Mrs. Lindberg’s 3rd Grade
Parent Handbook 2009-2010
Welcome to 3rd grade!!
I have written this information for you to make your student’s transition into 3rd grade as easy
as possible! I will be explaining the following things:
1. My classroom procedures, rules, and expectations
2. Classroom guidance
3. Homework
4. How grades are assigned
5. 3rd grade supply list
6. School curriculum standards
7. School procedures
Classroom Procedures
Our room is based on a monetary system. “Classroom Cash” can be earned and the students
can buy items from our classroom store. Money is earned by doing the following.
1. If all students turn in completed homework, everyone earns a
penny or nickel, depending on the quality of the work.
2. Each day that a student turns in completed homework, they
earn a “Homework Heroes” sticker to put on their homework
chart. When the chart is filled, they turn it in for 25¢.
3. When a student is caught doing a good thing, they earn a
“Super Star” sticker to put on their star chart. When it is
filled, they turn it in for 50¢.
4. When a student completes a cycle of jobs, they earn a
paycheck of 75¢. If they read it loudly and clearly, the will get
$1.00. See the job section for an explanation of the jobs.
5. Bonuses are given sporadically for clean desk, good behavior,
etc.
Money can also be lost by doing the following.
1. If a student leaves anything on their desks when we leave the room, they owe me a penny. (this
helps with organization.)
2. If a student has a 2nd time offense. (see the expectations
and guidance section.)
These are the items for sale.
1. Trip to the library to check out a book $3.00
2. 30 minutes of free reading $3.00
3. Buy a book $4.00
4. Treasure Box $4.00
5. “Get Out of Homework Free” card $5.00
Rules
I have three rules that I ask the students to maintain.
1. Be prepared for our learning.
2. Be active in our learning.
3. Be respectful of others.
Being prepared is having homework completed, and brought to school on the day it is due.
Being active in our learning is participating in class and not distractive. One thing I will not tolerate
is distractions from the other students’ learning. Being respectful is respecting me as an adult and
the teacher and the other students and their ideas.
Expectations
My expectations are separate from “rules” of a classroom. The rules are general and the
expectations are ways to meet the rules. These expectations are procedures that are proven to help
guide your child to being a self-reliant and responsible young adult.
They are divided into 4 sections: Classroom Procedures, Out-of-Class Procedures, Respect
Procedures and Life Procedures. There are 40 expectations.
Classroom Procedures
This is what I expect from every third grade student in our room.
1. “First Time Obedience”. They will do as I say the first time I say it.
2. Be as organized as possible.
3. You must complete your homework everyday, and when it is assigned, you
will not moan or complain.
4. Subject transitions will be swift, quiet, and orderly.
5. Answer all questions in a Clear, Accurate, and Precise (CAP) sentence, and
your answers will be your own.
6. Pay attention.
7. When grading another student’s paper, only give the correct grade.
8. Follow the specific classroom protocols.
-Start requests with, “ Mrs. Lindberg, may I please....”
-”My Turn”--you stop and look at Mrs. Lindberg
-Feather Pen -- no talking and listening to Mrs. Lindberg
-Push chair under when leaving desk.
-Know when to complete your jobs.
9. When you offend someone, you must ask for their forgiveness. They can
accept or decline.
10. When a substitute teacher is present, ALL classroom rules and
expectations apply.
Out-of Class Procedures
This is what I expect from every third grade student in our room when you are on a bus, another
classroom, or in the hallway.
1. When walking in the hallway, you may not talk and your hands stay to your
side.
2. Hold the door open for people, rather that letting it close on them. We
will wait for our door holder.
3. Never cut in line and do not block the path of other people.
4. When lining up for lunch, we will be in “Lunch Line Order” (ABC order).
5. Enter the building and classrooms quietly.
6. When visiting another building or classroom, compliment the place you are
visiting.
7. During an assembly, presentation or movies, do not speak or call out to
friends.
8. When on a bus, always face forward and no talking.
Respect Procedures
This is how I expect every student to show their respect.
1. When responding to adults, you will answer in a polite and appropriate tone. (The word “what” is
not an acceptable response.) When asking an adult a question or request, you will say their name
first, including proper title ( Mr., Mrs., etc.) then speak your question or request.
2. Make eye contact to the person you are speaking with.
3. Respect all students ideas, comments, and opinions.
4. Congratulate a classmate when they do something well. If you win at a
game, do not brag; if you lose, do not show anger.
5. Do not show disrespect with gestures.
6. Do not stare at a student who is being reprimanded.
7. When your receive something, do not insult the gift or the giver.
8. Always say thank you when you receive something. (The 3 second take back rule.)
9. Do not ask for a reward.
10. If someone drops something and you are close to it, pick it up.
11. If someone bumps into you, politely say “excuse me” even if it was not
your fault.
