There is a dress down day on Friday, May 21st.

We will be attending Mass on Monday, May 17th for the installion of our new student council officers.

Religion

After studying about different religions, we are now going to focus on the Catholic Church, worldwide.  Students will be learning to appreciate the different ways of expressing our Catholic faith and will describe how Catholics share the same faith.  We will also be learning the differences between Eastern Rites and Latin Rite.  There will be a Religion Test on Friday, May 21st.

Reading

This week students will be practicing how to draw conclusions, from generalizations, use context clues, and read for author’s purpose/point of view.  We enjoyed listening to all of the Book Reports this week!  

Language Arts

As we complete the phonics and language books, we will continue to practice important skills.  Students will also be increasing their writing in the next few weeks. 

Math 

Next, we will be moving onto Chapter 17 which explains perimeter, area, and volume and Chapter 19 focuses on fractions.    

Social Studies

In Chapter 9, students have explored how supply and demand affect the price of a good or a service.  They have also been introduced to opportunity cost, income, and saving.  We should be completing this chapter this week; anticipate a test on Wednesday(5/19) or Thursday (5/20). 

Science

In Science Lab everyone had the opportunity to tie-dye a selected piece of clothing.  Students understood that even though the color of the clothing changed, it remained the same.

Thursday, May 13th, the chicks went to their new home, a nice horse farm in Lemont.  We will miss them! 

Room 111

Student of the Week was Emma Dahl!  Emma brought in lots of pictures of her family and friends which the class enjoyed.  She decorated a wonderful poster and told us some of her favorites such as green olives.  The Ramona project is due Friday, May 21st.

Room 112

Student of the Week was Jessica Pulciania! She brought in a very cute hand puppet she had made and a lovely trophy that she received.  Her poster was filled with fun photos of her family and her favorite things.

Tuesday, May 4th we are gathering in Mass to celebrate the crowning of Mary. 

Everyone should be reading a book for their next Book Report due the week of the 10th.

Religion  

We are now discussing the different beliefs about God held around the world, in Chapter 23.  Students will also be learning how the Jewish faith is important to Christians.  Since May is a month dedicated to Mary, we will be praying the rosary in her honor.  

Reading  

We will be taking a break from our Reading textbooks and begin a novel together in class.

Language Arts 

We have been working on alphabetical order and guide words as well as suffixes in class.  We continue to remind the children that good handwriting and neatness counts!  

Math 

Students have been working on our customary measurements and next week we will begin metric measurements.  Take a look at our Gallon Guys and Gals which help students learn liquid equivalent measurements.  

Science   

We have been learning about how the chicken embryo develops within the egg shell.  The children are working on their chicken booklets which are due May 12th.  In class eggsperiments the children were amazed to see how strong an egg shell is!  

We’re expecting our chicks to hatch on Tuesday or Wednesday.   It will be very exciting!

Social Studies     

In Unit 5 we will be learning about economics.  Students will identify earnings, spendings, and saving money.  They will also describe the differences between needs/wants and how to make a good economic choice.

Room 111

Joe Schuler was Student of the Week!  We had a great time looking at all the different pictures Joe included on his poster and learning about all his different pets.  There will be a Chapter 22 Religion Test on Monday, May 3rd.  Math Chapter 13 Test will be on Tuesday, May 4th.

Room 112

John Kane was our Student of the Week!  We enjoyed looking at his poster with his baby pictures and photos of him doing fun activities with his family.     

For Earth Day we made recycled paper; doesn’t it look great?!

On Wednesday, April 28th there will be a school Mass at 9a.m. Feel free to join us in our celebration!

Religion

In Chapter 22 we are learning different ways to share the good news with others.  Last week, the third grade hosted Mass and did a beautiful job.  Here are some pictures of the celebration.

Reading 

 We are beginning Unit 3 with the short story “The Bat Boy and His Violin.”  We will be concentrating on making inferences, author’s purpose/point of view, basic story elements, and use of the library.  There will be a short quiz on Friday, April 30th.

Language Arts    

Students will be working on guide words and alphabetical order.  In spelling, we are reviewing different spelling patterns for the /s/ and /ü/ sound.  Students will also be working with the suffixes -er/-est/ -ing/ -ed and r controlled vowels.      

   Math

While in Chapter 13 we worked with customary units of measurement of length.  This week we will be learning about estimating capacity and problem solving strategies.  Be sure to check our newsletter next week to see pictures of the students’ Gallon Guy/Gal!

