1. Back to School Grade 3

2. Third Grade Team Homeroom Ms. Gant
Ms. Darlington (T1) and Ms. Anthenien
Ms. Krieger
Ms. Lankford
Ability Group
Ms. Freeman
Ms. O’Mara

3. Specials (Art, Music, Technology, Physical Education)
Teachers – Introduction of Specials teachers present.
Curriculum
Classroom resources and tools
Extra Curricular opportunities
Grading

4. Did you know? Communication American Academy Website
All school events and policies
Grade 3 Webpage
Third grade specific events and curriculum
Infinite Campus
Dates and details for all assignments and assessments
Teacher- best able to answer your question
History: T1- Ms. Darlington/ T2 & T3- Ms. Krieger
Science: Ms. Gant
Literacy
T1- Ms. Krieger / T2 & T3- Ms. Anthenien
Ms. Lankford
During the first week of technology, Mr. Murphy will teach your child how to appropriately their teachers with questions.
Ms. O’Mara
Ms. Freeman

5. Login to AA Castle Pines
Grade 3 Webpage
Subscribe to Grade 3 Updates ( ed in AA and 3rd grade newsletter)
News (default)
Curriculum updates
Field Trip Information
Grade level events- Fun Run, Classroom Parties, etc.
Side Menu Navigation
Documents
Links
Literacy
Sign-ups - volunteering
Specials Schedules
Volunteer with any teacher.
Did you know?
Login to AA Castle Pines
Username: cpusers
Password: aacp4kids

6. Infinite Campus- Parent Portal
LOOK: Assignment/assessment information and grades will be updated frequently
Please SAVE work in case of an error so you can send the work back in for adjustments to IC.
MISSING ASSIGNMENTS- If you receive a missing assignment notice, this means
the assignment was not turned in with the rest of the class. Please ask your child to locate, finish, and turn it in. Once turned in, we will reflect the change in the gradebook. It will receive a late assignment grade. OR
your child was absent when the assignment was turned in. We will enter the assignment as missing until they return to school and complete the work. Once turned in, we will reflect the change in the gradebook. This does not fall under the late policy if turned in within the timeframe stated in the AA absent work policy.

7. Did you know? Infinite Campus- There’s an app for that!
On the app: If you are looking at the assignment list, you cannot see teacher notes or descriptions.
Click on planner, and go to your child’s schedule, click on each subject, click on the specific assignment to see all information.
If you accept push notifications on the app, you will be notified immediately (rather than waiting until 6pm) about missed assignments and updated grades, but you will get several notifications throughout the day.
Did you know?
Directions to get the IC app are on the AA Website. Click on Resources, Infinite Campus, and Infinite Campus Mobile Apps.
District ID: QKKYJL

8. AA Late/Absent Work Policies
Late Policy for Homework or Classwork:
K-3: Day 1: 10%
Day 2: 20%
Day 3-5: 50%
After 5 days: no credit will be received
Student must complete and turn in work ON TIME to receive full credit!
Absent Work Policy:
Students have 2 days for each EXCUSED absence to make up their work. Ex) If they were absent on Monday, they will obtain their missing work on Tuesday, and all work will be due on Thursday at the start of class.
If you request work before a planned absence, it is up to each individual teacher whether they will be able to provide you with work ahead of time or not. If you do receive work in advance, it is due the day your child returns; otherwise, it is considered late.

9. Did you know? American Academy Character History-
analyzing important people to know in our units of study
American Academy Character is reinforced by all teachers and IA’s.
Science-
used as model of good teamwork and using the scientific method
Literacy- developing ideas for our characters in writing
Used as language across all subject areas-
literacy (book characters, lessons in stories, writing ideas)
Science- perseverance even when things aren’t going your way
History- people we study
Specials-
in the moment lessons while engaging in content
Homeroom/Recess-
encourage social skills and lessons about interactions with others

10. Classroom Management
We use a color chart to track student behavior. Each day your child starts on green. Staying on green (or even going up to silver) earns your child a ticket which can later be turned into the classroom treasure box. If your child changes his/her “color,” it will be noted in their planner.
Silver day = above and beyond
Green day = great day, keep up the good work
Yellow day = slow down, make better choices
Orange day = making bad choices, time out to think
Red day = Discipline Process
Talking tickets- These are used to remind students when is and isn’t an appropriate time to talk to others (color change and 5 min of silent walking at recess).
Blue card- If your child forgets something and needs to return to another classroom, they will put in a “blue” card. This is NOT a color change, but they won’t receive a ticket at the end of the day.

