What are Math and Language Spirals?
Math and Language spirals review previously taught content, current third grade concepts, and one advanced concept each week. We complete spirals together as a class for morning work; they are graded for participation only. Absent students must complete missing spirals before or upon return to school.
What homework is required for third grade?
Required nightly homework consists of 15 minutes of reading*, 10 minutes of multiplication practice, and 5 minutes of spelling practice. Recommended nightly homework consists of a brief review of Science/Social Studies study guides. Additionally, students may bring home the religion book with the test material highlighted and/or visit bemydisciples.com to study for the weekly Religion chapter quiz. (The actual Religion tests are taken in school). We study together for major tests in class; students may or may not require additional study time at home. *Reading may include our weekly story (either in the textbook or listening to the selection in google classroom), an AR book from the school library, or a book from home or a public library.
What is the classroom economy?
Our classroom economy is a year-long lesson in economics. Students work an assigned job for a salary and they pay rent for their desk and chair. They earn bonuses and pay fines, and may spend their money on prizes at monthly auctions. Donated gently used or new prizes are appreciated, but are not expected.
Can Students Take ar quizzes at home?
No, students may no longer take quizzes at home. If your child is out for an extended time for an approved reason such as prolonged illness, please contact the school to make arrangements to allow home tests.
Do Summer ar quizzes count towards next year's points goal?
Summer AR quizzes do not count towards third grade points goals; however, each passed quiz taken during the summer earns a $5.00 bonus.
What do i need to know about student planners?
Students fill out the planner on Friday for the coming week. I check to make sure that each student has correctly filled out the planner; a correctly filled out planner earns a $5.00 bonus each week. I will also send a picture of the planner through Remind. Parents, please initial your child's planner each night to indicate that your child has completed nightly reading and studying for math facts and spelling (not a whole week ahead of time). Signed planners earn $1.00 each day. A $1.00 fine is taken for each day a parent does not sign the planner.
will students learn multiplication strategies, or only memorize facts?
Yes, students will practice multiplication strategies later in third grade to learn what multiplication means but will begin the year focusing on memorization of math facts. Students who study hard to replace math anxiety in third grade with math positivity in the upper grades have an easier time learning harder math concepts in high school and beyond. We take a timed multiplication quiz of 25 problems in one minute forty seconds every Friday. I give students multiple tries to pass each quiz, the goal is to keep making gains. Students who do pass a quiz in a single attempt earn a $20 bonus per test. Students who pass ALL math quizzes in a single attempt will earn an additional $500 bonus! (And, yes, it has been accomplished multiple times.) These scores are a grade in the math gradebook. Students are required to pass 0-3's by October 27; 4-6's plus 0-6's review by January 12; 7-9's and 6-9's review by March 15; and 10-12's by May 29. For study options, a tried-and-true app is the Times Tables 12x12 app for iPhone and iPad by Andrey Feldman, or search math facts games wherever you get your apps.
What are the bathroom/drinks procedures?
Students set their water bottles on the back bookcase to prevent spills on the Chromebooks. They may get a drink at any time other than during a direct lesson. The third grade restroom policy is for students to use the bathroom before school, during lunch, before recess, or at the end of the day. Our class does not take restroom breaks as a group. For restroom requests at all other times, students use sign language to ask to use the restroom so I am aware of the location of my students in case of an emergency. Please encourage your child to use their bathroom visits wisely in order to maximize instruction time.