Social Studies 

We’re continuing to discuss how technology has changed our communities.  We will study different inventors’ discovers and how they’ve helped communication grow as well as how medicine has improved over time.

Science          

We are continuing with our Incubation and Embryology Unit.  Students are making a book of development in class. We will also be doing some experiments with eggs.  We’re checking the incubator’s daily temperature and humidity to ensure a good hatch.  Our classes had a wonderful time at the Health Fair on Thursday.  There were 18 different informative stations to visit and learn from.   

Room 111

Student of the Week was Pilar Valdes.  We enjoyed learning more about Pilar and some of her favorite hobbies.  She told the class about her aspirations to be an Olympic Gymnast and shared with us her wonderful poster!      

Room 112      

Student of the Week was Enrique Fuentes.  Everyone enjoyed learning more about Enrique and the plays that he has been in.  Enrique shared with us his great poster and his Pokemon card collection.

Importnat Info!

On Thursday, April 22nd, students will have the opportunity to attend the health fair held in Morrissey Hall.  We will visit different stations learning about different health issues and safety tips.

Religion

The third grade-led Mass on April 13th was wonderful. The Mass focused on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In class we will be discussing how Jesus cared for and healed the sick. We will also be explaining the funeral Mass and Anointing of the Sick.

Reading

We will be finishing the unit after reading the short Time Magazine story entitled “Pure Power.”  The quiz will be on Thursday (4/22) followed by the Unit test on Friday (4/23).  The skills that will be covered are judgment/ decision,  summarizing,  fact/non fact,  root words and signs.

Language Arts

We continue working with many spelling pattern including those for /k/, /u/, and /s/.  We also will practice using idioms and vocabulary development.  In Phonics  students will be focusing on the use of guide words and alphabetizing.

Math

Students will be busy measuring using customary units: the inch, half inch, and quarter inch.  We will also be estimating and using logical reasoning to solve measurement problems.

Science

We have started incubating our chicken eggs.  Each classroom was lucky to each get 30 eggs, some with white shells and other with brown shells.  We should expect our little flock to hatch about May 5th. Students will be making little booklets about the embryo development.

Social Studies

There is much to learn about how our country has changed through inventions and technology. Students will discover some of these great advances including, the telephone, camera, medicine, and pasteurization.

Room 111

There will be a Chapter 12 Math Test and Chapter 19 Religion Test will both be on Tuesday, April 20th.  Anticipate a Science Chapter 9 Test on Wednesday, April 21st.

Room 112

Anticipate a Chapter 19 Religion Test on Thursday, April 22nd.  There will most likely be a Simple Solutions Quiz on Wednesday (4/21) check assignment notebooks for exact date.  There will be a Chapter 9 Science Test on Monday, April 19th.

Important Info!

Monday, March 29th, the children will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation to prepare for Easter.

On Friday, March 26, Third Grade led the Stations of the Cross for the school and parish family.  They  did a wonderful job!

On Good Friday, April 2nd, there is no school.

We wish wish you  a wonderful and blessed Easter!

Reading

This week we will be reading “The Many Lives of Benjamin Franklin.”  Students will be astonished at his many accomplishments.   Students will be focusing on judgements, decisions, main idea, root words, and following directions.  There will be a short quiz on Thursday. 

Math  

We will be beginning the next chapter on time and temperature.  Students will understand how to tell time and read temperature.  Of course we’re continuing to practice our multiplication and division skills.  Our Simple Solution book helps students review previously taught concepts/skills as well as challenging them with more difficult problems.

Science 

 In Chapter 9 we will be learning about the different parts of the water cycle. 

Social Studies

As we continue in Chapter 7 students will learn about Jamestown and Pocahontas.  Students will also be reviewing the communities the explorers began.  

Room 111

Matthew Murray was the Student of the Week.  His poster looked great, and we enjoyed the drawing he included.  We enjoyed learning more about Matt and some of his favorites.

 Room 112 

Jennifer Schrader was our Student of the Week.  She made a lovely poster and gave everyone a polished stone from her collection.  Wednesday(3/31),  students’ Ramona projects are due.  Thursday (4/1), there will be Chapter 6 Phonics Test.      

Monday, March 22nd is March Madness Dress Down Day!

Students will see the Spring Play, Mulan on Wednesday, March 24th.  The evening production of Mulan will take place on Thursday evening (3/25) at 7pm.  There will be NO HOT LUNCH on Wednesday (3/24) due to the play.

Friday, March 26th marks the end of 3rd quarter!  