11. Homework Binder & Planner
Planner: All homework should be written in your child’s planner along with information about behavior chart color.
Check daily and sign
Add questions or notes for teachers
Homework Binder: Eight labeled pockets help greatly with organization.
Graded work and school flyers will be in the “Keep at Home” pocket of the binder. Please check and empty this pocket daily to help with organization.
*Only remove items from the “Keep at Home” pocket of the folder.*
Please help your child remember their binder and planner daily!

12. Saxon Math
If your student is using a Saxon textbook, they have access to an online version so they do not have to lug that heavy book back and forth. If there is a discrepancy between the printed textbook and the online version, we will grade accordingly.
Assessments: Every 5 lessons (i.e. after lesson 10, 15, 20, 25, etc.)
Homework: generally every night (except on assessment days); lighter homework on Fridays
Fact mastery is necessary, so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Vocabulary study guides will be sent home periodically.
Homework will vary from class to class as we want it to be purposeful and focused on what our specific class needs

13. Science & STEM Science units with Ms. Gant Weather and Climate
Force and Motion
Changing Matter
Rocks and Minerals
Adaptations and Traits of Plants and Animals
Hands-on activities, inquiry style, science notebooks
STEM units with Ms. Weiss
Nov./Dec.- WeDo Robotics
Feb./Mar.- Sphero

14. Literacy Spalding (spelling, reading, and writing)
-research based literacy program focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension
-provides an interactive, multisensory approach to language instruction
Step Up to Writing (Intermediate)
-writing tools and mini lessons used to supplement Spalding writing curriculum
-multisensory, consistent approach to writing instruction
Shurley Grammar
-grammar concepts and sentence diagramming lessons to supplement Spalding grammar/writing curriculum
-multisensory instruction with jingles and sentence diagramming question and answer flow to support long term retention
Daily Language Instruction (DLI)
-weekly grammar concepts
-editing for errors

15. What does our Literacy block look like?
A.M. Language Arts 9:11-11:29 (20 min snack/recess break in the middle)
P.M. Language Arts 1:08-3:02
Read Aloud (10-15 min)
-demonstrate fluent and expressive reading; model new reading concepts/strategies
Spelling (15-20 min)
-phonogram practice (oral and written), spelling dictation, rule application, vocabulary
Grammar/Writing (40-45 min)
- language usage rules and application
Reading (40-45 min)
- reading strategies (Mental Actions), fluency, comprehension

16. Spelling Homework & Tests
Things to know:
Spelling Homework- Rather than assigning spelling soup or choose three each week, students will be required to “self study” for weekly spelling/vocabulary tests. There is a list of ideas for effective studying on my website under “my downloads.” Feel free to use these weekly to help your child study, but it will not be collected as a grade. Most weeks, however, I will be assigning at least 1 authentic spelling/vocab activity to be completed at home for a grade. These will always be posted in IC.
Spelling Tests- Most weeks your child will have a spelling test at the end of the week. The words for the week will be posted on my website the Friday before. These words will mostly come from our Spalding spelling curriculum; however, some weeks may include words from Science/History vocabulary. There may also be a phonogram quiz to accompany the spelling test. All phonograms will come directly from the spelling words.

