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Classroom Logistics

3rd Grade Classroom Logistics

Welcome to 3rd Grade at The Summit! Each day brings an opportunity for your child to learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally as they work independently and cooperatively with teachers and peers. Listed below are several important aspects of third grade, including home and school communication.  Please refer to The Summit website, classroom blog, and online school calendar to stay informed of important dates and information. I look forward to a great year!

 

Communication

  • Mrs. Grace Ely 
  • Email: gely@thesummitprep.org 
    • Please email me with any questions or concerns and I’ll respond within 24 hours during the week. For urgent matters, please call the front desk.
  • Please subscribe to the 3rd Grade Blog – www.thesummitprep.org/3rd 
  • Office Phone  – 417-869-8077
  • Office Email – frontdesk@thesummitprep.org 
  • Remind notifications
    • Text @k3ck33 to 81010 to join our class
    • I’m available on Remind during the school day. Please refrain from sending Remind messages outside of business hours. Feel free to email me and I will respond to messages the following school day if received after 4:00 PM.
  • School website: www.thesummitprep.org 

Daily Life in 3rd Grade

  • Every morning students unpack their computer and any necessary materials. They will begin with a STEM or art activity of their choice to warm up for the day. Third graders will have daily morning meetings to help them wake up and engage with one another. Our morning meetings have different themes and help us build our classroom community and social emotional skills. Students will work collaboratively with their peers in a variety of subjects. They will take short brain breaks and enjoy both a morning and afternoon recess. At the end of the day, they will pack up their items and complete their daily classroom “jobs.”
  • Please review the class schedule below. Should changes or modifications be needed throughout the year, the schedule will be updated accordingly.
  • School starts promptly at 8:45 am.  Students are allowed to come into the classroom at 8:30 am.  Please make arrangements to bring your student to school no earlier than 8:30 am and pick them up by 3:45 pm. Fun Zone is available should your child need care before or after school. 
  • Students are given frequent bathroom breaks, drink breaks, and time to wash their hands. 
  • Students should bring a backpack, a water bottle, snack, charged computer, headphones, and charger to school each day.  
  • Special classes occur at varying times throughout the week. Spanish class is held daily. Music is held three times per week. All other specials occur twice weekly, apart from Outdoor Ed which is once per week. Please see the schedule for details.
  • At dismissal, students will wait with their classroom teacher on the sidewalk outside until their parent/guardian arrives in the carline or crosswalk.
  • Notify me and the office via email if someone other than a parent will be picking your child up from school.

 

Daily Schedule

**Schedule subject to change per teacher discretion and special events/activities.  

 

Uniform

  • Students wear Summit uniforms each day, with Jeans Day on Friday.  Please refer to the student handbook for more information regarding uniforms.
  • Tennis shoes are strongly encouraged every day and required on P.E. days.
  • Remember to dress appropriately for the weather. We will go outside for recess, outdoor class time, and lunch weather permitting. In the winter months, please send heavy coats, hats, gloves etc.

 

Lunch and Snacks

  • Students have the option to buy a school lunch or bring their lunch from home. School lunch may be ordered in advance through Marla’s. On Fridays, same day lunch may be ordered by 8:55 AM.
  • When packing your child’s lunch, please pack items in reusable containers, please send your own silverware, and limit the number of microwaved items.
  • Students who will be using a microwave for their lunch are expected to be familiar with microwave use. Please include a note with your child’s lunch telling them how long to microwave each item, if needed.
  • Each child should bring a healthy snack daily, and students must bring a water bottle each day. Our snack time will be between 9:45 and 10:45 each morning. Students may also bring a snack with them to our afternoon recess at 2:00.

 

Absences

  • In the event that your child will not be at school due to illness or other circumstances, please email me and the office as early as possible.  You may also call to leave a message on the school answering machine or message me via Remind.

 

Friday Folders

  • Friday folders are sent home each week.  They contain important information and student work. Parents are encouraged to review work sent home in the Friday folder with their child. This is an opportunity to discuss weekly successes and challenges with your child. Some weeks there may be more or less items in Friday folders depending on the learning activities that week. Some projects take weeks and are mostly completed in class. Please return the folder with your student each Monday.

 

Field Experiences and Service Projects

  • Third graders will take several field trips in the year.
  • In the event of a field experience, third graders will take the school shuttle or approved parent drivers to the experience. Parents will be notified in advance of our trip and are often welcome to join us as parent volunteers or chaperones. Parents must complete volunteer training to be eligible to chaperone. In order to drive, parents will need to have filled out the necessary paperwork through the office.

 

Curriculum Overview

Language Arts

The third grade language arts program allows students to build on reading, writing, and spelling skills acquired in second grade. Third-graders further develop conventional spelling through more complex spelling rules and patterns and applying them in their writing. Students will use figurative language and sentence fluency to respond to different texts. Students will write an opinion piece, an informational text, a fictional narrative, and a personal narrative. As they read texts they will identify informational text features, literary elements, make predictions, and make connections. 

Math

Through the use of manipulatives, hands-on experiences, and problem-solving opportunities, third grade students increase math skills acquired in second grade. Students will learn to multiply and divide and build their math fact recall skills. Throughout the year students will increase their math fluency. Students will continue to expand their geometry skills and learn to find the perimeter and area of shapes. As we continue to study numbers we will begin to study fractions and learn to display data through different types of graphing. Third grade students will build upon prior knowledge in telling time as they learn to tell time to the minute and determine intervals of time. Additionally, they will practice counting money.

