Welcome to Mrs. Feddersen’s
3rd Grade Classroom
• Please find your child’s desk and take a seat.
• You may start completing paperwork while your are
waiting. Thank you!
• Please fill out inside of the planner, especially address
section
• Check out volunteer positions on the front board.
• Fill out dismissal (transportation)paper on front
board
• Type your email on the back computer
Who is Mrs. Feddersen?
• This is my 10th year teaching third grade at Lowes
Island Elementary and my 16th year over all.
• I have a degree in elementary education from
Minnesota State University, Mankato. I have a reading
concentration and a masters in Reading from
Shenandoah University.
Classroom Schedule
• I aim to have an hour of each subject every day.
• Specials will vary each day.
• Please send your child to school with the appropriate
clothing or supplies needed for their specials that day.
• For example, on days we have p.e. all students need to wear
or bring sneakers to school. Our class schedule is on the
LIES website under my name.
• Please check website for schedule times rather than the
office.
Reading
• Balanced Approach
 Shared (whole class)
 Guided (small groups based on individual reading
level)
 Independent (log reading, running records) 8 books
are required for the 1st quarter. Please monitor your
child’s progress towards the goal at least weekly.
 Transition from learning to read to reading to learn
Writing
• Transition to a complete paragraph, then multiparagraphs
• Practice the process of writing: prewriting,
drafting, revising, editing, final copy/publishing
• Various types of writing: narrative, poetry, how
to, etc.
Math
 Many new concepts including multiplication and division
 Memorizing math facts (both addition/subtraction and multiplication
and division is very important in being successful this year, both in
class and passing of math SOL test.
 Some students may require more practice than others. The weekend is
a great time to meet your child’s needs. REFLEX and Dreambox
computer programs are available at home 7 days a week.
Discipline
How It Works
Classroom Rules:
Be ready
Be responsible
Be respectful
Sequence of Consequences when rules aren’t followed:
A color coded ticket system will be used to record students’ behavior. Each child is involved in keeping
track of his/her behavior. I believe it is important for children to practice self-discipline. Tickets will be
issued for talking /disrupting class, incomplete class work, out of seat w/o permission, disrespectful,
and not following directions. At the end of the week, a weekly behavior report will be sent home with
each student.
Positive reinforcement Techniques Implemented:
Individual: sticker charts (prizes awarded when a chart is filled), verbal praise
Small Group: sticker charts, verbal praise
Whole class: sticker charts, verbal praise, Around the World game, math bingo, special theme days (Will use Mr.
Potato Head to earn special rewards such as math game day, math bingo, extra recess, lunch in the classroom or
court yard, etc)
Grading
A grading scale of 4, 3, 2, 1 will be on individual
assignments. 4 = exceeding expectations
3 = meeting expectations
2= meeting expectations
1 = needs improvement
On report cards, a letter grade is assigned for each
subject.
3rd Grade Assessments
• Students will be given a leveling test for word study.
• I will assess each student’s reading level using the DRA
assessment in September, January, and May.
• The end of year reading benchmark for third graders is a DRA level 38.
• Students will take quarterly benchmark tests in math and reading.
• At the end of third grade the students will take two SOL tests
which are reading and math.
• You will receive their results with the fourth quarter report card.
Homework and Tests
• I do NOT agree with lengthy homework.
• Students will be required to complete a quarterly
reading log for school and home reading
• I will give every other week Word Study tests.
• Math, Science, and Social Studies tests will be given
at the end of each unit.
• Word Study homework Tuesday and Thursday
• REFLEX (M/W) and Dreamworks (T/TH) 15 mins.
• Reading nightly for 15 mins. or more, reading
comprehension sheets or content sheets
Homework and Make-Up Work
• Homework sheets along with other daily forms will
go home on a daily basis in the R.O.C.K.S. binder.
• If a student misses work covered in class due to
illness, they will need to get the material when they
return to school and discuss the procedures with me.
R.O.C.K.S. Binder
• Items that will be in your child’s binder
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Planner
Homework folder
Word Study notebook
Monday Folder
• I will check planners for parent signatures.
• Expectations:
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Parents need to sign their student’s planner every night after homework is completed.
Please do not sign if unfinished or provide a reason why it couldn’t be completed. Also,
please help your child correct any mistakes so he/she is not practicing it wrong.
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Also test dates, parent information such as field trips, notes to the teacher
Search and Futura Program
• Students will participate in Search class every other week.
• In this class students must use their problem solving skills
to master higher level thinking tasks.
• Information collected in this class helps the Search
teacher identify students for next year’s FUTURA
program.
• All third graders will take the Naglieri test in the fall,
which also helps in identifying gifted children.
• If you have any questions please contact Wendy Young
(wendy.l.young@lcps.org)
What to Expect From 3rd Grade
 Main goal =moving towards greater independence
and developing successful work and study habits
 Greater emphasis on content area
 More tests
 More studying
 Math builds on 2nd grade concepts, introduces many
new skills such as multiplication and division
Contact Information
• My e-mail address is karen.feddersen@lcps.org
• I try very hard to answer all e-mails in a timely
manner.
• Monday Memos – often posted Friday after school
or by Monday after school
• If you need to contact me about a change in your
child’s dismissal plan, please e-mail me before 1:00.
If you do not receive a response, please assume I did
not see it and call the office to leave a message.
• Do not place papers/notes in Monday envelopes.
Please use homework binders.
Volunteers Needed
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Room Parent
Monday Folder Parent – Monday mornings
Box Tops Counter
Wordy Study Test Administer – every other Friday
Writing assistant at the end of the day on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Cutting, putting together centers/activities, etc. at home
Oral reading listener for working on fluency
School Volunteers – copying and book room helper
Additional Information
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Visitor’s Badge
First Day Folders ( paperwork)
Absences : contact office
Vacations; unexcused absences, make-up work given
on return
• Nutrition Snack Break: no candy, cookies, Fruit Rollups, chips
• No food birthday treats, LCPS rule
Building Independence
• In 3rd grade, we encourage the students to put their
homework in their backpack themselves, ask you to
sign their planner after going over their homework
together, and say good-bye at the front door after the
first week of school unless you need to carry in large
items. Together we can provide life skills for the
many years of school to come!
• Please, no “conferences” as you are dropping off
your child- I am in charge of 19 children at that
point.
In Conclusion…
Thank you for coming tonight.
I look forward to a wonderful year working with your child!