St. Jerome Catholic School
Back-to-School Night 2014
Third Grade
Ms. Laura O’Donnell
Welcome to a new year at St. Jerome Catholic School. I am delighted to be your child’s
teacher and looking forward to a successful year with your child.
Teacher Background
I choose to teach because I believe it is a great privilege and responsibility to prepare our
children for the future. I choose to teach in Catholic school because Catholic education is closely
aligned with my philosophy of education. I grew up attending Bay Area Catholic schools through
graduate level. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in English from University of San Francisco, my
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Cal State East Bay, and my Master’s degree in
Teaching Leadership from St. Mary’s College. I taught Fifth Grade for four years here at St.
Jerome and this is my first year teaching Third Grade. My children attend Catholic schools in
Alameda and my interest in education grew out of my involvement in their education at home and
in their classrooms.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that each child is a gift from God and blessed with talents, abilities and
challenges. I believe that each child can learn and be successful. My job as their teacher is to
help my students reach their potential academically, socially, and spiritually so they can become
cooperative and responsible members of society. I relish the opportunity to be a positive
influence on America’s future.
My foremost goal for my students is for them to be inspired to learn. Inspiration is the
springboard for all intellectual, creative and spiritual pursuits. While our main mission this year
is to develop knowledge and skills in all areas of the Third Grade curriculum, my overall
academic objective is to teach students to solve problems critically and creatively, to reflect on
their learning and to use technology resources to enhance learning. Concurrent with our
academic goals of attaining the Third Grade learning expectations are our religious and spiritual
goals of practicing our faith on a daily basis and living as Jesus teaches us. On a school-wide
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basis, students will also be setting goals and learning self-regulation skills to help them meet the
school’s Student Learning Expectations.
Classroom Management
My classroom management is closely aligned with my teaching philosophy. During the
first few weeks of school we will spend considerable time learning and practicing classroom
procedures and organization strategies that will increase our efficiency and instructional time.
The Classroom Management Book by Harry Wong and Rosemary Wong forms the basis and
structure of my management plan.
Our classroom community will be based on mutual respect and support of each other’s
learning endeavors. My classroom management style is based on Positive Discipline in the
Classroom by Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott and H. Stephen Glenn and Discipline with Love and Logic
by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline. My main responsibility is to model respectful behavior and
provide students with opportunities for individual growth in an environment that is safe and
structured. We have classroom rules and procedures that support learning and build the
classroom community. Student behaviors are recorded on the Classroom Behavior Chart with
students recording their daily progress for parent review and signature. Inappropriate or off-task
behaviors are respectfully re-directed before warnings and consequences take effect.
Consequences include moving down on behavior chart, change of seat, and if needed written
reflection of specific inappropriate behavior (for teacher and parental signature).
General Schedule and Enrichment Schedule
Each school day morning, the Third Grade will spend studying Religion, Math, Reading
and Language Arts. Each afternoon we will study Social Studies and Science. Twice per week
students have P.E. and Spanish classes. Approximately once per week, we will have a hands-on
Science Lab.
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Below is a sample schedule of our day:
Third Grade
Monday
Assembly
Religion/
Communication
Works
Math
Sample
Tuesday
Assembly
Religion
Daily
Wednesday
Assembly
Religion
Schedule
Thursday
Assembly
Religion
2014-2015
Friday
Assembly
Religion
Math
Math
Math
Recess
Recess
Recess
Recess
Math
9:05-9:20
P.E.
9:20-10:00
Recess
Reading/
Language Arts
Reading/
Language
Arts
Reading/
Language
Arts
Reading/
Language
Arts
11:30-12:00
Spanish
Spanish
10:20-10:40
Reading/
Language
Arts
10:40-11:10
P.E.
