1. Back to School Night Welcome to Third Grade! August 29, 2018
Rhonda Balsamo - READING
Brittney Dayeh - SOCIAL STUDIES
Erin Louviere - MATHEMATICS
Samantha Tyler - SCIENCE

2. THIRD GRADE DAILY SCHEDULE 2018-2019
8:25-9:05 Writing
9:05-10:10 Block 1
Bathroom Break
10:10-11:15 Block 2
11:15-11:40 Recess
11:45-12:15 Lunch
12:15-1:20 Block 3
1:25-2:10 Exploratory
2:15-3:20 Block 4
3:20-3:30 Dismissal

3. Language Includes spelling, grammar, and writing
Taught in all homerooms by your child’s homeroom teacher
Final writing pieces will be periodically scored with a rubric (worth one test grade)

4. Reading
Focuses on the Louisiana Standards for Reading which are based on rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher- order thinking skills
Lexia and Kidbiz programs (Kidbiz: two selections weekly homework)
Reading projects, novel study, and various writing pieces
Website:

5. Math Focuses on the Common Core Standards for Math
Lessons include tiered activities, small group instruction and technology
iReady computer program for individual technology instruction
Nightly spiraled homework
Website:

6. Social Studies First year as a report-card grade
Focuses on Louisiana-based topics (geography, history, economics, and civics)
Studying before tests will be necessary (frequent review of material helps)
Study guides and other study materials will be posted on Mrs. Dayeh’s website well in-advance (dayehthirdgrade.weebly.com)
Textbook available online! (Info coming home next week)

7. Science
New state science standards are now aligned with Next Generation Science Standards
Stronger focus on science and engineering practices
Require students to construct knowledge, rather than regurgitate facts
Mystery Science curriculum uses real-world phenomena to engage students and provides hands-on activities to enrich learning.
Website:

8. Third grade website! https://thirdgradelusher.weebly.com/
One-stop shop for homework, assessment, and assignment updates (go to “this week’s updates” tab)
Schedules also posted
Please bookmark it!

9. Exploratories Tennis shoes on PE day Easy-to-remove shoes for dance
See Rotation Schedule on team website
Library books will be checked out
during an assigned time.

10. Project-Based Learning and Arts Integration
Completed in one subject area during the year
Long-term, collaborative, student-driven
AI: will involve Lusher faculty artist

11. Binder & Agenda
Should come home nightly and returned daily with your child
Homework is written in the agenda and listed on third grade website
Classwork and homework divided by subject
Responsibility; independence

12. Love & Logic + Conscious Discipline
School wide approach to discipline
Develops personal accountability and intrinsic motivation
Encourages goal-setting

13. Homework Policy Assignments given Monday through Thursday nights
Should take no more than 30 minutes (not including studying and KIDBIZ)

14. Test Folders Sent home every Wednesday
Students will have a red test folder
Please initial EACH test/quiz and return the folder by Friday
Every test/quiz must be returned and filed in the classroom

15. Grading Policy
75% Summative Tests (except for 4th quarter: 100% summative)
25% Quarterly Benchmark Exam
5 report card grades: reading, language, math, social studies, and science
Projects and writings will be graded periodically with rubrics and scored as a summative assessment
Formative Assessments:
“Quick Quizzes”
Given frequently
Will be checked, recorded, and sent home
NOT factored into the final grade !
Purpose is to track progression of learning

16. Study Folders Folder kept in classroom
Study Guides, Foldables, and other review materials (Reading/ Social Studies /Math/ Science)
Sent home to study for Benchmark Tests and state testing
Folder must be returned and signed by a parent with all materials each quarter

17. Test Retakes/Makeups Retakes are not automatic
New Policy – students taking retakes/makeups in Opportunity Room must attend reteaching session prior to retake
Opportunity room will be Tuesday or Thursday
determined by teacher
Retakes offered to students with a D or F on a Summative Test (NOT Benchmarks) guidelines are set by administration
3 retakes per quarter is the maximum allowed
Unacceptable examples: did not study, did not follow directions
Acceptable: Did not understand a specific concept and need re-teaching

18. Study Skills
This year we will begin to focus on study skills and life skills with your child
Examples: organization, note taking, flash cards, highlighting, using study guides effectively, completing homework
We will begin specifically addressing these needs in the classroom as benchmarks grow closer
Please begin instilling good study habits at home

19. Online Resources Lexia (www.lexiacore5.com) used daily in classroom
Builds skill in fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and structural analysis
Kid Biz (kidbiz3000.com)
Use in class and as homework
Articles each week with questions to answer
iReady (math)
used regularly in class
adapts & collects data based on student’s responses
shows growth through 3rd grade targets
Google Classroom (classroom.google.com)
Used regularly for science and SS

20. Dress Code Review the handbook if you have any questions.
The following are not allowed at Lusher:
Temporary tattoos
Crocs or backless shoes
Inappropriate slogans on t-shirts; tank tops or sleeveless shirts or dresses
Distracting hair styles or cuts
Hair attachments; unnatural hair colors

21. Lunch Money OPSB is now our food service vendor
Payments are possible online at schoolcafe.com
Students may send in $2.00 cash or $0.50 for milk

22. Definition of “Tardy” School day begins at 8:05
Students arriving after 8:05 will be given an “admit” ticket and be marked Tardy
Students must sit in their class line at Morning Meeting - not with parents or siblings

23. Birthday Snacks
All snacks should be store-bought and individually sliced/packaged (to accommodate students with allergies)
Student of the Week snacks will be eaten on Friday afternoons
Please contact your child’s homeroom teacher before sending in a birthday snack. (To avoid multiple snacks and schedule conflicts.)
Not required!

24. Attendance VERY important!!
Completing make-up work is just not the same as being in class
Best time for appointments is on the first Wed. of each month (early release day at 2pm)
Wednesday (class meeting day) and rainy days – report directly to homerooms by 8:05.

25. Conferences 1st Quarter conferences – September 18
2nd Quarter conferences – November 14
Homeroom teacher will schedule time for parents to pick up progress reports
Individual teachers will schedule conferences on a needs basis

26. Weekly Letters Important school info Emailed out every Friday
Lusher Letter:
Important school info
ed out every Friday
3rd Grade Team Website: (thirdgradelusher.weebly.com)
Check for updates from each teacher about what to expect for the next week
Website will be updated by Monday morning
Teachers will put resources on their individual class websites

27. Handbook Located online under the “Forms & Downloads” tab
Communication Policy – response within 48 hours
for brief exchanges, conference for in-depth discussions

28. Field Trips 3rd goes on the BEST field trips!!
Parent chaperones greatly appreciated and needed
Your background check must be current
Check in the office

29. Contact Information
Team Website: thirdgradelusher.weebly.com
Teacher’s individual websites are linked on team website s:

30. Schedule 6:25-6:35 Homeroom 6:37-6:47 Block 2 6:49-6:59 Block 3

31. Thank You! Thank you for visiting!
We are looking forward to an exciting year! ☺
Please visit your child’s homeroom teacher first.