Glacier Hills School of
Arts and Science
Third Grade
Handbook For Families
2010/2011
Teachers and Contact Information
Kathryn Anderberg- kathryn.anderberg@district196.0rg voice mail 92455
David Brandsma- david.brandsma@district196.org voice mail 92432
Kathryn Haave- kathryn.haave@district196.org voice mail 92486
Kelli Kelly- kelli.kelly@district196.org voice mail 92421
We are available from 8:00-9:00 a.m. and from 3:50-4:00 p.m. We do have weekly staff/team
meetings on Wednesday mornings so the office will take messages and deliver them to us. The
office will not put calls through to the classroom during student contact time. If it is an
emergency, please contact the main office at 651-683-8570. If you leave a voicemail there is no
guarantee that it can be listened to by the end of the school day. If dismissal routines are to
change it is best to send a note. If a note is forgotten, call the office to notify the school of
the change.
Dismissal Procedures
Your child will be walked out to the bus by his/her classroom teacher at 3:45 p.m. If you plan
on picking your child up from school, please meet your child’s class by the gym doors. If your
child’s dismissal routine changes, the teacher needs a note or the student will not be permitted
on another bus, they will not be allowed to leave with another person, or they will not be
allowed to ride their bike home.
Typical Daily Schedule
9:35-Specialists
10:30 - Morning Meeting
10:50- Units
11:30- Number Corner
11:45-Handwriting
12:05- Read Aloud
12:20-Recess/Lunch
1:00- Math
2:00-Writing/Word Study
2:30- Daily 5
3:30- Planner
3:45- Dismissal
Supplies
48 #2 Pencils (sharpened)
2 Packs of Pencil Top Erasers
1 Box of Crayons (24 count)
1 Elmers White School Glue (7 5/8 oz size)
4 Large Glue Sticks
1 5" sharp Scissors - (recommend Fiskars)
6 Two Pocket Folders (any color)
2 Black Flair Pens
1 Ruler (Standard/Metric)
1 Crayola Washable Thick Markers (8 count)
1 Dry Erase Marker
3 70 count Spiral Notebooks
1 Composition Notebook
1 Box of Colored Pencils (12 count)
1 Plastic school box
1 Headphones for use in the computer lab
1 Roll of 3M Scotch Tape
1 Box of Multiplication Flashcards
1 Box of Kleenex
1 School bag or back pack (No Wheels)
1 Glacier Hills Student Planner (purchased at school)
BOYS: box of gallon size freezer resealable bags
GIRLS: container disinfecting wipes
Language Arts
Reading, writing, listening, speaking, spelling and handwriting are all-important components of
language arts. Skills and strategies in each area are modeled, taught and practiced, taking into
account the unique needs of each learner. Knowledge and skills are acquired through connected
experiences between home, school and community. Students read from a variety of texts,
including fiction (short stories and whole books), poetry and nonfiction (textbooks, newspapers and
magazines). Students read (or are read to) and write daily.
Resources
Guided Reading Resources
Classroom Libraries
Invitations to Literacy, Houghton Mifflin
Handwriting–Zaner Bloser
Word Study-Word Study Lessons, Phonics, Spelling and Vocabulary
Topics
Reading
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Fiction and nonfiction materials
Using context clues to determine meaning of unknown words
Understanding ideas not explicitly stated
Making predictions and drawing conclusions based on information in the selection
Distinguishing between fact and opinion
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Determining the author’s purpose
Identifying figurative language
Using graphophonic (sounds), syntactic (language) and semantic (meaning) strategies to
understand text
Identifying elements of a story
Summarizing fiction and nonfiction
Writing
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Planning, composing and revising pieces of writing
Editing written work for grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling and sentence
structure
Writing narratives, descriptive pieces, persuasive and expository essays
Writing letters and reports
Poetry
Speaking and Listening
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Summarizing ideas and identifying tone
Teaching someone how to perform an action or create a product
Giving an informal presentation
Listening to understand a presentation
Word Study
Finding the correct spelling of an unknown word
Recognizing misspelled words
Patterns within words
Spelling frequently used words correctly in everyday writing
Vocabulary development
Handwriting
Using cursive writing to form upper and lower case letters
Mathematics
The elementary school math curriculum build students‛ mathematical
understanding, skills and proficiency at each grade level through important
mathematical concepts such as number and operations, algebra, geometry,
measurement, problem solving, data analysis and probability.
Resources
Bridges in Mathematics
Project M3 Mentoring Mathematical Minds series
Numbers and Operations
Read, write with numerals, compare and order whole number to 9,999.
Represent up to 4-digit whole numbers in various ways maintaining equivalence, such as
3206 = (32 x 100) + 6 or 3206 = 3200 + 6.
• Know how fractions are related to the whole, such as four-fourths equal a whole or three
fourths equal three of four equal parts of a whole.
• Represent and write fractions with pictures, models and numbers.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the multiplication facts through 10 using concrete
models.
• Use models to solve multiplication and division problems and use number sentences to
record the solutions.
• Use the inverse relationship of addition and subtraction to compute and check results.
• Demonstrate mastery of basic addition facts for addends 0 through 9, without a
calculator.
• Demonstrate mastery of subtraction facts that are inverses of the basic addition facts,
without a calculator.
• Use subtraction with up to three-digit whole numbers in real-world and mathematical
problems.
• Use addition of up to three whole number addends, containing up to four digits each in
real-world and mathematical problems.
Algebra
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Create and identify patterns in numbers and shapes and explain how to extend those
patterns.
• Use the properties of addition and subtraction that involve ordering, grouping and the
number 0, to do simple computations with whole numbers.
• Identify a missing number or operation in a simple arithmetic equation such as 3 ? 4 = 7
or 9 - ? = 2.
