Welcome to
Mrs.Taylor's
Third Grade Class
Welcome to our cyber class. Please check back often to see updates about what we are doing. Don't forget to follow some links at the bottom of the page!
I will send home a Newsletter each Monday. Your child will also bring home a Weekly Progress Report every Monday. The report will show your child's grades from the previous week. Please be sure to sign and return this paper to school. Every third and sixth week of the quarter, I will send home an interim report. This report will show your child's average grade in each subject. Interim Reports normally are sent on Fridays, but in order to stay consistent, I will send them home on Monday as well.
Go Dragons!
Parents: Don't forget to check and initial your child's planner each night. The planner is a great tool for us to use to communicate back and forth.
Reading/Language Arts It is very important that your child is reading everyday. I ask that students spend about 20-30 minutes reading each evening for homework. They will also be given a Reading Log activity to complete each evening. Reading is reading! Students can choose newspaper or magazine articles, comics from the paper or comic books, and even cereal boxes or recipe cards. You can also help your child by reading AR books with them. Read a story with your child and ask them what they think will happen next - discuss why they think that. Afterwords ask your child to summarize the main ideas or events from the story. We have been working with summarizing fiction stories in class. I taught students to use the strategy: Somebody (character), Wanted (the problem) But (events preventing the character from getting what they wanted) So (The solution) and occasionally the student can add Then (the conclusion) FCAT EXPLORER internet practice is a MUST!!!!! If you do not have access to a home computer, one may be used free of charge at any public library. This program will help prepare your child for the FCAT Test in March. *User name and password will be sent home by the end of the third week of school. *If you misplace your child's user name or password, please let me know so that I can replace them. We will be visiting the computer lab, so that every child has the opportunity to practice FCAT skills using FCAT Explorer. SPELLING WORDS/Vocabulary Words: Last year the entire school district adopted a new reading series. This series includes a 5 school day instructional plan. What does this mean? It means that the week does not always begin on Monday and end on Friday. I will list the weekly plan on each newsletter that goes home on Monday. I will also let you know when students will be tested on the words. Students will be given a homework folder this year. The current Spelling and Vocabulary words will be in the clear plastic sleeve found on the front of that folder. Please be aware that the spelling words start out very easy, but they will get more difficult. Writing We will be spending a lot of time writing this year. It is very important that your child has good penmanship. I will be sending home handwriting sheets to those students who need extra practice with their handwriting. We will begin working on cursive writing towards the end of the year. 
Math PLEASE REMEMBER TO STUDY MATH FACTS NIGHTLY! (This includes addition, subtraction and multiplication facts.) Students will be using a program daily called AM Math. This program focuses on each child's individual placement in math. Students will progress through skills at their own pace. As they master objectives, they will earn certificates. We will begin working on Multiplication facts at the beginning of the year. I ask that students practice their multiplication facts daily. It is suggested that students have multiplication flashcards to use at home. 
Science All Third Graders are expected to do a Science Fair project this year. They will be due after Spring Break.
Social Studies I encourage parents to look at maps with their child. You can find maps in an atlas, the internet or an encyclopedia. We will begin working on Communities in the beginning of the year. This year we will focus on the regions of the United States, our government, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 
Our class website is intended to be a resource for both parents and students. It contains a calendar of upcoming events, links to websites your child may find helpful, and a link to email me if you have any questions or concerns. I hope you find this helpful this year.
Please work with your child on memorizing multiplication facts through 9 X 9.
Up Coming Dates Click on the calendar on the top right of this page! 
Follow the link below for the Third Grade Supply List for the 2010- 2011 school year.
