Transcript Welcome Back to School

Welcome Back
to School
Third Grade
2013-2014
Harrisburg Academy Mission
Statement
 Harrisburg
Academy offers an
academically challenging and globally
minded liberal arts education that
encourages each student to reach his or
her full potential. In our commitment to
excellence, we provide tools and teach
skills that will prepare students to thrive
and succeed in college and in their future
endeavors.
Meet the Teachers
Mrs. Robertson



I spent my undergraduate career
at the University of Virginia, took my
Masters in English at the University
of Nebraska, and earned my
Pennsylvania certification at
Susquehanna University.
This my 2nd year teaching 3rd grade
at Harrisburg Academy. I have
been teaching since 1994.
My husband and I have an Alaskan
Malamute named Seamus whom
we enjoy hiking with. I also enjoy
reading and watching movies.
Mrs. Quigley




I graduated from Shippensburg
University with a degree in
Education and a minor in Early
Childhood Ed.
This is my 9th year at the Harrisburg
Academy teaching 3rd grade.
My husband and I have 3
children, Taylor, 14, Tyler, 11, and
Nathan, 5. Tyler and Nathan
attend the Academy and are in
6th grade and JK.
In my free time, I enjoy attending
my children’s sporting events and
being outside.
Attendance

Students are expected to arrive at school by 8:00 am each
day, but no earlier than 7:30 am. We will begin our day
promptly upon being dismissed from the Gallery. If your
child arrives after 8 am, please sign them in at the front
office.

If your child is ill or has an appointment during school hours,
please notify the main office or Debbie O’Day. You can
call or send an e-mail. If we receive this information, it will
be passed on for attendance records.

If you are planning an educational trip, please fill out an
“Excused Absence” form prior to your trip. You may get this
in Mrs. O’Day’s office. Please note that we may send some
work for your child, but our policy is not to send work in
advance, so your child will have make-up work upon
return.
Class Rules
 Be
responsible and safe
 Treat
others the way you want to be
treated
 Be
responsible with classroom tools and
materials
Our Daily Schedule:
Mrs. Robertson
Mrs. Quigley

Day 1: Music, Spanish, Health

Day 1: Spanish, Library

Day 2: PE, Science, Art

Day 2: PE, Computer, Art

Day 3: Spanish, PE, Computer

Day 3: Spanish, PE, Science

Day 4: PE, Library (book day)

Day 4: PE, Music

Day 5: Chorus, PE

Day 5: Chorus, PE, Computer,
Library (book day)

Day 6: Music, Spanish, Computer,
Science

Day 6: Spanish, Health, Science
Day 7: Chorus, PE, Library, Art

Day 7: Chorus, PE, Art

Homework Policy

Students will receive homework most nights, with the exception of
weekends and special nights (school concerts and other school
functions). Homework is due the next school day, unless
otherwise stated.

All homework should be copied from the Smartboard into your
child’s school agenda. You may check this nightly to see
assignments for the night.

Homework should be completed in pencil by your child. Parents
may help, but if your child is having difficulty with a concept,
please let us know, so we can go over this concept with your
child in class.

A typical night’s homework will usually be a math sheet (usually
double sided) and another subject. Students are also expected
to keep track of their reading for the week on the Reading Log.
They are required to read at least 120 minutes or 2 hours per week
(Monday –Sunday). Parents should sign the reading log as well.

Homework should take between 30 and 45 minutes. If you notice
that it is taking longer, please let us know so we can discuss
options with you and your child.
Curriculum
In third grade, students continue making a
journey toward independence. They do
this through learning to manage their
homework, work time in class, and take
responsibility for asking questions when
they have them. The students share ideas
with each other using scaffold support.
Through this process, they learn to
become better readers, writers, and
critical thinkers.
Math
We use the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt series
titled Math Expressions. This is a
comprehensive math program that offers
new ways to teach and learn mathematics.
Math Expressions use objects, drawings,
conceptual language, and real-world
situations to help students build
mathematical ideas that make sense to
them.
Reading
Third grade uses a number of resources for
instruction. We use the Junior Great Books
series. This program is designed to introduce
students to shared inquiry discussions. Through
a variety of stories, the children write and
reflect on what they have read. Students also
have shared reading experiences by reading
common chapter books. In addition to these
shared experiences, students are offered
choices in reading for Literature Circles and
partner reading.
Language Arts
We use a variety of different teaching materials to
teach students spelling, phonemic awareness,
writing, and grammar. Over the course of the
year, the children learn about the interdependent
nature of reading and writing. Third grade is also a
period during which students learn different
approaches to each step of the reading process
through mini-lessons, discussions, and practice.
Students learn about grammar in the context of
both reading and writing.
Spelling
Spelling in third grade is differentiated and
integrated into their reading and writing
instruction. Students will learn about the
various ways to spell the forty-four sounds, or
phonemes, in the English language. Therefore,
the spelling lists will focus on multiple spellings
of a sound each week. The children sort the
words into columns for each spelling. They are
also taught to seek out the spellings for the
sound in their reading and writing thereby
connecting reading, writing, and spelling.
Handwriting
Students will be guided through cursive
handwriting using the Zaner-Bloser
Handwriting program. Students will complete
all cursive letters by winter break and be
expected to write most work in class, and for
homework, in cursive after returning from
break.
Social Studies
Students in third grade will study Pennsylvania.
We are using Our Pennsylvania Story and Women
of Pennsylvania. These books will cover topics
such as geography, history, natural resources,
and government. Students will also be creating a
Pennsylvania Scrapbook Project to demonstrate
their understanding of several aspects of our
state’s history, geography, and influential people.
Much of this project will be completed in class.
This project also serves to prepare students for
future long-term projects including the States’ Fair
project they complete in fourth grade.
Europe
Third grade studies the continent of
Europe. Over the course of the year, we
will examine a number of European
countries through conducting research
about the culture, geography, and
literature of each.
Field Trips
 We
will take 3 standard field trips: Ft.
Hunter in the fall, The Hershey Story in the
winter, and the Capitol in the spring.
 We also take a field trip in the spring to an
art museum with Ms. Phillips (details of this
trip will come at a later date).
 Parents must adhere to the “Chaperone
Guidelines” found on our class website.
Class Parties and Parent
Volunteers
 Fall
Harvest Party
 Winter Holiday Party
 Valentines Day Party
Sign-up sheets will be available for
volunteers after the presentations.