Reading and Language Arts

Reading: Third grade reading is so much fun! Shortly after the beginning of school, I will administer various reading assessments so I can get an accurate picture of your child’s reading strengths. With these results I can determine a course of action to help your reader master the appropriate skills.  Direct reading and comprehension will be taught in my classroom.

Each student will be required to read a total of 100 minutes at home each week.  Students can decide if they would like to read 20 minutes each night or “double up” and skip some nights that they may have extra activities to participate in. Each child will keep track of what they read and for how long each night on their reading log/behavior chart. Students must read a total of 100 minutes each week and will receive a grade based on the minutes read.  Your child’s reading log/behavior chart should be initialed each night.

In addition to home reading, students will have a reading home work assignment each week that will help strengthen their reading skills and comprehension.  In time, we will look at the format on the Reading TAKS test and students will work on developing a connection between the reading skills they have mastered and they way questions are asked on the test.

Language: The Language/Word Study block provides students practice with various aspects of English language. During this time they will learn and practice vocabulary words, word wall words, and additional grammar and spelling skills. Students will have various opportunities throughout the week to get familiar with the spelling and definition of each word, and we will also be continually studying and working on grammar skills. A test will be given over the words for the week every Friday, so students are expected to know the spelling and definition of each word by then.