Dear Families,

Reading is one of the most important skills your child will develop in 3rd grade, and it is the foundation for success in every subject. To help your child grow into a confident and capable reader, we focus on several key areas: oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Each of these parts works together. Oral language builds strong communication skills, phonics and phonemic awareness give children the tools to decode words, fluency helps them read smoothly and with expression, vocabulary expands their understanding, comprehension allows them to make meaning from what they read, and writing gives them the chance to share their own ideas.

These goals are based on Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards, which outline what students should learn at each grade level. By working on all of these areas, we not only strengthen reading skills but also nurture lifelong learners who can think critically, ask questions, and express themselves clearly. Most importantly, your child’s success is a team effort. When we work together—supporting reading at home and in the classroom—we give students the encouragement and practice they need to grow at their own pace while also challenging them to reach their fullest potential.