Grades
Starting in third grade, your child will earn grades out of 100. Please click here to read more about our grading policies, and here to read more about report cards.
Please always keep in mind the meaning behind the number grade, and what it should tell you about your child's learning. Here is a general guideline to interpreting grades in my class:
90+ = student has demonstrated mastery of the skills
80-90 = student is working toward demonstrating mastery of the skills (may make a few minor mistakes, or need to be cautious about quality work)
70-80 = student may have misconceptions or needs further support, but shows basic understanding
69- = student needs to relearn the concept, perhaps in a different way (does not understand skills)
Home Access
A goal of mine is to create a true partnership between home and school-- when this happens and parents/guardians and teachers/school staff are working together for a child, they will learn to their highest potential. Parents are able to view grades at any time through the Home Access Center, and I will certainly keep you informed about both struggles and successes that I observe in class. A progress report will be sent home during the fourth week of each quarter if a student is not passing. Parents and teachers may request a conference at any other time for other academic or behavioral concerns. Please keep that line of communication open with me...feel free to ask me if you have any questions at any time! We are partners!
Social Contract
We strive to create an positive, safe learning environment for all students. Towards this end, our class has a social contract. This contract is created by the students, and it describes how we will treat each other in various situations...we hold each other to it on a daily basis! As situations arise, they will be handled individually, always referring back to our contract. There are also opportunities for students to earn fun rewards with their Class Dojo points. Points are awarded for positive behaviors, and every 15 points earned "buys" students a scan of our Treasure Tree.
Homework
I do not believe in busy work or homework just for the sake of homework. Your child works very hard for eight hours a day at school. Evenings are for students to explore extracurricular interests, play outside, and spend time with their families and friends. However, learning should not be confined to school walls...I want to grow lifelong learners! So, students are encouraged to read for fun and practice math facts/skills at home, and will be assigned a weekly one-pager to practice skills learned in class and help parents see what we are working on. Visit the 3rd Grade Team Website for the weekly homework assignment. This should never dominate your evenings, and can be done as it fits into your weekly schedule. It is due on Fridays. Remember to also allow your child time to explore their passions with activities, spend quality time together, and just play!
Spelling
At the beginning of the year, students took a pretest and were placed in a spelling group that fits their needs. Every other Monday, your child will get a new list of spelling words. On Mondays when they do not get a new list, they will meet with their spelling class to practice and review the list for their test that Friday. Students are given two copies of the spelling list-- one is cut up and placed in their Word Work notebook for use as a practice word sort, which stays at school. The other goes home in their homework spiral. This can be cut up at home, or used to study in any way you feel is best!
Daily Schedule
7:40-8:00 am Morning Routine
8:00-8:40 am Writing (Fridays = eSlot enrichment time)
8:45-9:35am Specials
9:40-10:45am Reading
10:45-11:45am Math
11:45-12:15pm Lunch
12:15-12:35pm Finish Math/Read Aloud
12:35-1:05pm Recess
1:10-1:30pm Social Studies
1:35-2:40pm Science
2:40-2:45 Pack Up/Launch
2:50pm Dismissal
Curriculum
Please click here to view our 3rd grade curriculum. You can always check back on the "What We're Learning" page to see the latest on what's happening in our classroom! Also, be sure to follow our class' learning on Twitter @AllieBRaney or with the hashtag #EnglandR3. I will also post a Friday update on this website every week. These are great places to go for conversation starters with your child about what they're learning in class.
Twitter
I try to tweet about our class happenings on a regular basis, and will help students compose tweets as well! So, it will allow you glimpses into our classroom during the day by following our Twitter feed @AllieBRaney with #EnglandR3. I will never post full names, so you will notice your child's initials on tweets. The easiest way to follow us is to create a free account by going to www.twitter.com. Be sure to follow both @AllieBRaney and @ElsaEngRRISD! You can always see my feed on the homepage of this site, as well.
Snacks/Drinks
I encourage students to have a water bottle (water only and a bottle with a cap, please!) on their desk during the day. They may have a HEALTHY snack to help them get through the morning when they choose, as long as it is not a disruption. Students may not share snacks for allergy safety reasons.
Thursday Folders
Thursday folders will include notes and flyers from the school and PTA, as well as any graded/ completed work. Please take the information out of the folder so your child can return the folder the next day. Also, please note that not everything we do in class is assigned a grade, so some things may go home without a numeric grade.
