Miss Mika3^rd Grade2007-2008

General Goals:

1. Help each child feel good about his/her self.

2. Increase confidence in both academic and social areas.

3. To help each child increase their knowledge and appreciation of their Catholic heritage.

Reading:

The 3^rd graders will be reading from Just Listen and Golden Threads anthologies, from the Houghton-Mifflin Co. The heart of this program is literature. Our anthologies are filled with excellent children’s literature broken into seven themes: Realistic Fiction, Nonfiction, Legends, Fantasy, Author, Fiction, and Traditional Tales. Each theme will be covered by oral and silent readings, vocabulary, theme and character discussions, projects, and resource pages that focus on the students’ reading skills. Each student should read for at least 15 minutes each evening for the entire year. They will complete a homework sheet and a book report every other month. (Attached is an example of the reading sheet they will fill out each night.) The reading grade will be based on phonics, vocabulary, oral reading, comprehension, and homework. Students will have a test at the end of each story on vocabulary, comprehension, and any skills covered during the story.

Accelerated Reader:

Each student will be required to read a book and take an Accelerated Reader test at least once a month.

Spelling:

We will take a spelling pre-test on the first day on the week. Students will be given homework nightly to reinforce what we are doing in class. The words will be chosen from the subjects that we are studying, words misspelled in their writing, and from a third grade spelling list. Test will usually be on Friday, but sometimes earlier on short weeks.

Language:

The students will continue their study of grammar usage and mechanics, parts of speech, tenses, sentence structure, capitalization, and punctuation. Listening and speaking skills are further developed and improved. Students will utilize the writing process to write: personal narratives, information paragraphs, friendly letters, how-to paragraphs, descriptive paragraphs, stories, poems and research reports.

Wordly Wise:

This is a vocabulary building series which teaches new words and their meanings by unforced repetition. Each word occurs from 5-15 times in a variety of exercises, puzzles, and riddles. Students are required to create flash cards for each unit of words. On each card students must write the definition and draw a picture to help remember the meaning of the word. Many words have more than one meaning therefore they are required to write all the definitions on their cards. At the end of each unit students will take a test over the words.

Math:

We will cover addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, problem solving, time and measurement, estimating, graphing, and calculating. To reinforce these skills, we use Math Bingo, Math Around the World, and math computer games. There will be a test at the end of each unit and fact quizzes almost every week. We will start the year reviewing addition and subtraction facts. The second semester we will stress multiplication and division facts. Students will need to practice facts for five minutes nightly for speed and accuracy. When students have completed the practice there is a place on the reading homework worksheet for parents to sign.

Science:

The 3^rd graders will study many exciting concepts this year in science. They include: the solar system, weather, plants, animals, ocean, insects, nutrition, force, machines, sound, and matter. We reinforce reading materials with experiments and projects. Resources used are Scott Foresman Textbook, Magic School Bus Video series, Bill Nye videos, and the computer.

Social Studies:

The 3^rd graders will study geography, waterways, states, continents, presidents, and important historical figures. They will also study other culture’s customs and the importance of a feeling of community. Grades are based on test, projects, and in class work.

Religion: In religion students will study sacraments, the formation of a personal conscience, and the development of prayer. Our religion book, Blest Are We will allow the children to learn the content of their Catholic faith, celebrate it in worship, connect it to their everyday life, and learn to pray. Each chapter begins with activities to be done at home with family. We will participate in the liturgy three times: Oct. 17^th, Jan. 9^th, and April 23^rd.

***This subject will be taught by Mrs. Reynders

Grading: I take a grade virtually everything handed in. Please log on to www.teacherease.com to check your child’s grades, progress, and many missing work.

**Please set aside a quite place for your child to work in where there is little chance for distraction.

**Encourage your child to do his/her own work - offer guidance or tips, but no answers or corrections.

**Please do not hesitate to talk to me if there is a concern or questions. You may reach my voicemail at 991-5700 ext 415 or my email is kmika@immacolata.org. Classroom

Rules:

1. Follow the directions the first time they are given.

2. Raise your hand and wait to be called on.

3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

4. Respect and be polite to everyone.

Rewards:

Praise, positive notes and calls, candy, free time on Fridays, and or homework passes.

Consequences:

1^st time - name on the board; miss 5 minutes of recess

2^nd time - check by name; miss 10 minutes of recess

3^rd time - two checks by name; lose entire recess

4^th time - three checks by name; write a letter to parents and parents contacted by teacher. 5^th time - four checks by name, sent to office Sever clause - sent directly to office

Calendar and Take-Home Folders:

We will be using the same calendar system as the upper grades. It will be sent home in the take-home folder on Monday. Please sign the calendar as well as the take-home folder and send it back to school with your child on Tuesday.

Specials:

Monday: Music and Spanish

Tuesday: Art, Spanish, and Computer

Wednesday: Spanish

Thursday: P.E

Friday: Library