Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the St. Malachy 3rd Grade

Thank you for all of the presents. It was very thoughtful, and I appreciate being thought of during this season.  

See everyone on January 4th.

Special Visitor

    St. Malachy School had the honor of having Ray "Bubba" Sorensen come and talk to the students about the Freedom Rock and his job has an artist.  He should the students a video, answered questions, and drew some sketches.  Bubba is the uncle of Tucker and Taylor Sloth Rohrig.  The students were really impressed with his drawing abilities.

Change of Information to Today's Blog

    There will be no school on Tuesday, December 22, due to the funeral of Mrs. Levine's husband. The last day of school before Christmas break will be Monday, December 21.  Please bring a sack lunch (milk provided by the school) on this day.  We will complete the Advent Angel activities on this day.  School will dismiss at the regular time.

December 17, 2015

3rd Grade News

12-17-15

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

SCIENCE

The next topic third grade is learning about is how living things depend on one another.  Students have learned about producers, consumers, and decomposers.  We have also discussed food chains, food webs, predators, and prey.  

MATH

Lessons now in math will focus on the factors in multiplication.  Students will learn strategies to help them solve problems.  The class has learned that when multiplying by two, you can add doubles

(2 X 8=8+8). Students have also learned that when multiplying by four, solve the problem for twos then double that (4 X 7=2 X 7=14 + 14=28).  Students may also do skip counting if that strategy works best for them.

Overall third grade did a great job on the chapter 3 math test that covered the process of multiplication.  Please work on the basic facts at home has each factor is introduced.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS

The selection that third grade read this week "The Extra Good Sunday" from Ramona Quimby,Age 8. The comprehension skill focused understanding characters.  Students used a thesaurus to look for synonyms for the vocabulary strategy.  The phonics skill covered words with er, ir, or, and ur.  The class worked on verb tense (present, past, and future) in grammar.

Included in the take home folder are the lesson 14 weekly assessment results.  These are yours to keep.

Next week we will not be moving ahead in the reading series.  I hope to use the two days to get a few things finihsed up.

ADVENT ANGELS

Students have been meeting with their Advent Angels during the month of December.  During this time angels have written letters to alumni, played a memory game matching important facts of Advent, and listened to the O Antiphons.  In the classroom students made ornaments for a Jesse tree that was displayed in the gym,  On December 22nd, students will be bringing a sack lunch (milk provided by the school) from home to eat with their Advent Angel.  Afterwards caroling in the gym will take place.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Students in third grade made Christmas cards for Safyre Terry, a girl from New York, who was badly burned in a house fire. Her father and siblings died in the fire. She now lives with her aunt.  Her aunt put a post on social media asking for cards to fill a tree holder.  Safyre has received more than 300,000 letters since her aunt made the request.  We discussed how Christmas is the time to think about others. The students really took interest in making their card and concern for this child.  Here are some pictures of students making their cards.

Parker and Taylor

Spencer and Jersey

Omar and Mila

IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, December 22-Bring Sack Lunch
Wednesday, December 23-Sunday, January 3-Christmas Vacation (NO SCHOOL)
January 4-Classes Resume
Wednesday, January 6-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Twelve Days of Christmas

    Third grade is in the Christmas spirit.  The "Twelve Days of Christmas" was read aloud to the students.  We discussed the meaning behind song.  Students then rewrote their own version of the song.  Now the students are working on editing their work. Final copies will be included in the students' portfolios to be sent home at the end of the year.

 Ava F. and Tristan

 Ava A. and Vincent

Olivia and Cooper

December 10, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

12-10-15

Math

Third grade will have test covering the process of multiplication on Friday, December 4th. An extra review was sent home this past Wednesday. Chapter 4 will continue to focus on multiplication.  We will look at each factor and strategies to solve problems for each factor. 

Science

Third grade is know learning about how living things depend on one another.

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.

Christmas Program

The St. Malachy Christmas program is scheduled for Sunday, December 13th.  The program begins at 2:00 PM at Creston High School.  Third graders need to meet by 1:50 PM in the choir room.  Cookies and refreshments will be served after the program is complete.

Dress rehearsal is planned for the afternoon of Friday, December 11th. Please return the permission form if you have not already done so. Please let Mrs. Mullin know if your child will not be at the program on Sunday.

