Welcome to Mrs.

Miller

and Mrs. Smith’s

3rd Grade Class

Welcome to Third Grade! Tonight we will introduce

you to third grade and to our classrooms.

If you have any questions during our presentation, please raise your hand and we will be happy to answer them.

A Little About Mrs. Miller My Family My husband, Jeff, and I have been married for 21 years and have 3 children: Matt, Bailey, and Madelyn. We live in Lamar, Mississippi and attend Carey Chapel

Baptist Church.

My Background and Experience I grew up in Lamar and graduated from Ole Miss with a

Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I have taught school in Desoto County for eight years. I’ve taught 3rd grade for 7 yrs and have also taught 5th grade.

My Loves Gardening Spending time with my family St. Louis Cardinals Watching my daughter’s run cross country and dance.

A Little About Mrs. Smith My Family My husband, Mark, and I have been married for 24 years and have two children: Chandler and Hunter. We live in Collierville and attend Orchard Fellowship

Church.

My Background and Experience I grew up in Memphis and graduated from University of

Memphis with a Masters of Arts in Education. I have taught school for over 20 years with most of my

experience being in Shelby County and at Briarcrest. I have taught 3rd grade for 6 years and have also taught

kindergarten and 2nd grade.

My Loves Ole Miss Rebels Going to the lake with my family Watching my son play football and baseball

Class Subjects Mrs. Miller Teaches:

Reading (Vocabulary is incorporated with Reading) Writing (Grammar is incorporated with Writing) Spelling

Mrs. Smith Teaches: Math Cursive Handwriting

Our Goals To give your child the academic and

social skills needed to be successful in 4th grade.

To provide a safe, supportive, fun, and loving classroom environment.

To see your child experience the joy of learning and to help each child grow socially, academically, and emotionally.

UnderstandingThird Grade

How is Third Grade Different?

First Grade is where the students learn to read.

In the second grade, there is extensive review of 1st Grade skills compounded with some new skills.

How is Third Grade Different? Third Grade is the grade in which students

learn how to learn and take on more and more responsibilities.

They are learning a great deal of NEW subject matter that is difficult.

Third Grade tests require a deeper level of thought and understanding.

They are required by the MS Literacy Act to pass a MKAS2/Star Reading Test to advance to fourth grade.

How is Third Grade Different? Third Graders learn how to learn.

• Students learn how to think through what they have read in order to solve a problem, gain information, draw a conclusion, prove an argument or an answer.

• Students learn to weigh information given and determine what of that information is useful in order to prove their response.

• Students must develop study skills.

How is Third Grade Different? Students become more responsible.

Agenda

Fewer adults in the classroom

Keeping up with papers and supplies

Organizing binders

Completing work independently

Tests require studying and preparation

How is Third Grade Different? Students will learn many life skills

throughout the year. Reading & Writing

Making Inferences, Drawing Conclusions, Justifying Solutions, Questioning, Predicting, Making Connections, Writing to a purpose, Writing complete cohesive ideas

Math Problem Solving, Becoming Fluent with the

4 Operations, Justifying Solutions, Making Connections, Basic Algebra Concepts, Understanding how and why Math works

How is Third Grade Different?

Students will participate in standardized testing. Case 21 Testing

These district-wide assessments will be given in November and March.

MKAS2/ Star Reading Test A reading test that will be given in April.

Students must pass this test in order to move on to fourth grade. Re-tests will be given over the summer if needed.

Standardized Testing (continued)

MCT3 (Questar) This state-wide assessment will be given in

late April or early May for ELA and Math. This three-day test will be taken partially online. Reading and Math will be assessed online, while the writing portion will be handwritten.

Testing and Grading All tests will include a variety of question types: Multiple Choice,

Multiple Answer, and Open-Ended Questions Some questions have two parts and are dependent on previous

question (Part A & Part B)

Reading & Writing Spelling Tests are given weekly and will be averaged to make

one grade for the 9 week period which will be part of their speaking and listening grade.

Grading Percentages: Comprehension 50%, Writing 40%, Speaking/Listening 10%

Math Fact Fluency Test (Speed Tests) are given weekly and will be

averaged to make one test grade for the 9 week period. Grading Percentages: Assessments (Tests) 60% & Independent

Skill Practice 40%

How Do I Help My Child?

READ, READ, READ. Read with them. Have them read to you. Ask them questions about what they read. Have your child retell the story to you.

