Our priority is your child's healthy and successful growth and development!
Teacher Contact Information
THIRD GRADE,
RASOR ELEM.
Anne Armstrong - anne.armstrong@pisd.edu
Ashley Bearden - ashley.bearden@pisd.edu
Taylor Brooks - taylor.brooks@pisd.edu
Nichole Smith - nichole.smith@pisd.edu
In Third Grade, we move from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Math becomes a multi-step application of the operations the students have been learning. The students become more social, and their hands develop to be able to write cursive. Many changes are in store!
Third Grade Goals
Ashley Bearden (Team Leader)
Ashley Bearden is a product of the Plano Independent School District. She graduated from Texas Woman's University in December 2005 and Lamar University in 2010 with a Master's in Teacher Leadership. This is her 11th year as a third grade teacher and her 12th year at Rasor Elementary. She is very excited to be part of a wonderful 3rd grade team, and is looking forward to working with such awesome Rasor students!
Taylor Brooks
Taylor Brooks is excited for the great year ahead as a Rasor Rocket. She graduated in 2012 from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is so happy to be a part of the awesome third grade team and looking forward to getting to know her students and their families.
Anne Armstrong
Anne Armstrong started teaching in Lubbock, Texas, in 1991. She has taught for many years in Lubbock and in Houston, and is thrilled to be starting her third year as a Rasor Rocket teacher. A Texas Tech graduate, she is qualified to teach Elementary and Special Education, and has her Master’s degree from Concordia University in Curriculum/Instruction and Administration. She’s the proud mom of two teenage boys who attend Plano schools as well. Mrs. Armstrong is an avid reader who also loves gardening, cooking, and travelling.
Nichole Smith
Nichole Smith is excited to start her second year as a Rasor Rocket! In 2014, she graduated from the University of North Texas with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Development and Family Studies. Miss Smith is an energetic member of the third grade team and Rasor family.
Homework
Our students will almost always receive math homework to do on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. In addition, they will receive a reading practice pack on Monday that will be due at the end of the week on Friday. On Wednesdays, we plan to send home a vocabulary practice and word-building activity. Each child should practice independent reading, or read with a parent, for at least 20 minutes each evening. Homework should not take more than 40 minutes per night with reading included. All homework will be noted in your child's planner. Homework is mandatory, and expected to be completed by all students. Homework grades will be included on the report card under "Work Habits."
All About the Teachers
Daily Schedule
7:30 Arrive and prepare for day.
7:45 Announcements and Morning Meeting.
7:55 Intervention/Independent Work 8:35 Specials
9:25 Math (now is the time to eat snack) 10:55 Writing and Grammar
11:30 Recess (Take lunch kit with you!) 12:00 Lunch
12:30 Integrated Reading/Social Studies 1:40 Science
2:40 Dismissal
The Third Grade Team
Communication
Please check and sign your child's planner each night. This is a strategy we use as an AVID school, and it will serve as an important communication tool between the parents and the teachers.
Third Grade uses "Class Dojo" as a class management tool every year, and you can look forward to communication via the Class Dojo App and weekly emails regarding your child's effort and progress, as well as seeing pictures of the students at work.
Number Grades This Year!
This is the first year your child will receive numerical grades. As you probably recall, the grades have the following values:
90-100 "A" - Excellent
80-89 "B" - Good
75-79 "C" - Fair
70-74 "D" - Passing
Below 70 "F" - Failing, in need of remediation