Hello Families!

I put together this handbook (click here to download complete handbook) as a resource for you so that you know the expectations and routines in third grade.  Included you will find information about classroom procedures and information about my teaching philosophy.  I want it to be a useful tool, so if you have any suggestions please let me know.

I am really looking forward to this school year and am very pleased to have the opportunity to continue teaching at Ludlow Elementary School.  This will be my eighth year of teaching, seven of which have been in third grade.   Originally from Chicago I moved to Vermont two years ago.  I earned my bachelor’s degree in education at DePaul University in Chicago.  This past summer I completed my Master’s in Education at Antioch University in New Hampshire. 

You are your child’s first and most important teacher.  I value your input, so please let me know if there is anything you want to share about your child or how they might be more successful. 

It is my goal to make this a fulfilling and fun year of learning.  Please feel free to come to me with your concerns, so that we can ensure that your child has a successful year in third grade.  You can email me at dunnem@ludlowelementary.com , leave me a message at 228-5151 or come in to see me before or after school. 

Sincerely,

      Margaret Dunne

Schedule of the Day

Morning Duties

Beginning at 7:30 students will come in to the classroom and deposit their coat or outerwear outside on their hook.  Next they will turn in homework, take down their chair and make sure they are ready for morning work (example – sharpen their pencil; fill their water bottle, etc.).

Morning Meeting

Right at 7:50 our class will begin our morning meeting.  This is a time for us to gather as a class in a circle for about 20 minutes to greet each other, share news, do a group activity and look forward to the day ahead.  This daily routine builds community creates a positive climate for learning and gives children practice in a wide range of academic and social skills.  This is an important part of the day; please help your child be at school before 7:45 so that they don’t miss this time together.

Word Study

After meeting students will be working on our spelling program, which I am calling word study.  During this time students will learn spelling strategies, memorize high frequency words, spelling patterns, word origins and dictionary skills. 

Students will sometimes work as a whole group, but more often they will work in small groups based on their individual needs.   Most weeks students will be bringing home lists of words they need to study.

Unit of Study

During the year we will be switching between a science unit and a social studies unit.  This is a list of the following units we will cover:

• Ludlow History


• Matter


• Democracy


• Life Cycles


• Geography/Map Skills


• Solar System


• Inquiry Science

As you might notice there are only three periods a week completely dedicated to the study of these units.  However I will be integrating these themes into reading and writing.

Snack

We will be eating snack in the classroom.  Students are encouraged to bring healthy snacks.  Students may purchase snacks from the cafeteria or bring their own from home.  Most days I will be reading aloud from a chapter book during snack time.

Specials

• Monday - Physical Education


• Tuesday - Art


• Wednesday – Music


• Thursday – Physical Education


• Friday – Music and either Health or Guidance

Writers’ Workshop

Each writing class will begin with a mini-lesson that teaches students specific writing skills.  Students will keep a writers’ notebook that will travel between home and school.  This will hold their writing ideas.   Students will pick out some writing ideas and develop them fully through the writing process from drafting to publishing.  During the year students will work on the following types of writing:

• Personal Narratives


• Reports and Essays


• Fiction


• Responses to Literature


• Poetry


• Letters

Recess and Lunch

Students go outside for a 20 minute recess and then come in for a 20 minute lunch in the lunchroom.  During lunch, students are welcome to sit with their friends in grades k-3.  We will start the year working on lunchroom behavior, good eating habits and nice manners.  Anything you can do to reinforce this at home would be appreciated.

Math

Students will be working on many math concepts this school year.  I will be using our school-wide math program Investigations, as well as supplementing with other materials.  During the entire year we will work on math facts becoming automatic and students increasing their problem solving skills.  The specific math units we will cover in third grade are as follows:

• Numeracy


• Multiplication/Division


• Addition/Subtraction


• Data and Probability


• Geometry


• Measurement


• Fractions


• Time and Money

Reading

Reading class will begin with a quick “BookTalk” which is a way to introduce students to new books.   This will be followed by a mini-lesson on a strategy good reader’s use.  We will then practice this during a picture book read aloud.  For the remainder students will rotate between reading independently and practicing the strategy and also working in small book groups.

Students will be keeping track of their independent reading in class and also at home.  It is crucial that they read as much as possible to become strong fluent readers.

Cursive

At the end of most days for about ten minutes students will be working on learning how to write in cursive.  

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed at 2:30.  If you are picking up your child please wait by Mrs. Plumb’s office until you hear on the loud speaker that you may pick up your child.

It is very important that you send a note or talk with me if there is going to be any change in your dismissal plans.  I will not let your child go with another parent without your permission.  I will not let your child take a bus other than the one they are supposed to take without your permission.  This is for the safety of the kids. 

If you need to pick up your child early due to an appointment, please send in a note just so I can have your child ready. 

Homework

The goal of homework is that it gives your child meaningful practice.  Homework assignments should take no more than 30 minutes.  If a specific piece of homework is especially challenging for your child, please just write me a note explaining the issue. 

In addition to assignments students are expected to read each night and record their reading in the log.  I don’t want this to become a chore, instead I want to instill that reading is something that should be a part of each night.  However I would expect that students are reading for at least 15 minutes a night.

Students will be assigned homework Monday through Thursday.  If students complete the homework on those nights, they will have the weekend off. 

If students don’t miss any homework assignments in a given month they will receive one “Get Out Homework Free Pass”.   They will be able to use this to get out of doing homework one night of their choosing.  

We will be having an after school homework club, if you are interested in sending your child periodically or on a regular basis please send in a note. 

Students who miss more than one homework assignment during a week may need to stay inside during recess to make up the work.  If homework is repeatedly missed we will a parent-teacher-student conference so that we can work together to resolve any issues. 

Friday Work Folders

Most Fridays your child will be bringing home a folder of the week’s work for you to look over.  I hope you’ll have a chance to sit down together and reflect on the contents of the folder.  There will also be a sheet where your child, you or I can comment about the work.

Sharing

Students sometimes have the opportunity to share at Morning Meeting.  They are able to share a story, event, or artifact.  By artifact I mean something that was made or found.  I don’t want sharing to become a time to show-off new toys.  Please use your best judgment when allowing your child to bring something to class.

NECAP
During the first week in October all third-sixth graders will be taking the New England Common Assessment Program.  Students will take reading and math tests.  During this time their will be no homework and it is important that your child is well rested, fed and relaxed so that they can do their best.

Newsletters

During the school year I try to keep families informed about updates in our classroom and opportunities for you to extend your child’s learning in school.  My goal is to send home a bi-weekly newsletter to keep you up to date and share our learning with you.

Volunteering

If you have some extra time and are interested in volunteering once or on an ongoing basis please let me know.  There are volunteer opportunities during the school day, after school and in the evening. 

Birthday Invitations

If you are planning a birthday party to take place outside of school, I ask that you hand out invitations outside of school unless everyone in the class is being invited.  I really do not want any feelings to be hurt.  You are welcome to send in a treat on or near your child’s birthday – just let me know.