Study with them every night, not just nights that they have assignments. Initial their math facts logs each day.

Check your child’s agenda nightly. Look over any written homework and help

your child make corrections.

How Do I Help My Child?

Review previously taken tests. You may see some of the old test questions again. Practice 5 test questions each night.

Set weekly grade goals for your child-give them an incentive to do well.

Help your child learn to be organized-check their binder daily and show them how to keep it clean with everything in its place.

Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast each morning. Protein provides fuel to the brain and hungry children cannot learn.

How Do I Help My Child?

Provide your child with a consistent study time and place that is free of distractions.

Look for a weekly grade and behavior report (the gold card) in your child’s test folder. Please sign it each week and help them correct anything missed on a test.

Log-in to Parent Portal to view grades.

Our School & ClassroomCommunity

School Policies School Safety

All visitors must report to the office upon arrival Please have your ID

New Attendance Policy Students will be counted absent if they miss more than

2 hours and 17 minutes of the day.

Tardies & Check Outs School starts at 8:25 and will be counted tardy after 8:30

After 15 tardies, students will be suspended for 1 day. Every 3rd tardy after that results in 1 day suspension.

Dismissal Times: Car Riders-3:20 Bus Riders-3:25

Transportation Changes Please send a note or call the office

Classroom Policies Binder, Rulebooks, & Agenda

Bring to school EVERY DAY Communication

Weekly Newsletter/Emails Remind 101 Class Websites E-mail addresses: tracy.smith@dcsms.org & kelly.miller@dcsms.org

Graded papers/Gold Cards Sent home every Wednesday in Test Folder

Tests/Homework Check your child’s newsletter for tests and

agenda for homework Conferences

During Activity or After School

Classroom Policies Birthday Celebrations

Invitations and/or Food Classroom Celebrations

Parties Christmas Rewards

Snacks Send Snack and Water Bottle

Allergies Peanut allergies

Breakfast/Lunch Breakfast -$1.25 Lunch-$2.50 Milk - $.50

Expectations

Expected Behaviors Classroom Behaviors (everywhere in school)

Do nothing that keeps you or your classmates from learning.

Keep hands, feet, objects, and hurtful words to yourself.

Respectfully follow all directions.

Hallway & Bathroom Behaviors Use “Walking Feet”. Stay behind the person in front of you. Keep writing utensils out of the hallway and

the bathrooms. Stay silent.

Expected Behaviors Playground Behaviors

ALWAYS go DOWN the slide on your BOTTOM – one person at a time.

Only one person at a time in a swing. No jumping off any play equipment. Line up quickly and quietly when you hear the

first whistle.

Cafeteria Behaviors Stay silent in the serving line. Talk softly to the people around you after eating. Stay seated until the teacher dismisses you.

Consequences & Rewards Gold Card

Marks Time Out

Caught Being Good – Fish Rewards Other Rewards

Lots of Praise!! Classroom Dollars Candy

Classroom Economy Classroom Store Party Favors, Happy Meal Toys, Dollar Store

Schedules

Class SubjectsThe subjects we cover during 3rd grade are: Language Arts

Reading Comprehension Language (Spelling & Vocabulary) Writing (Grammar) Speaking and Listening

Math Cursive Handwriting Science & Social Studies

Incorporated into other subject areas

Our Daily Schedule*** 1st Period Begins ***

8:05-8:30 Morning Work8:30-10:50 Language Arts

or Math Block*** 2nd Period Begins ***

10:50-11:15 Language Arts or Math11:15-11:40 Lunch/Restrooms11:50-12:25 Language Arts or Math12:25-1:15 Activity & Restroom1:15-2:25 Language Arts

or Math Block2:30-2:40 Snack/Restrooms2:40-3:00 Recess 3:00-3:15 Enrich/Remediate/Dismiss

Activity Schedule

Mrs. Smith’s Homeroom

Mon – ComputerTues – PEWed – ArtThurs – LibraryFri – Music

Mrs. Miller’s Homeroom

Mon – MusicTues – LibraryWed – PEThurs – ComputerFri – Art

Important Times in Your Child’s Day

11:15-11:40 Lunch 12:25-1:10 Activity 2:40-3:00 Recess 3:20-3:25 Dismissal

Classroom Needs/Wishlist Highlighters Party favors, small toys, and

dollar store items for our class store

Bags of individually wrapped candy (no peanuts please)

We are looking forward to a GREAT year with you and

your child!