Third Grade Student/Parent

Handbook

Mrs. Ashland TemoneyMinnie Hughes Elementary

2013 – 2014 School YearNote: This handbook provides information on curriculum study areas, policies, procedures, and expectations for the new school year. Please

ensure that you read all of the content to better understand my class. Thank you!

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Dear Parents, Wow, the summer has just flown by and I am very excited that I have the opportunity to work

with your child. Third grade is a very exciting year, where students are encouraged to become independent learners and the work is a little harder. It will be an exciting journey as you watch your third grader grow over the course of the year.

As we begin our school year for 2013-2014, I wanted to first introduce myself to all of you. My name is Ashland Temoney. I am from Hollywood, SC. I graduated from Winthrop University and received my Master’s degree in Education from the University Of Phoenix. I am currently enrolled in another graduate program working on my 2nd Master’s Degree. This will be my third year teaching, but I have worked with children since I was enrolled in high school, through the Early Childhood Program at Garret Academy. This is my second year teaching third grade. I have been married for almost three years and my husband is a middle school teacher. My passion is teaching and ensuring that all children have the opportunity for learning in a safe, organized and fun environment.

The environment will be a learning environment, yet learning will be fun. Learning materials will seek to enhance the cognitive development, character, and academic skills of all students. Students will learn responsibility and develop life-long skills for their future academic journey. Students will be challenged EVERYDAY to further their thinking and learning. My expectations for students are HIGH, but they are obtainable, if the student puts forth the effort! I am not going to lie to you parents, third grade can be challenging. There is so much information students are expected to know by the time it is over, to where we have NO time to waste. This also is the first year your child will PASS Test, which is the state test, that helps determine our school’s performance grade. It is our job to ensure they are ready.

We are going to learn a great deal together. When I say together, I mean all of us …your child, you, and me! We will be working together as a team with a common goal. The goal is to educate and nurture your son or daughter. I firmly believe that we must ALL work TOGETHER if the children are to succeed. I can’t do it alone; you can’t do it alone; certainly the students can’t do it alone. Please be involved in your child’s studies. Help them study at night, make sure they complete the homework and project assignments. Students will have to study at home to remember everything for Social Studies and Science. The rewards for active participation in your child’s education are sometimes hard to see on a day-to day basis, but they will manifest themselves down the road. I will do my utmost for your child’s education! I will diligently work to make him/her a better person – more responsible and more educated!

Parents will be contacted on a regular basis with letters, phone calls, email, and parent-teacher conferences. Contact will be made when negative behavior is displayed as well as positive behavior. An open door policy will be in place for parents to drop in to observe their children at all times. The teacher, parent, and student will have to work together to make learning successful and fulfilling. I am so excited and confident that we will be able to do this together and make this a fun experience for everyone involved. Can’t wait to have a Great school Year!

Sincerely, Mrs. Ashland Temoney

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Behavior Calendar Policy

The Behavior Calendar goes along with our Point system. Each day each student will earn a number based on their behavior for the day. If the student has a 7, then you know they had an outstanding day, where they did not have to be corrected. If they earned a 6, that means they had to be corrected at least once throughout the day. 5 means I had to speak to them two or more times. 4 means I spoke to the student at least 4 times, which is too much! Students also lose a point when not following directions or coming to school unprepared (for example: no homework, leaving homework folder, leaving book bag, no pencil, no vocabulary cards, and not getting something signed etc.)

7 = Super Day!6 = Good Day!

5 = Silent Lunch4 = Silent Lunch & No recess

3 = Silent Lunch, No recess and note home2 = All of the Above and Conference

1 = All of the Above & Sent to Administrative

Students will be responsible for writing their number on the calendar at the end of the day and obtaining my signature by their number. Please be sure to sign the behavior calendar each night in the box for that day. Your signature ensures that you have seen your child’s behavior report for the day. This will be kept in the student’s Homework Folder. They will receive a new calendar each month. Students will receive rewards, tickets for completing this task daily. This is an effective way of communicating how you child’s day was at school.

Please go over this with your child, sign and return it to school.

