Welcome!

Grade 3, Mrs. Hiscoe

Please read the information below. If you have any questions, at any time, please contact me at school. All information will be listed on the class blog as well. Thank you for coming!

Blog: mrs-hiscoe.blogspot.ca  All homework as well as class information will be posted on the blog.  The links to access and complete the weekly homework, as well as many useful practise sites are also listed.

Schedule:

* Library will be every second Friday during the 2nd half of block 3.

Assessment: Student assessment is ongoing and happens daily, not just on ‘tests’. You will see assessment come home in the form of co-constructed criteria checklists, descriptive feedback, ‘tickled pink and green to grow’, student and peer assessment and rubrics.

Student Portfolios: Each student will bring a binder home, usually once a month, with a collection of their most recent final assessment work. Please take the opportunity to go through the work with your child and discuss areas of strength, what they are proud of and areas for growth. The work is to remain in the binder so that it can be added to continuously. I will post on the blog when portfolios are sent home.

Homework: Homework will be completed online. If this is not possible for your child, it is not a problem, just let me know. The writing portion of the homework is accessed through the dated link on my blog and is submitted using Google Forms. All your child needs to do is click the link, complete the work, enter their name and press submit. Students can type directly into the answer box, or complete the work in a separate file (ex Word, Google Docs etc) and then copy and paste into the answer box. I understand the typing can be tedious and frustrating to start, please feel free to assist your child with the typing to begin with and gradually have them complete more. For example, your child could write the answer on paper and type the first word, or every second word, until they become more comfortable typing. There will be one writing assignment per week.

The reading portion will be completed through RAZ Kids. It is a leveled reading program that tracks what your child is reading and moves them along accordingly. There are comprehension questions for them to answer at the end of each story. Once the class is set up they can access the program through my blog. The students will be asked to complete a minimum of 2 stories per week.

The math section of the homework will be done through Dreambox Math, which is linked to the blog as well. Most students should be familiar with this program. It is a leveled math program which constantly adjusts to reflect the success the student has with the program. All time and activity on the program is tracked. Students are asked to spend at least 30 minutes per week on Dreambox (this could be 30 minutes in one day or 10 minutes 3 times per week - any combination).

I understand that online homework is new for some families, but I have seen a much greater level of engagement and completion of homework since I started using it. It eliminates thousands of photocopied papers over the year, as well as the excuse of forgetting their homework at school - or home! I thank you in advance for your support and please ask if you have any questions or concerns.

**Homework will begin the week of September 28th. I will be showing the class, on a Smartboard, exactly how to access their homework and how to complete and submit their work. I will also walk them through the login and access to the math and reading programs. Student login information will be glued to the front page of their agenda. I recommend you copy the information down at home as well.

I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning with your children. Thanks!