1. Welcome to Mrs. Callaway’s 3rd Grade
We are going to have a great time learning this year!

2. Curriculum
Reading:
Good Habits, Great Readers is the program we will use along with other supplemental resources. Teachers use a Reader’s Workshop model which will consist of: whole group time, small group time, and independent time/conferring.
Reading skills/strategies we will work on include: comparing/contrasting fiction and informational texts, theme and text details in fiction texts, main idea & details in informational texts, summarize and sequence fiction texts.
Math
Envisions is the program we will use. We use a math workshop model similar to the Reader’s workshop model which will consist of: whole group time, small group time, and independent time/conferring.
Math skills/strategies we will work on include: multiplication/division, two-step word problems, area, graphing data, rounding to the nearest 10 and 100, representing whole numbers to 100,000, fractions on a number line, equivalent fractions, measurement (length, volume, and weight)
Writing:
We will use a Writer’s Workshop model during our writing time. It will consist of whole group time, independent time & conferring, and share time.
Writing skills we will work on include: parts of speech in writing, creating strong introductions and conclusions, using resources, and learning about the 6 traits of writing that help produce quality work through different genres of writing. We will focus on the 6 Write Traits that include: ideas, organization, word choice, voice, conventions, and sentence fluency. Our two main genres that we will focus on when writing are: narrative and informational writing.
Science/Social Studies:
- Some concepts that your child will learn about this year in science include: electricity & magnetism, weather, life cycles (adaptations & survival), and chemical reactions.
-Some concepts that your child will learn about this year in social studies include: Missouri government and democracy, Missouri geography and map skills, economics, and timelines.

3. All About Mrs. Callaway Education: Family:
Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri Western State University
Masters of Arts in Education from Baker University
Family:
Married, two daughters
We live on a farm, and raise crops & cattle
I enjoy outdoor activities such as: gardening & farming, playing outdoor games, riding 4- wheelers, and fishing
Both sides of my family have lived in Platte County for generations
Contact Information (please contact me with any questions or concerns)
Phone: (816) , ext The best time to reach me is from 10:00- 10:50.

4. Communication Take Home Folder Weekly classroom newsletter
Students will bring their “take home folder” back and forth between home and school every day. One pocket in the folder will be labeled “take home”, and one pocket will be labeled “bring back”. There will also be a behavior calendar attached inside the folder. Please sign it each night. This is our daily communication between home and school. Please do not go three consecutive days without signing the take home folder sheet, or an “off task” warning will be issued.
Students will have a reading log in their “take home folder” to log minutes read each night. Please do not go three consecutive days without reading, or an “off task” warning will be issued. Make sure to include your parent signature each night. I will not be able to count the minutes read each night, if a parent signature is not included.
Weekly classroom newsletter
The Smore newsletter will be ed home at the end of each week.
The Smore newsletter will include information pertaining to what we are learning about in the classroom, as well as any upcoming events, and reminders.
Transportation Changes
If your child has any changes in transportation please contact the office.

5. Homework Expectations
Complete the reading log in the take home folder by logging the minutes read each night. A parent signature is required before I can count the minutes. I would like for students to read at least minutes each night. Your child can read their AR book/library book, but you can also count the minutes read while he/she reads the reading passage for their homework page. If your child reads 15 minutes each night for 30 days that is 7.5 hours for the month. We have a goal in our data notebook to read at least 7 hours each month to earn a sticker on our goal chart. I understand that life gets busy, so if you miss a night now and then, “that’s okay.” The next night just read a little extra to make up for the missed reading time. An AR book on your child’s reading level will checked out during library time as needed.. If your child finishes his/her AR book, brings it back to school, takes the AR quiz, and is ready for a new book this is fine, too. There is not a limit to one book per week.
A small homework packet is assigned on Monday and due Friday. It will help build your child’s third grade skills. Feel free to assist your child as needed. Any homework that is not completed by Friday morning will result in a fine. Homework that is turned in “on time” will be rewarded with a sticker given to your child for his/her responsibility chart inside the take home folder. There will be goals set on this responsibility chart to work towards special rewards.
* Any work not completed in class, when time has been allowed for completion, will become homework.

6. Grading
Our district uses a 4,3,2,1 grading system. A simple way to think of the grading system, is to compare it to riding a bike.
4 = student meets the expected standards
Example: I can ride trails, and race on my bike without falling off.
3 = student can meet the standard at a lower level
Example: I can ride down a trail, but I fall sometimes.
2 = student needs help to meet the standard
Example: I can ride my bike with training wheels.
1 = student has no understanding of the standard
Example: I have a bike, but I am unable to ride it.
It is common for students to begin the year with 3s, 2s, and maybe even some 1s. Our goal is to be at a levels 3 or 4 by the end of the year.
We will use data notebooks to record progress with: math fact fluency,, home reading hours, AR goals, reading level, etc. Goal setting will be an important aspect in the data notebook. These data notebooks help students take ownership in his/her learning, and help students understand the importance of goal setting throughout his/her lifetime.

7. Classroom Expectations
Students are recognized for positive behavior by receiving “play” money. Students earn $1.00 each day that they do not receive a “fine” or “clip down”. Students will have the opportunity to redeem their money for small rewards, or save their money for larger rewards.
Students will have the opportunity to earn “bonuses” or clip back up, when improvements are made regarding their behavior throughout the day. Sometimes bonuses are also made by exhibiting excellent leadership qualities throughout the day.
In the event of a behavior issue, students will pay a fine and receive consequences as follows:
1 fine (two warning marks on our behavior chart) = note in take home folder explaining the behavior, student owes $1.00
2 fines (four warning marks on our behavior chart) = note in take home folder explaining the behavior, think sheet, safe seat or “buddy room”, student owes $2.00
6 fines (six warning marks on our behavior chart) = note in take home folder explaining the behavior, think sheet, safe seat or “buddy room”, office referral, and parent contact. Student owes $3.00
* Certain situations will require immediate office referral and/or some recess time lost as we strive to provide a safe, caring environment for all students.

8. AR Reading Information
Accelerated Reader (AR)
A computer program that monitors a student’s reading practice comprehension.
Students read a book on their reading level and take a short comprehension quiz on the computer.
Students will monitor their comprehension percentages and points accumulated in their data notebooks. Students will have quarterly AR goals set based on his/her individual reading level. I also have an Accelerated Reader store that I will open about every two weeks as students accumulate points. Students will be able to shop at the store as points are accumulated through successful test taking on the AR computer program.
The Accelerated Reader Program helps students set and monitor reading goals/progress with differentiation based on reading levels.

9. Thank you! It’s going to be a great year!