Student’s Signature____________________________________________________

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Parents’s Signature____________________________________________________Homework Policy

Homework is given every night, Monday – Thursday. Students may come home with weekend packets some Fridays, depending on how they did on assessments, to gain extra practice in an area. All weekend Packets are expected to return on Monday. Every Monday, you are given a homework sheet. The homework sheet already has your assignments written out. Homework is to be completed each night, at home, as assigned. Each child is responsible for completing the correct assignment and packing up their book bag accordingly, ensuring they have all they need to complete the assignment. Homework is due the morning after in your Homework Folder along with signed homework sheet. Each evening a parent/guardian or some other adult must sign your sheet for that night only. They cannot sign for any other day except for the day assigned. By signing the homework sheet, parents are acknowledging that you have reviewed and assisted their child with his/her homework.

Homework is checked and returned to students daily. Getting homework sheets signed is the students’ responsibility. Students who return to school with sheets not signed will not be allowed recess. However, the signature, returning

of the folder and the completed assignments are the ultimate responsibility of the child. This teaches the student to be accountable for their own actions. Students

will be assigned "silent lunch" if homework folders are not signed and/or assignments are not completed. They will also go to recess detention to

complete missed homework. If your child is unable to complete homework due to unforeseen circumstances, please send me a note or email me. I will certainly make arrangements for him or her to complete it in class. If you have questions about the homework, please contact the school and schedule a conference with

me. The homework sheet also has space provided for other teacher notes involving discipline and other miscellaneous notes. Students will only complete homework for days they were present in school. For example the student missed

school on Wednesday. When they return on Thursday or whatever day. They only need to bring homework for Tuesday night, not Wednesday. Homework is

very important in reinforcing the day’s lesson. See the attached sheet to view

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how the homework sheet will look.

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Homework Policy Continued…..* Students may also earned tickets to cash in for the treasure box by writing your name on your homework sheet by the time I check homework folders on Tuesday morning.

A. When working on your homework, I expect each student to:

1. Do their best job on the assignments,2. Be neat, not sloppy, (Sloppy papers will be deducted by 10 points.)3. Have your paper headed correctly, (Papers not heading correctly will be deducted 5 points.) and4. Do the work on their own. (Students can ask for help ONLY after they have given it their best effort. You cannot learn if others in your home are doing for you! It shows when assessments and other class work are given at school. You can pass the homework, but not work given in school. If I suspect that this is happening, I stop giving credit to that student for homework assignments.)

B. A student who chooses not to do his/her assignments:

1. Will lose recess privileges and2. Receive a grade of 0% - F on the assignments.

Please go over this with your child, sign and return it to school.

Student’s Signature____________________________________

Parents’s Signature_____________________________________

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Weekly Homework Assignment For ____________________________ Monday ________ Reading - ___________________________________________ Science - ____________________________________________ Math - ______________________________________________ Social Studies - ________________________________________ Teacher’s Comment(s): _________________________________________________________________________ Parent’s Signature for Monday Tuesday _________ Reading - ___________________________________________ Science - ____________________________________________ Math - _____________________________________________ Social Studies - _______________________________________ Teacher’s Comment(s): _________________________________________________________________________ Parent’s Signature for Tuesday Wednesday _________ Reading - ____________________________________________ Science - _____________________________________________ Math - ______________________________________________ Social Studies - ________________________________________ Teacher’s Comment(s): _________________________________________________________________________ Parent’s Signature for Wednesday Thursday ________ Study for all exams! _________________________________________________________________________ Parent’s Signature for Thursday * Please note that by signing this Homework Sheet you are acknowledging that you have reviewed and assisted your child with his/her homework. * Please continue to monitor your child’s study habits. The Afternoon Study Schedule is listed above. * Let’s make this a “Productive Third Grade Year”! Thank you in advance! - Ms. Matthews Parent’s Comment(s): _____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

Important Information for Parents * Afterschool Study Schedule: Reading - 20 min. Math - 30 min.

Science – 20 min. Social Studies – 20 min. *

Rewards for POSITIVE BEHAVIOR

1. Verbal praise

2. Ticket(s) to earn prizes

3. Certificate to take home

4. Homework Pass

5. Special privileges (play a game, free time)

6. Earning of Minnie Bucks

Point System 7 = Super Day!

6 = Good Day!

