Welcome to Third Grade Informational Parent Night

1. Welcome to Third Grade Informational Parent Night Welcome to Third Grade Informational Parent Night Hosted by: Mrs. Bagby and Mrs. Rosita

2. Reach for the Stars Our goal is for the students to become an active community of learners. The students will work together cooperatively, and individually, in improving skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science discovery and social studies. We look forward to the exciting year of growth educationally and collaboratively!

3. About Third Grade Third Grade is a big transitional year for both students and parents. Concepts moves at a much faster pace and students are expected to do more independently. Lunches and homework can NOT be delivered to the office. Punctuality and attendance are especially important this year. Every minute of your child’s day is valuable educational time. In order to utilize every minute to it’s fullest, it would be most beneficial for your child to be in the classroom as often as possible.

4. Homework Homework will be given Monday-Thursday (Homework Folders and Agenda Books do not need to go home on Friday). All work is expected to be shown and completed using a pencil. Please make sure your child shows all work and uses the strategies taught in class. The child should complete his or her practice activity independently, but if you notice that they worked out a problem incorrectly, please help them use problem-solving strategies until they discover the correct answer. The faster misconceptions are cleared, the faster your child will be successful with the concepts.

5. Reading Logs Reading logs are a part of homework. It is asked that your child read at least 60 minutes a week outside of the classroom. Please record the title of the book, minutes read and a parent’s initials. Minutes can be recorded on the Pony Reading sheet, the reading log from the website, notebook paper or anything handy (I’ve accepted them on napkins before). Charts will be checked every Monday.

6. Why Should my Child Read? • 1. Kids should read because it improves their vocabulary. Your vocabulary improves faster by reading than if you didn't. 2. Reading saves energy. It's true! If you choose to read over watching television or playing video games you're saving energy that you would be wasting. So read or pick something that doesn’t waste any electricity.3. Reading also helps you with other skills such as visualizing. Use that imagination!4. Kids should read because they will learn interesting, and useful information. For example: books are always my first choice for writing papers. I have learned how the first potato chip was invented, all about the earth’s layers, and much more.5. Reading helps kids write better. For example you could say, “The cat ran up the tall tree because she was scared;” or “The cat scurried up the towering tree because she was frightened.” Now which one do you think is most interesting? If you guessed the second one you are correct!6. Reading provides characters as role models and teach kids about social situations too. Let's say there’s a bully at school and a kid is having trouble with this bully. That kid then reads Harry Potter and stand up for himself like Harry does to Malfoy. Neat!7. My seventh and final reason why kids should read is because, it sets an example for other kids.

7. Homework Report Card Grade First Nine Weeks – E = 3 or less missed or late homework assignments. S = 4-6 missed or late homework assignments. N = 6-9 missed or late homework assignments. U = 10 or more missed homework assignments. Second – Fourth Nine Weeks – E = 2 or less missed or late homework assignments. S = 3-4 missed or late homework assignments. N = 5-6 missed or late homework assignments. U = 7 or more missed or late homework assignments.

8. Homework Incentives Homework Hoedown – Students who miss no more than one homework assignment throughout the week and obtains no more than one mark on the clipboard will get to enjoy a Homework Hoedown celebration on Friday! Homework Raffle – For each day a student who complete ALL homework throughout the week will have a chance to win a prize during a raffle drawing on Friday afternoon.

9. Behavior Plan We will consistently reinforce positive character traits with praise and rewards while still setting firm boundaries. Every child will be given a verbal warning before a mark is recorded on the clipboard unless safety becomes an issue. A chart is kept documenting each infraction. The number of infractions a child acquires each day/week corresponds with his/her consequences and conduct grade.

10. Positive Ponies We try to use as much positive reinforcement as possible with your child along with the rules to make the classroom a safe and nurturing place. Class jars – When the whole class is giving their best, an item is placed in a jar. When the jar is full the class gets a party, a prize, or extra recess. Tickets – Individuals earn tickets for showing positive character traits such as; responsibility, respect, initiative, commitment or integrity. Student can use these tickets to purchase items in the classroom store.

11. Teacher Web Pages School and teacher web pages give you access to important dates, study guides, information and resources. You can see your child’s weekly schedule (remember to wear tennis shoes on P.E. days), weekly curriculum content and links to useful interactive sites such as: Learning.com, Envision, Pearson Success for ELA, Kidbiz3000, First in Math and many others!

12. Navigating For Resources visitwww.kleinisd.net

13. Grades Major assessments – 50% Retakes – A student who scores below 70% on a major campus assessments may take a retest (usually occurs before school). The higher of the two scores will be taken, but not to exceed 70%. Benchmarks – There will be no retakes on any district benchmarks or common assessments. Minor assessments – 50% Students who fail minor tasks will be receive extra instruction in the subject area, but the original grade will not be replaced. Based on a campus decision, no extra credit will be given. You may also view your child’s grades online.

14. See Your Child’s Grades

16. Parent Connect Login Page

17. Lunch Going Green? It is encouraged that a child who buys a lunch from the school cafeteria adds at least one fruit or one vegetable to his/her tray. Doing so may even cost less. If purchasing only the main entrée, or the main entrée and sides without the presence of one fruit or vegetable, then the food items will be purchased a la carte.

18. Snacks • A snack is permitted as long as rules and policies are followed: • Non messy • Nutritional • Does not contain nuts or soy products • Can be consumed without a spoon • Will not be shared

19. EarthTrek Your child will participate in a unique classroom supplement called EarthTrek. They will work as teams in a virtual race around the world, exploring other countries and cultures through academic activities that are based on the third grade curriculum.

20. Policies Visiting your child – Please enter through the front door and stop at the front office. Obtain a visitor’s sticker and place it where it can be VISIBLE by any staff member. Visit the location your sticker states only. If you need to visit a new location, a new sticker must be obtained from the front office. Thank you in advance for your help with this matter; this procedure helps ensure the safety of every child.

21. Special Occasions – Remember that no food items may be dispersed and that the gifts are provided by the PTO. This aides in avoiding allergy concerns.

22. Helpers – Many have expressed desire to help at school. Thank you!! Other than Mother Reader, we do not have set helper days. As a need arises, we will email those who have expressed a willingness to help (thank you for filling out the online forms!). Once writing mini-lessons have progressed to narratives and conferences, I will send an e-mail to see who would be interested in conferencing with students about their writing.

23. Thank you for coming!