Thursday, December 18, 2014

December 18, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
12-18-14

Math
Third grade is approaching the end of Chapter 4 about multiplication facts.  There will be a test upon returning to school in January.  Please practice the basic facts at home over the break.

Reading/Language Arts
The third grade story this week is "The Extra Good Sunday" taken from Ramona Quimby-Age 8 by Beverly Cleary.  In this humorous selection Ramona and her older sister Beezus have to cook supper for the family after they complained about the dinner the evening before.  The girls learn the difficulties of preparing the meal with limited resources in a given amount of time.  The comprehension skill covered character traits.  The vocabulary skill focused on using the thesaurus. Students worked on words with -er, -ir, -or, and -ur in phonics.  The grammar lessons focused on verb tense (present, past, and future).

Please check the take home folder for the Unit 14 weekly assessment.  We will not be moving ahead in the reading series next week due to only two days of school due to Christmas vacation.

The Unit 3 Benchmark Test will be given upon returning to school after Christmas break.

Science     
The next chapter in science will focus on how living things depend on one another.  Students will be learning about producer, consumers, decomposers, and food chains.

                                         Christmas Party
On Tuesday, December 23rd, third grade will have a classroom Christmas party in the morning after the moring recess.  Treats will be provided by the homeroom parent.  Students will watch a Christmas video.  Students also need to bring a sack lunch this day.  No drink, as milk will be provided. Students will be eating with their Advent Angel.  Afterwards, there we will be singing Christmas carols in the gym.  Dismissal is scheduled for 1:10 PM on this day.

Volunteers are Needed
Third grade is needing parent volunteers to help coordinate the basket and silent auction item for the St. Malachy Foundation Auction that will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015.  Please let me know if you would be able to help out with this project.

Dress Code Reminders
Just a reminder to parents as we wind down the year for Christmas break and return to school in January.  Here is the dress code at St. Malachy School.  Parents of girls please refer to the dress code that pertains to leggings.  This seems to be the biggest issue at this time.  

Everyday, all-year-long expectations:
A. Clothing should be clean and free of holes, rips, or tears.
B. Clothing should be modest and allow students to maintain modesty while sitting, standing, and
moving. Necklines should be high enough to provide complete coverage. The bottom of the garment
must extend to at least mid-thigh.
C. Undergarments are to be covered at all times.
D. Leggings may be worn as long as the bottom of the dress, skirt or short extends to at least mid-thigh.  
E. Sleeves are required for all.
F. Winter clothing (including boots, hats, mittens/gloves, and coats) is to be worn as needed. If there is snow on the ground, boots are needed. Students not wearing snow boots will stand in a cleared area
during recess. All snow gear must be taken home at the end of each week.
G. Shoes must be able to stay securely fastened to the student’s feet during activities and throughout
the entire school day.
H. PE attire includes tennis shoes/athletic shoes that stay securely fastened to the feet during exercise
and activity. Girls who wear dresses or skirts should also wear shorts.
I. White t-shirts/undershirts may not be worn as outer wear.

Mass Day/Holy Day - all day attire
A. Students are expected to dress up on Mass days.
B. Dress shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, turtlenecks, and dress slacks for boys.
C. Dresses, skirts, slacks, sweaters, turtlenecks, and blouses for girls.
D. Leggings may be worn as long as the bottom of the dress or skirt extends to at least mid-thigh.
E. No denim of any kind or color (includes skirts, shirts, pants, dresses, and jumpers) on Mass days.
F. No dress shorts, gauchos, Capri, crop pants, or split skirts on Mass days.
G. No t-shirts, sweatshirts or athletic gear on Mass days.

Important Dates
Friday, December 19th-Dress Rehearsal for Christmas program in the afternoon
Sunday, December 21st-St. Malachy Christmas program at 2 PM
Tuesday, December 23rd-Bring Sack Lunch (Milk Provided for Drink)
Tuesday, December 23rd-2 Hour Early Dismissal (1:10 PM) for Christmas Break

Christmas vacation goes from Wednesday, December 24, 2014-Sunday, January 4, 2015.  Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2015.

Merry Christmas to all 3rd grade families!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

December 11, 2014

Third Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
12-11-14


The third graders had a busy past Monday.  Students who had parts in the mass did a great job!  The students had a wonderful performance at Holy Spirit Church for the CCW.  Here is a picture of the class performing.


