3rd Grade Handbook

Third Grade Expectations and Curriculum

We, at Brandon Elementary, have developed school-wide guidelines for student behavior. These guidelines are designed to help students achieve their greatest potential and have a positive learning experience. The guidelines are:

Listen Carefully.

Follow Directions.

Work quietly- do not disturb others around you.

Respect others- be kind with your words and actions.

Respect school and personal property.

Work and play safely.

In addition to these guidelines, teachers have developed behavioral programs to meet their individual classroom needs. These are implemented to keep school a productive, safe, enriching environment for your child.

Children are expected to follow the school and classroom guidelines. We believe that one of the best things we can do for your child is to teach respect for themselves and others. Continuing to build a positive self-image is something we work on all year. We also continue to emphasize taking responsibility for our actions. We hope that we will have your support in these areas.

Reading

Our students will be using the Harcourt Reading series this year. Within this series, students will be learning about a variety of genres, literary elements, and expanding their vocabulary. Along with the reading series, students will have the opportunity to read a variety of novels. We are hoping to extend their knowledge in comprehension, and helping them continue on their track to being fluent readers. Reading will be one of the subjects that will be tested on the Dakota STEP test in April.

Along with the reading series we will be using the program Response through Intervention (RtI). This program is designed to help improve a student’s reading fluency and comprehension skills. The students will meet in small groups with specific instructions to fit their individual needs.

Accelerated Reader – AR

Accelerated Reader is an important part of our reading curriculum. At the beginning of the year, a STAR test is taken to determine a students reading range. Students read a book within this range and then complete a test to check comprehension. Third grade students are required to take their AR tests independently.

All books are clearly labeled with reading levels in the library. If you would like to check a books reading level or point total at home, this information is available at http://www.arbookfin.com/UserType.aspx.

Reading goals are set each quarter by the teacher and student. An individual point goal is set, as well as an 85% comprehension goal. AR makes up 25% of your child’s reading grade each quarter. Points and comprehension percent are both figured into their reading grade.

If their point goal and percent goal are met at the end of each quarter students will be able to attend the reward party for reaching their goal.

AR offers a wide range of genres; including fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, historical fiction, and biographies. A wide array of topics are also covered, sports, animals, cars, wars, racing, cooking, and countries. Our AR library offers something for everyone!

Word Study

Word study is included with our reading series. A spelling list of 20words will be sent home each Monday. The final test each week is on Friday. As a class, we will work on the spelling words throughout the week, but encourage students to practice their words each day after school. Spelling Tic Tac Toe activity packet will go home at the beginning of the week and it may be returned by Friday for bonus points on the test.

English

We will focus on the basic parts of speech along with sentence structure and punctuation.

Planners and Folders

Student planners are to be brought home everyday, signed by parent or guardian, and returned to school the following day. We have developed a take home folder system. It is designed to help facilitate communication between home and school. Each student will use a red take home folder. This folder should go home each evening and be brought back to school the next morning. Please ask to see the take home folder each evening and return it each morning.

Math

Our students are going to be using Houghton Mifflin Math. The following units will be covered throughout the course of the year: Place Value and Money, Addition and Subtraction, Data and Probability, Multiplication and Division Basic Facts, Measurement, Geometry and Measurement, Fractions and Decimals, and Multiplication and Division by 1-Digit Numbers. We will also be doing a variety of weekly activities to improve math facts. Math will be one of the subjects that will be tested on the Dakota STEP test in April.

Science and Health

The science curriculum will consist of Harcourt School Publishers Science. It includes Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. There are many experiments that we will be using with this series. This year we will also be exploring SD Health EdVentures. Students participating in weekly lessons and labs will earn a S.

Social Studies

Social Studies will involve the study of communities, geography and government. We will be using the series Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Communities. This year we will also utilize SD Road Trip to explore many South Dakota communities. Students participating weekly will earn a S.

Handwriting

We will use Zaner Bloser handwriting rules and students will receive grades in this area of E, S+, S, S-, or N. We will be writing in cursive by January.

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held twice a year.

Important People at Brandon Elementary

Principal Mr. Horst

Secretary Mrs. Cummings

Gym Mr. Duncanson

Music Mrs. Norberg

Computer Mrs. Reid

Library Ms. DeNomme

Art Mrs. Lee

Orchestra Mrs. Nelson

Speech Mrs. Ray

Counselor Mrs. Kolb

Grading is based on the district grading scale.

A 95-10

A- 92-94

B+ 89-91

B 86-88

B- 83-85

C+ 80-82

C 77-79

C- 74-76

D+ 71-73

D 68-70

D- 65-67

F 0-64