3rd Grade
Handbook
Click here to download a copy.
Third Grade Expectations
and Curriculum
We, at Brandon
Elementary, have developed school-wide guidelines for student behavior.
These guidelines are designed to help students achieve their greatest
potential and have a positive learning experience.
The guidelines are following “THE LYNX WAY”.
We will focus and strive to achieve “THE LYNX WAY” every day at Brandon
Elementary!
In addition to these
guidelines, teachers have developed behavioral programs to meet their individual
classroom needs. These are
implemented to keep school a productive, safe, enriching environment for your
child.
Children are expected to
follow the school and classroom guidelines.
We believe that one of the best things we can do for your child is to
teach respect for themselves and others.
Continuing to build a positive self-image is something we work on all
year. We also continue to
emphasize taking responsibility for our actions.
We hope that we will have your support in these areas.
Reading
Our students
will be using the Reading Street series this year.
Within this series, students will be learning about a variety of genres,
literary elements, and expanding their vocabulary.
Along with the reading series, students will have the opportunity to read
a variety of novels. We are hoping
to extend their knowledge in comprehension and helping them continue on their
track to being fluent readers.
Reading will be one of the subjects that will be tested on the Smarter Balanced
test in April.
Along with the
reading series we will be using the program Response through Intervention (RtI).
This program is designed to help improve a student’s reading fluency and
comprehension skills. The students
will meet in small groups with specific instructions to fit their individual
needs.
Accelerated
Reader – AR
Accelerated Reader is an important part of our reading curriculum.
At the beginning of the year, a STAR test is taken to determine a
students reading range. Students
read a book within this range and then complete a test to check comprehension.
Third grade students are required to take their AR tests independently.
All books are
clearly labeled with reading levels in the library.
If you would like to check a books reading level or point total at home,
this information is available at
http://www.arbookfin.com/UserType.aspx.
Reading goals are
set each quarter by the teacher and student.
An individual point goal is set, as well as an 85% comprehension goal.
If
their point goal and percent goal are met at the end of each quarter students
will be able to attend the reward party for reaching their goal.
AR offers a wide
range of genres; including fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, historical fiction,
and biographies. A wide array of
topics are also covered, sports, animals, cars, wars, racing, cooking, and
countries. Our AR library offers
something for everyone!
Word Study
Word study is included with
our reading series. A spelling list
of 20words will be sent home each Monday.
The final test each week is on Friday.
As a class, we will work on the spelling words throughout the week but
encourage students to practice their words each day after school.
English
We will focus on the basic
parts of speech along with sentence structure and punctuation.
Planners and Folders
Student planners are to
be brought home every day, signed by parent or guardian, and returned to school
the following day. We have
developed a take home folder system.
It is designed to help facilitate communication between home and school.
Each student will use a LYNX binder.
This binder should go home each evening and be brought back to school the
next morning. Please ask to see the
LYNX binder each evening and return it each morning.
Math
Our students are going to
be using the McGraw- Hill series My Math. The following units will be covered
throughout the course of the year: Place Value and Money, Addition and
Subtraction, Data and Probability, Multiplication and Division Basic Facts,
Measurement, Geometry and Measurement, Fractions and Decimals, and
Multiplication and Division by 1-Digit Numbers.
We will also be doing a variety of weekly activities to improve math
facts. Math will be one of the
subjects that will be tested on the Smarter Balanced test in April.
Science and Health
The science curriculum will consist of Mystery
Science. It includes hands-on
lessons and experiments. We will also watch Mystery Doug's weekly lessons as
well. Students really enjoy Mystery
Science and learn many interesting facts and information through the lessons and
experiments.
Social Studies
Social Studies will be using the series Kids Discover by Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt. They will learn about the
following units: Mapping Our World
Communities, U.S. Geography, People and the Environment, Protecting Resources,
Communities Change, Amazing Inventions, Ancient Civilizations, Saving and
Spending, Producers and Consumers, Culture Expressions Around the World, America
Heritage and Culture, How America Works, Role of Citizens, Settling the Land,
and The First People.
Handwriting
We will use Zaner-Bloser handwriting rules and students will also learn
how to write using upper and lowercase cursive letters by winter break.
We will be writing in cursive by January.
Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held twice a year.
We look forward to this time to visit with you about your child and how
their experience is going in third grade!
Please make it a priority to attend these conferences if possible.
Thank you!
Important People at Brandon Elementary
Principal
Mr. Horst
Secretary
Mrs. Cummings
Gym
Mr. Duncanson
Music
Mrs. Fode
Computer Mr.
Gappa
Library
Mrs. Erickson
Art
Mrs. Reiff
Counselor Mrs.
Kolb
Grading is based on the
district grading scale.
A
92-100
B
83-91
C
74-82
D
65-73
F
0-64