12. Greet visitors and make them feel welcome.
13. When meeting new people, shake hands and repeat their names.
14. Learn the names of adults in the building and call them by their names,
including their title.
15. “No Interrupt Rule”. When I am speaking with another student, parent
or another adult, you may not interrupt me. Politely touch my arm and I will
touch your hand and that will be your signal that I know that you need me.
Stand to the side and when my other business is finished, I will speak with
you.
Hygiene Procedures
These are procedures to use to respect yourself and others.
1. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and say excuse me. Use a
Kleenex, if they are not available, you will need to wash your hands.
2. Keep yourself and your area clean and germ-free, this includes at meal
times.
Life Procedures
These are procedures that they can use outside of class.
1. Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.
2. Be positive and enjoy life.
3. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
4. No matter the circumstances, ALWAYS be honest.
5. Be the best person you can be.
Guidance
The above rules and expectations are very clear. We will spend the first 2 weeks of school
going into depth about why these rules are important to be a responsible student and person. So,
there should be no question as to what is expected of each student.
I have a “First Time Obedience” rule. This means that the rules and expectations are clear and if
a student chooses to disregard them, they will hear me say “first time obedience”. This means that I
meant what I said the first time and I will not repeat myself. This is their warning and the behavior
will stop. If not...
2nd time offense-- lose 5¢
3rd time offense-- loss of job for that week, meaning they do
not collect their paycheck at the end of the week. They will be
staying in at recess and writing a letter to their family
explaining the situation.
4th time offense-- visit with our principal, Mrs. Perry. They
will also receive a packet of situational questions to complete.
These will help them choose better actions.
The record of guidance is with me at all times. If a student receives guidance from me, it is
written down immediately and it is used to figure the social skills grade. (see the grade section for
more information.)
Homework
The students will have homework Monday through Thursday, unless, for some reason we are
doing a project in class that does not require homework. The homework will be math, cursive
writing, and spelling.
Our math program is called Saxon Math. It is a wonderful program, and I am sure you will
be pleasantly surprised by how well your child does in math. I love math, and this reflects in my
teaching. Every night they will have at least two math papers. One is a fact practice and the other is
a concept sheet. Each sheet has a Class Practice side. We do it in class. The directions for the Fact
sheet are on the homework side. The concept sheet is very similar to the side that we do in class.
So, if you have questions about what to do, you can peek at the practice side. They students are
pretty good at understanding what to do.
The cursive writing will be practice sheets and later in the year, we will be sending home more
challenging assignments. It is so important for the students to become fluid with cursive now, so it
will be easier later in life.
The spelling homework is sent home on Monday. The students write the words down on
notebook paper and a partner checks for accuracy. Then I stamp a “please sign and return” stamp
on it. You study from this sheet every night and return signed on Friday.
Homework should not take more than 15-20 minutes every night. It is so important that you
spend this time with your child. It promotes good study habits that will stay with them for life!!
This will help your student be successful in school and, in turn, they will be successful in life!!
Please check the take home folder every night. This is where the homework and important
notes will be.
Jobs
Your third grade student is a responsible student. They are trusted with responsibilities with their
homework and also within the classroom. I have a cycle of jobs that they must complete in order to
earn their pay check of 75¢. If they do it extremely well, they earn a bonus of 25¢.
Assignment of Grades
I send home a communication book every Monday. It outlines how your student did during the
last week. It is so you know what is going on all the time. It is based on the same system that I use
for grades. It needs to be returned the next day, Tuesday.
Point System
+ strength worth 5 points
acceptable worth 4 points
- needs work worth 3 points
L late worth 2 points
0 not turned in worth 0 points
Grading Scale
100-97 A+
96-94 A
93-90 A-
89-87 B+
86-84 B
83-80 B-
79-77 C+
76-74 C
73-70 C-
69-67 D+
66-64 D
63-60 D-
Below 59 F
Reading Grades
Reading grades are figured from comprehension activities. Also, creative activities from reading
units are used. These are figured by the point system. When a student passes to another leveled
book level, 50 points is added to their reading grade.
English Grades
English grades are figured from Daily D.O.L. , D.O.L. tests and in class assignments. Daily D.O.L. use
the point system, while the rest are based on the grading scale.
Spelling Grades
Spelling grades are figured from study sheets, in class assignments and the tests. The study sheet
use the point system, while the rest are based on the grading scale.
Penmanship
Penmanship grades are based only on the point system. Grades are not assigned, just acceptable or
not acceptable.
Math Grades
Math grades are figured from homework and assessments. Homework is based on the 100 point
scale. It is important to complete the daily homework...it will affect the grade because if they don’t
practice it before the test, they won’t do as well!
Social Studies, Science, and Health
Grades are figured from portfolios folders that the students are responsible for throughout the
quarter. See rubric for how grades are assigned.
Study Skills and Social Development Grades
Study Skills and Social Development grades are figured from anecdotal notes, as well as being based
on this point system. (In this case, points are “bad”.)
