SHANNON PARK
ELEMENTARY
Parent Information
Handbook
Grade 3
Dear Parents,
The third grade teachers would like to take this opportunity
to welcome your family to a new school year at Shannon Park
Elementary.
The purpose of this booklet is to describe the third grade
educational program at Shannon Park and to answer some of
the more commonly asked questions. We hope this will be
informative, but we invite you to call if you have any other
questions. We believe the education of your child is a
tremendous responsibility and is achieved best in partnership
between parents, teachers, and students.
We consider it a high calling to be teachers, and we hope this
will be a great year for your child. We are prepared to
challenge each student with a year of learning and personal
growth. It is our desire that each student reaches his/her full
potential. We’re looking forward to a successful year for all of
us.
Sincerely,
The Third Grade Teachers
SHANNON PARK
PHILOSOPHY
We believe that academic achievement begins with positive self-esteem,
self-responsibility, and self-discipline. Our vision is to provide opportunities that
encourage and foster feelings of self-worth and educational achievement, with a
focus on the needs of the whole child. We will promote the shared responsibility
of learners, parents, staff, and community in nurturing students to fulfill their
unique potential.
MISSION
“TEAMING FOR GROWTH”
SHANNON PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
EXPECTATIONS
Strive for your best achievement.
Students are urged to try hard to do their best in all school endeavors. Students will
be supported and encouraged to reach their goals. By putting forth maximum effort to
meet the social, academic, and physical challenges that school offers, each child will
continue a lifelong quest of reaching his or her full potential.
Be responsible for your own learning.
Students are expected to come to school prepared with the proper materials and with a
positive attitude. By getting organized and ready for the responsibilities of the school
day, each child will be supported to achieve optimal learning in their own personal
development.
Be cooperative.
Students are expected to work together with staff and peers to provide a positive
learning environment. Students will be encouraged to realize they contribute in a
significant way. By developing cooperative skills, each child will strengthen his or
her motivation to cooperate and learn.
Treat others and property with respect.
Students are encouraged to demonstrate self-control and display empathy when
relating to others. Students will also respect and take care of personal and school
property. Each child will be supported in his or her effort to feel capable of working
toward this expectation. Meeting these goals will maintain a caring, safe, and
aesthetically pleasing environment.
SHANNON PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
RULES
Be kind to others
Being kind to others involves recognizing and showing understanding of other’s
feelings. Being kind to others involves using self-control, negotiating in an honest,
cooperative manner and apologizing when necessary. Being kind verbally and
physically will promote positive feelings to make learning fun and fair.
Be safe
Students learn best in a physically safe environment. Being safe involves using selfcontrol and following rules. Unsafe behaviors will be redirected to promote safe and
positive alternatives.
Listen
Students are expected to listen and pay attention to staff and students. Appropriate
listening involves looking at the speaker, being quiet, thinking about what is being
said, and taking turns talking.
Follow directives
The students will listen to and comply with the requests of a person in authority.
Following directives involves listening carefully, asking questions, and repeating
instructions if necessary.
Use time wisely
Students will develop age appropriate skills reflecting good time management during
structured and independent activities. Students will check to be sure they have
finished all assigned work and choose an activity that will allow others to remain on
task.
GRADE THREE SUPPLIES
1 pkg. #2 pencils (yellow) please bring
sharpened
3 pocket folders (1 ea. black, yellow, purple)
3 spiral notebooks wide-lined(black, yellow,
purple)
ink pen for correcting (red or blue)
2 large glue stick
1 small bottle of glue
eraser (1 large)
crayons
1 yellow highlighter
1 large box of tissues to share
non-marking soled tennis shoes-NO slip on
markers set/8
black, fine tip flair marker
black sharpie type permanent marker
whiteboard eraser or tube sock
2 whiteboard dry erase markers
colored pencils
ruler
scissors
Post It Notes
Zip Lock Bags
optional donation: watercolor paints
optional donation: disinfecting wipes
Please LABEL all supplies
Reading
Some components of the reading workshop include independent reading, guided
reading, read aloud, shared reading and literature circles. We will also provide
many opportunities for children to read for pleasure in the classroom. In addition,
we read to the children daily and try to convey the value of reading as a lifelong
skill.
Writing
Teachers will be using the writing workshop model focusing on personal
narratives, essays, and fiction.
Word Study
Word Study includes spelling, cursive, phonics, language and vocabulary
development.
Handwriting
Zaner Bloser
Both lower and uppercase cursive letters are introduced. Concepts covered
include letter shapes, spacing, slant and line quality. Students are provided with a
consumable text to ensure first hand practice.
Art
Art will be taught by an art specialist.
Math
The elementary school mathematics curriculum is based on the Minnesota
Academic Standards in Mathematics. The curriculum builds students’
mathematical understanding, skill and proficiency at each grade level within the
strands of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data
analysis and probability.
Science
Third grade science concentrates on a hands-on learning approach. The
students work in cooperative groups to investigate, observe and record data.
Topics covered include: Physics of Sound/Light, Structures of Life, and Space.
Social Studies
Grade three social studies broadens students’ awareness about the local and
global communities in which they live. They learn the basics of geography in
order to locate communities on a globe. They learn about different cultures and
public service roles.
The material to support the third grade social studies curriculum are titles: Social
Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond and are published by Teachers’
Curriculum Institute (TCI).
Health
Third grade health units are designed to motivate children to learn about health
and to develop sound health habits.
Computer
The students will be involved in a 50 minute computer experience each cycle. A
variety of programs will be used to reinforce the different curriculum areas. They
will also continue keyboarding as well as word processing.
BOOK ORDERS
Some 3 rd grade teachers participate in Scholastic book orders.
Generally, they arrive around once a month. Please send book
orders with a check made out to the book company in an
envelope with your child’s name on it. Thank you.
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Party Dates
Fall Party:
October
Winter Party:
December
Valentine Party:
February
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BIRTHDAY TREATS
District policy is that students are not to bring birthday treats of any kind.
SNACK
We encourage the students to bring a healthy snack to be eaten mid-morning.
LUNCH PROGRAM
2014-2015 School Lunch Prices
Student Full Price Lunch
$ 2.30
Milk
$ .40
Adult Lunch
$ 3.50
Prepayments will be accepted daily at school. Prepayments can also be mailed directly to
the Food Services Office. If sending a check, please write the student’s full name and
lunch identification number on it.
NO CHARGES FOR SCHOOL LUNCH OR MILK WILL BE ALLOWED. Students with no
lunch credits will be offered a cheese sandwich only. Please keep track of your child’s
lunch credits. Your account balance can be checked by calling your school cafeteria or the
Food Service Office at 683-6958. Applications for free and reduced priced meals are
available at your school office or at the Food Services Office.
Dear Parents,
We look forward to working with your child this year.
We feel good communication between home and
school is very important.
If we can be of help at any time, please call, send a
note, or contact us by e-mail.
Sincerely,
The Third Grade Teachers