Important Dates

 Thursday, December 10th-Book Order Due

Friday, December 11th-Spirit Day

Sunday, December 13th-Music Program at 2 PM at Creston High School

Wednesday, December 16th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Tuesday, December 22nd-Spirit Day
Tuesday, December 22nd-Sack Lunch Needed
Wednesday, December 23rd-Sunday, January 3rd-NO SCHOOL


Monday, January 4, 2016-Classes Resume

December 3, 2015

 3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

12-3-15

Happy Holidays! Happy Advent!  This is a busy time of the year. Please continue to check with your child about what homework he/she has and continue signing the assignment book each day.

Please note that mass next week is on Tuesday, December 8th.  This is the Feast of Immaculate Conception.  Mass attire is required on this day. There will be another noisy can change collection at this mass for the Adopted Family to purchase gifts for Christmas. There will be no mass on Wednesday, December 9th.

Reading/Language 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 11 and 12 weekly assessments.  The results are yours to keep.

Math

Third grade is learning about the process of multiplication. Students have learned about equal groups, related addition to multiplication, skip counted on a number line, and created arrays to model problems.  I am hoping we can get the chapter 3 test in by the end of next week.

Science 

Third grade is preparing for a test covering ecosystems. The test will be on Monday, December 7th.

Book Order

A book order has been included in your child's take home folder. Orders need submitted by Thursday, December 10th.  Your order may be sent to school with a cash or check (made payable to Scholastic Book Club) or submitted online using a credit card at www.scholastic.com. If wanting to order books as gifts, just let me know.  I can let you know when the order arrives at school.

Reading Minutes

Fourteen students returned the calendar and completed the reading goal for November.  The total number of minutes read was 9,219. Aubrie Mohr completed read the most with 1,950 total minutes read for the month. The goal for December is 400 minutes total.  December calendars will need turned in upon returning from Christmas break. 

Important Dates
Tuesday, December 8th-Mass at 9:15 AM
Wednesday, December 9th-1 Hour Early Out
Thursday, December 10th-Book Order Due
Friday, December 11th-Spirit Day
Sunday, December 13th-Christmas Program at 2 PM at Creston High School
Wednesday, December 16th-Mass at 9:15 AM
Wednesday, December 16th-1 Hour Early Out
Tuesday, December 22nd-Spirit Day

Thursday, November 19th

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

11-19-15

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 the suffixes such as -less, -ful, and -ous.  Students worked on -oy and -oi words for the phonics skill.  In grammar students learned about plural nouns.  Students previously added -s and -es to nouns to make them plural.  Now students learned for words that end in a consonant and a -y to change the -y to i and add -es (examples include city to cities and berry to berries).  Students also learned about irregular plural nouns such as child to children, leaf to leaves, and deer to deer.

The results of the Unit 2 Benchmark test have been included in the the take home folder. Many of the students improved their scores on the Reading and Analyzing section from the previous test.  The Unit 2 test covered vocabulary strategies about suffixes -able and 

-ible, shades of meaning, synonyms, dictionary, context clues, and target vocabulary. The comprehension skills covered cause/effect, personification, conclusions, analyzing illustrations, main ideas and details, sequence of events, and text and graphic features. It also included phonics skills such as vowel diphthongs ow and ou, words with au, aw, al, and o,words with VCV pattern, the silent letters kn and wr, and three letter clusters scr-, spr-, str-, and thr-.  Students also took the Revising and Editing section of the Benchmark test.  Students were assessed on sentence fluency, organization, using commas, abstract nouns, verb tense, and pronouns and antecedents.

Math

Multiplication is the next concept students will learn in third grade.  In class we will relate how multiplication relates to addition.  Students will important terminology related to multiplication such as array, equal groups, factor, and product.

Science

Students are learning about ecosystems.  The class has studied about forests.  Students learned about similarities and differences between deciduous forests, tropical rainforests, coastal forests, and coniferous forests. Students also learned about hot and cold deserts.

Prayer Service

There is a prayer service planned for 2:40 PM on Friday, November 20, to honor those whose died and those who where injured in the attacks on Paris last week.  Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and/or blue clothing to school on this day.  Please follow regular school dress code. Mass dress code is not required. 

