Go to this link and click on homework helpers. You will be able to access the fifteen spelling words and reading test vocabulary words for the Friday tests. This will prove helpful should your child forget a spelling or reading book.
http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/grade_3.html
September 3, 2010
Dear Parents,
We have had a great week. The children are just starting to fall into a nice routine. It always takes a few weeks to adjust, but they are doing very well.
Next week will only be a four day week, due to Labor Day on Monday. Next Wednesday the children will take the lesson two spelling practice test, and on Thursday memory work is due. The first math test of the year will also be on Thursday. Please note math tests will take place after every five lessons. Encourage your child to work carefully, check over work, and label answers. All children should have plenty of pencils with good erasers. Friday will be the final spelling test over unit two, and the reading test over the story, Pepita Talks Twice.
Many children are well on their way to earning Accelerated Reader points. This week’s story, Officer Buckle and Gloria was an A.R. book. I also read an Amber Brown book that was A.R. I do expect children to do their best at reaching their goals.
We are collecting toothbrushes for those in need. Our Pastors are having an ice cream party for the winning class. So far we have collected 36 toothbrushes. This contest ends at the end of September.
Should you have any questions about anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I am always more than willing to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!
For His kids and yours,
Mrs. Gordon
All About Third Grade
First and foremost, it is just another year. Do not treat this grade any differently from any other. It is a year to grow and become more responsible, as with any new school year.
HOMEWORK: Mrs. Gordon does not give weekend homework. So you are an ambitious student and want more to do? Read for Accelerated Reader, work on multiplication and division drills, practice memory work and spelling words for the upcoming week, write a letter to Grandma or Grandpa, practicing your cursive handwriting. Students who fail to complete homework (without a really good excuse, written by parents) will need to stay in from recess to complete work.
Expect 30-45 minutes a night. Students who waste class time, may have more homework.
FRIDAY FOLDERS: These continue throughout your child’s years at Trinity. The folder will contain all graded work from that week, a note from Mrs. Gordon explaining details for the upcoming week, and a note from the school office titled, “Friday Facts”. Please always take time to look through this information. Lunch menus, choir schedules, field trip permission forms, special projects, and other information about specific events are all included in the folder. If you ever have a question, please ask.
MATH: Multiplication and division facts become an integral component of our math curriculum. We continue with the Saxon Math Program. There is no book until fourth grade. Side A of the worksheets are completed in class, while side B is homework. Expect math homework every night, except Friday.
SPELLING: Spelling units are assigned on Monday, and due by Friday. Mrs. Schefft teaches spelling. A practice test is given on Wednesday, with the final test to follow on Friday.
SCIENCE: As you may or may not know, our school has won the Governor’s Award for outstanding teaching of science the last several years. Third graders engage in a wealth of hands on science activities. The homework is usually just a worksheet to reinforce concepts taught in class. Each chapter is followed by a test. Study guides are given to aid in test preparation.
SOCIAL STUDIES AND HEALTH: Mr. Krix teaches these subjects. The social studies curriculum includes information about our government, how it operates, and some basic facts on American History. Health is taught twice a week. Mr. Krix and Mrs. Gordon work together to coordinate tests, so the children are not inundated with several tests on the same day.
READING: We continue with the same series that was used in second grade. Each week we cover one story, which is followed by a test on Friday. We usually finish our reading program in April, and then take some time to read and discuss some novels of various genre. Accelerated Reader continues in third grade. Students set their own goals, with the assistance of their parents. The goals should be challenging, but realistic.
LANGUAGE: The curriculum covers basic grammar and parts of speech. We cover nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Students engage in various types of writing, giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge of grammar and sentence structure to the actual writing process.
MEMORY WORK: Memory work is always due by Thursday, but may be said early any day of the week (before 8:25). Memory work will be due the first week of school, but will be a review. All that will be expected is John 3:16 and Genesis 1:1. Bibles are a gift from P.O.S.T.S. and will be handed out at the home visits. Students will need them for religion class.
GYM: This is taught by Mrs. Gordon every Monday and Friday. Non marking gym shoes are needed. Gym uniforms start in fifth grade. Girls should wear pants or shorts on Mondays and Fridays, or wear shorts under their skirts.
CURSIVE HANDWRITING: The first two trimesters we review letter formation and connecting letters. Starting third trimester, all work in all subjects must be completed using cursive handwriting.
RELIGION: This is a very interactive class, with much of the work being done together in class. There is an occasional homework assignment, but no tests are given.
DISCIPLINE: We use a system similar to what was used in second grade. We use pins instead of cards. If you pull a pin once, you move to the yellow section, and lose five minutes off of recess. The next move is blue, and you lose all of recess, a third pull results in a phone call to parents. It rarely happens that students move a fourth time in one day, but should this happen, students are sent to Mrs. Spohn’s office.
DIRECTIONS: Always follow directions carefully, and read through them twice before starting any assignment. Always write in complete sentences, unless instructed otherwise. Ten percent is deducted for turning in a no name, or late paper.
If you have any questions, please ask. We are happy to answer all of your questions.
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