Reading/Language Arts
This week's story "Aero and Officer Mike-Patrol Partners" was a informational text about a day in the life of a police officer and his K-9 dog.  The comprehension skill focused on author's purpose.  The vocabulary skill covered the prefixes of in- and im-.   Students worked on pronoun-verb agreement in grammar.  The phonics skill focused on vowel plus r sounds.

The lesson 13 weekly assessment results are in the take home folder for you to review.  These are yours to keep.

Math
More and more multiplication is what third graders continue to work on. Students have learned the factors of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10. Students also learned about the associative property of multiplication. This property states when the grouping of the factors is changed, the product is the same, so (2 X 3) X 5 = 2 x (3 X 5).  Please work on basic multiplication facts at home with your child.


SCIENCE
Students are preparing for an upcoming test covering ecosystems.  The test will be on Friday, December 12th.  


VOLUNTEERS
Third grade is needing parent volunteers to help coordinate the basket and silent auction item for the St. Malachy Foundation Auction that will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015.  Please let me know if you would be able to help out with this project.

Upcoming Dates
Friday, December 12th-Mass at 9:15 AM
Wednesday, December 17th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Sunday, December 21st-Christmas Program at 2 PM at PAC
Tuesday, December 23rd-2 Hour Early Dismissal for Christmas Break

Christmas vacation goes from Wednesday, December 24th-Sunday, January 4th.  Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2015.




Thursday, December 4, 2014

December 4, 2014

Third Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
12-4-14

PROGRESS REPORTS
1st trimester progress reports are available for viewing on Power School.  You can access the website through the St. Malachy School website.
MATH
Third grade continues to learn the multiplication facts.  The class has learned the factors of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.  Please practice the basic facts at home.  Students have learned strategies for getting the product.  Students have also learned about the distributive property of multiplication.  The property states that multiplying a sum by a number is the same as multiplying each addend by the number and then adding the products.  An example of this is 
6 X 7=(6 X 5) + (6 X 2) so 30 + 12 =42 so 6 X 7=42

READING/LANGUAGUE ARTS
This week third grade read "Yonder Mountain-A Cherokee Legend." In this legend, students learn about three young Native Americans are given a command by the chief to see who possess the skills to be the next leader of the tribe.  The comprehension skill focused on compare and contrast.  The vocabulary strategy worked on homographs (words that are spelled alike and have different meanings, and some may also be pronounced differently for example tie a bow and take a bow) and homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings for example bare feet and bear cub).  The phonics skill covered contractions.  The students worked on subject verb agreement in grammar.

In the take home folder this week are the results of the lesson 12 weekly assessment.  This was taken the week before Thanksgiving.

SCIENCE
Third grade continues to learn about ecosystems.  Students have learned about forests, deserts, grasslands, and water ecosystems. Third grade will have a test covering this topic next week.  The test is tentatively planned for Thursday, December 11th.

MASS SCHEDULE CHANGE
Please note the change in the mass schedule for the week of December 8th through December 12th.  Third grade will lead the mass on Monday, December 8th.  This is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Mass parts went home with the students this past Tuesday.  Please practice speaking parts at home.  There is no mass on Wednesday, December 10th.  There will be mass on Friday, December 12th. This is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Students are required to dress up and follow mass dress code on these two days.


MUSIC
Third grade has been invited to perform for a noon meeting of the Holy Spirit chapter of Catholic Council of Women.  The class will leave the school at 11:45 AM.  The students will perform then eat lunch at the church.  The class will return to school between 12:45-1:00 PM. Please direct any questions you may have to Mrs. Mullin.

IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, December 8th-3rd Grade Leads Mass @ 9:15 AM
Monday, December 8th-3rd Grade Performs at Holy Spirit Church for CCW
Wednesday, December 10th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, December 12th-Mass @ 9:15 AM
Wednesday, December 17th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Sunday, December 21st-Christmas Program @ 2 PM at Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 23rd-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, November 20, 2014

November 20, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
11-20-14

THANKSGIVING VACATION
There will be a one hour dismissal on Wednesday, November 26th.  There is no school scheduled for Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th.  School will resume on Monday, December 1st.  I hope your family has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  My family will not be traveling to far.  We will be going to my parent's house in Greenfield.  I hope everyone has safe travels whether your travel be near or far.  I am hoping to get some shopping in and my Christmas decorations up over the long weekend as well.