5 = Silent Lunch

4 = Silent Lunch & No Recess

3 = All of the Above and note home/Call home

2 = All of the Above and conference

1 = All of the Above & Sent to AdministrativeTicket Rewards

10 Tickets……….a piece of candy or Treasure Box (1 Item)

20 Tickets………….Eat Popcorn during Quiet Reading Time or Treasure Box (2 Items)

30Tickets……Sit anywhere you want for 1 day or sit in the teacher’s chair for an hour

40Tickets………..No Homework for 1 night or be the teacher’s assistance for a day

50Tickets.....Bring a stuff animal to have at your desk for 1 day or receive a snack on me!

Students are able to cash in tickets for a prize on Fridays only. Students are responsible for keeping up with their own tickets once they have been rewarded.

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MRS. TEMONEY’S DISCIPLINE PLAN

Again, I believe there can be no learning without discipline! I want you and all of the other students in our classroom to be the best that he/she can be. Positive behavior will help you achieve this goal and increase

your academic success. I will NOT tolerate any student distracting others in my

class from learning. I have developed a Classroom Discipline Plan that allows you the opportunity to manage

your own behavior. Therefore, in our classroom we will utilize the following discipline plan:

1.Raise your hand to speak and wait to be called upon.

2.Stay in your seat at all times, unless you have permission to be up. (Use Hand Signals located at the front of the class)

3.Walk inside the classroom.

4.Say and do kind things to others (show respect to your teacher and others).

5.Keep your hands, feet and other objects to yourself.

6.TRY YOUR BEST!

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7.Keep your chair on all four legs.

8.No gum or Eating is allowed in the class.

We will be using the point system for consequences as you have seen above.

Curriculum OverviewEnglish Language Arts

Students are exposed to a variety of literature throughout the year. Students are taught to interpret accurately and support interpretation with references in the text. They learn to draw inferences and comparisons. Students also learn to form critical judgments, analyze literature, and engage in open-ended discussions. In addition, students will be taught to be a Reading Detectives. Being a Reading Detective is a strategy that is taught to better assist students with comprehending what has been read in order to answer questions about the text.

Many opportunities for writing are provided in our class. Students are exposed to a variety of writing forms including creative writing, poetry, math/science journals, research, and other writing formed based upon the third grade coherent curriculum.

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The writing process involves prewriting, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing. Students will also develop their understanding of Six –Traits + 1: ideas, organization, voice, sentence fluency, word choice, conventions, and presentation.

Opportunities to develop oral language skills are provided. Students will present oral presentations individually as well as with a group. Further more when students speak they are always instructed to speak in complete sentences.

MathematicsThe mathematical program in our class extends problem-

solving skills and builds connections between new concepts and those taught in previous grades. The children continue to develop basic number sense from the ones to the millions place. Multiplication and division are extended through 12 as a factor and divisor. The study of fractions is extended to include equivalent fractions, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and finding fractional parts of a whole number. Operations of fractions are developed from concrete and pictorial representations. The children practice estimations skills and they learn to round numbers. Work with decimals includes addition and subtraction, rounding, comparing mental computations, money, and estimating.

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The children will measure in metric and customary systems. The students will be involved in hands on measuring experiences. Geometric concepts include volume of rectangular solid along with areas and perimeter of simple plane figures. The children also work with points, lines, planes, polygons, circles, angles, congruent figures, line of symmetry, and simple coordinate graphing. Statistical concepts include gathering data, creating graphs, interpreting graphs, and computing the mean, mode, and range.

Students will be expected to explain and show their calculations and problem solving strategies. Students will maintain a math notebook. Teacher generated assessments are used to assess state standards along with teacher observation.

ScienceThe science curriculum investigates animal and plant

adaptations, microscopic life, weather, earth sciences, and electricity. Each unit is based on the scientific method of inquiry and develops the students’ abilities to formulate questions, hypothesize, test, collect data, predict, draw conclusions, and evaluate. Students will maintain a science notebook. Teacher generated assessments are used to assess state standards along

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with teacher observation, individual projects, and group presentations.

Social StudiesOur social studies curriculum covers South Carolina history.

Students will be involved in enrichment projects and/or research for many topics of discussion.

