Mrs. Joanne Vamosi
Room 113/3B
Third Grade
Courses to be taught this year include Religion, Language Arts (reading, grammar, writing, spelling, vocabulary) Handwriting, Math, Social Studies, Science. The students will also have Music, Computer, P.E., Spanish, and Library. Visits from the Counselor and Priest will also take place.
These are the textbooks we use:
Subject Publisher Title Copyright
Handwriting Scott Foresman D’Nealian 2009
Social Studies Pearson My World Social Studies 2013
Vocabulary Sadlier Oxford Workshop Level Green 2011
Reading MacMillan McGraw-Hill Treasures 2009
Math McGraw Hill My Math 2013
Grammar Loyola Press Voyages in English 2011
Religion Our Sunday Visitor Call to Faith 2009
Science Pearson Interactive Science 2012
The handwriting we use at St. Stephen the Martyr is D’Nealian. Third graders review the manuscript D’Nealian they have been using since Kindergarten. They then progress to reviewing the cursive they learned in second grade and begin to use it for all writing by the beginning of the third quarter (second semester).
In Social Studies the main focus is on communities. How communities are formed, kinds of communities, and the different people who live in communities are included in this study. Map skills and geography are learned as well. Students are also exposed to the structure of our government. People who have been important to the building of our country are included, too.
Language Arts covers many skill areas. It is exciting to learn new words in vocabulary and then have them come up in books that are read. Reading fluently, being able to determine the meanings of words through use of context clues, knowing story elements, understanding what is being read are all covered. Enjoying the sounds of a story being read aloud or to oneself are goals of reading. Spelling and grammar are important skills in the area of Language Arts as well. Grammar would include knowing such concepts as nouns, verbs, pronouns, kinds of sentences, contractions and homophones. Generally spelling pretests are given on Monday and the test is on Friday of the same week. Vocabulary tests are given every other week.
Math is all around us every day. Students compare, order, and round numbers. They work with time, temperature, measurement and money. Multiplication is a third grade highlight. The math book has online features which you can access at home on your computer. There is information on the bottom of the pages. In order to become fluent in the basic math facts, our students use Fasttmath. This is a computerized program which combines a flashcard-like piece with a game piece to reinforce the memorization of the facts. In order to progress and "pass" each skill, the students need to get on the computer and do Fasttmath at least three times a week. The teacher is able to go online to see how the students are progressing.
Science will help the students learn more about the world around them. They will be able to think like a scientist and use tools like a scientist to help make discoveries of their own. Some areas to be covered include living things, ecosystems, weather and climate, states of matter, and energy.
In the study of Religion, students learn that the Church is a community to which they belong. The importance of Mass, prayer, and holy people are included. They will continue to learn about the sacraments and living as Jesus would wish them to live.
Assessments are generally given after a story, chapter, or unit in most areas. These are generally written tests or quizzes. Spelling tests are given weekly and vocabulary tests are given every other week. The students are to do FasttMath at least three times a week in order to progress.
There is an Archdiocesan Assessment given to third graders in the area of Language Arts and also one in Technology. These have taken place in the third or fourth quarter thus far.
Home and School has provided for a cultural opportunity through The Rose for all students. Third graders spend a day at The Rose learning about the actual theater’s history, how and where costumes and scenery are made, and how to perform. They perform a short play for their peers. The time frame is worked out through The Rose.
The Durham Western Heritage Museum has a wonderful tour explaining how the city of Omaha came to be. This is a good spring trip since the ideas of building a community have been explored by then.
Grades are given as percentages that are converted to a letter grade. Page of the Family Handbook shows the letter grade equivalents of the percentages. Grades are generally considered to be acceptable if they are a “C” or above. Any grades lower that a “C” will be sent home for a parent signature and for mistakes to be fixed. This year grades can be found on Sycamore, an online grading database. Grades should be posted at least every other week.
Students
not having an assignment when it is due will have the option of staying after
school to complete work or earn a demerit.
The work still needs to be turned in, completed, by the next morning if
the demerit is chosen or if the work is not completed by the 3:45 dismissal if
the after school option is chosen. No matter which option is chosen, the grade will be lowered by 10%.
When your child is absent, if at all possible, it is helpful to get the work so it can be done as soon as the student is capable of doing it. This keeps the student from falling behind.
Acceptable student behavior includes:
*coming into the classroom and quietly preparing for the day
*having proper materials out and ready for class
*paying attention and participating during class discussions
*listening for directions
*raising hand to ask a question or make a comment
*working without disturbing others during quiet work time
*finding a quiet, appropriate activity to do when work is completed (read, study, finish other work)
*showing respect for teachers, staff members, other students, guests, and classroom materials
*using an indoor voice indoors
*asking questions when something is unclear
*stopping an undesired behavior on the FIRST warning
In third grade, especially at the beginning, it is a good idea to go over your child’s homework to be sure that it is completed (on both sides if that is the assignment), neat, and legible. If the child does not understand something and you can explain it, please do. If the answer to a question is in a book, guiding the child to find it is a good choice.
It is hoped that students will be able to maintain at least a “C” average. Extra credit is not given.
We use the Boys Town Social Skills at St. Stephen. There is a new skill introduced by the principal every week or two and then it is practiced in the classroom. An example would be the skill of Greeting Others. The steps would be:
1: Look at the person, 2.:Use a pleasant voice, and 3: Say "hi" or "hello". These skills are life skills and are used to guide the students in appropriate behavior.
When a demerit is earned, a slip is sent home to inform the parent of what occurred. Both the parent and student are to sign the form and return it the following school day.
If you need to contact me, an e-mail is usually a good idea (j.vamosi@stephen.org) I will get back to you as soon as possible.
I try to update my website on Mondays. Sometimes it is unavailable (I suppose it’s very busy :)) during the school day and I have to update later in the afternoon or evening.
We do try to help the students learn in ways that are most helpful to them. This may involve having different groups for math, for example. Groups are flexible. Students will have an individualized spelling list.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year working with you and your children.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Joanne Vamosi
