A Parents Guide to 3J!

Glenmore Christian Academy 2013 2014 Mrs. J. Hettinga Mrs. J. Lewis

Dear Parents, We are so excited to begin the school year and to get to know your child! We have been preparing throughout the summer, working together as a pair and with the rest of the grade 3 team, with the hopes that grade 3 will be your childs best year yet! Please take some time to look through this booklet. Its purpose is to answer questions that you may already have. In order for us to give your questions or concerns our full attention, we ask that you please send an email to both homeroom teachers (best option!) or write a note in your childs agenda. We will do our best to get back to you promptly and can arrange to meet if necessary.

Jodi Hettinga Language Arts, Science, Art jodi.hettinga@pallisersd.ab.ca Jodi Lewis Mathematics, Social Studies, Christian Education, Computers jodi.lewis@pallisersd.ab.ca Phone: 403-254-9050 Voicemail #: 546

Your support for what happens at school is invaluable. A modeled positive attitude towards school and a commitment to setting aside time for homework will yield lasting rewards. In grade three the workload and pace of the courses pick up. We suggest setting aside 20-30 minutes per weekday evening for homework. This would allow time for practice in Spelling, Math Facts, Scripture Memory, daily reading and any additional assignments. If your child has been absent from school, more homework can be expected in order to catch up. Children need to have a break from school work in the evening and focus on relaxing with family and friends (as we all do), so please do not add extra academic work to your childs plate without first consulting us We know that God has great plans for your child this year! We look forward to being part of those plans and seeing your child mature and grow spiritually, academically and socially! Sincerely,

Mrs. Jodi Hettinga Mrs. Jodi Lewis

Other Contact Information

GCA Office (403) 254-9050 Mrs. Kovacik (Music) eva.kovacik@pallisersd.ab.ca Mrs. Boldt (Phys Ed) edith.boldt@pallisersd.ab.ca

Grade three students are curious and active learners with individual interests, abilities, and needs. It is at this stage of a childs development that they learn how to formulate and share ideas, establish friendships, and grow in independence. Language Arts Students will engage a variety of print materials including novels, reading comprehension passages, readers theatre scripts, and the Bible. Students will embark on a reading journey across Canada called Reading Across Canada where minutes read each night will translate into kilometers on their journey across Canada. Early on students will explore descriptive and sensory writing, with a focus on using complete sentences and good paragraphing skills. Later in the year students will focus on narrative writing, where students will learn to plan, write, and edit an effective three-part story with a beginning, middle, and end. Students will learn the entire upper and lower case cursive alphabet in handwriting, and participate in spelling and grammar lessons. Mathematics Students will build upon the foundations of grade 1 and 2 and continue to use mathematics confidently to solve problems. They will communicate and reason mathematically and they will learn to make connections between mathematics and its applications as they work through the 12 curricular strands. Social Studies Students will study communities in the world (with a focus on Tunisia, Ukraine, Peru and India), global citizenship, and current and local affairs. Science The grade 3 Science curriculum introduces students to animal life cycles, rocks and minerals, sound and hearing, and the building and testing of materials. Students will develop a better understanding of Scientific Method and participate in a number of exciting experiments. Christian Education Students study the life of Jesus Christ, the book of Acts, and missions. As students are personally guided through the gospels they learn to apply principles from the messages, parables, miracles, and life events of Jesus.

Grade Three Curriculum

In grade three, we assign regular homework. This is work that is expected to be done daily or weekly and will be consistent throughout the year. The regular homework consists of Scripture Memory verses, weekly Math Facts practice, home reading, and studying Spelling words. Sometimes additional homework or assignments are assigned. If your child has not completed an assignment in class, then some work will be needed to be done at home. You will be notified of this with a note in your childs agenda. Your childs agenda is the primary means of communicating homework. Each day we will, as a class, write in agendas to document homework, special events and reminders of upcoming happenings. It is a great way to come together as a class to discuss the day, as well as the days ahead. At the front of the agenda there is a clear pocket which will be used to hold notices and extra sheets to go home. Please check your childs agenda each night and initial at the bottom of the days box. Agenda signatures will be checked each morning, and therefore, any notes that have been left by you will be collected at this time. Thank you in advance for keeping up with this important line of communication!

