Welcome to our 3rd Grade Class!

Mr. Matt Brooks

Reading• There will be small group work for

more individualized attention as well as whole group work.

• Students should be reading for content. Common Core: Harder Text! and Close Reading.

• Grades are based on work done in class, vocabulary and reading quizzes, tests, and guided reading.

Reading (con’t.)• Students Reading grade will include

their AR test average for the grading period as well as their points goal percentage.

• Each Thursday I will hand out a weekly Reading log. Students need to read for at least 15 minutes a night for five nights. Obviously they may read more. This does not have to be an AR book.

Language• The Language grade will consist of

grammar, spelling, punctuation, dictionary skills, and writing.

• Writing – We will be writing personal narratives, informational reports, persuasive essays, and fairy tales.

• Correct letter formation counts on spelling tests, including dotting i’s and crossing t’s.

Language• Words Their Way-Students will get spelling

words on Monday. There were also be a final test on the words on the following Friday. Spelling contracts will be handed out on the second Monday and due on Friday. Hopefully, this helps with responsibility.

• Students will have different words, based upon the initial spelling assessment we completed at the beginning of the year.

• Every other week your child will be given ten spelling words to study at home and ten new words based on the spelling pattern we are

studying in class. 

Science• Students will be using an inquiry based

approach in science. Units of study are Water, Sound, and the Solar System.

• We will read the material in class.• Reading content and vocabulary is harder.• Students are welcome to take books home to

review. • Tests will be based on what we do in class, the

readings, and vocabulary.

Social Studies• This year we are using the Social

Studies Alive series, “Our Community and Beyond”. The units we will be studying focus on communities.

Social Studies• Daily Geography will be assigned on Monday

and due on Friday every other week.

• THIS WILL BE DONE AT HOME

• This practices map, atlas, and globe skills.

• Any other resource you may think of may be

used, but most of the answers are contained

in the packet.

Math• Practice facts at home with flashcards.• We will again be using the “Fast Math”

program at school to learn math facts.• Some topics we will cover include

addition and subtraction, linear measures and area, multiplication and division, place value, geometry, fractions, measurement and data, and probability.

Math (Con’t.)• There is a math reference book that

students have if they need help. They may take it home. Also, this year the reference book is online!

• Each student has an Everyday Math account. This is a great places to get extra help and play math games.

Handwriting• Students will start out slowly with

each letter. We also will be practicing on improving their daily writing.

• We will practice each letter in cursive.

• Students will learn to write their name in Cursive writing.

Classroom Info

Homework• Students will be given a grade based on completed

homework assignments, in class work, tests/quizzes, reading record...

• If they do not turn in their work, or it is incomplete, an incomplete work slip will be sent home. It needs to be signed and brought back the next day.

• During the incomplete work session, your child will complete the assignment. Once it is complete, their grade may be raised to no higher than an 80%.

Homework (cont.)

• Each student will receive one homework “SLIDE” per grading period. This can be used if an assignment is left at home, incomplete, lost, eaten by the dog.......... Only one slide will be given each grading period.

• “Slides” are only valid for the current grading period.

Homework (cont.)

• If your child needs extra help with anything we are doing in school they can always stay after school for an extra help session. These run from 2:30-3:00. In order for them to stay they need to fill out an extra help slip and have it signed by you before they will be allowed to stay. This way there is an official copy in the office.

Grading• Grades: • 50% Tests/Quizzes/Published

Writing/Projects

• 30% Classwork

• 20% Homework

• This year we are using “Power School” for calculating grades. You can go online and check grades anytime.

• Progress reports will not be sent home. Please view them online.

Grading (cont.)Most assignments will be sent home in the students take home folder. Please check it daily.

Also, send any papers back to school in this folder.

Assignment Notebook

• Students should be writing all assignments in their assignment notebook.

• Everyday I will allow class time to write assignments down as I write them on the board.

• Please check that they are writing their assignments in their notebook everyday.

• The assignment notebook is a great way to send me a quick note if the need arises.

District Website

• Our school district website is www.whsd1.org

• I will be putting the homework assignments on the website daily as well as upcoming tests.

• Check the site often for updates and important information.

Book Orders• I will hand out a Scholastic book

order most months. Occasionally we will have multiple orders. (Order online and order from any catalogue)

• Checks – Make payable to the Scholastic Book Club.

• Cash- Please send exact amount.

Contact Info.• You may contact me via school phone at 847/872-

5438. You can also email me at: mbrooks@whsd1.org

• IF I DON'T REPLY TO YOUR EMAIL WITHIN A DAY, PLEASE CALL ME!!!!! It probably got blocked or is in the trash.

• If there is a serious problem please call or come in rather than email me.

• REMIND: Please sign up to use “remind”. I will send out texts for important reminders.

Conferences

•Wednesday November 12th from 12:00-8:00

Snacks• We will have a snack time each day around

10:00.

• Please make the snacks HEALTHY!!

• Our district’s wellness policy states that food students bring in needs to be healthy and includes classroom holiday parties. We are also asking that treats and drinks do not come in this year for birthdays. We will still celebrate, just not with food.

•

Helpers/Party Sign-up

• Please sign-up to bring (Healthy) treats for a party if you can. I will be in touch with you to confirm. Thank you!

• Each child needs to bring in $10.00 to help cover the cost of our parties, crafts, and classroom supplies.

Helpers/Party Sign-up

• Every parent that comes helps in the classroom needs to fill out a volunteer information form and waiver of liability BEFORE they can be in the classroom.

Where to now?• When we are finished you can go to

the gym to sign up for PTO.

• Student council is selling leftover

spirit wear for $5 each.

THANK YOU !!!