WHEN YOU ARE WORKING IN A GROUP OR WITH A PARTNER

* Stay focus and on task

* Talk quietly

* When you have completed your task, double check your work, and read over your notes in that particular subject.

YOUR WORK WILL:* Be turned in on time. Work will not be accepted after the

designated time.* Be on regular size notebook paper, written on the right side (wide or college ruled paper)* Be neat and legible.* Be in pencil. Any work completed in pen will not be graded. NO EXCEPTIONS!* Not have rugged edges as with spiral notebook paper.* Not have doodling and decorations on it.* Observe margins as they appear on your paper. <Left Hand> <Right Hand>

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* have correct heading. 1st – name, 2nd – date, 3rd – subject, and skip a line(see below and also look at the sample on the wall)

CHEATING POLICY

Cheating is not permitted. If you are found to be cheating on a test or classroom assignment, parents will be notified and you will receive a 0% - F for the test or assignment. If this problem continues by that student, the above procedure will be followed with a referral to the office.

BATHROOM AND WATER ALLOWANCES

Unlike the lower level classrooms, my classroom is not equipped with a restroom. Students who have bladder problems; provided a written excuse from their physician only, will be allowed to use the restroom as needed.All other students must try their best to adhere to the

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Complete Name  Date   Subject/Page  ***SKIP THIS LINE***  (Begin work here!)

restroom schedule. There are three restroom breaks: If the student has to use the restroom soon

after we just left, they must give me two tickets that they earned for the treasure box. If they have to go later, but before the next break, they must give me one ticket.

COMMUNICATION ABOUT STUDENT PROGRESS

* In order to achieve maximum success, a good parent-teacher relationship is necessary.

* Throughout the year, I will communicate through notes, telephone calls, letters, and conferences.

* I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. You can write a note on your child’s homework sheet in the appropriate section or call me at the school (889-2976) and I will return your call.

* Be sure to sign your child’s homework sheet daily and review assignments. Please ensure that your child has completed all assignments.

* Every Friday, your child’s weekly assessment report is sent home. This report provides you with your child’s grades on Friday’s weekly assessments, weekend homework assignments to prepare for the upcoming week, homework and behavior status for the week. In addition, your child’s performance on his/her morning work will be provided.

* Parents are expected to review the weekly assessment report with their child, sign, and return the report the

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following Monday in their child’s homework folder. NO EXCEPTIONS – students who return on Monday without his/her report signed will not be allowed recess.

CLASSROOM SIGNALS TO GET THE TEACHER’S ATTENTION

* One Finger: “I need to sharpen my pencil.”

* Two Fingers: “I need to go to the restroom.”

* Three Fingers “I need to go throw something in the trash”

* Four Fingers “I would like to go sit on the carpet”

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* Five Fingers: “I have a question/answer for you.”* Simply use the signals without calling my name. I will acknowledge you with a head notion.* This system is used in an effort to minimize class disruption.

(Sample of a Past Report)Weekly Assessment/Behavior Report

For_____________________________________ given on Friday, April 22, 2011.

* Please note that the grades shown below reflect only your child’s performance on his/her assessments given on today. * The grading scale has been provided for you in the upper right hand corner.

Academic ProgressSubjects Grade Comments

ReadingPlease have your child to read his/her Reading notes found in the English notebook. We will no longer have written reading homework sheets.

Writing Please continue to work with your child on answering questions in complete sentences.Social Studies

Please have your child to read textbook pp. 57 - 66 (Chapter 6). He/she also needs to study Social Studies notes for Chapter 7 – 17 to stay aware of SC’s history!

MathWe will no longer have written math homework sheets. Your child should devote afternoon time to studying notes from the beginning to the end of his/her notebook.

ScienceNext week, we’ll be moving on to Unit D: Lesson 2 of Chapter Two “Solid, Liquids, Gases” pp. E16 – E19. Reading must be done!

* This section reflects your child’s behavior for the entire week.

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* The behavior key has been provided below the grading scale.

Behavior ReportHomework ___ missed assignment(s) ___ failed assignment(s)

Conduct Code Comments

Classroom Concerns: Parents, I’m asking that during the weekend you monitor your child’s study habits. We are approaching PASS with only 12 instructional days left.