Mass

 Third grade has mass on Wednesday, November 25th.  Students who did not have a part in the first prayer service will have a part in this mass.  Parts have been sent home with the students.  Please practice the speaking parts at home.  This will improve fluency when the students read aloud.  If you are able, please join us at the liturgy at 9:15 AM. 

Absences

Please let myself or the office know if you know in advance your child will be absent from school. Homework will be sent with your child for the day/days he or she will be absent. If there is an unplanned absence such as sickness, homework will be sent home with a sibling on that day.  If your child has no other siblings at school, homework will be put on the bench outside Mrs. Lane's office to be picked up by the end of the day.

Important Dates

Friday, November 20th-Prayer Service at 2:40 PM (Wear red, white, and blue)

Wednesday, November 25th-3rd Grade Mass

Wednesday, November 25th-2 Hour Early Dismissal (1:10 PM)

Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th-NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, December 2nd-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Tuesday, December 8th-Mass at 9:15 AM

Wednesday, December 9th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Friday, December 11th-Spirit Day

Sunday, December 13th-Christmas Music Program at CHS

Fire Prevention Poster Winners

Fire Prevention Poster Winners

(3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade)

3rd grade place winners in Ava A.-1st place, Taylor S.-2nd place, and Josh S.-3rd place

Place winners in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades

All of the students did a good job on the fire prevention posters.  Congratulations to the place winners from each grade.  Each first place poster will be sent on to the state level to complete.

November 12, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

11-12-15

Reading Incentive Program

The results are in for reading incentive program for October.  Fifteen students turned in calendars that totaled 8,013 minutes for the month.  Thirteen students met the goal of 400 minutes read for the month.  The most minutes read in third grade for the month of October was Aubrie Mohr reading 1,085 total minutes.  Please continue reading and keeping track of minutes for the month of November.  The goal is 400 minutes for the month.

Math

Students continue to read and analyze graphs.  The class applied their graphing skills to the real world.  Third grade students surveyed the entire school on their favorite sport between soccer, basketball, baseball, and football.  Data was collected and turned into a bar graph and picture graph. Students also learned about a line plot.  There will be a Chapter 2 test covering reading and analyzing charts and graphs next week. 

Science

Third grade is learning about ecosystems in science.  Students have learned about the smaller parts, population, community, and habitat that make up each ecosystem.

Reading/Language Arts

This week students are taking the Unit 2 Benchmark Test.  Please look for the results in next week's take home folder.  This time students took the "Reading and Analyzing" and "Revising and Editing" sections.

Students wrote Thanksgiving stories this week.  The class was read the book The Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. In the story the main character Pete avoids being dinner on Thanksgiving by tricking the townsfolk. Students wrote stories that had a turkey not being eaten for supper.  Students also illustrated their stories.

The next two lessons in reading/language arts we are going to cover between Friday, November 13th and Tuesday, November 24th.  Lesson 11 will start on Friday, November 13th.  There will be a spelling pretest and packet on this day.  The post test and weekly assessment for Lesson 11 will be on Wednesday, November 13th.  The spelling packet is due this day as well.  Lesson 12 will begin on Thursday, November 19th.  There will be a pretest and packet.  The post test and weekly assessment will be on Tuesday, November 24th.  The spelling packet for Lesson 12 will be due that same day.  Please note the changes days.  Assignments will be written down in the assignment book.  Things will be brought home on different days than usual.

 Important Dates

Friday, November 13th-Spirit Day
Friday, November 13th-Book Order Due

Wednesday, November 18th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, November 19th-Muffins with Mom Event (7:30-8:00 AM)

Friday, November 2oth-End of the 1st Trimester

Tuesday, November 24th-Spirit Day

Wednesday, November 25th-3rd Grade Mass

Wednesday, November 25th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, November 26th-NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 27th-NO SCHOOL

Thursday, November 5, 2015

3rd Grade News

11-5-15

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

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 9th-November 13th, third grade will be taking the Unit 2 test. Students will be taking the "Reading and Analyzing" and "Revising and Editing" sections of the test.   The class will not be moving ahead in the reading series.  There will be no spelling next week. Third grade will also begin a Thanksgiving writing unit.

