Welcome to 3rd Grade

Curriculum Night

Third Grade is a Benchmark Year…

ARE YOU READY??

A Benchmark Year

We understand that third grade is a HUGE transition for both parents and students. There are new responsibilities and requirements for your student.

Our desire is that this slide show will help answer some of your questions and make this transition easier.

Relax -- we are here for you!

Reading

We spend a week on our weekly stories. One night during the week the story will be assigned for your child to reread.

There is a test each week on the story comprehension, reading skill, vocabulary, and the weekly spelling words.

Students may bring their reading textbook home at any time.

Accelerated Reading

Students should be reading on average 20 minutes a night.

Each quarter students need to earn 10 AR points for a Reading grade. Each month the students will have a reading log that will be counted for a monthly reading grade.

Each quarter students need to earn 15 AR points to go to the AR party.

Each reading story is worth .5 points.

Grammar/Writing• Our Reading series has a strong

grammar/writing component. We will be using this and the Lucy Caulkins Writers Workshop model.

• After receiving a strong background in grammar and conventions, students will produce a writing piece about every three weeks. These stay at school, but you are welcome to view your child’s writing portfolio at any time.

Spelling

The purpose of spelling is for students to learn and apply spelling rules.

Pre and post-tests are given weekly. Pretest scores will determine which list your child will receive.

It is important to STUDY NIGHTLY!!

If students study 5 words a night, the test should be a breeze!

Social Studies

Curriculum is made up of:

•Political roots of our modern democracy

•Famous Americans

•Basic economic understandings

•Geographic features of the US/maps/globe

ScienceCurriculum is made up of:

Rocks, minerals, and soils

Regions of Georgia including plant & animal habitats

Heat and energy

Magnets

The students have the opportunity for hands-on activities /experiments whenever possible.

Math

Curriculum includes:

Place value/estimation

Geometry, fractions, and word problems

Division and…MULTIPLICATION!

Students MUST learn their multiplication facts!

Agendas / Folders

Please check your child’s agenda every evening for homework, notes, and important information.

Agendas are checked daily for notes from parents and for a parent signature. The agenda is a great communication tool between home and school. If you write a note, please make sure your child is aware so that it is a not a surprise for them.

Friday Binder•The data binder will be used throughout 3rd grade.•The purpose of this binder is to show you, your child, and myself the academic growth of your student. •The binder will come home with your student weekly.•All of the papers in the binder mustmust remain in the binder. •Please look through the binder with your child and returnreturn the binder to school on Monday.

•There is a sheet to sign and leave a comment of encouragement for your student in the front of the binder.

Homework 3rd grade DOES NOT give homework packets!

Homework is assigned nightlynightly. Students who do not complete their homework, or leave it at home, may have to complete it during recess.

Not completing work due to extracurricular activities is NOT an acceptable excuse.

Report Cards This will be your child's first year receiving letter grades. Grades previously given, “O,” “S,” “N,” and “U,” do not necessarily align with the Cherokee County grading scale.

A 100-90

B 89-80

C 79-71

D 70

F below 70 NHI- Is a “0” until handed in. Students have 5 days to turn in missing assignments before it becomes a “0”.

No EXTRA CREDIT will be offered throughout the year.

Online Grade Book

You will be able to access your child’s grades online through Family Portal. There is a link on the Cherokee County website to help you create a login/password if needed.

parent.support@cherokee.k12.ga.us

If your student receives an “NHI” that means that he/she did not turn in the assignment. An NHI is equivalent to a zero. Your child may turn in a late assignment up to five days and receive partial credit.

“AB” means your child was excused from the assignment and does not affect your child’s grade.

Attendance/Tardies

Attendance is critical for success!

Tardy is after 7:45 a.m. unless your child is riding a late bus.

It may seem that it’s not a problem for your child to be late, but excessive tardies/absences can affect your child’s success.

Early checkouts also affect your child’s success! When possible, please try to avoid checking out your child early.

Transportation A new form has been designed this year to make transportation changes easier for everyone! You may also find this on the school webpage or in your child’s agenda.

Please remember that if your child is going home with a friend, bothboth your child and the friend need to have a transportation form filled out.

Please make sure you fill out the TOP and BOTTOM portion of the transportation form.

Standardized Tests 3rd graders will be taking the ITBS in September.

In April, students in grades 3-8 will take a standardized test. Students will be taking the Georgia Milestones online this year. Please practice keyboarding skills at home. (ipads do not count )

After December break we will begin taking practice tests in preparation for the test in April. Students will also have the opportunity to take online tests at home.

Teacher Websites Weekly Newsletter - includes spelling and

vocabulary words, curriculum for the week

Links to helpful sites

Monthly lunch menu Monthly homework calendar

To access my website simply go to Macedonia’s home page and click on my name.

WE ARE GOING GREEN! CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND TEACHER’S WEBSITE OFTEN!

Class ShirtsClass shirts will be worn several times throughout the year.

•Field trips

•Field day

•Special occasions

You can find the order form on the MES website as well as the MES PTA site.

Orders must be turned in by Aug. 28th.

Discipline Policy

Class Dojo

Positive and negatives throughout the day

1 ~ 3 points per day * Excellent day * Good day * Let’s have a better day

Classroom Economy

We have also started our own Classroom Economy!!!

Field Trip 2015-2016• The World of Coke• The GA Aquarium

• The GA State Capitol• With lunch at The Varsity

This is sure to be one AMAZING field trip!!!

The cost for this field trip will be $75.00 and can be sent in at any time between now and February 12th. You will be receiving a letter and permission slip this coming Friday. (Chaperones are $75.00 as well and can be sent in at any time.) This field trip will be an extended day field trip.

We will also have one in-house field trip with High Touch High Tech. (More info later )

3rd Grade Gingerbread House Night

Who: ALL 3rd Grade families

When: December 8th

Where: MES Café

Time: 6:30-8:30

In the past we have asked for items to be donated for this event. To avoid duplication of items this year, room moms are asking for a $10 donation

from each family.

You may give cash or check to our room mom.

This is an awesome family fun night!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Third Grade Art Curriculum

This year in art, your child will learn the following:

•Directional lines

•Relief techniques

•Warm/cool colors

•Paper sculpture

•murals

•Clay pinch pots

Artist Studies include:

•Renee Magritte

•Kandinsky

Order a 2015 yearbook today!!Macedonia Elementary School

***Don’t delay-order Today!***

Reserve your copy of the Macedonia Yearbook at the low price of $29.00. Place your order by

December 31, 2014 before the book price increases to $32.00 on January 1, 2015. Only

students who place their orders in advance are guaranteed a book, so order today!

The final purchase deadline is March 27, 2015.

Flyers will be sent home with students

on August 25th!

There are two easy ways to order:

Visit balfour.com and select your school.

Call 1-800-944-5930.

*Major credit cards accepted

Yearbook Pricing Information:

Basic Yearbook $29.00 until 12/31/14

Basic Yearbook $32.00 from 1/1/15-3/27/15

Personalized Engraved Nameplate $5.00

Icons $5.00 each (up to 2 icons may be ordered)

ORDER TODAY!!!

Sometimes we all need a pep talk…

Thanks! Thank you for attending our Curriculum Night.

We look forward to working with you and your child and having an awesome school year!

Please visit your child's classroom before leaving tonight.