1. Ms. Mahoney’s Marvelous Class
Welcome to
Ms. Mahoney’s Marvelous Class
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2. Curriculum
The 3rd grade curriculum consists of Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Our curriculum follows the Florida Standards, providing every child with a well-rounded education.
We will be utilizing “Journeys”, “Science Fusion” and “Go Math” Mathematics Florida Standards textbooks and workbooks to supplement the curriculum. Along with the textbooks, we will also incorporate newspaper articles, magazines, and novels into their learning and enrichment.

3. Florida Standards Assessment (FSA)
The Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) is the state exam which will assess students in English/Language Arts and Mathematics.
This test will provide a more authentic assessment of the Florida Standards, because it will include more than multiple choice questions. Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests. New question types will assess students’ higher-order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.
Assessment will take place April 9-13 (ELA) & April 16-May 11 (Math-CB). Somerset FSA Tutoring Program- Registration will be before winter break and classes will commence in January.

4. Grades and Pinnacle Pinnacle Weights Classwork= 45% Assessments= 45%
Online Programs = 5%
Projects = 5%
100% – 90% A
89% - 80% B
79% - 70% C
69% - 60% D
59% and below F
Pinnacle is our student database system. Parents will be able to access their child’s grades through this system. Login information will be distributed in the upcoming weeks. We encourage parents to look at Pinnacle frequently (at least once a week) to check your child’s progress.

5. Pinnacle Directions https://gb.browardschools.com/pinnacle/gradebook/
Username:
Password: PMM/DD/YYYY (Date of Birth)
Example:
User:
Password: P07/25/2001 (Date of Birth)
***Please be advised that Parent Pinnacle Access will be available after Labor Day (per the county). ***

6. Schedule 8:15 - 8:45 Morning Business 8:45 - 10:15 Reading
10: :25 Snack/Bathroom
10:25-11:25 Math
11:25 – 12:00 Specials
11: :05 Math
12: : Lunch
12:40 - 1: Science/Social Studies
1:30 – 2:00 Structured Physical Activity
2:00-2:25 SSR (Novel Reading)
2:25-2:30 Dismissal

7. Specials Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Music
Binder & recorder
Art of Leadership
STEM/
Computer Science
P.E.
Wear PE uniform
World
Languages
8:45-9:20

8. Classroom Management
Rules (Be a Superhero)
Rewards
Groups (tallies)
Individuals (punch cards/Clips)
Class (Compliment System- Build a Super Hero)

9. Planner
Planners are used daily and provide important information such as the year long calendar of school activities, homework, testing dates, spelling/vocabulary words and notes from school to home.
Reviewing the planner nightly will give you an opportunity to check and discuss your child’s homework and progress.
Your child’s planner will have the most current homework assignment & testing dates.

10. Homework Homework is assigned daily and turned in the following day.
Students should expect approximately an hour of homework daily in order to reinforce material covered and maintain their grades.
Your child will have regular subject content area homework Monday through Thursday. Homework will also be posted on my Web-Page on (*Your child’s planner will have the most current assignment.*)
On Fridays, the students must fill out a Friday Folder log and have it signed by the parent to show on Monday. Also, students should put their Spelling and Vocabulary words in their planner for the following week.

11. Spelling/Vocabulary Homework Math Homework Reading Social Studies
Assigned each night Monday-Thursday. Test Every Friday
Math Homework
GO MATH workbook page(s) assigned each night Monday-Thursday
Reading
Reader’s Notebook page (s). Also, It is required for students to read any age appropriate book or story of choice for minutes every weeknight.
Social Studies
Current events are due every Thursday. Article needs to be underlined. Directions are posted online and it will be modeled in class.
**Once the lessons are taught, Students can complete homework in class during free time.**

12. Assessments Assessments count for 45% of your child’s final average.
Reading/ ELA Tests- At the end of each week, our assessments will include: Spelling, Vocabulary Definitions, Grammar, and Reading Comprehension. Reading Comprehension tests are open book (locating information).
Math, Social Studies, and Science Tests: will vary based on the length of the chapter. Students will receive a study guide the night before.
Students are not permitted to take text books home, but are available online on Thinkcentral.com
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13. Importance of Multiplication Tables
Starting with Chapter 3 in our Go Math! Series, the children will begin studying Multiplication.
The multiplication chapters will be followed by division and fractions chapters.
It is imperative that students memorize their multiplication facts (0-12) by the beginning of October, in order to fully comprehend and master the skills in the following chapters.
We, as a team, begin multiplication homework by the second week of school in order to prepare the children for the future chapters in our math series.

14. Communication and Friday Folder
Communication is an important part of success for your child. I will provide weekly updates via an distribution list and online through my Web-Page on Somerset Academy.com
The fastest way to reach me is by . Please feel
free to me at
with any questions or concerns anytime.
Friday folders are sent home every Friday. Please
review and keep all papers at home. If any papers need
to be signed, please do so and return on Monday.
It is my commitment to help your child succeed by establishing a strong school-home connection created through parent-teacher communication. Please be advised that I will begin conducting conferences in October. .

15. Parent Volunteer Hours
Parents must complete a total of 30 volunteer hours.
These hours may be completed by helping out in the classroom or school, purchasing supplies for the class, volunteering for events/projects, or chaperoning on field trips.
If an item from my WISH LIST is purchased, PLEASE complete a Volunteer Record Form and attach the receipt. I will sign the form and turn it in to the office.
Please keep in mind that parents are able to monitor and check their volunteer hours on-line.
  1) Go onto:
2) Log in: ########## (student ID number)
3) Password: mm/dd/yyyy (student’s birthday)
(*** slashes are required***)

16. Parent Volunteer Hours
Room Parent- any parent(s) interested in becoming a room parent for our class, please send me an . Duties will include decorating doors, participating in school events, organizing and communicating with class parents for special occasions, etc.
Meet the Masters- any parent(s) who would like to volunteer for our Arts education program, please fill in the form or send me an .
“Photo” Parent- any parent who would like to take charge of the pictures for our class and make the slideshow/CDs at the end of the year, please send me an .

17. Follow Somerset School Uniform Policy.
Uniforms
Follow Somerset School Uniform Policy.
P.E. Days – Students wear their P.E. uniform.
Spirit Days - Students can wear their Green Spirit shirt and jeans.
Dress Down Days – Last Friday of each month and for special events students can dress down for $2 (Please check the school uniform policy on which attire is appropriate for dress down days).

18. Attendance
Somerset Academy follows Broward County Schools Attendance Policy 5.5!
This means every minute counts, from absences,
tardiness, and early sign outs.
School begins at 8:30 am. Students that arrive late to school must have parents sign them in the office and pick-up a late pass before walking to the classroom. Please be aware that your child is now in Building B and the walk is longer.
For absences: Please provide a note explaining the reason for your child’s absence the day he or she returns to school. You may also call the hotline or Mrs. O’harriz at
If you are planning for a trip or special occasion, you must submit a letter and get prior approval. Failure to get pre-approval may result in unexcused absences on your child’s attendance record.

19. Cafeteria Cafeteria Manager: Ms. Canete 954-442-0233 ext. 620
Breakfast price: $1.50
Lunch price: $3.25
ALL PAYMENTS ARE MADE ONLINE!
Monthly menus are available on our website
Free and Reduced Lunch-applications will be available in your child’s first day packet of information

20. ONLY COMPLETE FRONT PAGE OF APPLICATION
Lunch Application
Families are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to complete a Lunch Application Form by September 29th (ONLY 1 FORM PER FAMILY)
Part 1: List family members that live in the home
Part 2: Complete if you receive State/Government Benefits. Must include case number and beneficiary’s name
Part 3: ONLY include name of family member with income
Part 3: Select Income Type and include Income Frequency
Part 4: Complete personal date section, including Primary Income Provider’s Signature and last 4-digits of social security number
Part 5: Choose Ethnicity & Race
ONLY COMPLETE FRONT PAGE OF APPLICATION

21. Early Pick-up is not allowed after 2:00 P.M.
Dismissal
Carpool pick-up Middle School circle from 2:25 - 2:30 p.m. After 2:50, they will be sent to the Elementary Office and incur a late fee.
Younger Brothers & Sisters: escorted to Building A for one pick up.
Bus: escorted to Building A cafeteria
Older Sibling: Pick up at 3:00pm by middle/high brother or sister at the assigned room.
Early Release Days – dismissal is at 12:30 p.m.
If you are picking up your child from carpool: Please hang colored decal from your rearview mirror and make sure to include your child’s name using a dark marker. This will allow our carpool to run smoothly.
Early Pick-up is not allowed after 2:00 P.M.

22. Reminders
Lunch is $3.25; accounts are up and running. Lunch payment online
At times, it is quite cold in the classrooms. Please send your child with a sweater to school if needed.
Students are required to bring a chapter book daily if they complete their work and for S.S.R time.
Online payments only. Checks will be allowed for Lunch accounts only.
Purchase a spirit shirt & Planner online.
Send 2 copies of insurance cards
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications are now available: Please refill out the forms I sent home, school didn’t copy back of it.

23. Educational Supplements (Websites):
What’s New for
Specials:
STEM/Computer Science (Mr. Lee)​: which will focus on computer literacy skills including keyboarding, Microsoft Word & PowerPoint, coding (how computer software works), etc. 
The Art of Leadership:  will focus on Sean Covey’s award winning book "The Seven Habits of Happy Kids“. Research:  
World Languages: will replace Spanish. In will include Spanish, sign, and other world languages.
Educational Supplements (Websites):
Think Central- Journeys, GO Math!, and Science Fusion
I-station
Imagine Math (previously TTM)

24. What’s New for
Electronics:
IPad, Kindles, phones, and laptops are allowed in the classroom (PLEASE!!!!)
Kahoot Lessons (trivia game based on lessons I have taught)
Trivia Crack (create questions based on curriculum & post them)
Educational sites: Reading Plus, study island, and researching.
Projects/presentations: PowerPoint, Word, Publisher

25. 3rd Grade Vs. 2nd Grade Curriculum
Reading to Comprehend
Reading to Apply/Interpret
Answers directly in passage
Clues in passage to Answer
Multiple choice
Fill in & extended responses
Give answer only
Explain how you got answer
One correct answer
Multiple correct answers
End of year test
End of year & FSA tests (MR)
Learning to read
Reading to learn (non-fiction)
Review (all A’s)
New concepts (challenging)

26. Gifted/Advanced/High Achiever
What is the Difference?
Same standards and textbooks
Incorporate novels, current events, hands on projects
Cooperative learning/Discussion
Thematic Units/Cross Curricular
Faster Pace
Experiments, Technology & Research
Freedom
Effort

27. Pencil Pouch: 3 pencils, 2 pens, highlighter, pencil sharpener
Supplies for Class
Pencil Pouch: 3 pencils, 2 pens, highlighter, pencil sharpener
Art Bag: crayons, markers, glue, scissors, colored pencils, ruler
Folders: please label with child’s name and subject
Blue: classwork
Red: homework
Green: writing
Composition books: please label with child’s name and subject
Reading interactive journal
Math interactive journal
Science & Social Studies interactive Journal

28. Final Note
I am truly excited to be teaching your child! I know that all children can learn and that it is a collaborative effort between the parents, teacher and student. I am committed to the success of your child and I hope to inspire and educate them. I know we will have a successful year!