Mrs. Taxara – Room 210 Third Grade 2013-2014 Back to School Mrs. Taxara – Room 210 Third Grade 2013-2014

Contact Information staxara@wpusd.k12.ca.us 1561 Joiner Pkwy., Lincoln, CA 95648 916-434-5255 Please feel free to email me anytime. This is the best way to reach me. I can also be reached at the school’s phone number above and will return your call as soon as I have the opportunity.

Classroom Website http://fres.wpusd.k12.ca.us/subsites/SusanTaxara My website is updated weekly. Homework, announcements, online textbooks and other information is available to you. This is a great resource to stay informed about what is happening in our classroom. It is also a great way to get homework if your child is absent.

Accelerated Reader Accelerated Reader is a program that helps students to monitor their success in reading. Students should take a quiz every time they finish a book. This will aid in their reading comprehension. Students can take quizzes on books that they read at home and at school. Please go to the Home Connect Link on my website for directions on how to set up an account to monitor your child’s progress.

Homework There will be a homework packet sent home every Monday and it is due each Friday. Math will be sent home each day, and is due the following day. Homework and most class assignments can be found on the class website. Spend about an hour on homework, including reading. If you finish early, use the remaining time to practice math facts or play other math/spelling games that are on my website.

Homework Continued… Nightly homework will include: Math page Fact practice page-5 minutes Fluency Passage-1 minute Language or spelling homework 20 minutes of reading Periodic homework will include: Book Reports (1 per trimester) Celebrating Traditions Report

Report Cards Report cards are issued mid-November, beginning of March, and the last day of school. Mandatory conferences will be held in November. I am happy to meet with you anytime throughout the school year. Please contact me to set up an appointment.

Library Friday is our library day. Your child may check out one book at a time. Your child must bring back his/her library book every Friday and either return or renew it. If your student finishes the book before then, he/she can return it at any time.

Book Orders Once a month book orders will come home. If you order online, the class will receive a free book. You are able to create your own log-in and password this year using our class activation code (www.scholastic.com/bookclubs - GKZCY). If you turn your order into me, please make your check out to Scholastic Book Clubs. It usually takes two weeks to deliver from the day the order is submitted.

Birthdays You are welcome to send in a treat for your child’s birthday. If you bring a beverage, I encourage you to bring milk. There are currently 31 students in the class. Summer birthdays will be celebrated during the last week of school.

Field Trips We will be having two field trips this year. There will be more information as they approach. LHS Science Expo (May) Bernhard Museum (April) Costumes Parent Volunteers

Third Grade Presentations Kids on the Block Puppet Show: November 14 Re-Create Waste Disposal: January 9, 2014

Guest Speakers Due to the limited number of field trips, I would like to schedule guest speakers to come into our classroom. If you or someone you know has an interesting profession or hobby that you’d like to share with the class, please check your email for the link to sign up to be a guest speaker.

Volunteers Parents are encouraged to volunteer. There are a variety of ways to get involved in the classroom and the school. To volunteer, you need to have a TB test on file with the office. The TB test is good for 4 years. Please check your email for a link to sign up to volunteer!

Spirit Days Spirit Days are every Friday. To show our spirit we wear burgundy and grey. School t-shirts are the easiest way to do this. There will also be special themed days throughout the school year.

Behavior Policy Class & School Expectations Be Responsible Be Respectful Be Safe If students are not following the expectations, they will be asked to check in. Check in #1 – Warning Check in #2 – RDR Check in #3 – RDR Check in #4 – Call and or email to parent/visit another classroom Check in #5 – Visit the principal

Daily Schedule Language Arts – 9:00-10:00 and 11:00-12:00 Math – 12:40-1:40 PE – Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:20-11:00 Music – Mon. 1:55-2:40 and Tues. 10:15-11:00 Science – Thursday 10:15-11:00 Library – Friday 2:05-2:40 Computer Lab – Monday 8:30-10:00 Social Studies – 2x per week Gardening and Art (TBA)

I look forward to a great year full of fun and learning. Thank you for coming! I look forward to a great year full of fun and learning.