Reading/
Language
Arts
Reading/
Language
Arts
Math
12:00-12:40
12:40-12:55
Lunch
Silent Reading
/Math Club
Lunch
Silent
Reading/
Math Club
Lunch
Silent
Reading/
Math Club
Lunch
Silent
Reading/
Math Club
Lunch
Silent
Reading/
Math Club
12:55-1:45
Social
Studies
Science
Computers/
Project Time
Social
Studies
Science
Computers/
Project Time
Social
Studies
Science
Computers/
Project Time
Social
Studies
Science
Computers/
Project Time
Classroom
Clean-Up
Homework
Review
Prayer Circle
3:10-3:15
Homework
Review
Prayer Circle
Social
Studies
Science
2:10-2:15
Homework
Planner
Prayer Circle
2:15-4:00
Faculty
Meeting
Classroom
Clean-Up
Homework
Review
Prayer Circle
Classroom
Clean-Up
Homework
Review
Prayer Circle
Time
8:15-8:25
8:25-9:05
9:05-10:00
10:0010:20
10:20-11:30
1:45-2:35
2:35-3:05
3:05-3:15
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Homework and Assignments
All assignments are to be completed in pencil and on 8 ½ by 11 “ binder paper, or word
processed (if an essay or for a project) on printer paper. I will not accept assignments on paper
torn out of a notebook. All assignments must have the following heading in the upper right
margin of the binder paper: student first and last name, student number, date, subject and
assignment. There will be a model of the heading on the board for the students to follow.
Student work without name and proper heading will not be graded and may be collected in a
labeled “no-name” basket for student correction.
Homework assignments will be posted on the class webpage on Monday of each week
and go inside the students’ take home folder each day. The Diocesan guidelines recommend
approximately 30-40 minutes of homework nightly for Third graders. Homework is assigned
daily, Monday through Thursday and will be checked in and corrected daily. Homework will be
completed neatly and in pencil in 8 ½ by 11-inch binder paper or graph paper (for math). In
addition to assigned homework, reading for 15-20 minutes daily is recommended. Students with
incomplete or missing homework assignments will result in a lower grade in the student
conduct/work habits section of the report card.
Academic Envelopes
To assist parents in keeping up-to-date with their child’s academic progress, we will be
using Academic Envelopes to send student work home each Wednesday (same as the weekly
family newsletter). Please review your child’s work, sign any tests at the top and sign and return
envelope and schoolwork on Thursday. I will keep students’ work in portfolios that will go home
at the end of each trimester.
Communication
Communication is an important factor in keeping you informed of your child’s progress.
I encourage open communication with my students and their families. My email address is
lodonnell@csdo.org if you would like to send me a brief email or to schedule an appointment. I
check email every weekday. Homework and newsletters will be posted on the classroom website
(www.stjeromecatholicschool.org) each week. Please feel free to call the office at 510-525-9484
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if your concern is urgent, and I will return your call at the end of the school day. I am available
after school if you would like to make an appointment to discuss your child’s progress.
Third Grade Learning Expectations
Religion
Our Third Grade Religious education focuses on the Church as community: how Jesus
gave us the Church, how the Church leads us in worship, and we are called to discipleship. In an
effort to connect our Religion curriculum with the Church’s liturgical calendar, we will, at times,
use our textbook out sequence. We will concentrate on being witnesses to God’s love through
prayer, liturgy and service. The Third Grade will be responsible for preparing two liturgies. As a
class, we will develop and implement a community service project to show we care about our
community and live the gospel. We will also study Family Life as part of our Religion
curriculum. As a Catholic teacher, I strive to live as Jesus teaches everyday and provide a
Catholic role model for all students at St. Jerome Catholic School. Our textbooks are We Believe
(Sadlier) and Family Life (Benzinger).
As part of our Religion curriculum, we will have weekly lessons led by Communication
Works. Communication Works is a program that teaches communication skills, self-regulation,
and social skills. The overall goal of Communication Works is to empower students to control
and improve their interactions with each other thereby creating a closer, more effective learning
community.
