Classroom Handbook
August 16, 2010
Welcome to 3rd Grade! My name is Melissa Reeder and I will be your child’s teacher this year. This is my sixth year teaching. I have taught for the past five years in the Kansas City Missouri School District. I have taught first grade, second grade, and third grade. This will be my third year teaching third grade. I am very excited to be here at SVN and to work with your children.
The mission of the Scuola Vita Nuova is to raise student achievement by immersing students in a Balanced Literacy and Outdoor education curriculum. Academic standards are met with hands-on, project-based learning experiences
My goal for 3rd grade is to create a developmentally appropriate classroom where children can succeed and realize their full potential. When children leave my classroom they will have the necessary knowledge and skills to become life-long learners. I believe that by working together, teachers and parents, we can prepare your child to successfully compete in our changing world.
Contact Me
Parent and teacher communication is very important for a child’s success! I will always be at school from 7:30 to 4:00. I will also have a planning time during the day. My planning time for the 2010-2011 school year is 9:20-10:05 Monday through Friday. If you would like to meet with me during those times please contact me first to set up an appointment. A simple way to contact me to set up appointments is by telephone or sending a note with your student. At a later date I will include my new school email as a way to communicate with me. If you need to meet with me before 7:30 or after 4:00 I will be more than happy to come in earlier or stay later. Please call or send me a note first to set up the time and date.
Phone: 816- 231-5788
Email address coming soon!
Classroom Procedures
In third grade we will have many procedures for how things are done in the classroom. Some procedures we will have are:Entering and exiting the classroomWalking in the hallUsing the restroom, asking for a hall pass and many more.Procedures will be taught the first 2 weeks of school.
Homework
This year in third grade I will assign homework Monday through Friday. Your student will be required to read each night for 30 minutes. Research shows that students who read for at least 30 minutes each day improve their reading skills greatly. I will also assign a 30 minute activity that reinforces a skill taught in class. Usually the activity comes from the week’s math lessons.
Student Planners
In order for students to become more confident, responsible, and organized we will be using a student planner this year. Every afternoon I will post the day’s homework assignment. Students will copy their assignments into the planner. Every night parents should read their student’s planner and make sure they have completed all their homework. After making sure, parents will then sign their student’s planner. Every day I will come around and stamp signed planners. Student planners are also another great way for me to make quick notes to you and a way for you to write to me!
Folders
In 3rd grade this year students will have 2 folders that they will be responsible for.
1. Homework/Reading log Folder – This folder goes home every night! In this folder you will find your student’s reading log, homework, and notes from me or the school. Go through the folder with your student every night! There are almost always things your child will need to keep or bring back to school. Things that need a parent signature need to be returned to school the next day.
2. Friday Folder- This folder will go home on Fridays. In this folder you will find all the graded work from the week. There will be a Friday Folder signature sheet. After going through the papers with your student and removing their work, sign the Friday sheet. Your student will bring the empty folder and signature sheet back to school on Monday and I will collect their folders. This is a way for you to monitor your student’s progress on a weekly basis so that there are no “surprises” come report card time!
Classroom Expectations/Rules
During the first week of school we will as a class come up with our rules and expectations for the school year. Including students in the decision process creates responsibility. After we have created our list of classroom expectations and rules I will send them home for parents to keep as a reference.
Absent from school
Being at school everyday is important for the success of your student. A lot of the activities done in the classroom cannot be made up. If your child is sick or needs to miss school for any reason please inform the office as soon as possible. When your child returns any available make-up work will be assigned to your student. If you know that your child will miss school in advance please let me know and I will try to provide your child with activities to do while gone.
Going home from school a different way
If your child is to go home a different way than usual, the school must have a note on file or a phone call. If the school has not received any notice of the change I must send your child home the usual way.
Classroom Parties/Celebrations
Classroom parties and celebrations are always a fond memory for many students. This year we will have a fall class party, a winter class party and an end of third grade celebration. Besides class parties there will be many opportunities for your student to celebrate what they have learned or accomplished in the classroom. This year we will have writing celebrations and math celebrations. Parents are always invited and encouraged to attend these events.
Birthdays
Children are always very excited about their birthdays and their friend’s birthdays. If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday at school please let me know at least a week in advance. Birthday celebrations need to be done at the end of the day and usually can not last more than 30 minutes. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.
Field-trips
Field-trips are a great way for students to learn more about their community. It is my goal to take at least 3 field-trips this year. If you are interested in being a volunteer for a field-trip I will send home a sign up sheet at a later date.