Homework & Agendas

Every year, grade three students across Alberta write Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs). The PAT is developed by Alberta Education to monitor consistency in schools and classrooms across the province. While the provincial government is pursuing alternatives to the current format of assessing students, no significant changes will be seen for this upcoming testing period. In grade three, the students write PATs in two subject areas: Language Arts (one story writing component and one reading comprehension component) and Math. The PATs test the students in relation to specific objectives from the Alberta Program of Studies (available online). These tests have limitations in what they can test and also in how they test (multiple choice and written format). The PATs should be seen as a compliment to the ongoing and varied assessment done by classroom teachers and not the culmination of learning in grade three. A healthy perspective on the PATs will help your child not to become apprehensive about them, but see the tests as just one more way to show what they have learned. Scheduled dates for Alberta schools: Tuesday, May , 2012 Story Writing PAT 9:00 am Tuesday, June , 2012 Reading Comprehension PAT 9:00 am Thursday, June , 2012 Mathematics PAT 9:00 am

Provincial Achievement Tests

This year we will not have a formal Show and Tell time set each week; however, if your child has something they would like to share with the class, please have them talk with us about it in advance and we will set up a time for them to share. One or two days in advance is appreciated.

Show and Tell

In order to avoid issues of loss, damage, and theft; and to ensure that students remain focused during class time we ask that all toys, games, jewellery (with the exception of girls earrings), and electronic devices be kept at home. Students will not be permitted to play electronic video games at recess. Those who are caught doing so will have these items taken away.

Toys & Electronics

We enjoy celebrating birthdays! Its a great way for each child to get special recognition on their special day. If you would like to bring a snack to share with the class, please let us know a day or two in advance so we can set out a time during the day to celebrate. Please remember our no nut school policy, and clean finger foods are greatly appreciated (small cupcakes, fruit, individual snacks)! As of now, we have 19 students in our class. For those students who have birthdays on the weekend or during school holidays, we will celebrate their day on the Monday or Friday closest to the actual day. If your childs birthday is during the summer, we will celebrate your childs special day on their half-birthday (6 months before their actual birthday). This allows for each student to feel equally special, regardless of their actual birthday missing a school day.

Birthday Snacks

Most children love birthday parties, but no child enjoys being left out. If your child is having a birthday party that does not include all of the boys and girls of the class, please do not hand out the invitation at school or on school property. This can cause hurtful feelings. Please use e-mail or phone conversations. If your invitations are gender-specific or include the whole class, I can provide a list to ensure no child is left out. Thank you for your sensitivity in this area.

Birthday Invitations

Scholastic Book Orders will be distributed every month. The due dates will be marked on each form. You can expect book orders to arrive approximately two weeks after the due date. Please pay by cheque only, and they can be made out to Scholastic Canada. No cash allowed. Scholastic is a great book program, often with good deals, but please do not feel the need to purchase books each month.

Scholastic Book Orders

Field Trips
The following off-site field trips are tentatively planned for this year: o Telus World of Science o The Glenbow Museum In addition the following on-site events are tentatively planned: o The Art Gallery of Calgary o Decorating Ukrainian Easter Eggs o Mad Science of Southern Alberta Closer to the field trip date a parent letter and permission form will be sent home with each student. Students are to return a signed permission form to attend on or off-site field trips. In addition, parents interested participating in on or off site field trips can indicate their interest and availability at that time.

Each child comes to school with a unique personal history, as well as individual hobbies and interest. Throughout the year we will honor the Star of the Week program. The Star Student will have a chance to practice presenting in front of the class by sharing special items they have brought from home, as well as special things about them. A schedule of when your child will be the Star of the Week is listed below. There will be no Star Student on the weeks of the year that have more than one holiday or day off. A bulletin board in the classroom will be dedicated to showcasing a picture of your child along with their hobbies and interests (completed on sheets at school). If you chose, on the Monday that your child is the Star Student please send the following to be displayed on the bulletin board*: - An item that represents his/her interests/hobbies (i.e. a sports medal, a piece of artwork, a certificate). Please ensure this is an item that can remain at school all week and can be displayed on a bulletin board (no trophies please). - A personal item to share with the class (i.e. pictures from a family vacation, a favorite toy, a pet). Please do not send valuable or breakable items. *(these items are optional!)