Geometry
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Identify common two- and three-dimensional shapes that are components of more complex
shapes.
• Identify, describe and classify two-dimensional shapes according to number and length of
sides and kinds of angles.
• Recognize and predict the position and orientation of a shape after a single flip, slide or
turn.
• Identify lines of symmetry in geometric shapes.
Measurement
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Know relationships between units of length in a system of measurement, such as 12 inches
equals 1 foot or 100 centimeters equals 1 meter.
Select an appropriate tool and identify the appropriate unit to measure time, length,
weight and temperature.
Find the perimeter of a polygon with whole number sides.
Tell time to the minute using digital and analog time.
Determine elapsed time to the minute.
Make change using as few coins as possible up to a dollar.
Data Analysis and Probability
Collect data using observations or surveys and represent the data with pictographs and
line plots with appropriate title and key.
• Read and interpret data from circle graphs using halves, thirds, and quarters.
• Explore the basic concept of probability.
Process Standards
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Solve problems by distinguishing relevant from irrelevant information, sequencing and
prioritizing information and breaking multi-step problems into simpler parts.
Evaluate the reasonableness of the solutions by considering appropriate estimates and the
context of the original problem.
Know when it is appropriate to estimate and when an exact answer with whole numbers,
fractions or decimals is needed.
Communicate, reason and represent situations mathematically.
Support mathematical results using pictures, numbers and words to explain why the steps
in a solution are valid and why a particular solution method is appropriate.
Express a written problem in suitable mathematical language, solve the problem and
interpret the result in the original context.
Science
Magnetism and Electricity (physical science)
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Permanent magnetism, electrical circuits and electromagnetism
Interactions of a magnet with different objects and materials
The force of attraction between magnets and different objects
Testing objects for the ability to conduct electricity
Electromagnets
Recording and communicating observations and investigations
Structures of Life (life science)
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Properties of seeds and fruits, and the structures and behavior of crayfish
Sorting and comparing seeds, and investigating the effect of water on seeds over time
Comparing crayfish to other animals
Earth Materials (earth science)
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Observations about rocks
How rock materials separate and settle in water
Separating one ingredient from a mixture
Sorting objects according to properties, recording and comparing observations
Measurement (scientific reasoning)
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Measuring length, mass and capacity
Recording, comparing and communicating measurements of a variety of objects
Each unit is enhanced with investigations in the Science Lab with Mrs. Jensen.
Resources
F.O.S.S.
Social Studies
Grade three social studies broaden 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.
Resources
Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond, published by Teacher‛s
Curriculum Institute (TCI).
Health
Development of self-awareness (emotionally, socially and physically) and the best
ways of keeping well (healthy decision-making) are emphasized.
Resources
Your Health, Harcourt, Inc.
Learning Log
Each Friday your child will be writing a letter to someone in your family to share their week’s
learnings. Please read the letter and take a minute to write back. This log is a great tool for
communication. We hope you enjoy reading about your child’s week.
Homework Hero
Students will receive a yellow packet each Friday. This packet should be completed at home and
returned by the following Thursday. The intention of the Homework Hero is to review concepts
covered in class as well as test prep.
Daily Planner
All third grade students will be required to use a daily planner. We use the planner as a
teaching tool to help students become more independent with their daily work and as a means of
communicating between school and home. At the end of each school day your child will write in
his/her planner. We encourage the students to be responsible and ask a parent/guardian to
initial the planner at home. In the beginning of the year please ask your child for their planner
and initial the planner each night. As time passes, more of the responsibility should fall upon your
child to ask you to initial the planner nightly.
Friday Folders
Each Friday a folder will be sent home in your child’s backpack. Please go through the school
papers and return any necessary forms the following Monday.
The Role of the Parent in Education
Parents play an important role in their child's development and school success at
Glacier Hills.
Research has shown that parents of children who are successful in school do two
things: They are involved in school programs, and they monitor their child's
progress in school. These actions demonstrate to a child that his/her parents are
concerned about and value school achievement. Through actions, not just words,
parents reinforce the idea that school is important.
Be Involved in School Programs
It is important to visit your child's classroom and meet his/her teacher. There are
several opportunities for you to do this at Glacier Hills.
• An Open House is scheduled before the school year begins for parents and
• students to meet their teacher.
• Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in October and again in February.
• Parents are invited to volunteer in their child's classroom or other areas of the
• building such as the media center or lunchroom.
• Volunteer for fieldtrips.
• Attend the Third Grade music program
Monitor Your Child's Progress
Parents should monitor their child's progress at school. Check your child's
progress by reviewing schoolwork brought home each day and encourage your child
to tell about his/her schoolwork and experiences. The extra time and attention
you spend will not only build your child's self-esteem, it will also reinforce what
your child has learned in school. If you have a concern, please feel free to call or
make an appointment with your child's teacher.
Home and School
Reading and studying will become a natural part of the day for children if parents
establish a routine and time for it. Set aside a specific time each day for your
child to spend on schoolwork. Your child needs a quiet place for study, free from
distractions or interruptions. The length of time spent on reviewing concepts
should correlate with your child‛s grade level and ability. Research shows that children who are
read to, or who read independently, are apt to be better readers, read for enjoyment and
develop a life-long love of reading. Therefore, we suggest that a family reading time be part of
each day in your home.
Please review the papers and projects that your child brings home each day. This
will show your child that you believe his/her school work is important and also keep
you informed about your child‛s work at school.
Regular school attendance will help your child develop responsible work habits and
emphasize the importance of education.
Help your child prepare for school each day. You can do this by making sure your
child is rested, has a nutritious breakfast, is properly dressed, has the needed
supplies and is carrying a school bag. Together, we have a common goal - to help your child be a
happy, well-adjusted learner.