Please remember to sign your child’s frog sheet, so they can return it on Monday.   

Religion

 In Chapter 18 students are learning about the sacrament of Reconciliation and the difference between mortal and venial sin.  Students will understand that sin is a choice and God is always willing to forgive when we are sorry.  Children will have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation on March 29th in preparation for Easter.

Reading   

The students did a wonderful job with their book report characters!  This week we are reading “Animal Fact/Animal Fable.”  Students will be distinguishing fact from opinion.  We will be reviewing context clues and summaries.  Expect to have a quiz on Friday March 26th.  

Language Arts

In Phonics, we are continuingto work on dividing words into syllables according to the vowel/consonant patterns.  We are reviewing suffixes, compound words, and homophones to help students become better spellers.  We continue to go over grammar conventions and parts of speech.  

Math

Next week, we will continue practicing our division concepts.  We hope to finish the Chapter and have the Test before the end of 3rd quarter.  Look in assignment notebooks for the exact test date.  The children are experiencing a higher level of multiplication through their Simple Solutions workbooks.    

Social Studies

We really were impressed with the children’s creativity and excitement with their Use/Reuse Projects!  Students are continuing to learn about early explorers and settlements  in North America.  Researching in the library by using resources, including the Internet, was discussed.  We will be unable to finish this Chapter before the end of the quarter.  

Science

We are talking about various forms of pollution and how to protect our resources.  We should be ready for a Chapter 8 test either on Thursday, but will postpone it until Friday (3/26), because of the Spring Play.

Room 111

Religion Test will be on Wednesday, March 24th.  We are still in short supply of Kleenex, paper towels, and wipes if you could provide any of these items it would be greatly appreciated.

Room 112 

Last week Sam Paczolt was our student of the week.  He shared with us a poster filled with wonderful photos of great times with his family and pets.  You should see the huge fish that Sam caught!

 Language Test on Tuesday, March 23rd.

There is no school Monday, March 15th.

Book Report Characters are due on Wednesday, March 17th.

The Use/Reuse Project turned out very nicely!  We enjoyed listening to all the presentations in class.

The Spring Gala and Auction is March 20th.  Come and bid on different items to help fund raise!

Religion

After talking about the different parts of the Mass, Chapter 18 focuses on celebrating Penance and Reconciliation.  Students will understand that we make the choice to love God and that he is our forgiving Father.  As a part of our Lenten activities, we will be attending Stations of the Cross on March 19th at 2pm.  

Reading

After finishing our classroom novel, we will be switching back to our readers.  This week we will read “Lon Po Po” which is the Chinese version of “Little Red Riding Hood.”  Students will make judgements about characters and evaluate the decisions characters make.  We will also review skills such as  summarizing and deciphering context clues.   

Language Arts

 We are reviewing compound words and how to use apostrophes to show ownership.  We also will be revisiting synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms.  As we continue to write, students are focusing on subject/verb agreement and how to expand on their ideas.  

Math

After learning basic division facts and rules, we will practice dividing by more challenging numbers such as 3,4,6 and 7.  Keep up with the multiplication flashcards!  We will be studying the different ways to divide and taking a hands on approach to word problems.  Multiplication/division flashcards should be reviewed every night.

 Social Studies

 In Chapter 7 we are learning about the history of St. Augustine and it’s founders.  Students will  compare people, places, and events in communities within the United States.  We will be locating regions explored by Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain and compare the two explorers.  Expect a Chapter 7 Test near the end of the week, check assignment notebooks for exact date.

Science   

Continuing with our Earth Science Unit, we will be comparing different types of soil and identifying the materials in it.  Students will also learn how to recognize the different layers that soil forms.  Nearing the end of Chapter 8, we will be discussing how pollution affects plants and the different types of pollution.     

With the completion of Terra Nova, we will be getting back into our usual routine!  Social Studies Use/Reuse projects are due this week.  Students will have the opportunity to share their creations with the class and their advertisements. 

Wednesday, March 10 we have a School Mass at 9am.  We will also partake in Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 12 at 2 pm.  We welcome those who can join us. 

There is no school on March 15th.

Religion

In Chapter 17, “We Worship at Mass”, students will describe how we gather to praise God in the Introductory Rites.  We will also talk about how we can listen to God’s word and receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. 

Reading

Both classrooms will continue reading their novels this week.  Room 111 is reading The Whipping Boy, while Room 112 reads Ramona.  Please make sure your child is keeping up with the reading and completing the book guide as assigned.    