Math

Students in third grade have been learning about bar graphs.  Students have read, interpreted, and created bar graphs.  The class took a survey of the entire school.  Students collected data on a tally table and used the results to create a bar graph.

Science

This past week students took a test over animals.  Overall the students did a wonderful job on the test.  The next unit of study will be ecosystems.

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 Friday, November 13th.

Important Dates

Friday, November 6th-NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, November 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Friday, November 13th-Spirit Day

Wednesday, November 18th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Friday, November 2oth-End of the 1st Trimester

Tuesday, November 24th-Spirit Day

Wednesday, November 25th-3rd Grade Mass

Wednesday, November 25th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, November 26th-NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 27th-NO SCHOOL

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN

(ST. MALACHY STYLE)

3rd Grade 

Teachers

October 29, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-29-15

Math

Third grade continues to interpret and analyze data in tables and graphs.  Students have read and made picture graphs.

Please continue to work on those basic addition and subtraction facts at home.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS

This week third grade read a realistic fiction story called "Kamishibai Man."  In this story an elderly Japanese man remembers how he used to ride his bicycle into town where her would tell stories 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 activities during the afternoon of Friday, October 30th.  The parade begins at 2:30 PM. Students may bring costumes to school to change into prior to the parade beginning.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Conferences at St. Malachy are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3rd from 3:20-5:00 PM and Thursday, November 5th from 1:00-5:00 PM and 6:00-9:30 PM.  There is no school on Friday, November 6th.  I still have a few parents that need to sign up for a conference time. Click on the link http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044dacac2da5f94-mrs or call Sarah in the office.

READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The November reading calendar has been included in the take home folder.  The goal is 400 minutes total.

Signed October calendars will be accepted until Thursday, November 5th.  Certificates will be sent home in next week's take home folder.  Please make sure to total the number of minutes that your child read during the month.

DICTIONARIES

This past Wednesday the Creston Elk's Lodge presented each third grade with a dictionary. These are theirs to keep.  This is a great reference source for your child to keep and use. Thank you to the Elks for such a great gift.

IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, October 30th-Halloween Parade at 2:30 PM
Tuesday, November 3rd-Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:20 PM-5:00 PM)
Wednesday, November 4th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, November 5th-11:50 AM Dismissal
Thursday, November 5th-Parent/Teacher Conferences beginning at 1:00 PM
Friday, November 6th-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, September 13th-Spirit Day
Wednesday, November 18th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, October 22, 2015

3RD GRADE NEWS

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-22-15

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,

The chapter 1 test covering addition and subtraction strategies was sent home for parents to review and sign today.  Students were given tests back to correct and give 1/2 a point back if the got the correction right. As a class we are moving ahead to chapter 2.  We will continue to work on addition and subtraction throughout the year.  Future lessons will review addition and subtraction strategies. Any extra practice with addition, subtraction, and estimation that you can do at home will be beneficial to your child.  Also practicing the basic facts would be great as well.

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 acquire from its parents.  Students have also learned about camouflage and mimicry as ways an animal can protect itself.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, November 5th from 1:00-5:00 and 6:00-9:30. Since there are not enough time slots for twenty-three students I have added times for conferences with parents on Tuesday, November 3rd from 3:20-5:00 PM.  I am hoping I am able to accommodate all parents on these two days.  Please sign up by using the following link below.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044dacac2da5f94-mrs

HALLOWEEN

St. Malachy School will celebrate Halloween during the afternoon of Friday, October 30th.  The civics club has activities planned for the students.  Students can bring their costumes to school and will change before the parade.  The parade begins at 2:30 PM.  Parents are welcome to come watch.

IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, October 23rd-Spirit Day (Pay $1 to wear sweats)
Wednesday, October 28th-1 Hour Early Out
Friday, October 30th-Halloween Activities in the Afternoon
Tuesday, November 3rd-Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:20 PM-5:00 PM
Wednesday, November 4th-1 Hour Early Out
Thursday, November 5th-11:50 AM Dismissal (NO HOT LUNCH)
Thursday, November 5th-Parent/Teacher Conferences from 1:00-5:00 and 6:00-9:30 PM
Friday, November 6th-NO SCHOOL

.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-15-15

This past Monday I attended a training about incorporating a computer science curriculum into the classroom. On Mondays from 10:20-11:00 AM, third grade students will begin Code Studio.  Each course experience is a blend of "unplugged" activities as well as online learning. The skills students will be working on include creativity, collaboration, communication, persistence, and problem solving.  Skills the students will learning also correlate with common core standards.

