Third Grade Class Procedures

The following is an overview of some general classroom procedures for 3^rd grade.

Morning Arrival: The third grade entry doors (on the west side of the building) will be open starting at 8:15 each morning. Students may enter as soon as the doors open and need not wait until the bell rings at 8:30. They should put their materials in their cubbies and head straight into the classroom to get an early start on their morning work. As with the rest of the school, any student arriving after 8:35 (when the doors are closed) must report to the main office for a tardy slip before entering the classroom. Per school policy, students may not be dropped off before 8:15, but should be taken to Extended Care.

Snacks: We have a short time for snack after morning recess. No sweets are allowed. An extra 1/2 sandwich, fruit, veggie sticks, or quick protein snack is encouraged. Not all students want or need this. Please discuss this with your child. *We do not share snacks in third grade due to allergy concerns.

Water Bottles: Students may keep a water bottle at their table as long as it is not a distraction to their learning. Please choose a water bottle that has some type of “click” top to it. Those with screw on/off lids tend to empty themselves completely when tipped – all over the children’s work! Please do not put ice in, or freeze the bottles, as they then “bleed” onto the kids’ work.

Homework: Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday, and should take no longer than 40 minutes to complete. The children will write their homework in their assignment books, which will be sent home each day. We ask that you check this notebook to ensure that your child has remembered to complete all assignments. The assignment book also provides a place where you may write a quick comment (e.g. change in pick-up location, early departure, etc.) and will be checked each day. Of course, you may also write more private notes and send them in a sealed envelope.

Each night students will have a homework sheet related to something we are studying in class, in addition to a nightly routine of reading for 20 minutes, and studying spelling words and math facts for 5 minutes each. Students will abbreviate the nightly routine in their assignment books as follows:

RR - Read 20 minutes and record the book title

SS - Study Spelling

MF - Math Fact practice

Spelling study and math fact practice may be done using flashcards, worksheets, computer games, writing them, etc. We will be sending home “math fact binders” at the end of September to aid in math fact practice -- after the kids have had a chance to learn how to use them properly.

Children must learn to be responsible, and it is important to encourage your child to complete the assignments carefully and completely. We work hard to teach children to read the assignment description/instructions first (oftentimes out loud) before asking for help. You may want to do this too. Under circumstances that you think are sufficient, please write us a note to let us know when your child’s late homework will be completed.

Books: Children are responsible for all school and library books. Books may not be taken from the building unless they are in a book bag. Please return them promptly. 3A library day is on Tuesday, while 3B library day is on Friday. Students will also be reading silently at school each day (D.E.A.R. time), and can read a book they have chosen from school, home, or the library at this time.

Birthdays: The students may have free dress on their birthday celebration day. Students with summer birthdays will have a celebration day on their ½ birthday. Parents are also welcome to join us for lunch on the birthday celebration day. *A reminder: if invitations are passed out at school, either the whole class needs to be invited, or all the girls/all the boys. Treats are welcome, but not required. If you choose to send a treat, please check with me concerning allergies, and provide napkins as well. You may send the treat in the morning or bring it at lunchtime (12:00).

Superstar/VIP: Each student will have a school week dedicated to him or her. Each one will make a display about him/herself to put on the bulletin board in our classroom. Once during the week the superstar may invite family members to join us at lunchtime (we eat from 12:15 until 12:40). I will send home a list of superstars in the first Wednesday envelope.

Names: Please put names on all personal materials- especially coats, sweatshirts and sweaters. School supplies will be shared as a community, so you do not need to label these (pencils, markers, tissues, glue, etc.).

Field Trips: The walking permission slip covers any trips to the park, city library, Ida Culver (our service project) or neighborhood. Please let me know if you did not receive this form and I’ll send one home. Also, please return the driver information form if you want to drive on any field trips this year (available in the office or online). You may turn these forms in on Curriculum Night or send them to school with your child.

Classroom Helpers: We welcome parents to come to the classroom on a regular basis. There will be sign-ups at Curriculum Night for the times we need volunteers most. Your help is greatly appreciated and needed, but we will wait until October to start having volunteers in the classroom. This gives the students a chance to get to know us and our classroom routines. We look forward to having you in the classroom starting in October.

Big Toy: Third grade may have Big Toy at both morning and lunch recess, depending upon parent availability. We will have a sign up sheet for this on Curriculum Night.

Art Parents: We will again have this wonderful opportunity once each month to learn about a variety of artists and artistic styles thanks to the help of our parents. The dates of our Art Parents activities will be available on Curriculum Night so that you can sign up to help.

Thank you for all your support in getting us off to a great start. We look forward to a great year with your children.

Chris Eusebio 3A Christina Gonzales 3B

ceusebio@asbschool.org cgonzales@asbschool.org

206 524-7452 ext. 68 206 524-7452 ext. 71