Times Expectations Group Project Read & Respond Third Grade Reading Level: N (30) O/P (34-38) Groups times will be announced once all testing is completed. Any group projects will be completed in class. If homework is assigned when group meets this will count towards Read and Response homework. Students are to complete ALL their work in order to keep up with their group. If not, students can lose privileges and may even be moved to a lower group. Groups will be reassessed throughout the year. Read & Respond: To be done every night and on the weekend. Read for 10 minutes and record what was read in reading log.

Writing/ Language Arts Spelling 2 week rotation No homework Cursive Journals Pen Pals Spelling: Words Their Way- teaches importance of word study through phonics, vocabulary, and the study of word patterns and their meaning. Differentiated instruction, allowing each student to work at their appropriate level. Words will be giving on a two week rotation. All work will be completed in class, however, students are encouraged to study words at home. Tests will be given every other Friday. Watch the wiki for spelling dates, as well as words for each group. Journals: Entry topic given on Tuesdays. Journals due on Friday. Answer topic and ask Mrs. Hicks a questions at the end. Students will be paired with students in third grade at a Catholic school in Chicago.

Math Math Drills Nightly Homework Math Drills: Helps build fluency and accuracy. Works so well as it only teaches 2 facts at a time and their reversals. Every day students will try to complete 60 problems in 1 minute. Incorrect answers are to be answered for homework 5x each on the back. Incomplete problems are also to be complete for homework. Set to be returned to school the next day.

Science Hands on Learning Biome in a Bottle Project Science Investigation Supplies May ask for supplies from time to time in order for all students to full participate in Science Investigations. Please don’t feel obligated to send students with items. Give what you can. May include: types of paper, small ziplock bag of cereal, sugar, qtips, toothpicks, etc.

Social Studies Map Skills Communities Native Americans Passports Detailed instructions will be given to students when projects are assigned. If questions arise once information packets are given, please ask then.

Religion Saint of the Week Vocation Prayer Chalice Program Prayer Services Advent Angels Saint of the Week: Saints are examples for our Christian life. Every week, a different saint will be introduced as another role model for students. Saints will be chosen based on relation to curriculum (my personal way to bring Christ into every aspect of our classroom!) Vocation Prayer Chalice Program: Every Thursday one student will be chosen to bring home our vocations chalice and will be asked to pray for priests and religious with their family for that week. Prayer Services: Every third Wednesday, students will gather with other third grade class to pray together. Advent Angel: More info given when Advent approaches.

Class Rules and Procedures #1 Follow directions quickly and quietly #2 Listen when your teacher is talking #3 Respect others, respect yourself, respect our school #4 Make smart choices #5 Keep your dear teacher happy Discipline Policy Snack Homework Policy Absentee Policy Classroom Jobs Discipline Policy I believe school should be a place of learning and fun. If a student is repeatedly not following the rules, a consequence will follow. Generally, recess will be lost. An email or phone call home will occur is recess is lost three times in a row. Homework Policy Homework is posted on our class wiki every night. Students are given 20 minutes to organize planner and back up for end of the day. Homework board is coordinated with student planner and all homework is to be written each day. Math and reading will always be given. I like to follow the rule of 10 minutes of homework per grade. If your child is working over 30 minutes on homework, that is TOO much! Simply write me a note or send me an email that they worked hard in those 30 minutes. However, if I do not hear from you, I will assume homework was not completed and a consequence will follow (see discipline policy). Homework passes are rewarded from time to time and students should try to use when an event is planned. Absentee Policy Please send a direct email if you would like schoolwork missed to be picked up at the end of the day. Also, if absence is known ahead of time, I will be able to gather materials for the work that will be missed. Snack: Please send your child with something everyday. I do keep snacks in case it was forgotten.

Friday Folder Tests and Grade Used every night for Math Drills and Read & Response Parents are to check for work sign off. Parent Communicator Folder will go back and forth every day in order for students to stay organized with nightly homework. This includes Reading and Math Drills. Grades will be given back every Friday. Please sign off next to date to indicate grades have been reviewed.

Field Trips Thursday October 29th. We are also hoping to plan a trip in the spring.

Let’s Have a Great Year! If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to get in tough with me. God bless! Mrs. Hicks