Third Grade with Emily Hartz
Third grade is an exciting year! This is a year for becoming more
independent and for learning lots of new things and we’re off to a great start!
Daily
Schedule: In this
class, we generally start some deskwork upon first arriving at school. We then stop for a quick meeting before
moving on to math. After math we
take a snack break and then focus on literacy. Lunch and recess follow. The afternoons are usually filled with skills groups (which
is a time for small group work that targets skills needed by the individuals in
the group), Fundations (our spelling and phonics program) and unit work (which
is our social studies and science time). This is a general outline of each day
but our schedule sometimes varies due to specials, which are scattered
throughout the week.
Math: Here at Academy we use a math
program called Investigations.
This year, students will spend a lot of time with addition and
subtraction. We will also work
with multiplication, fractions, measurement, geometry, and data. Many of the strategies learned by third
graders here will look different from what family members may have learned when
they were younger. I’m always
happy to explain these strategies to family members who are interested in
learning more.
Literacy: Literacy work is a combination
of whole class, small group and individual instruction on both reading and
writing skills. It involves
learning how to decode and spell words, how to read fluently, comprehension
strategies, and forming sentences and paragraphs. Writing genres this year include letters, narratives,
reports, procedures, and poetry.
Unit
Work: In
science we will be studying the circulatory and respiratory systems,
electricity and magnetism, weather and the water cycle, and aquatic
environments this year. Our social
studies units include a study of Brattleboro (current and past), the Wampanoag,
and the Wampanoag’s interactions
with the Pilgrims.
Expectations
for Student Behavior: In this
class our rules are: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Work Hard to Learn More. Students
are rewarded for exemplary behavior and hard work with marbles – which will
eventually be cashed in for some kind of class party (this also takes the place
of holiday and birthday celebrations, FYI). Past years students have earned ~4
“Marble Parties.” Please watch for more information – depending on what the
class decides, we might ask families to send in some yummy snacks to share. J
Homework: I send a packet of homework at the
start of each week. The entire
packet will be due back on Friday.
In this packet you’ll see math sheets and other worksheets. Students in third grade are expected to
read for 20 minutes every night and spend up to 20 minutes on additional skill
practice. Beginning in late
September, each child will also have a book bag to bring home with books that
he or she chose for homework. On
the cover of the book bag there will be a grid. All you have to do is initial the grid each night your child
reads. (There will be a reminder
of the directions in the book bag.)
Specials
Schedule: Our class
has PE on Mondays and Thursdays.
Make sure your child wears sneakers those days. We also have Spanish on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, Art on Tuesdays, Library on Wednesdays, and music on Fridays. Don’t forget that All School Sing is
Tuesday mornings at 8:40 in the gym.
Parents are always welcome to join us then!
Snacks: Our school participates in a healthy
snack program. We ask each family
to donate some money to help pay for snacks. You can pay a lump sum or pay monthly. If you can, please plan to donate
between four and six dollars per month.
Volunteering: I am always grateful for
volunteers. You can help before
school or during the school day on a regular basis or once in a while. We will also take a few field trips –
watch for permission slips and invitations for parent drivers!
Before
School: If third
graders arrive before the bell has rung, they are expected to go immediately to
the playground behind the school rather than coming into the classroom. Please remind your child to take their
bags to the playground with them.
Contacting
Emily: We’ll have
an “official” round of conferences in November and then again in March.
However, at any point I’ll be more than happy to schedule a time to meet with
you if you have questions or concerns. The best way to reach me is via email (emily_hartz@wsesu.org)
but you can also call me at the school at 254-3743 x120.