17. Once a Trimester Book Report
Your child will complete a book report every trimester. Students will…
1. Choose a good fit book based on their Lexile level.
2. Read the book and choose a book report activity to complete. A list of book report options will be ed home. Feel free to choose one of these options or find your own creative way to present the information.
3. See IC for details about assignment dates. The book report will be entered as a reading grade.
Book Report Checklist
Name (1) ______
Title (1) _____
Author (1) _______
Good Fit Book/Lexile Level (1) ______
Genre (1) ______
Neatness/Presentation (5) _____
Effort (5) ______
Plot (10) ______
Creativity (5) ______
Conventions (5) _____
Spelling (5) _____
Language Usage (5) ______
Total: _____/ 45

18. How do I find my child’s Lexile level?
This year, there will be two ways to find your child’s Lexile level!
MAP scores- This information will be sent home 3 times during the school year and will contain your child’s Lexile level from that test’s score.
Istation reports- This information will be accessible to you monthly on the Istation parent portal (parent handout report) so you can track your child’s progress throughout the year.
What should I do with this information?
Visit to enter your child’s Lexile level and find a huge list of good fit books OR enter the title or author of a book to find its Lexile range.

19. History
History units with Ms. Darlington (T1) and Ms. Krieger (T2/T3)
Core Knowledge
Canada
Geography
World Rivers
Ancient Rome
Vikings
Earliest Americans
European Explorers
Thirteen Colonies
Did you know?
As a STEAM school, we try to connect students to the engineering design process when we find the opportunity. In third grade, your child will participate in several STEM lessons during history.

20. Studying
Students will be required to study for history, science, spelling, and vocabulary tests throughout the year.
Studying is a life skill and your child will need help mastering this type of homework. We teach study skills in the classroom, but we also need your support with this at home.
We have provided a study tip resource on our Grade 3 webpage under Documents if you are looking for new ideas.

21. Your Child’s Schedule
Your child has several teachers throughout the day. See the inside of your child’s planner for their specific schedule.
Who teaches what?
Math- All third grade homeroom teachers and ability group teachers
Literacy- Ms. Lankford, Ms. Krieger (T1)/Ms. Anthenien (T2/T3), Ms. O’Mara, and Ms. Freeman
Science- Ms. Gant
History- Ms. Darlington (T1)/Ms. Krieger (T2/T3)
Third graders have study hall (w/HR teacher)!
*Sample schedule

22. Carpool Morning carpool begins at 7:35am. Students report to cafeteria
School starts promptly at 8:05am. When students are tardy in morning, they miss important math instruction. You will need to line up at 7:35 to ensure your child arrives to class on time.
Afternoon carpool begins at 3:35pm (All call ~4pm)
Students will wait inside with their backpacks ready, and when their name is called they go directly out to carpool.
Please communicate end of day plans to your child before school. If plans change last minute, notify the front office. We don’t always see your s before the end of the school day.

23. Uniform & Daily Reminders
Uniforms must be from Dennis Uniform- see approved uniform items in Parent Handbook
Sock colors are navy, red, white, or black (no gray)
Tights or leggings in navy, black, red or white
Shoes
No open toes
Cannot go higher than their ankle
Have your child bring a water bottle and healthy snack every day.
THIRD GRADE CLASSROOMS ARE NUT-FREE!! No nuts at snack time (nuts are allowed at lunch only).
Send your child with a sweatshirt or jacket in fall/spring months and a coat in winter months. Colorado weather changes very quickly!
LABEL everything! This prevents lost jackets, gloves, water bottles, etc.

24. Instructional Assistants
Our IAs care for and make sure your child is safe in the cafeteria and at recess.
Please remind your child to respect them and treat them as they would any other teacher in the building.

25. Lunch Dates with your Child
If you join your child for lunch in the cafeteria, your child can invite up to 2 friends to sit at the table with them.
You and your child are responsible for cleaning up the table.

26. Birthdays
Welcome to send in birthday activity, game, or non-edible item to share with your child’s homeroom class
Celebrated during morning recess (10:09-10:31)
Summer birthdays can celebrate on their half birthdays (i.e. July 5th celebrates on January 5th)

27. Questions about Third Grade?
On your way out the door, fill out a question card with your name, address, child’s name, and question!
Thank you for coming!