Science

In third grade science, students engage in inquiry-based, hands-on learning that makes scientific concepts meaningful and memorable. Our Earth science unit focuses on the rock cycle, including the formation of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, as well as processes like erosion and weathering. In life science, students explore Missouri ecosystems by examining habitats, animal and plant adaptations, and the structure and function of living organisms. Our physical science unit investigates energy through the study of light, sound, and heat, helping students understand how each form of energy travels and its unique characteristics.

Social Studies

In third grade social studies, students explore the theme “Show Me Missouri” as they study the rich history and culture of our state. They will use maps to learn about Missouri’s regions and key locations. Our history unit covers early Missourians, including Native American tribes, European explorers, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, European immigration and settlement, Missouri’s path to statehood, and pioneer life. Students will also learn about Missouri’s government, including the roles of lawmakers and how state laws are created.

Technology

Third grade students will integrate technology into each area of learning. They will demonstrate an understanding and proficient use of technology systems, tools, and telecommunications. Third graders will practice responsible use of technology systems and information. Students will use technology to enhance learning, creativity, problem-solving, and productivity through research, reinforcement, and enrichment. Through research, students will use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of online resources. Third grade students will present research findings in a variety of methods including slideshows and typed reports. 

Character Education

Character education in third grade is integrated into classroom interactions as we work together to build a community that values and respects each of its members. They will practice team building, communication skills, and daily social emotional activities. Reaching beyond the classroom, students will participate in a variety of community service projects.

Progress Reporting

At the Summit, the school year is divided into three trimesters. Although learning builds cumulatively, we provide regular checkpoints to assess your child’s progress. We provide standards-based progress reports each trimester, using a scale from “Needs Improvement” to “Exceeding Grade Level Expectations” to indicate your child’s performance. Progress reports include teacher comments on both academic and social-emotional growth. We will also have the opportunity for parent/teacher conferences at several points throughout the school year, including Before School Conferences (August), 1st Trimester Conferences (November), and Student-Led Conferences (February). I will monitor your child’s needs throughout the year and offer additional support as needed. If you or I feel that more in-depth discussions are necessary, I am happy to schedule meetings to address any concerns and work together to ensure your child’s success.

 

Contest and Competition Opportunities

Throughout the year, students will have the chance to engage in various contests and competitions. The LAD Fair is a required writing competition that all students participate in, providing a valuable opportunity for them to demonstrate their writing abilities. Additionally, I will share information about optional contests via email and support your child’s involvement during the school day if they pursue these options. Your support at home will also be appreciated to help complete and polish their work.

 

Parent Involvement Opportunities

We warmly welcome and encourage your involvement throughout the year as we have many opportunities for parents to chaperone field trips, join us for service learning events, and attend students’ trimester celebrations where they share their hard work and achievements. I will reach out in advance of these events to inform you of specific dates.

 

We’ve also enjoyed having parent guest speakers on topics both directly and indirectly related to the 3rd grade curriculum. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise on a topic related to the 3rd grade curriculum or have another idea for a guest speaker opportunity, please let me know. Your engagement helps enrich our school community and supports our students’ growth.

 

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches may be carried to school if necessary. Parents/guardians should

notify and discuss intentions with the classroom teacher in advance. Per the handbook, phones, smart watches, and tablets should be turned off and stored in the student’s backpack during school hours. The Summit is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to cell phones, tablets, or smartwatches. If a parent/guardian needs to communicate directly with a student during the school day, they may contact the Front Desk..

 

Homework and Home Learning

Homework in third grade is intended to be meaningful practice.  It is highly individualized and may not look like what is traditionally thought of as homework. As such, the following provide guidelines about home learning expectations.

  • Per school policy, third graders are expected to spend approximately 20 minutes of reading independently or math fact practice at home every day.  Some students and parents find it helpful to borrow level appropriate books from our classroom. I will also send home math fact practice ideas/activities within the first few weeks of school.
  • Third grade spelling focuses on exposure to grade-level spelling patterns and application of these patterns in our writing. I offer challenge words for students who are advanced. Weekly spelling lists will be recorded at school in students’ spelling notebooks each Monday. Some weeks we will alternate spelling lists with grammar exercises, especially if the week is shorter due to holidays or snow days. On spelling weeks, it is each student’s responsibility to bring the spelling list to and from school each day for daily practice. Please support your child in practicing these words during the week and provide support as needed. In class, we will have spelling practice throughout the week in which students will participate in a variety of activities allowing them to manipulate words, explore patterns, and expand vocabulary.
  • Third grade students who are struggling to grasp a concept or are in need of extra practice may be asked to complete supplemental activities at home. This will be communicated with parents in advance. Please let me know if you feel your child is struggling with a concept, so we can find appropriate activities to provide added support.
  • Third grade students are often involved in individual and group projects relating to areas of the curriculum. Most of this work will take place in the classroom; however, activities may be offered to extend learning at home.

 

As always, if you have any questions related to this document, please feel free to reach out to me at gely@thesummitprep.org. It’s going to be an excellent year!