Star of the Week

Star of the Week Schedule

Student
Jaiden Onajite Madison Tasha David Jesimiel Rane Evan Diana Arianna Aburi Thomas Aidan Marie Benjamin Sofia Sarah Peyton

Week
Sept. 23 - 27 Sept. 30 Oct. 4 Oct. 7 11 Oct. 31 Nov. 4 Nov. 4 8 Nov. 18 22 Dec. 9 - 13 Dec. 16 20 Jan. 6 10 Jan. 13 17 Jan. 20 24 Jan. 27 31 Feb. 3 7 Feb. 10 14 Feb. 24 28 Mar. 3 7 Mar. 10 14 Mar. 17 21

We enjoy having parents help out with classroom work and your work is really appreciated. There are many ways you can help: reading with students, photocopying and preparing classroom material, listening to memory verses, supervising recess, and assisting students with tasks. It also provides you with the opportunity to see your child in the school setting. Each month we will send out a blank calendar which will allow you to mark any days you are able to help out, and then send it back to school with your child. We will look at each persons calendar and work out a schedule for the month. If there are specific days that need extra volunteers (for example, field trip days) we will mark them on the calendar. * see volunteer sheet attached* Please note that parent volunteers will begin the week of September 23, 2011. Morning volunteers are asked to arrive at 9:15am in order to allow time for the class to complete their morning devotions and start on their daily work prior to your arrival. Volunteers typically stay until 11:37 (elementary lunch time), however, if you need to leave any earlier please feel free! Thank you in advance for your support!

Volunteer Opportunities

Scripture Memory
The memorization of Bible verses is an important part of a childs spiritual development. We at Glenmore Christian Academy recognize this and encourage you to take the time to teach your children fundamental scriptural truths. The Scripture Memory booklet contains the scripture passages that we want your child to learn this school year. The memory verses in the booklet coordinate with our weekly Christian Education lessons. We will work on these verses in class and the majority of the students will be able to memorize them at school. If your child is absent or has difficulty, then reinforcement at home may be necessary. Each Friday students will be asked to recite the weekly memory verse to an adult classroom volunteer or Mrs. Lewis and will be given a sticker for correct recitation. At the end of the school year those students who have recited all of the memory verses correctly will receive a special certificate! Bonus verses must be worked on at home and recited in their entirety to the classroom teacher at the end of each school term. Accurate recitation of the weekly required verses with few or no errors, as well as recitation of the bonus passages will earn the student a 1 for scripture memory on their report card. The bonus passages are as follows: (due dates for these verse will be written in your childs agenda closer to their due dates) Term One: Matthew 5:1-11 (The Beatitudes) Term Two: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 Term Three: Philippians 4:4-9

Math Facts Homework

At the beginning of every month, your child will bring home a photocopied package of basic math facts practice sheets. I would like to ask that you establish a regular homework routine and include math facts practice every school night. After your child has completed their math facts sheet(s) for the evening, please mark it to ensure they have completed it correctly and give them a chance to correct their errors right away. The math facts page(s) will be due each morning (the due date is printed at the top of each page). There are no exceptions to this routine. If your child does not return their math facts sheet(s) each morning, they will be required to stay in and complete it at recess. It is acceptable for your child to work ahead and complete the practice sheets ahead of time. This is especially useful when you anticipate a busy evening or absence from class. Math facts sheets that are completed early should, however, be submitted on the due date that is printed at the top of each sheet. Unless you anticipate your child being absent from class, please do not have your child submit math facts sheets before their due date. If you do anticipate your child being away, please contact me ahead of time to arrange for the submission of math facts sheets. In grade three math students begin to explore more complex problem solving. While basic math facts practice is a more rote exercise, it helps to provide the knowledge base needed to perform more complicated math tasks later on. Just like our other learning tasks, the difficulty increases throughout the year: starting with addition and subtraction and in February including multiplication. While students will learn division concepts in class, they will not be required to complete math facts homework or timed drills in division. Initially, the children will be completing their math facts with the goal of mastery (100%). Later in September, I will begin timing the students to encourage recognition speed, and their progress will be recorded. Students are often encouraged to see their own growth. It is your choice whether or not you want to time your child at home while they complete their math facts sheet(s). The goal, at home, is the completion of the math facts sheet(s), not the time in which they can complete it. Please see the assessment chart below for information on how their scores translate into report card indicators. Also, please note that each students completion of the nightly math fact s contributes to his/her grade for basic facts on the report card.
Basic Facts Assessment Average number correct in one Report card indicator (1,2,3,4 minute (in-school quizzes) scale) 25 and up 20-24 15-19 Less than 15 1 (exceeds curriculum expectations) 2 (meets curriculum expectations) 3 (meets curriculum expectations with support) 4 (does not meet curriculum expectations)

