Mrs. Long's Third Grade
by Donna Long
October 17, 2007
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," says a Chinese proverb. We are 1/6th of the way through our journey! Some steps have been giant steps and some have been baby steps. Here are a few highlights of our first weeks of school. First of all, we have enjoyed the new technology the school has provided us in our classroom. The Elmo projector and the capability to display the computer screen has enhanced instruction and learning beyond my expectations. What an exciting time to be a student!
In math we learned adding and subtracting with two-digit numbers. At first we used place-value charts and place-value blocks to understand the concept of trading ones for tens and tens for hundreds with both operations.
In reading, we did a readers' theater for "Granddaddy's Place". Research has proven that Readers' theater gives the students the opportunity for repeated reading of a selection which enhances reading fluency. The students really enjoy this way of acting out a story and do no mind reading the story again and again.
This year's theme is "How Do You Spell Success?"
E-Enthusiasm
D-Decide
U-Unique
C-Choices
A-Attitude
T-Teachers
I-Integrity
O-Opportunity
N-Now
These components will be used daily in all of our lessons.
Daily
Schedule
8:00 - 8:05 PAWZ-TV
8:05 - 8:15 Shared Reading with poetry
8:15 - 9:00 Sharon Wells Math
9:00 - 9:30 Spelling/Phonics
9:30 - 10:00 Computer lab/library/counselor
10:00 - 10:40 Reading/Creative Writing
10:40 - 11:00 English/Creative Writing
11:00 – 11:30 Saxon Math
11:30 – 11:50 Cursive
11:50 – 12:30 Lunch/recess
12:40 – 12:55 Math problem solving
12:55 – 1:40 P.E./Music
1:45 – 1:55 Read aloud
1:55 – 2:25 Social Studies/Science
2:25 - 2:55 Read AR books/ Tier 2
2:55 Prepare to go home
MRS. LONG'S CLASS RULES
Discipline Plan
You are responsible for what you do and say. Make good choices
and you will be successful in school and life!
1. Follow directions
2. Raise you hand to speak
3. Be kind and helpful and courteous. (Be a friend.)
4. Stay in your seat.
5. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to self. (Students will not
hurt each other or school property.)
6. Use appropriate language
Students Who Behave Will
Earn:
PRAISE
Stickers or stamps in the homework folders
Tickets for occasional drawings
Tickets may be awarded for being a good listener or helper,
participating in class, making a great score on a test, keeping a
neat desk, returning notes requiring a parent/guardian signature,
etc. The teacher may give an immediate reward, if deserved, at any
time.
Consequences of Bad
Behavior:
1st time - name on board - verbal reminder
2nd time - check beside name- may lose a privilege or stamp/sit out
a portion of recess time3rd time - 2nd check beside name - lose
stamp, a note will be written in the homework folder/sit out recess
time
4th time - student may be taken to the office and parents are
contacted
SEVERE DISRUPTION OR REPEATED OFFENSE - student sent directly to
the principal and parents contacted.
Homework
Math - Students
will have math homework on Monday through Thursday. It is very
important that your child practice math facts. Students will be
tested weekly.
Spelling – Spelling homework
is optional unless your student is failing, then he or she must
practice the week’s words at home. Students are rewarded for
practicing their words if they chose to do so. Spelling word tests
are given on Thursday and sentence dictation is on Friday.Reading - Students are to read at least 20
minutes for four nights out of the seven days of the week. A parent
is to initial the reading log under the behavior calendar to
acknowledge that the student has either read by himself/herself or
read with someone. The log should be dated. More than one entry may
be made for one night, but it still counts as one night's
reading.
Reading grades will be determined by assessment of skills plus the
following:
For a weekly grade, students will be given 25 points for each
night that reading is done (parents, date and initial log). A
maximum of 100 points can be earned. The 6 weekly grades will be
averaged. This grade will be entered once.
All AR test scores for the 6 weeks will be averaged, and this
grade will be entered twice.
Every student will have an individual AR point goal based on
his/her reading level not exceeding a third grade level. Each
student will receive a grade based on the percent of the points
earned toward the point goal. This grade will be entered twice.
This is the policy for reading in grades 3-5.
With the Supervision of an
Adult
Math
Math Magician - Excellent site for online practice of math
facts
http://oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/mathmagician/maths1.html
AAA Math - This user-friendly site contains math information for
every elementary level. This is an interactive site that can be
used by teachers, parents, and students. It is organized by topic
and grade level. It has games, puzzles, and riddles. There are also
links to other useful web sites
http://www.aaaknow.com/grade3.htm#topic4
That's A Fact - Math Fact Practice
http://www.hbschool.com/activity/thats_a_fact/english_K_3.html
Money Flashcards
http://www.aplusmath.com/cgi-bin/flashcards/money
Time: Stop the Clock 1
http://www.teachingtime.co.uk/draggames/sthec1.html
Time: Stop the Clock 2
http://www.teachingtime.co.uk/draggames/sthec2.html
Third Grade
Skills
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_3rd.htm
Geography Web Sites
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/us_map.htm
Reading Skills
http://www.rif.org/
Please keep up with important events
by reading our campus newsletter, Paw Prints, and listening to
PAWZ-TV on channel 3.
Game Day - Friday, November 16, 2007.
Remember!!! "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson
