Russell Ranch Elementary School
Mrs. Anderson * Third Grade * Room 29
2014-2015
Dear Parents and Families,
Hello and welcome back to school! My name is Lindsay Anderson and I am
happy be your child’s third grade teacher. I have been teaching in the Folsom Cordova
Unified School District for twelve years. My classroom experience includes fifth grade,
first grade and kindergarten.
This year, we will embark on a journey as we transition to the newly
implemented Common Core State Standards for California! Look forward to changes in
curriculum content, assessments, lessons, and much, much more! The Common Core
Standards were designed to: help build creativity and innovation, develop appropriate
academic skills, enhance critical thinking and problem solving, and increase
collaboration, and communication. As we travel this path together, let’s remember it’s a
new experience for all of us!
 The method of teaching will move from “I Do, We Do, You do” to “You Do, We
Do, I do”. As we travel this path together, let’s remember it’s a new experience
for all of us!
Specific class procedures, policies, and expectations will be reviewed at Back to
School Night on Tuesday, August 19, from 6:20-6:40pm in the Multi and then from
6:45-7:30pm (grades 3-5) in Room 29. Please meet in the multipurpose room for the
principal’s announcements first, then we will proceed to the classroom. I have attached
some general classroom information. Please carefully review this packet, and return the
indicated forms by Friday, August 22nd.
On Wednesday your child will be bringing home a “School-Home Folder” where
you will consistently find homework and assignments throughout the year. Every day
you should ask where the folder is and take a peek inside. This will help to ensure all
homework is done completely and correctly. Please place any notes or return any
information to me in this folder. I will check students’ folders daily.
Again, I am very excited about working with your child this year. Please feel free
to contact me before or after school in room 29 or at (916)294-2430, ext. 285229 with any
further questions you may have.
Cordially,
Mrs. Anderson
School & Classroom Rules
1. Be Respectful to staff and fellow students.
2. Be responsible for your work and behavior.
3. Be friendly on campus.
4. Be safe and supervised at all times.
Following school and classroom rules, positively reflects in lifelong
learner skills report card scores. There are many different types of rewards
for positive and productive behavior.
 Individual Student Rewards: Silver Horseshoes, “Clipping Up” for a treat,
stickers, candy jar, verbal praise, awards/certificates, positive phone
calls or notes home
 Class Rewards: Special event or treat, preferred activity time, Marble
Rewards .
On occasion, consequences are given when students fail to abide by the
rules.
 Consequences can include: Verbal warning, “How is your day?” Clip
down behavior monitoring system, separation from group activity,
removed from classroom to work, note or phone call home to parents,
and/or visit to the principal.
Curriculum & Assessments
Our adopted curriculum includes: envision Math Common Core,
Houghton Mifflin Medallions Reading and Language Arts, Pearson Scott
Foresman Science, and Scott Foresman History-Social Science.
Assignments will be graded on completeness and mastery of the
Common Core State Standards for Third Grade. Students are expected to
do their best work on every assignment and return it on time. Students
who have a documented absence will have ample time to complete missed
assignments. Skill and effort in each academic area is reflected on trimester
report cards. The newly adopted Common Core State Standards for Third
Grade, can be found here:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/documents/glc3rdgradecurriculum.pdf
http://www.fcusd.org/domain/2638
Language Arts Assessments:
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Oral Reading Passages (beginning of year & end of each trimester)
AR quizzes (+/- 10 points per trimester)
STAR reading assessment (to determine reading level)
Growth Model Assessments (end of each trimester)
Writing tasks from the following genres: Opinion, Narrative, and
Informative
 Weekly Spelling Tests– may include word lists and/or dictation
sentences
Mathematics Assessments:
Growth Model Assessments (end of each trimester)
Topic/Unit Tests (approximately every 2 weeks)
Timed Multiplication and Division Facts Tests
Social Studies & Science:
These areas will be evaluated primarily through teacher observation,
participation in classroom lessons, and projects. Students may complete activities from
the (at home) Science Interactive Study Guide to receive extra effort credit.
Homework
Homework is important to reinforce classroom lessons, provide practice
for target skills, complete unfinished class work, promote regular study habits,
and involve the parents and family in their child’s learning. Most homework will
be assigned Monday-Thursday, with limited amounts on the weekend. All
homework should be returned in the student’s “School-Home Folder”.
Homework tasks should be appropriate for the ability level of your child and
should take on average 30 minutes nightly in addition to independent reading
practice. Students who fail to complete homework assignments may lose a
preferred activity or recess time, and reflect in lifelong learner skills report card
scores.
The following are examples of a typical week’s homework assignments:
20-30 minutes of independent reading selection (nightly)
review or extension of in-class math lesson (nightly)
language arts skill, grammar, or writing practice (1-2 nights per week)
choice of spelling activities and practice test (nightly)
Other Special Notes
 Student
of the Week:
1. A different student will be chosen to spotlight each week. A packet
will go home one weekend prior so the student and family can prepare
items that will be displayed on a bulletin board or shared in class.
2.  Birthdays: Balloons and toys are not allowed, however if you would
like to bring in a special treat or snack for the class (30 students),
please notify me in advance. Please keep it simple and be creative!
There are great alternatives to cupcakes– Scholastic dollar books,
bookmarks, pencils, or healthy choices like prepackaged apple slices
with yummy caramel dip!
 Field Trips: More information will be provided through Back to School
Night and newsletters.
 Box
Tops: Please collect and send in Box Tops from your grocery
purchases. This is a great way to earn money for our school and prizes for
our class.
 Buddy Classes: Students will participate in monthly cross-grade level
activities. This is a great confidence builder!
 Steps to Respect: Our school will continue participation in this program,
teaching students to recognize, respond to, and report bullying.
 Book Orders: Scholastic book order forms will come home in Friday
Folders. Our class earns points for materials and books with each order
placed. You may also check the catalogs online at www.scholastic.com,
using activation code H8KCX.
 Friday Folders:
How do they work?
* On Friday of each week, your student will bring home their
folder. Inside you will find news from our school and class.
* Over the weekend, please empty the folder and go over the
papers, notes and newsletters with your student.
* If you have a note for the teacher, or anything that needs to
be sent back to school, put it in the folder.
* Return the folder Monday morning!
And FINALLY, Contacting the Teacher
Tracking your child’s progress and communicating
with the teacher helps ensure success at school. Email is
my preferred method of parent communication, but
please feel free to contact me by:
Email: landerson@fcusd.org
I check email periodically throughout the dayincluding in the evening and on weekends!
Phone or Voicemail:
(916) 294-2430 ext.285229
I can be reached on campus before and after school, or a
message can be left during instructional time. Messages
are usually checked as I arrive and before I leave each
day.
Parent-Teacher Conference: Report card conferences
take place in November, however meeting times can be
arranged if concerns arise at any time during the year.
Note in “School-Home Folder”: Notes left in student
folders will be replied to as soon as possible.