Language Arts  

Students will continue to review syllables and how to divide words containing prefixes and suffixes.  We will also revisit short and long vowel sounds.  In spelling,  students will study words that have silent letters and r controlled vowels.  Homophones will also be revisited, words that sound the same, but have different spellings.  This week, we will also be taking some time to focus on writing.  Students will have the opportunity to complete some writing assignments in school, while reviewing basic sentence structure (subjects/ verbs).  

Math      

 After completing division concepts, in Chapter 10, there will be a test on Tuesday or Wednesday (3/9 or 3/10).  Look in students’ assignment notebooks for  exact test date early in the week.  We will be moving into Chapter 11, where students will learn how to use a table to solve division problems.  Students will also learn how to show the relationship between multiplication and division using fact families.  Keep up with those multiplication facts and now, division facts!    

Social Studies

Students will be presenting their Use/Reuse projects to the class this week.  We will also be moving into Chapter 7, “Communities and Their Histories.”  Students will learn about the accomplishments of  Christopher Columbus, Hernando de Soto, Juan Ponce de Leon, Jacques Carter, and Samuel de Champlain.  Identifying cause and effect relationships will be worked on through out this chapter.

Science     

Continuing with our Earth Science Unit, we will move into Chapter 8, “Conserving Resources.”  Students will identify common resources and recognize the differences between renewable, reusable, and nonrenewable resources. 

Room 111

Student of the Week was Emily Rausch!  She made a wonderful poster complete with family pictures and colorful drawings.  The class enjoyed learn more about Emily and some of her favorite things, such as chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. Yum!  Expect a Whipping Boy Test on  Friday (3/12), look in assignment notebooks for exact date early in the week.  Use/Reuse Projects are due on Thursday, March 11.  Relgion Chapter 17 Test will be Friday March 12th.  

Room 112

  Our student of the week was Danielle Dahill.  She made a great poster, displaying different pictures of family.  The March Poem is due on the 22nd. 

 Next week, will be devoted primarily to our Terra Nova Testing.  Since this is a new experience for the third graders please reassure them at home that although we expect their best effort, they should not be worried.  Please make sure that your child gets to bed early, has a GOOD breakfast, and brings a fruit or vegetables for snack time.  This week, the children have been practicing for the tests using practice booklets.  Please go over these booklets that we are sending home today (2/26).  Each child needs two number 2 pencils and a silent reading book to keep at their desk.  We do have some extra pencils here at school. 

Wednesday, March 3rd students will meet in church for 8:00 Mass.  

Friday, March 5th we will be attending Stations of the Cross at 2p.m.  You are welcome to join us.  

Tuesday, March 9th  students’  Social Studies “Use and Reuse” projects are due.       

We enjoyed meeting everyone for conferences and we’re delighted that so many people were able to come for the classes’ biographies.  Don’t forget President Mobiles are due Wednesday, February 24th.   

Tuesday, February 23rd is a dress down/pajama day hosted by Student Council.   

This week we continue to practice for the Terra Nova.  Please review the practice booklets with your children.   

Next week will be our last Stress Relief class.  Hopefully students will use these helpful tips for relaxation.

Religion

In Chapter 16 students will examine how we actively participate at Mass.  We will also discuss how Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last Supper,along with how Mass is a sacrifice as well as a meal.  We are also discussing Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season.  On Wednesday, we all received ashes during Mass.  Every Friday, at 2pm, during Lent we will be attending Stations of the Cross.  If you are available at that time feel free to join us.

Reading

There will be a Unit Test on Tuesday, February 23rd.   Both classes are going to begin reading novels. 

Language Arts

Students will be identifying frequent spelling patters for the /j/ and /s/ sounds.   They will also be learning  and using silent letters e,gh, and nb.  In Phonics, we are reviewing syllables and how to divide words containing prefixes and suffixes. 

Math

 Next week, we will be working on division, especially dividing by 5 and 10.  We will also be working on word problems involving division.  As we discussed at conferences, everyone needs to know their multiplication facts backwards and forwards!!

Social Studies

We are looking forward to seeing every one’s Presidential Mobile on Wednesday, February 24th.  We will be concluding Chapter 6, with a Test on Thursday, February 25th.  

Science

We will continue to look at how our Earth has changed over a long time due to erosion and weathering, and changed quickly by the erupting volcanoes and earthquakes. (Did you feel our earthquake last week?)  We anticipate the Chapter 7 Test to be on Friday, February 26hth.