MATH
Third grade has been busy learning about the process of multiplication.  Students have used strategies such as making equal groups, using a number line, made arrays, and used repeated addition.  There was a test covering these topics today. The class will continue to work on multiplication over the next two chapters. Students will be learning how to multiply with the factors of two through ten. Any extra practice at home on multiplication is greatly appreciated.

TJ AND NATE FREY CELEBRATION
The school will celebrate the lives of TJ and Nate Frey in a special way on Monday, December 1st. Last year when we returned to school following the Thanksgiving Vacation we suffered through the tragic and sudden loss of these two boys. This year when we return, we will celebrate the gift of their lives. The celebration will be simple and it will focus on hope, joy and the gift of the boys.

The celebration will include selecting menus that the boys enjoyed – or that remind us of the boys. We will have pancakes with syrup for breakfast and for lunch we will have pizza, cactus bread, a side and milk. The lunch will be provided by the Frey family. We will all eat together in family style.

Everyone is invited to wear orange, pink or yellow to school that day. We will begin the day with a celebration of life service in the gym. The service will begin at 8:30 and will conclude within 20 to 30 minutes.

As we celebrate the lives of TJ and Nate, let us also keep the Frey family in our prayers. Let us ask God to bring peace to their hearts. Let us ask God to be with them in the moments of joy and moments of pain. Let us ask God to hold them in the palm of His hand.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
This week third grade is reading the trickster tale entitled "Tops and Bottoms." In this tale, a clever hare tricks a lazy bear.  The comprehension skill covered theme.   The vocabulary skill focused on idioms.  In grammar students worked on quotations.  The phonics skill focused on homophones and words ending with -er and -le.

In this week's take home folder are the results of the Unit 11 weekly reading assessment and the Benchmark 2 test.  These are yours to keep.  Please remember the weekly test covers the story and specific skills covered during that week.  In the benchmark testing, students read passages and apply the skills taught over the previous lessons.  This time the students completed another section of the test on revising and editing.

Due to next week being a short week, third grade will not be moving ahead in the reading series.  The hope is to get the Thanksgiving stories edited and final copies written.  Students will also be illustrating their stories.

SCIENCE
Third grade is learning about ecosystems.  The class has learned about forests and deserts.  We will also learn about grasslands and water ecosystems.


IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, November 26th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, November 27th-NO SCHOOL
Friday, November 28th-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, December 3rd-3 Hour Early Dismissal
Monday, December 8th-3rd Grade Mass
Wednesday, December 10th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, December 12th-Mass at 9:15 AM
Wednesday, December 17th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Sunday, December 21st-Christmas Music Program



Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thursday, November 13th

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
11-13-14

Thank you to all parents for rearranging the conference schedule this week.  I appreciate your understanding.  My family and I are excited to be making the trip to Cedar Falls to the Dome to watch the football team.  Go Panthers!

BOOK ORDERS
Book orders were sent home in last week's take home folder.  I am extending the date to order until Monday, November 17th. Please return the order to school or submit online at www.scholastic.com.  Books make great Christmas gifts.  If wanting to order as gifts, just let me know and I can notify you when the order arrives.

TAKE HOME FOLDERS
Take home folders are not being sent home this week.  Please check the folder next week for the Unit 11 weekly assessment results and the Benchmark 2 test results.

IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, November 14th-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 19th-1 Hour Early Out 2:10 Dismissal
Wednesday, November 26th-1 Hour Out 2:10 Dismissal
Thursday, November 27th-Friday, November 28th-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, December 3rd-3 Hour Early Out 12:10 Dismissal
Monday, December 3rd-3rd Grade Mass



Monday, November 10, 2014

Conference Schedule Update

Dear Parents,
Here is an updated conference schedule.  Hopefully everything is correct.  Please let me know if the conference time I have listed for you is not accurate.

