Think well. Speak well. Do well.
These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a man go to Heaven.
St. Camillus de Lellis
May days are here. The trees are green and the flowers are blooming. This is our season of growth and renewal. As the students work toward a successful end to this school year I can only think of how very fast it has flown by. Thank you again for allowing me this time with your dear ones.
Please continue to work on memorization of multiplication facts. Students should also be able to reverse the facts into division facts for you. Students will be required to read and pass Accelerated Reading tests next year for Mrs. Durkin. In preparation for this, I am asking that all third graders read and pass 2 AR tests.
Do you see your child reading at home? Please continue to encourage their reading. This is a skill that will benefit them for a lifetime. Magazines such as Sports Illustrated for Kids and Time for Kids are full in interesting articles with great vocabulary. There are graphic novels with dramatic illustrations, engaging stories, and vivid vocabulary. These are great for readers that are not interested in regular chapter books.
God Bless!
March 2013
Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.
~St. Clare of Assisi~
Spring is here and Lent is quickly coming to an end. The third graders are beginning to look ahead to 4th grade. Another transition is ahead. I can only say again how very proud I am of all the hard work this class has put in so far this year. I am looking forward to seeing them continue to excel in the years to come.
Please continue to work on memorization of multiplication facts. Students should also be able to reverse the facts into division facts for you. Students will be required to read and pass Accelerated Reading tests next year for Mrs. Durkin. In preparation for this, I will be asking that all third graders read and pass 2 AR tests.
Easter break is a wonderful chance of all the students to rest and recharge before the final weeks of school. The Triduum reminds us of the wonderful gift we have been given by Jesus. We’ve spent a lot of time this year learning about these three holiest of days. I hope that your children will have a better understanding as they take part in the Easter celebration. God Bless!
January 16, 2013
It is better to bethe child of God than king of the whole world.
~St. Aloysius Gonzaga ~
This weather is very changeable but please remind your children that it is winter. Please make sure students come to school with coats, gloves, and hats for recess. Sweatshirts or fleece pullovers are not warm enough for being outside for recess or PE.
Third quarter brings a change from Science to Social Studies. Our series includes a workbook that will need to be covered with clear contact paper. These will come home after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Please be on the lookout for the permission slip for our field trip. We are going toThe College of Southern Maryland to see a production of Snow White Goes West. This play will fit nicely with the Incredible Stories theme we will be finishing up about then.
I am very impressed with the classes work in accelerated math. We are starting our day working independently in our folders. Third grade has mastered close to 800 objectives. That is amazing!!
Awesome Work!
One of our classmates donated 10 inches of her hair to Lock of Love. This organization collects hair to put into wigs for children who have medical conditions that have caused hair loss. Check out Isabela’s before and after picture!
December 17, 2012
We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.
~Pope Paul VI~
While we are still in fall for a few more days, the weather has turned cold and darkness falls quickly. Please make sure that your children are dressed for the weather.
Multiplication, multiplication, multiplication! That is the buzz word for third grade. We are working on our multiplication facts and some need help at home to practice them. Have a set of flash cards in the car for the before or after school car ride
Please encourage your students to reread everything (including directions). I am seeing a lot of mistakes made because students are not reading directions or they are rushing to finish and skipping questions. Some of this is normal since for the most part students are not struggling to read. If school and home work together to encourage students to check their own work, this skill will become second nature. That being said, I am so very proud of all of the students. They are working very hard and they are working well together.
May God Bless you all during this Advent and throughout the Christmas Season. Come let us adore Him Christ the Lord!
November 6, 2012
An enchanted world is one that speaks to the soul, to the mysterious depths of the heart and imagination where we find value, love, and union with the world around us.
~Thomas More~
These fall days are flying by in the 3rdgrade. It is hard to believe first quarter is behind us and we are preparing for Grandparent’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The big topics of discussion have been the hurricane and the election. Your children are asking very interesting questions in the quest to know the world around them. They are paying attention even when we don’t realize it. The world is opening up for them and it is amazing to watch.
We have begun working with multiplication! I will be showing the students are we go along the division fact families that go along with multiplication. In my experience this takes away the trepidation that comes with the dreaded word division. I will be using websites, flashcards, videos, and games to help the class master these math skills. Are there any parents out there who remember School House Rock on Saturday morning? I have used these funny and dated cartoons as another way to think about multiplication.
Please encourage your children to read outside of school. I have had students read cooking books to comic books in third grade. I know not everyone is ready for Harry Potter so my goal is just for each child to find a subject or a type of story that is interesting to them. Thank you for all the support for our school. Go Storm!