3rd Grade, Mrs Radtke

3rd Grade, Mrs Radtke - Room 5

Hello and welcome to third grade! I am Connie Radtke and this is my third year here at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School. I am honored and privileged to be your child's teacher this year. I feel God has always directed me to be where He wants me to be and I have been called to be here.

Organization:

Each day, students are required to complete a daily assignment sheet. Class work as well as homework is to be copied onto this worksheet. The worksheet is to be kept in a homework folder and taken home every night. The assignment sheet is to be initialed by a parent weekly unless otherwise noted. Students are also responsible for bell work to be completed prior to the beginning of class. Every student is required to have a folder or spiral for each academic subject. This daily schedule will be regularly posted to the homework section of the room 5 homeroom tab. At least twice a month a "Friday folder" will go home with work completed by the student. Parents are asked to remove and review student's work, initial folder and return it by Monday.

Homework:

Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday. Homework, like class work, is posted on RenWeb every week. If at any time regular class assignments are not completed in class, the unfinished work is expected to be completed for homework in addition to the regularly assigned homework. Students receive credit for completed homework. They will also lose credit for late assignments.

Book Reports:

Independent reading is essential to English literacy. When the book report requirement commences, book reports will be mandatory. Every student will be required to complete two book reports every month. I will be providing students with a simple, one page, book report form to use.

Curriculum:

Math

We use the Saxon Math program in 3rd grade. It is a set program that constantly introduces and reinforces mathematics concepts. We use a variety of math manipulatives, which allow the students numerous "hands on" activities to keep them active and engaged. Our new StarBoard will also supplement the interactive learning experience. In addition to Saxon Math, the program will be augmented and supplemented with other pertinent activities/assignments that contribute to the overall Math curriculum. One of the main goals in 3rd grade is to get the students to a level of multiplication mastery. It is a permanent part of the Math curriculum for the whole school year so, I ask that you work with your child and reinforce multiplication knowledge and skills all through the year.

Language Arts

We use the McGraw-Hill Language Arts Reading and Practice workbook. The Spelling words have been taken from the accompanying list provided by the same series. The Grammar curriculum is the Voyages In English series. Also, this series supports writing skills. Most every week (barring a few short weeks throughout the school year) a new story is the focus for the week. Each separate subject area complements the others. For example, the new Spelling vocabulary terms are used in the stories. At the end of each week (Friday), we will have two Language Arts quizzes: Spelling & Literature. The Spelling quiz focuses on correct spelling and cursive writing. The Literature quiz (10 questions) combines vocabulary knowledge and comprehension.

Handwriting

We are using the Zaner-Bloser handwriting book as a supplement to our writing activities. We will be assigning work in it most days. In addition to the workbook, the students practice connecting letters as well as proper letter formation and legibility. We focus on correct positioning of the pencil, being left-handed versus right handed, sitting correctly, and paper positioning.

We then move to writing complete sentences in cursive. Next, we move to paragraphs (5 sentences) where we start to focus on basic writing skills like content and format. Starting at the beginning of the 3rd quarter we move to 3 paragraph essays. The students learn how to further develop their writing skills and work to become exceptional writers. Another component of the writing program is teaching the 6 traits of writing. All of this will help students to develop their unique writing abilities and better prepare them for the future.

Religion

Our Religion textbook is “Call To Faith” from Harcourt. While content is from the text, life is the true teacher. We are dedicated to the Catholic education, and we live our faith through our daily experiences with life and each other. So, religious concepts and principles are not limited to the subject class time – they are integrated throughout daily activities. There is always a "teachable moment" from a daily occurrence. We aspire to inspire the children to be better Christians and that their knowledge is evident in everything they do. Not only do we emphasize catechetical knowledge but a spiritual growth. Throughout the year, the children will participate in other supplemental activities that relate to important Catholic Church dates and holidays (i.e. Christmas, Lent, Easter, etc.). Our hope is that the students will learn and practice ways to live their faith. The school focus for 2010-2011 is, “We Are Called To Be Kind”.

Science

Our Science textbook is published from Macmillan McGraw-Hill. The main focus of the year will be on plants & animals, ecosystems and geography. We are usually able to get through units A, B, C & half of D. The students keep a Science spiral where notes, vocabulary definitions, and chapter questions are written. These spirals help with test preparation. We also make some modifications in the curriculum in order to better address 3rd grade standards. Our StarBoard allows us to augment lessons with other tools and resources.

Every year we have a science fair. The 3rd grade will collectively do a class project. Participation is not mandated because it is required from 4th through 8th grade. Students are encouraged to participate and are given extra credit for submitting or being part of a submission at the fair.

Social Studies

Our Social Studies textbook is published by Harcourt Brace & Company. The primary focus is community: locations, customs & holidays, rules & laws and changes over time. We attempt to get through all units. Our expectation is to get to Unit 6. We also keep a spiral with notes, vocabulary definitions and questions and answers for test preparation.

Angels & Shepherds Mass:

Every year on December 24 @ 4 p.m. the 3rd grade (both rooms 5 & 6) joins the community to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ at the SSPP church. We start practicing for the presentation around the middle of November. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory. We understand that many families go out of town on vacation and do other activities that may prevent them from participating. Although the amount of help needed is not great, we can always use volunteers to help with the costume logistics and set-up on that day.

Field Trips:

Class outings are limited to (1) per semester and will be of an educational nature. As we (both rooms 5 & 6) schedule field trips, you will be informed in a timely manner. If you are inclined to drive and/or help with an outing, you will need to meet the requirements for such work. Basically, your automobile insurance, driver’s license and registration must be current. Also, you must get cleared by the SSPP parish to be eligible to participate in school activities (fingerprint clearance). This is by no means meant to provide you with all of the requirements but it is a good start.
Thank you in advance for your support. I appreciate your input and comments after all you are your child's first, constant and most important teacher. Please feel free to contact me either through email or schedule a conference.