Monday, November 10th                 
3:40-Luther
4:00-Hayes
4:20-Skellenger
4:40-
5:00-Walter
5:20-Haines
5:40-

Tuesday, November 11th
3:20-Green
3:40-Bailey
4:00-Lane
4:20-Brown
4:40-
5:00-
5:20-Starlin
5:40-Evans
6:00-Buls
6:20-Pokorny
6:40-Baker

Wednesday, November 12th
2:30-Allen
2:50-
3:10-
3:30-Zachary
3:50-
4:10-
4:30-Woods (Matt)
4:50-Woods (Matt)
5:10-Pellman
5:30-Chapman

Monday, November           Wednesday, November
17th                           19th
3:20-Tallmon                 4:10-White
                                4:30-Woods (Sally) 
                                4:50-Woods (Sally)

Thursday, November 6, 2014

November 6, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
11-6-14

Math
Third grade has moved onto multiplication.  The next three chapters will cover this skills.  The first of the three chapter will focus on the process of multiplication. Students have worked with equal groups and related repeated addition to multiplication.

Reading/Language Arts
This week's informational text "Technology Wins the Game" gave students facts about how sports have changed with technology.  The comprehension skill focused on sequencing.  The vocabulary strategy covered.  Students worked on -oy and -oi words for the phonics skill.  In grammar students learned about plural nouns.

During the week of November 10th-November 13th,students will be taking the Unit 2 Benchmark test.  Since next week is a short week with conferences, the class will not be moving ahead in the reading series.  There will be no spelling next week.  In addition, third grade will be working on Thanksgiving stories.


Spaghetti Supper and Carnival
The St. Malachy Spaghetti Supper and Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, November 8th.  The supper runs from 4:30-7:30 PM.  The carnival begins at 6:00 PM and ends at 7:30 PM. There are raffles and a silent auction. Please consider attending this great family fun event sponsored by the PTO.

Science
Third grade has learned about plants and animals.  Now the class is learning about where these living things live.  We will cover four major ecosystems that include forest, desert, grassland, and water.


Conferences
Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, November 13th from 1:00-5:00 PM and 6:00-9:30 PM.  Please call Sarah in the office (782-7125) if you have not signed up for a conference.  There is an 11:50 AM dismissal on this day and not hot lunch will be served to the students.  There is no school on Friday, November 14th.

Book Order
A book order has been included in your child's take home folder.  There are two options for ordering.  A check (payable to Mrs. Burg) or cash along with the order form need returned to school.  Orders may also be submitted online at www.scholastic.com and paid for by a credit card.  The order is due on Thursday, November 13th.

Book Fair
There will be a book fair during parent/teacher conferences. A flyer has been included in the take home folder for your viewing.

Important Dates
Saturday, October 8th-Spaghetti Supper and Carnival
Wednesday, October 12th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, October 13th-11:50 AM Dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences
Friday, November 14th-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 19th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, November 26th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, November 27th-Friday, November 28th-NO SCHOOL 





Thursday, October 30, 2014

October 30th

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
10-30-14

Halloween Activities
St. Malachy will celebrate Halloween during the afternoon of Friday, October 31st.  Students will partake in activities put on by the Civics Club.  The parade will begin at 2:30 PM. Students will change into their costumes around 2:15 PM. Parents may take their child after the parade.  Please just let me know if you are going to take your child after the parade.

Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, November 13th from 1:00-5:00 and 6:00-9:30 PM.  There is no hot lunch served on this day. Please call Sarah in the office at 782-7125 or email her at slane@crestonstmalachy.org to schedule a time.  If you are unable to attend conferences on the 13th, please contact me so we can set up another time to meet.  In last week's take home folder a note was sent home regarding conferences. Please complete and return that form to me by Friday, November 7th.  There is no school on Friday, September 14th.

Spaghetti Supper and Carnival
The St. Malachy Spaghetti Supper and Carnival has been scheduled for Saturday, November 8th.  The PTO is needing your help with the preparations.  Volunteers are needed to work the evening of the event.  Please let them know if you are available.  Raffle tickets were sent home last week for the students to sell.  Donations for food items are also needed.  Anyway that you can help will benefit St. Malachy students.

Math
Third grade took the Chapter 2 test today over representing and data.  Students will have a chance to make corrections and tests will be sent home next week for parents to sign.  The next three chapters will focus on multiplication.  Multiplication is one of the major standards taught in third grade.

Science
3rd grade will be having a test over the topic of animals on Friday, October 31st.  Students have completed a study guide.  Please spend some time helping your child prepare for the upcoming test.

Reading/Language Arts
Students read the biography "Young Thomas Edison" in class this week.  The class learned facts about Edison's life beginning at an early age.  The comprehension skill focused on main idea and supporting details.  The vocabulary strategy focused on the shades of meaning between words and phrases.  In grammar students learned about subject and object pronouns.  The phonics skill covered words with -au, aw, al, and o that have a sound as in talk.