1. Each warning from behaviors that go against our classroom rules and expectations, earns the
child one point.
2. If another teacher tells me of misbehaving, I ask the child what happened, if they tell the truth,
they do not get a point. If they do not tell the truth, they earn 3 points.
3. If a child loses 5¢ from our monetary system, then the child will earn 5 points.
4. If a child visits with the principals, the child earns 10 points.
5. If a child has more than 5 missing homework assignments, it is considered an area of concern.
If a child has more than 25 points in a quarter, it is considered an area of concern.
Third Grade Supply list
These are all the things your student will need for our instruction of third grade.
5 folders-- NO center prongs
1 yellow for D.O.L.
1 green for library
1 blue for their “save” folder
2 folders of their choice. One of these will be the “take home folder” and the other
one I will save for them and give to them when there take home folder “wears out”! (this is the one
you will see every night with their homework and messages from me.)
1 spiral wide-lined notebook. Please no “trappers” due to limited space.
2 packages of wide-lined notebook paper
1 clipboard
1 bottle of glue or a glue stick
2 red pens for checking
1 pair of scissors
1 ruler
1 eraser
crayons
markers
2 large boxes of Kleenex
3 sharpened #2 pencils.
1 pencil bag to store items in. No boxes due to limited space.
CLEAN gym shoes (write name on them with marker)
Expo markers and eraser. We have marker boards for them.
No mechanical pencils allowed in 3rd grade...it hinders cursive writing. A pair of clean gym shoes
with name on them. The following items are needed for class projects. Students with the last names
beginning with:
A-E brown lunch sacks F-J zip lock bags K-O small paper plates P-T napkins U-Z 9 oz. cups.
I could also use AA batteries for flashlights that we use in class…if you see any on sale…pick them
up for us!
School Curriculum
At Davis County Elementary, we believe in quality education. We use these standards and
benchmarks to assure that your students will learn and have a quality education. I have paraphrased
the wording for the students.
Student Standards
Science
(stuff you need to know about science
before the end of third grade)
You are responsible for knowing...
1. The different land forms of the earth.
2. The basic structure of the universe.
3. The basic structure of the human body.
4. How populations are affected by conditions of the world.
5. How to measure properties of an object.
6. How electricity is related to light, heat, sound, and magnets.
7. How tools can help humans.
Student Standards
Math
(stuff you need to know about math
before the end of third grade)
You are responsible for knowing...
1. The processes of computation: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, fractions,
decimals, and money amounts.
2. How to solve mental math and real world story problems.
3. The concepts of geometry: plane figures, solid figures, and lines.
4. The concepts of measurement: time, temperature, weight, length,
volume, perimeter, area, and relationships between standard and metric measurement.
5. Strategies for problem solving and pattern finding.
6. How to read and explain charts, graphs, and tables.
7. How to use symbolic, concrete, and pictorial representations of numbers.
Student Standards
Reading
(stuff you need to know about reading
before the end of third grade)
You are responsible for knowing...
1. How to read fluently and use self-correction strategies.
2. How to decode using phonics, structure of words and context.
3. How to predict and make inferences.
4. Parts of a story: plot, characters, setting. problem and solution.
5. The different types of texts: fiction, nonfiction, realistic fiction, fairy tales, fables, biographies and
poetry.
6. Book studies: author’s voice, parts of a book,
7. How to use factual information in a piece of writing.
Student Standards
Writing
(stuff you need to know about writing
before the end of third grade)
You are responsible for knowing...
1. How to use different writing formats: reports, letters, poems, autobiographies, and fictional
narratives.
2. How to use prewriting strategies: webs, story maps and graphic organizers.
3. How to use the 7 good writing traits, CUPS (capitalization, usage, punctuation and spelling), and
revising.
4. Forms letters in cursive.
5. How to use spelling patterns to spell new words: root words, suffixes, prefixes and common
abbreviations.
6. Basic paragraph structure.
7. How to use appropriate resources: dictionary, thesaurus, and internet.
Student Standards
Social Skills/Studies
(stuff you need to know about social skills/studies
before the end of third grade)
You are responsible for knowing...
1. How to speak in front of an audience and purposes of doing so: to describe, to report, to explain
and to persuade.
2. How to act in public and private. (Mrs. Lindberg’s class procedures)
3. National holidays and significant individuals
4. How we impact the environment.
5. Identifies the 7 continents and 4 oceans.
6. How supply and demand impacts the world.
School Procedures
If you need to tell me or the office something concerning an upcoming absence or after school plans,
please send a note to me or call the school, 664-2200. If you need to send lunch money to the
school, put it in an envelope and put the student's name, my name, “lunch money” and the amount
on the outside.
If you ever have any questions, please call me at school 664-2200 ext. 1520 or email me at
jodi.lindberg@gpaea.k12.ia.us
Mrs. Jodi Lindberg