English Language Arts
Our Third Grade English Language Arts program integrates oral language (listening
comprehension and speaking), word study (vocabulary, phonics, and spelling) l reading
(comprehension, and fluency), and language arts (writing and grammar). Our curriculum is a
blend of literature and informational texts aligned with the Common Core Standards. Our
textbook is California Treasures (MacMillan-McGraw-Hill). School-wide, St. Jerome uses the
Step Up to Writing (SoprisWest) program. Our writing skills connect with every subject and will
focus on note-taking, vocabulary building, sentence structure, developing outlines and graphic
organizers for our (multiple) paragraph narrative and expository compositions, proofreading,
revising and editing; writing responses to literature, persuasive letters and research reports about
main concepts we are learning across the curriculum.
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Mathematics
Our Third Grade Mathematics program focuses on increasing students’ place value
number sense up to 10,000, skills with addition and subtraction with larger numbers,
multiplication and division concepts and facts, customary system units, and geometry. As the
Common Core standards require deeper levels of students’ understanding and ability to apply
concepts, we will approach Mathematics through hands-on learning, skill building and practice
and problem solving. Our textbook is California Mathematics (Macmillan/McGraw Hill).
Social Studies
Our Third Grade Social Studies program explores how our nation is built of numerous
communities and how those communities interact. We will participate in activities around the
yearlong theme of communities. Students will learn about communities and geography, Native
American communities, how communities change, communities at work and many communities,
one nation. Social Studies offer a great opportunity for us to learn about the different cultures
that help make our nation great. We will use literature, projects, in-class activities and field trips
to supplement, extend and enrich our learning. Our textbook is California Communities
(Macmillan/McGraw Hill).
Science
Our Third Grade Science program is multi-faceted. Third Grade students will learn about
physical science (matter, energy and light), life science (adaptations in land and water
environments and how people change the environment), Earth science (solar system). Students
will also learn about investigation and experimentation (the scientific method) developing their
own scientific questions and planning and conducting investigations based on evidence and
thoughtful reasoning. Our textbook is California Science (MacMillan-McGraw Hill). We will
have hands-on science activities that will allow students to use the scientific method in a practical
way.
Technology
Technology is an important tool in preparing our students to be responsible and
productive citizens. We will be using laptop computers frequently across the curriculum and the
Smartboard every day. We will learn and develop basic skills including typing, cyber-safety and
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enrichment activities. We will also use Internet resources to support and enrich the curriculums
and provide research opportunities across the curriculum.
Report Cards and Assessment of Common Core Standards
This year, the Oakland Diocese will be implementing a Common Core Standards based
report card designed to measure your child’s progress towards mastery of the Third Grade
Common Core Standards. Student work falls into two general categories: Summative
Assessment and Formative Assessment.
Summative Assessment
-Demonstrates mastery of a Common Core Standard (e.g. Represent and solve problems
involving multiplication and division)
-Examples of summative assessments are tests, projects, reports, oral reports, presentations,
research projects, etc.
Formative Assessment
- Demonstrates progress toward a Common Core Standard.
-Examples of formative assessments are comprehension questions, note-taking, graphic
organizers, vocabulary, chapter reviews, brainstorming activities, quizzes, journal entries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please read the following statements and check off each statement that applies to your
family:
_____ My family has a computer at home that our student can use to complete homework
assignments.
_____ My family has a computer at home that has reliable Internet access.
_____ My family has regular access to a printer that can be used to print homework assignments.
Student name: _________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) name:
__________________________________________________________
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Birthdays
If your child’s birthday falls on a school day, you are welcome to bring in one small treat
that is ready to serve. It can be a baked good or a special pencil or eraser. Please remember no
nuts of any kind. As expressed in the Family Handbook, we cannot use our class time to host a
birthday party or a pizza party. Thanks for understanding.
Parents
Thank you for choosing to send your child to St. Jerome Catholic School. You are an
important part of your child’s education. I appreciate your support and involvement in your
child’s education at home and in the classroom. There will be many volunteer opportunities for
you to participate in the classroom and I am grateful for your cooperation. Please check the class
webpage frequently for opportunities for you to be involved in our learning community. Please
email me your response to the requests posted. I am confident that this classroom community
will thrive and achieve academic success this school year. Let’s work together to make it
happen!
Ms. Laura T. O’Donnell
Third Grade Teacher