During the week of November 10th-November 14th, third grade will be taking the Unit 2 test. The class will not be moving ahead in the reading series.  There will be no spelling during that wee,  Third grade will also begin a Thanksgiving writing unit.

Important Dates
Friday, October 31st-Halloween Party in the Afternoon
Wednesday, November 5th-3 Hour Early Dismissal 12:10 PM
Wednesday, November 12th-1 Hour Early Dismissal 2:10 PM
Thursday, November 13th-Parent/Teacher Conferences Dismissal at 11:50 AM
Friday, November 14th-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 19th 1 Hour Early Dismissal 2:10 PM






Thursday, October 23, 2014

Thursday, October 21, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
10-23-14

Math
Third grade continues to interpret and analyze data in tables and graphs.  These include picture graphs and bar graphs.  Again this week, third grade will be taking a survey that involves the whole school. Students will use the data to make a bar graph.

Also this week students took an addition and subtraction timed tests.  Students were given five minutes to take the test.  Please continue to practice these basic facts at home.  

The Chapter 2 math test covering interpreting and analyzing data will be at the end of next week.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
This week third grade read a realistic fiction story called "Kamishibai Man."  In this story an elderly Japanse man remembers how he used to ride his bicycle into town where her would tell storie to children and sell them candy, but gradually, fewer and fewer children came because televisions began appearing in homes.  Years later the man returns to town to discover things have greatly changed.  In the end he is surrounded by familiar faces, the children he used to entertain have returned, all grown up and more than eager to listen to his stories with their children again.  The comprehension skill covered cause and effect.  The vocabulary skill focused on using a dictionary.  The phonics skill worked on -ow and -ou sound as in the words town and cloud.  In grammar students learned about abstract nouns. Examples include courage, delight, and freedom.


SCIENCE
Third grade continues to learn about animals. Students have learned about animals that are threatened, endangered, and extinct.  There will be a test next week covering the topic of animals.


HALLOWEEN 
Students at St. Malachy will participate in fun Halloween activites during the afternoon of Friday, October 31st.  The parade begins at 2:30 PM. Students may bring costumes to school to change into around 2:15 PM.


PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conferences at St. Malachy are scheduled for Thursday, November 13th from 1:00-9:30 PM. Please call Mrs. Lane at 782-7125 or email at slane@crestonstmalachy.org to set up a conference time for your child.  There is no school on Friday, November 14th.


IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, October 28th-PTO Meeting 
Wednesday, October 29th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 31st-Halloween Activities in PM
Wednesday, October 5th-3 Hour Early Dismissal 
Wednesday, October 12th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, October 13th-Dismiss at 11:50 AM/Parent Teacher Conferences from 1:00-9:30 PM
Friday, November 14th-NO SCHOOL


Thursday, October 16, 2014

October 16, 2014

3RD GRADE NEWS
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
10-16-14

MATH
Third grade has been learning about tables and charts.  Students are learning how to gather and interpret data.  Students have learned about tally table and frequency tables,  During center time, students worked in small groups creating a tally table.  Each group surveyed another class in the school to gather data.  Students then used ther results to create a frequency table.  Also students have learned about picture graphs.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
This week students read the folktale "The Harvest Birds" in which a young man has a dream of living off the land.  The townspeople doubt his abilities, but Juan Zanate believes in himself.  With the help of some "friends" he achieves his goal. The comprehension skill covered drawing conclusions.  The vocabulary strategy focused on context clues.  In grammar students learned when to use commas.  The phonics skill focused on the silent letters of wr- and kn-.
SCIENCE
Students have are learning about animal behavior.  Students have learned about instincts such as hibernation and migration.  There are also learned behaviors that an animal can aquire from its parents.  Students have also learned about camoflauge and mimicry as ways an animal can protect itself.

Students will be doing some research about an animal using an encyclopedia in library class.

IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, October 22nd-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, October 29th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 31st-Halloween Party in afternoon
Wednesday, November 5th-Dismiss at 12:10 PM







Thursday, October 9, 2014

October 9, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
10-9-14

SCIENCE
This week students have learned traits about amphibians, fish, and reptiles to add to what was previously learned about mammals and birds.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
The informational text read this week entitled "What Illustrators Do?" presented facts about the job of an illustrator.  The comprehension skill covered text and graphic features.  The vocabulary strategy focused on synonyms.  The phonics skill covered three letter clusters (scr, str, str, and thr).  Students worked on verb tense (present, past, and future) for the grammar skill.

