Welcome to Mrs. Feddersen’s 3rd Grade Classroom

• Please find your child’s desk and take a seat.

• You may start completing paperwork while your are waiting. Thank you!

• Please fill out inside of the planner, especially address section

• Check out volunteer positions on the front board.

• Fill out dismissal (transportation)paper on front board

• Type your email on the back computer

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Who is Mrs. Feddersen?

• This is my 10th year teaching third grade at Lowes Island Elementary and my 16th year over all.

• I have a degree in elementary education from Minnesota State University, Mankato. I have a reading concentration and a masters in Reading from Shenandoah University.

Classroom Schedule

• I aim to have an hour of each subject every day.

• Specials will vary each day.

• Please send your child to school with the appropriate clothing or supplies needed for their specials that day. • For example, on days we have p.e. all students need

to wear or bring sneakers to school. Our class schedule is on the LIES website under my name.

• Please check website for schedule times rather than the office.

Reading

• Balanced Approach

Shared (whole class)

Guided (small groups based on individual reading level)

Independent (log reading, running records) 8 books are required for the 1st quarter. Please monitor your child’s progress towards the goal at least weekly.

Transition from learning to read to reading to learn

Writing

• Transition to a complete paragraph, then multi-paragraphs

• Practice the process of writing: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, final copy/publishing

• Various types of writing: narrative, poetry, how to, etc.

Math

Many new concepts including multiplication and division

Memorizing math facts (both addition/subtraction and multiplication and division is very important in being successful this year, both in class and passing of math SOL test.

Some students may require more practice than others. The weekend is a great time to meet your child’s needs. REFLEX and Dreambox computer programs are available at home 7 days a week.

Discipline How It Works

Classroom Rules:

Be readyBe responsible

Be respectful

Sequence of Consequences when rules aren’t followed:

A color coded ticket system will be used to record students’ behavior. Each child is involved in keeping track of his/her behavior. I believe it is important for children to practice self-discipline. Tickets will be issued for talking /disrupting class, incomplete class work, out of seat w/o permission, disrespectful, and not following directions. At the end of the week, a weekly behavior report will be sent home with each student.

Positive reinforcement Techniques Implemented:

Individual: sticker charts (prizes awarded when a chart is filled), verbal praise

Small Group: sticker charts, verbal praise

Whole class: sticker charts, verbal praise, Around the World game, math bingo, special theme days (Will use Mr. Potato Head to earn special rewards such as math game day, math bingo, extra recess, lunch in the classroom or court yard, etc)

GradingA grading scale of 4, 3, 2, 1 will be on individual assignments. 4 = exceeding expectations

3 = meeting expectations

2= meeting expectations

1 = needs improvement

On report cards, a letter grade is assigned for each

subject.

3rd Grade Assessments• Students will be given a leveling test for word study.

• I will assess each student’s reading level using the DRA assessment in September, January, and May. • The end of year reading benchmark for third graders is a

DRA level 38.

• Students will take quarterly benchmark tests in math and reading.

• At the end of third grade the students will take two SOL tests which are reading and math.

• You will receive their results with the fourth quarter report card.

Homework and Tests• I do NOT agree with lengthy homework.

• Students will be required to complete a quarterly reading log for school and home reading

• I will give every other week Word Study tests.

• Math, Science, and Social Studies tests will be given at the end of each unit.

• Word Study homework Tuesday and Thursday

• REFLEX (M/W) and Dreamworks (T/TH) 15 mins.

• Reading nightly for 15 mins. or more, reading comprehension sheets or content sheets

Homework and Make-Up Work

• Homework sheets along with other daily forms will go home on a daily basis in the R.O.C.K.S. binder.

• If a student misses work covered in class due to illness, they will need to get the material when they return to school and discuss the procedures with me.

R.O.C.K.S. Binder

• Items that will be in your child’s binder• Planner

• Homework folder

• Word Study notebook

• Monday Folder

• I will check planners for parent signatures.

• Expectations:• Parents need to sign their student’s planner every night after homework

is completed. Please do not sign if unfinished or provide a reason why it couldn’t be completed. Also, please help your child correct any mistakes so he/she is not practicing it wrong.

• Also test dates, parent information such as field trips, notes to the teacher

Search and Futura Program

• Students will participate in Search class every other week.

• In this class students must use their problem solving skills to master higher level thinking tasks.

• Information collected in this class helps the Search teacher identify students for next year’s FUTURA program.

• All third graders will take the Naglieri test in the fall, which also helps in identifying gifted children.

• If you have any questions please contact Wendy Young (wendy.l.young@lcps.org)

What to Expect From 3rd Grade

Main goal =moving towards greater independence and developing successful work and study habits

Greater emphasis on content area More tests

More studying

Math builds on 2nd grade concepts, introduces many new skills such as multiplication and division

Contact Information• My e-mail address is karen.feddersen@lcps.org

• I try very hard to answer all e-mails in a timely manner.

• Monday Memos – often posted Friday after school or by Monday after school

• If you need to contact me about a change in your child’s dismissal plan, please e-mail me before 1:00. If you do not receive a response, please assume I did not see it and call the office to leave a message.

• Do not place papers/notes in Monday envelopes. Please use homework binders.

Volunteers Needed

• Room Parent

• Monday Folder Parent – Monday mornings

• Box Tops Counter

• Wordy Study Test Administer – every other Friday

• Writing assistant at the end of the day on Tuesday or Wednesday.

• Cutting, putting together centers/activities, etc. at home

• Oral reading listener for working on fluency

• School Volunteers – copying and book room helper

Additional Information• Visitor’s Badge

• First Day Folders ( paperwork)

• Absences : contact office

• Vacations; unexcused absences, make-up work given on return

• Nutrition Snack Break: no candy, cookies, Fruit Roll-ups, chips

• No food birthday treats, LCPS rule

Building Independence

• In 3rd grade, we encourage the students to put their homework in their backpack themselves, ask you to sign their planner after going over their homework together, and say good-bye at the front door after the first week of school unless you need to carry in large items. Together we can provide life skills for the many years of school to come!

• Please, no “conferences” as you are dropping off your child- I am in charge of 19 children at that point.

In Conclusion…

Thank you for coming tonight.

I look forward to a wonderful year working with your child!