There is no excuse for failure! Everything your child needs is in his/her notebook. STUDYING MUST BE DONE!!!!

*Your child has passed ____/failed _____ Morning Work Assignments. Please work with your child on the problems that he/she gets wrong. Failed papers are returned to students.

Parent Comments/ Signature: ________________________ Date: ________________

CONDUCT IN THE HALLWAYS AND CAFETERIA

* Absolutely, NO TALKING is allowed in the hallways.

* Stay in a single file line along the right side of the wall.

* Face the direction in which the line is traveling.

* Respect property in the halls – this includes class work, art, and posters. Keep your hands and feet off of the wall.

* Use your inside voice in the cafeteria.

* DO NOT ask a fellow classmate for his/her food until you have eaten yours.

* DO NOT play with your food. DO NOT mix anything that

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you won’t eat.

CLASSROOM PROPERTY* DO NOT touch items I have designated as my personal

items.

* Keep the classroom as clean as possible. No paper, tissue, or pencil shavings are allowed on the floor. Please find the

trash can for your designated section.

* Neatly return all books used during Self-Selective Reading in their appropriate baskets. These books cost a lot of money, so

take care of them.

* Any student caught damaging classroom property, will be fined the cost of the damaged item.

* Stay out of your classmates’ desks, backpacks, and other personal items.

* Keep your desk clean, inside and out. Nastiness breeds roaches and other pests. We will have a random desk check each week, violators will lose recess if their desk is found not clean during the check.

PLAYGROUND* Use equipment as it was intended - This helps to avoid unnecessary injuries.

* Use age appropriate equipment

* DO NOT leave the playground for any reason without

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getting my permission- i.e. to retrieve balls, use restroom, get water, visit the nurse, etc.

* When your teacher signals, line up immediately- not when you get ready to.

DISMISSAL

* Once homework folders have been issued, check inside to see what materials are needed to complete the night’s assignments or weekend homework.

* Sharpen three (3) pencils. Make sure you leave them in your desk for the next day. Pencils are not sharpened in the mornings.

* Students should write their behavior number for the day on the calendar and place it on top of their homework folder, until it is signed by me. Students should make sure they have all materials to complete their homework each night, including folders. Once signed, students may pack up to be dismissed.

Parent’s Commitment Pledge

1. I want my child to have the most effective educational opportunity and I know importance of parent commitment to this goal.

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2. I realize that parent participation can help to influence academic excellence and appropriate social behavior so I commit myself to working with the school.

3. I will ensure that there is quiet time in the home environment and will encourage my child to use that time to learn.

4. I will see that all homework assignments are completed each night and when there is no assignment, that time is used to read, write, or compute.

5. I will ask each child, at a set time each day, “What did you learn today?” and in my absence I will arrange that somebody else does it.

6. I will allow TV watching only when assigned work is completed.

7. I will check homework folders and book bags daily for things to complete sign and turn in.

8. I will teach my child the value of good discipline and I am committed to a partnership with the classroom teacher’s effort in promoting a disciplined environment.

9. I commit myself to meet with my child’s teacher every grading period, in addition to scheduled conferences.

10. I will encourage my child to do his/her very best.

I have read the pledge above and fully support its beliefs.

Parent Signature___________________________________________________

Parent/ Student Classroom Policy Agreement Form

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for Mrs. Temoney’s Third Grade Class

I try to help my students understand that responsibility must be an important part of their lives. Within reason, I expect students to be responsible for their actions; however, it is not fair to hold students responsible for something they do not know or fully understand. This is why the student/parent handbook was created. It contains a wealth of information not only for my students but also their parents. The handbook is designed to help them understand the dynamics of my classroom and what will be expected in third grade.

If I can be of any assistance in clarifying any section of the handbook or in answering any other questions you may have, please don’t hesitate to call.

Please indicate that you have read and discussed the information within this handbook with your child by completing and returning the bottom portion of this page no later than, Friday, August 24, 2011.

Thank you in advance!Mrs. Ashland Temoney

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My son/ daughter/ grandchild __________________________ and I have reviewed this handbook together. We agree to adhere to the rules and procedures described in this packet.

Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________Date: ______________________

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