In this week's take home folder are the results of the Unit 1 Benchmark test and the Lesson 6 weekly test.  These results are yours to keep.


MATH
The next chapter in math will covering representing and interpreting data. Student will be analyzing different graphs and tables.

The Chapter 1 math test covering addition and subtraction strategies went home with the student today for parents to view and sign.  Students received half a point credit if they were able to correct a problem missed.  Signed tests are due back on Monday.

MASS
Third grade's mass is on Wednesday, October 15th.  Parts have been sent home in the take home folder.  Half of the class will have parts in this upcoming mass. The remaining students will have parts in the next mass on Monday, December 8th.  If your child has a speaking part, please practice the part at home.  Parents are more than welcome to join us in the liturgy that begins at 9:15 AM.

BOOK ORDER  
A book order was sent home in last week's take home folder.  Book orders are due on Monday, October 13th.  Please send the order form and cash/check back to school or submit the order online at www.scholastic.com.

IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, October 10th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)
Wednesday, October 15th-3rd Grade Mass at 9:15 AM
Wednesday, October 15th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, October 22nd-1 Hour Early Dismissal









Monday, September 29, 2014

October 2, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
10-2-14

MATH
Students have been reviewing addition and subtraction strategies.  A chapter 1 review has been sent home in each child's take home folder.  This is for extra practice.  It is NOT due back to school.  There will be a test on Monday, October 6th.

SCIENCE
Third grade is learning about animals.  Students have learned about traits of mammals and birds.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
Students are reading a narrative nonfiction selection called "Bats Love the Night" in which readers learn about the night activity of bats.  The comprehension skill covered sequence of events.  The vocabulary skill focused on the suffixes of -able and -ible.  The phonics skill went over words with VCV pattern (camel, president, shiver). The grammar skill focused on verbs.

This past week students have been taking the Unit 1 Benchmark test.  Please look for the results in next week's take home folder.  This test covers comprehension skills learned in the previous lessons taught.

BOOK ORDER
A book order has been included in the take home folder. Orders may be returned to school with cash or check (payable to Mrs. Burg) or submitted online at www.scholastic.com with a credit card.

IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, October 3rd-2 Hour Early Dismissal for Homecoming
Wednesday, October 8th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 10th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)
Tuesday, October 14th-Picture Retakes
Wednesday, October 15th-3rd Grade Mass @ 9:15 AM
Wednesday, October 15th-1 Hour Early Dismissal






Thursday, September 25, 2014

September 25, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
9-25-14

Reading/Language Arts
Third grade read a biography this week about Roberto Clemente, a baseball player from the Pittsburgh Pirates from the late 1950s through the early 1970s.  The comprehension skill covered cause and effect.  The vocabulary strategy focused on the prefix mis-. The phonics skill covered long o.  In grammar students worked on singular and plural nouns. The class also reviewed common and proper nouns. This was an area of difficulty on last week's assessment.  Students seem to have a better understanding of this topic now.

Next week third grade will be taking the Unit 1 Benchmark test. This will cover skills learned throughout the first five lessons. Testing will take place during the scheduled center time.  During the scheduled reading/language arts time, third grade will be moving ahead in the series.

Math
Third grade continues to work on subtraction.  We have used a variety of strategies, such as a number line, friendly numbers, and place value, to solve problems.  There will be a test over addition and subtraction hopefully by the end of next week.

Science
Third grade is now learning about animals. Students have identified the needs of animals such as oxygen, water, food, and shelter.  We also discussed the differences between plant and animal cells.

STEM Training
Last spring I was awarded a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) grant.  I will be away from school next Tuesday, September 30th to attend the training.  Mrs. Weihs will be the substitute teacher.

Important Dates
Tuesday, September 30th-Mrs. Burg gone all day at STEM training
Wednesday, October 1st-1 hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 3rd-2 Hour Early Dismissal (Homecoming)
Wednesday, October 8th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 10th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)






Thursday, September 18, 2014

September 18, 2014

3rd Grade News
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org
9-18-14

Reading/Language Arts
The story read this week was called "Pop's Bridge."  In this historical fiction story a young boy thinks his father's job is is the most important part of the process of building the Golden Gate Bridge.  After an accident occurs, the boy realizes that each of the jobs that the crew has is equally important to the completion of the project.  The comprehension skill focused on was compare and contrast. The vocabulary strategy was word families.  In grammar students learned about common and proper nouns.  The phonics skill focused on long o words, specifically words with oa and ow.