Mathletics
This year students in grade three will engage in a web-based at-home learning program called Mathletics. Mathletics integrates home and school learning via the internet. Currently used by over 100,000 students every day, Mathletics allows students to practice and reinforce math skills learned in class online each evening. Students will receive a unique username and password that provides them access to the online program. Students can build their own avatar and then use it to interact with and compete against students from around the world on basic facts. In addition, students can complete teacher assigned tasks that help reinforce the math concepts learned in class. Students will receive instant feedback on their progress as well as adaptive supports to help them work at their own pace. Further details regarding Mathletics, as well as your childs unique username and password will be distributed later in September.

Reading Across Canada

Reading is a very important part of the language development of your child. Books can be a constant source of information and pleasure. Throughout the school year, the grade three class will be involved in a reading program entitled Reading Across Canada. Minutes spent reading will be recorded and a reading response form will be filled out once a month for the books completed during that month. I would like to ask you to keep track of the number of minutes your child reads each night so that a total for each month can be calculated. Each minute that your child reads is worth two kilometers on his or her trek from Vancouver to Halifax. Prizes will be awarded at the following cities: Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto, Quebec City, and Halifax. I would like to ask for your assistance by keeping the Reading Across Canada duotang at home and recording the minutes your child reads each day, as well as signing your initials and the date in the reading log beside the title of the book your child has just read. Only reading entries that have parent initials will be counted. At the end of each month, please add up the number of minutes, multiply this number by two kilometers, and write the number of kilometers in the column at the bottom of the page labelled total. On the last school day of each month please have your child remove that months reading log from their duotang and return it to school. Each childs monthly reading minutes will be recorded and their progress charted on the map of Canada in the classroom. Along with the monthly reading log a monthly reading response assignment must be completed and handed in. The designated monthly reading response assignments can be found at the back of your childs Reading Across Canada duotang. Students will not receive credit for their reading minutes unless they complete and hand in their monthly reading response assignment. This entire process will be repeated throughout each month of the school year until the end of May. At the start of each month students will be recognized and awarded prizes for the cities they crossed in the previous month during our class awards celebration. In June we will celebrate each student who crosses Canada with a class reading bash! As your child reads, please ask questions about the book to help reinforce his/her understanding of the material. Encourage visualization and verbalization of the text; doing so will further assist in promoting comprehension. At the grade three level students are encouraged to read chapter books, therefore only chapter books will count for this program. Please encourage your child to choose books that are at or above his/her reading level. At this level, there are many simple chapter books that are fun and entertaining! Although reading is a fundamental aspect of the grade three Language Arts program of studies; one which students will engage in daily while at school, only reading completed outside of class time will count in the Reading Across Canada program. Since reading is such an important part of the learning process, students should be reading at least twenty minutes every night. If they do, they will easily cross Canada once. Not only will your child become a better reader, but engaging in daily reading will dramatically improve his/her writing and spelling abilities. Moreover, through your interest and encouragement, you will be demonstrating to your child that reading is a skill worth developing. ________________________________________________________________________ Sample Reading Log:
Book Title The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe Total: 125 minutes x 2 = 250 km Date Sept. 4 Sept. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Minutes 20 minutes 30 minutes 25 minutes 50 minutes Parent Initial HT HT HT

3J Schedule
Here is our 3J schedule for this 2013/2014 school year. This is a flexible schedule and may not be followed exactly each day. Please be aware of this.

Appendix
GCA School Calendar Grade 3 At A Glance Notes

Notes