A Parent’s GuideTo Third Grade
Ms. Nadel Room 205
Mr. Graves Room 201
MurrayLanguageAcademy
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, Illinois60615
Our Philosophy:
We understand that your child comes to us with unique experiences, interests and learning styles. Our goal is to truly know your child well and use this knowledge to guide, support and motivate him or her. We believe that good teaching requires continual professional development, personal reflection and collaboration. We value parent involvement at every level and encourage you to partner with us to give your child the most powerful and joyous learning experience possible.
Take Home Folders:
The designated homework folder we provided will be used as the take home folder. Please check these folders nightly and return them each day. All important papers and homework will be sent home in this folder each day.
Homework:
Homework not only builds responsibility, but it also gives you the chance to work with your child and see how they are doing in school.
Homework Schedule:
We encourage 30 minutes or reading every night!
Homework Calendar handed out at the start of each new month
Monday- Spelling words 5x’s each/ Math/ Homework Think Sheets Due Friday
Tuesday- Math/ Homework Think Sheets Due Friday
Wednesday- Math/ Homework Think Sheets Due Friday
Thursday-Study for Spelling test/ Math/ Homework Think Sheets Due Friday
We try to follow the homework schedule very closely. Sometimes if we think the class needs more practice in a certain area, then we will make changes where they should be made.
Lunch Money
Please send in lunch money in a labeled zip lock baggie to be re-used daily. If possible, please pay on Monday for the entire week.
Lunch/recess 12:20 – 1:05 $2.35 full price, $.0.40 reduced price, $0.35 milk
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE no candy, juice w/high fructose corn syrup, or soda…Please do not send in money for vending machines. Water bottles are ok for classroom use, unless it causes too much distraction for your child. Water bottles should be taken home weekly for cleaning.
Birthday Treats
We all know birthdays are important to every child and kids like to celebrate with their classmates. However, sending in a food treat to celebrate can exclude those children who have food allergies, diabetes or other dietary restrictions. Cupcakes and fruit drinks can also be very expensive.
Some alternatives for treats to pass out are:
StickersBookmarksPencilsErasersDonate a Book
Bus
If your child rides the CPS bus, he/she will be placed on the bus until a WRITTEN notice has been received. The office will not take phone call requests.
Grading Policy
Grading Scale
We will be following the standard Murray grading scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 60 and below
We will also use the following scale for some classroom assignments and homework.
Student understands the skill at a high level
Student understands the skill
Student is still developing the skill
Things You Can Do At Home To Help Your Child At School:
Be on time to school ---don’t forget we start at 8:15 this year!
Have all materials ready each day.
Read to your child and allow them to read to you.
Ask your child about school and take an interest in what they are learning.
Make sure they get enough sleep.
Set limits on the amount of television they watch.
Make sure they have enough to eat.
Communication
Education is a partnership between home and school. We value parent involvement at every level and encourage you to partner with us. In order for this partnership to be effective, we need to be able to communicate
Please feel free to call, write a note, or e-mail us if you have concerns or questions about your child’s education. We are always available to schedule a conference to discuss any issue or concern you have regarding your child. For conferences, please allow 24 hour notice to avoid any conflicts.
MurrayLanguageAcademy Phone:
773-535-0585
E-mail:
E-mail:
Schoolnotes.com/ Teacher Web
We will update schoolnotes.com for the upcoming week on Sunday evening or Monday morning for the upcoming week.
Room 201:
Room 205:
Special Schedule for Room 205 and Room 201
2:23-3:08 P.M.
Room 201
Monday- Library (11:25-12:10)
Tuesday- Gym
Wednesday- Gym
Thursday- Art
Friday- Art
Room 205
Monday – Library
Tuesday – Art
Wednesday – Art
Thursday – Gym
Friday- Gym
AR tests (Daily)
Agenda Books
Students copy down homework, spelling words, and special projects in their agenda books
Remember to check for weekly updates.
CHAMPS
This year we are beginning CHAMPS. This is a school-wide Positive Behavior Support System.
Each lesson and transition will begin with going over the CHAMPS expectations.
Conversation
Can students engage in conversation with each other during this activity?
If yes, about what?
With whom?
How many students can be involved in a single conversation?
How long can the conversation last?
Help
How do students get questions answered? How do students get your attention?
If students have to wait for help, what should they do while they wait?
Activity
What is the expected end product of this activity? (Note: This may vary from day to day.)
Movement
Can students get out of their seats during the activity?
If yes, acceptable reasons include:
Pencil Restroom
Drink Hand in/pick up materials
Other
Do they need permission?
Participation
What behaviors show that students are participating fully and responsibly?
What behaviors show that a student is not participating?
Success
Every student will be successful!
Please read the Student Code of Conduct Expectations for Chicago Public Schools with your child. Please make sure you both sign and send in the sheet from the back of the conduct book.
Third grade 1st Quarter Curriculum
Reading
The third grade will be using a reading series called Lead21. We will incorporate this into our balanced literacy approach. The main goal is for our students to become independent readers. We will have shared reading, reading groups, independent reading, word study, fluency, inquiry, and comprehension activities.
We will cover the following units this quarter:
Unit 1: Changes
Unit 2: Science at play
Math
This year the third grade will be using a new math series called Envision math. It is aligned to the Common Core Standards and will work towards mastery. We will be combining some lessons and doubling up in order to complete all the standards for the ISAT.
We will cover the following topics this quarter:
Topic 1: Numeration
Topic 2: Number Sense Addition and Subtraction (double lessons)
Topic 3: Using Place value to Add and Subtract (double lessons)
Topic 4: Meanings of Multiplication
Topic 5: Multiplication facts: Use Patterns
Science
MurrayLanguageAcademy uses Harcourt Science Series and Foss Materials. We will be studying the Water Cycle and Weather Patterns.
Social Studies
We will be studying all about Chi-Town this year! We will begin by looking at a time line of our city and exploring the founding father…do you know who he is? We will also be working on map skills and character education throughout the year.
Writing
We will start off the year looking at the traits of writing and the writing process. We will be working on narrative writing using the model of:
Prewriting
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Publishing
We will also be completing daily writing assignments the correlate with Lead 21.