The weekly test results from lesson 3 have been included in the take home folder.  The results are yours to keep.  The tests measure the understanding of each concept covered during the week.  I am reminding the students that these tests are important.  They need to take their time and do their best each week.

Math
Third grade took a mid chapter quiz assessing the students on addition.  Students will now work on subtraction.  Please review the basic facts at home.

Science
Today third grade took their first test over plants.  Next week tests will be sent home for parents to review and sign. Tests need returned the next day.  The next unit that third grade will cover is animals.


Important Dates
Wednesday, September 24th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Tuesday, September 30th-Mrs. Burg Absent for STEM training
Wednesday, October 1st-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 3rd-2 Hour Early Dismissal for Homecoming







Thursday, September 11, 2014

September 11, 2014

3rd Grade News
9-11-14
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

Reading/Language Arts
Third grade read "Destiny's Gift" in which a young girl and a bookstore owner share a special friendship. Destiny sense that something is wrong with Mrs. Wade and learns that the store may have to close. Determined to save the store, Destiny rallies the community to help save the store.  The comprension skill focused on analyzing the characters.  The vocabulary strategy covered antoymns. The phonics skill covered the long vowel pairs of ay, ai, ea, and ee.  In grammar students learned about compound sentences.

The weekly assessment results from Lesson 2 have been included in the take home folder.  These are yours to keep.  These tests show the students' understanding of the concepts learned during the week.

Just a reminder to parents and students, please remember to return the spelling pretest along with the missed words that have been written for homework. Both papers need turned in together.


Math
Third grade continues to work on using addition properities to do mental math. This week students learned about the Associative Property (group addends in different ways and still the the same sum).  An example of this is (16+7)+23=16+(7+23). Another strategy learned was breaking the numbers apart using place value.  Next week third grade will work on differences.


Science
The class continues to learn about plants.  This week students learned about the process of photosynthesis.  Four components are needed for this process to take place.  Water and carbon dioxide combine with the chlorophyl in the plant using the sun's energy to make sugars the plants need.  The by product of this process is oxygen.  

Next week third grade will be preparing for a test.  A chapter review will be completed and checked in class.  Students will also complete a study guide to help prepare themselves.  When the completed study guide comes home, please help your child study for the upcoming test.  The test is tentatively scheduled for next Friday.

Important Dates
Sunday, September 14th-Holy Spirit International Food Fair 4-7 PM
Wednesday, September 17th-1 hour early dismissal
Wednesday, September 24th-1 hour early dismissal
Tuesday, September 30th-Mrs. Burg Absent from school for STEM training



Thursday, September 4, 2014

September 4, 2014

3rd Grade News
9-4-14
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

Math
This week students worked on estimating sums by using compatible number and rounding.  Students had a "snowball fight" in September to help work on rounding to the nearest ten and hundred.  Ask your child about the fun activity that we did in class.  Students were also taught mental math strategies for addition.

Reading/Language Arts
This week third grade read a fantasy selection entitled "The Trial of Cardigan Jones" in which a moose is put on trial and falsely acused of taking an apple pie.  Students worked on conclusions and infering for the comprehension strategy. The vocabulary strategy focused on using a dictionary.  Students worked with long vowel words with the VCe pattern. The grammar skill identifed the four types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory).

In the take home folder this week are the Lesson 1 weekly assessment results.  These are yours to keep.  Please look over the results and let me know if you have any questions.

Science
Third grade continues to study about plants.  The class has learned about simple plants.  We have also learned about seeds.

Book Orders
A book order was sent home in last week's take home folder. If you are ordering by cash or check (made payable to Mrs. Burg), please return the order to school by Monday, September 8th.  Directions for ordering online with a credit card were also sent home with the students.  The website is www.scholastic.com.  

Student of Service
Seniors at Creston High School are required to take the Student of Service (S.O.S) class.  This semester third grade has Brant Hudson on A days and Alex Nielsen on B days visiting the classroom. Their responsibilities might include checking papers, filing papers, getting art projects ready,and some work with students.


