Ms. Megan’s Class Syllabus 2018-2019

Welcome to a new school year!  I am your child’s ELA teacher.  I am looking forward to working with you and your child!  As a third grader, your child will be taking on more responsibilities.  In order for us to have a successful year, I believe it is essential that we communicate. Please feel free to call or email anytime you have questions or concerns.  You may reach me during the school day at 258-4700, at [email protected], or Class Dojo.  I encourage you to get involved in your child’s education.

The remainder of this document contains important information that will help you, your child, and myself maintain success throughout the year.  The information in this document is subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Book Orders

Throughout the school year, I will send book orders home.  A due date will be stapled on the order form.  Please make your checks payable to “Scholastic Book Club”. If you are sending cash, please send the EXACT amount.  Please send all money in an envelope labeled “Book Order” and the student’s name. Be sure to fill in and cut out the order form in the back of the catalog.  You may also order online at any time.  For every online order, our class receives a $2 coupon towards our reading library.

Online Code: GY2T2

Class Celebrations/Birthdays

We will have many celebrations throughout the year.  The week before the celebration a letter will be sent home giving you the details.  Pre-packaged treats and/or pre-cut treats may be sent to school on your child’s birthday.  This is not required, but is acceptable. If your child would like to bring treats for his/her birthday, please send it before 11:40 am to pass out at lunchtime.

Homework and Homework Calendars

Homework Calendars will be passed out at the beginning of each week; however, it is subject to change due to different events or circumstances that occur throughout the week. Homework should be neat, on time, and of satisfactory effort.  I expect 3^rd graders to be responsible for their work.  Students will be responsible for updating their calendars if there are any changes. Homework and Test Dates will be written on the board every day for students to refer to.  Homework and Test Dates will also be posted on my webpage on the Paulina site and sent through DOJO. 

Class DOJO

Please be sure to sign up with DOJO because I will send daily reminders of homework, tests, projects, and school events. If your account is not working during the school year, please send a note or email me, and I will create a new account for you.

Grades

Grades will be calculated by POINTS.  On the student’s test, you will see the letter grade, percent, and a fraction which will show how many points the student got right out of how much the test is worth. (EX. 18/20 = 90% B) Below is the calculation of the assignments for each subject area. Grades can include Tests, Projects, Homework, or In Class Assignments.

• English Language Arts (ELA)—The grade will consist of two categories: Reading/Writing Test Category: 90% and Participation/Spelling/Grammar Test Category: 10%.

• 90% Reading/Writing Test Category —The Reading/Writing Test Category will be derived from weekly Reading assessments taken from the Louisiana State Guide Books and/or Ready materials that will include “cold read” passages (passage never seen before) with multiple choice questions and an extended response that assess the State Standards that have been taught throughout the week and previous weeks. This category will also be used for projects.
• 10% Participation/Spelling/Grammar Test Category—In this category, students will receive a grade for Spelling/Grammar Test, and Independent/Group Classwork.

Grading Scale

100% - 93%  A

92% - 85%  B

84% - 75%  C

74% - 67%  D

66% - 0%    F

Cheating

If any student is caught cheating, the student will receive a zero on the test or assignment and/or an office referral. 

Make-up Work

If a student is absent, the student is responsible for seeing the teacher for the work he/she missed.  Make-up work will be in a folder labeled “Make-up Work” in the white pocket chart.  It is the student’s responsibility to make sure he/she has all missed assignments.  Make-up work must be completed within three days of returning to class.  Much of our classroom activities cannot be done at home (group work, partner activities, book reports, etc.) so regular attendance is encouraged.

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning will be an important component of this classroom.  Please read the following information regarding cooperative grouping in order to have a better understanding of a teacher’s purpose for using this strategy.

Cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of abilities, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject.  Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement.  Students work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete the work.      

​Cooperative efforts result in participants striving for mutual benefits so that all group members:

• Gain from each other’s efforts. (Your success benefits me and my success benefits you.)

• Recognize that all group members share a common fate. (We all sink or swim together here.)

• Know that one’s performance is mutually caused by oneself and one’s team members. (We cannot do it without you.)
• Feel proud and jointly celebrate when a group member is recognized for achievement. (We all congratulate you on your accomplishment.)

Why use Cooperative Learning?

Research has shown that cooperative learning techniques:

• Promote student learning and academic achievement
• Increase student retention
• Enhance student satisfaction with their learning experience
• Help students develop skills in oral communication
• Develop student social skills
• Promote student self-esteem
• Help to promote positive relationships

Class Folders & Notebooks

The following list consist of colors and purposes for each folder/notebook:

• Blue (given by school): Office/PTO Folder (Please send all money in an envelope with the student’s name and reason for sending.)
• Red: ELA Folders

• Yellow: Right Side- Social Studies & Left Side-Science

• Green: Math
• Purple: Test Folder
• 2 Marble Notebooks: ELA
• 1 Marble Notebook: Science & 1 Marble Notebook: Social STUDIES

**Please do not throw away packets until the test has been taken. All packets will have the test date written at the top. Some packets have “Do Not Throw Away”. Those packets will be used for the entire 9 weeks.

Weekly Test Folders (Purple Folders)

Test papers will be sent home every Wednesday for parents to sign and review. If this changes, the student will be notified, and a Dojo message will be sent. Please ensure you have received your parental password information in order to view grades on JCampus.

Classroom Rules

Rules are necessary to maintain an orderly classroom.  I expect students to follow the PBIS expectations.   These rules can be found in the beginning of the year packet.

Class Rewards

Students will be given a “Points Chart” which allows students to receive points throughout the class for participation, effort, following directions, giving a positive comment, etc. Students will receive a reward after getting a certain amount of points. For every homework assignment that is completed with effort and turned in on time, students will receive a treat and 5 points on their “Points Chart.” Some rewards are no shoes, bring a snack, bring a drink, bring a blanket, extra computer time, hat in class, sunglasses in class, sit at the back table or on the floor during class, bring a pillow, bring a stuffed animal, or sit by friends at lunch. Also, a student will be chosen weekly based on if they have shown leadership, effort during class, and one who is kind and respectful toward others. This student will be the “Star of the Week.” The student will be able to fill out the bulletin board about his or herself and bring in pictures from home to display.

Computer Rules

1) I will treat my computer with respect and care.

2) I will take care of all computer equipment including headphones.

3) Download NOTHING without the teacher’s permission.

4) I will follow directions and only visit the site that is assigned to me.

5) I will not talk at the computer center.  I understand that the computer center is an individual work center.

Computer Consequences

Intentional breaking of the rules will result in a one-week suspension from the computer.  Any other infraction will result in a one-day loss of computer use.

Once again, I am very excited about the school year!  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.