Harrisburg Academy Mission Statement Harrisburg Academy offers
an academically challenging and globally minded liberal arts
education that encourages each student to reach his or her full
potential. In our commitment to excellence, we provide tools and
teach skills that will prepare students to thrive and succeed in
college and in their future endeavors.
Slide 3
Meet the Teachers Mrs. Robertson I spent my undergraduate
career at the University of Virginia, took my Masters in English at
the University of Nebraska, and earned my Pennsylvania
certification at Susquehanna University. This my 2 nd year teaching
3 rd grade at Harrisburg Academy. I have been teaching since 1994.
My husband and I have an Alaskan Malamute named Seamus whom we
enjoy hiking with. I also enjoy reading and watching movies. Mrs.
Quigley I graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in
Education and a minor in Early Childhood Ed. This is my 9 th year
at the Harrisburg Academy teaching 3 rd grade. My husband and I
have 3 children, Taylor, 14, Tyler, 11, and Nathan, 5. Tyler and
Nathan attend the Academy and are in 6 th grade and JK. In my free
time, I enjoy attending my childrens sporting events and being
outside.
Slide 4
Attendance Students are expected to arrive at school by 8:00 am
each day, but no earlier than 7:30 am. We will begin our day
promptly upon being dismissed from the Gallery. If your child
arrives after 8 am, please sign them in at the front office. If
your child is ill or has an appointment during school hours, please
notify the main office or Debbie ODay. You can call or send an
e-mail. If we receive this information, it will be passed on for
attendance records. If you are planning an educational trip, please
fill out an Excused Absence form prior to your trip. You may get
this in Mrs. ODays office. Please note that we may send some work
for your child, but our policy is not to send work in advance, so
your child will have make-up work upon return.
Slide 5
Class Rules Be responsible and safe Treat others the way you
want to be treated Be responsible with classroom tools and
materials
Slide 6
Our Daily Schedule: Day 1 : Music, Spanish, Health Day 2 : PE,
Science, Art Day 3 : Spanish, PE, Computer Day 4 : PE, Library
(book day) Day 5 : Chorus, PE Day 6 : Music, Spanish, Computer,
Science Day 7 : Chorus, PE, Library, Art Day 1 : Spanish, Library
Day 2 : PE, Computer, Art Day 3 : Spanish, PE, Science Day 4 : PE,
Music Day 5 : Chorus, PE, Computer, Library (book day) Day 6 :
Spanish, Health, Science Day 7 : Chorus, PE, Art Mrs. QuigleyMrs.
Robertson
Slide 7
Homework Policy Students will receive homework most nights,
with the exception of weekends and special nights (school concerts
and other school functions). Homework is due the next school day,
unless otherwise stated. All homework should be copied from the
Smartboard into your childs school agenda. You may check this
nightly to see assignments for the night. Homework should be
completed in pencil by your child. Parents may help, but if your
child is having difficulty with a concept, please let us know, so
we can go over this concept with your child in class. A typical
nights homework will usually be a math sheet (usually double sided)
and another subject. Students are also expected to keep track of
their reading for the week on the Reading Log. They are required to
read at least 120 minutes or 2 hours per week (Monday Sunday).
Parents should sign the reading log as well. Homework should take
between 30 and 45 minutes. If you notice that it is taking longer,
please let us know so we can discuss options with you and your
child.
Slide 8
Curriculum In third grade, students continue making a journey
toward independence. They do this through learning to manage their
homework, work time in class, and take responsibility for asking
questions when they have them. The students share ideas with each
other using scaffold support. Through this process, they learn to
become better readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
Slide 9
Math We use the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt series titled Math
Expressions. This is a comprehensive math program that offers new
ways to teach and learn mathematics. Math Expressions use objects,
drawings, conceptual language, and real-world situations to help
students build mathematical ideas that make sense to them.
Slide 10
Reading Third grade uses a number of resources for instruction.
We use the Junior Great Books series. This program is designed to
introduce students to shared inquiry discussions. Through a variety
of stories, the children write and reflect on what they have read.
Students also have shared reading experiences by reading common
chapter books. In addition to these shared experiences, students
are offered choices in reading for Literature Circles and partner
reading.
Slide 11
Language Arts We use a variety of different teaching materials
to teach students spelling, phonemic awareness, writing, and
grammar. Over the course of the year, the children learn about the
interdependent nature of reading and writing. Third grade is also a
period during which students learn different approaches to each
step of the reading process through mini-lessons, discussions, and
practice. Students learn about grammar in the context of both
reading and writing.
Slide 12
Spelling Spelling in third grade is differentiated and
integrated into their reading and writing instruction. Students
will learn about the various ways to spell the forty-four sounds,
or phonemes, in the English language. Therefore, the spelling lists
will focus on multiple spellings of a sound each week. The children
sort the words into columns for each spelling. They are also taught
to seek out the spellings for the sound in their reading and
writing thereby connecting reading, writing, and spelling.
Slide 13
Handwriting Students will be guided through cursive handwriting
using the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting program. Students will complete
all cursive letters by winter break and be expected to write most
work in class, and for homework, in cursive after returning from
break.
Slide 14
Social Studies Students in third grade will study Pennsylvania.
We are using Our Pennsylvania Story and Women of Pennsylvania.
These books will cover topics such as geography, history, natural
resources, and government. Students will also be creating a
Pennsylvania Scrapbook Project to demonstrate their understanding
of several aspects of our states history, geography, and
influential people. Much of this project will be completed in
class. This project also serves to prepare students for future
long-term projects including the States Fair project they complete
in fourth grade.
Slide 15
Europe Third grade studies the continent of Europe. Over the
course of the year, we will examine a number of European countries
through conducting research about the culture, geography, and
literature of each.
Slide 16
Field Trips We will take 3 standard field trips: Ft. Hunter in
the fall, The Hershey Story in the winter, and the Capitol in the
spring. We also take a field trip in the spring to an art museum
with Ms. Phillips (details of this trip will come at a later date).
Parents must adhere to the Chaperone Guidelines found on our class
website.
Slide 17
Class Parties and Parent Volunteers Fall Harvest Party Winter
Holiday Party Valentines Day Party Sign-up sheets will be available
for volunteers after the presentations.