Important Dates
Monday, September 8th-Book Order Due
Wednesday, September 10th-1 hour early dismissal
Sunday, September 14th-Holy Spirit International Food Fair
Wednesday, September 17th-1 hour early dismissal


  

Thursday, August 28, 2014

August 28, 2014

Third Grade News
8-28-14
nburg@crestonstmalchy.org

Reading/Language Arts
The lesson 1 story this week is a humorous fiction story entitled "A Fine, Fine School." In this story the principal, Mr. Keene is very proud of his school.  He decides to have school on weekends, holidays, and during the summer so the students can learn more. The once happy teachers and students become sad.  Tillie decides to talk to the principal about what learning is not taking place since they are always at school.  The principal finally sees how this change has effected the students and teachers.  He decides to only have school during the week.  The comprehension skill focused on story structure. Students completed a story map that included setting, characters, and plot. The students learned about using context clues to discover the meaning of words for the vocabulary strategy.  The phonics skill covered short vowels.  Complete subjects and predicates was learned about in grammar.

Math
Students have been learning about number patterns in math.  Students have been introduced to addition properties.  The Identity Property of Addition (the sum of any number and zero is that number 7+0=7) and the Commutative Property of Addition (add two or more numbers in any order and get the same sum 3+4=7, 4+3=7).  The class also worked on rounding to the nearest ten or hundred.

Science
Third grade is learning about plants.  Students have learned about the parts and the needs of plants. Students have also learned about simple plants.

Take Home Folders
In this week's take home folders are a Scholastic book orders and a Highlights order form.  Please look over both to see if you would like to order.  The book order may be returned to school with cash or check (made payable to Nicole Burg) or orders can be submitted online following the directions attached to the order forms.  Book orders are due by Monday, September 8th.  Please complete the Highlights form by indicating yes or no.  Please return the form even if you are not ordering.  Free classroom supplies are received for returned forms.

Class Meetings
With the Olweus bully program and Capturing Kids Hearts training that is being implemented at St. Malachy, weekly class meeting are incorporated into each week.  During a class meeting the third grade developed and wrote a social contract, an agreement of behavior, for the class to follow this year.  All of the students and myself signed the social contract.  The students know if they do not follow the social contract there are consequences.  You can find a copy of the third grade social contract in  my blog pages. Please discuss the social contract at home with your child as you see necessary.
Important Dates
Monday, September 1-NO SCHOOL 
Wednesday, September 3rd-3 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, September 10th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, September 11th-PTO Meeting





Thursday, August 21, 2014

August 21, 2014

Third Grade News
8-21-14
nburg@crestonstmalachy.org


First Day of 3rd Grade
August 20, 2014

Beginning of the Year Reminders

  • Check with your child to see if he/she missing any supplies on the list.
  • Please bring the $3.00 to cover the cost of the assignment book if you have not done so yet.
  • Third graders should bring home the assignment book everyday to be reviewed and signed by a parent.
  • Families who pick up their children after school and have students in third grade or above, may pick their children up in the alley in the back of the school.
  • Lunch for third through fifth grade is from 11:55 AM-12:15 PM. This is later in the day for the third graders than last year.  Please make sure your child eats a good breakfast in the morning.
  • Take home folders will go home with the students on Thursdays.  Please return the folder emptied out on Fridays.
  • Students need tennis shoes for PE on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • Be sure to check out the school's website www.crestonstmalachy.org for important information.

MATH

The first few days in math will be spent testing.  These assessments allow me to evaluate what skills the students need to review and what concepts need to be focused on.  St. Malachy will be using a new math series this year called GO Math!  These skills in this series cover what students need to know from Iowa Core.
READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
These beginning days are being spent assessing wha the students know.  St. Malachy will be in its second year of using the Journeys reading series.  On Monday the class will begin Lesson 1 in Unit 1.  Spelling will begin on Monday as well.  There will be a pretest on Mondays and a post test on Fridays.  Throughout the week the class will be reading a story, working on vocabulary and comprehension skills, learning grammar rules, and develop writing skills.

IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, August 28th-Picture Day
Monday, September 1-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, Septemeber 3-3 Hour Early Dismissal 









3/28/24

 Burg's Buzz nburg@crestontstmalachy.org 3/28/24 Math The students will be taking the Topic 8 assessment covering mental math, rounding,...