SCIENCE

This week students have learned traits about amphibians, fish, and reptiles to add to what was previously learned about mammals and birds.  We are comparing the traits of each group.

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.  The benchmark assessments are more difficult than the weekly tests. Students have to read passage and answer questions pertaining to what was read. The purpose of the benchmark tests is to see if students are applying skills learned in class over the previous lessons.  The Benchmark Tests are divided into four subtests.  For this first time, I only had the students complete one of the tests.  This was was the Reading and Analyzing section. This test assesses vocabulary and comprehension. Specific vocabulary skills covered include antonyms, word families, context clues, dictionary, and prefixes. The comprehensions skills include story structure, compare/contrast, story message, conclusions, literal/non literal meanings, cause/effect, analyze illustrations, understand characters, and author's word choice.  These are skills that will be covered again in the year.  The hope is students get 25 or more correct on this section. The hope is the scores improve on future tests.  The Unit 2 Benchmark test will be in November after conferences. These results are yours to keep.

MATH

Students took the chapter 1 math test covering addition and subtraction strategies today.  After checking the tests, students will do corrections then tests will be sent home.  

Chapter 2 will focus on reading and analyzing graphs. 

BOOK ORDER  

A book order was sent home in last week's take home folder.  Book orders are due on Friday, October 16th. Please send the order form and cash/check back to school or submit the order online at www.scholastic.com.

IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, October 16th-Book Orders Due
Wednesday, October 21st-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 23rd-Spirit Day
Wednesday, October 28th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 30th-Halloween Activities and Parade
Wednesday, November 4th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, November 5th-Dismiss at 11:50 AM
Thursday, November 5th-Parent/Teacher Conferences 1:00-9:30 PM
Friday, November 6th-NO SCHOOL

Thursday, October 8, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-8-15

Spaghetti Supper and Carnival

The St. Malachy PTO Spaghetti Supper and Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, October 10th.  Supper is served from 5:00-7:00 PM.  The carnival runs from 5:30-7:00 PM.  All families are asked to bring one dessert. The desserts will be divided among the supper and the cake walk.  There are two raffles.  One is a 50/50 raffle.  The other is for a 35lb meat bundle from Weaver Meats in Afton. Volunteers are still needed.  Let the PTO know if you can help in anyway. This is a great family event that benefits the St. Malachy School PTO and therefore benefits St. Malachy School.

Professional Workshop

I will be absent from school on Monday, October 12th, to attend a Code Studio workshop. The substitute will be Miss Shelley Carter.

Music

In last week's take home folder there was a note from Mrs. Mullin about needing to bring $5 to school to cover the cost of a recorder.  If you have not yet sent the money to school with your child, please do so. 

Math

Students have been working on subtraction with regrouping.  We have also subtracted using place value.  Students continue to work on estimation while solving subtraction problems. 

The math textbook book is divided into multiple lessons.  As a class we work through the lessons and problem together.  Students get exposure to different strategies.  After practicing the skill students complete a worksheet on their own to apply the skills learned. Students also correct problems that they miss. I am looking to see that the students can do the problems correctly, and if they miss a problem they can go back and find their mistake. There maybe some worksheets students miss more on than others.  Hopefully providing time to do corrections gives the student a better understanding of the concept.

As of right now, I have am hoping to have the Chapter 1 Math test on Thursday, October 15th.   Students will complete a review that covers concepts learned.  A practice page will also be sent home next week for extra review.

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 long and short vowel words with VCV pattern (camel, president, shiver). The grammar skill focused on verbs (action and being).

This past week students have been taking the Unit 1 Benchmark test.  Students read a passage then answer vocabulary and comprehension questions.  The questions cover skills and concepts covered in Unit 1 (the first five stories). Please look for the results in next week's take home folder.  

October 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 9th-Spirit Day (Pay $1 to wear sweats)

Saturday, October 10-Spaghetti Supper and Carnival

Monday, October 12-Mrs.Burg at Professional Development (Substitute)

Wednesday, October 14th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, October 21st-Back to The Future Day (More info will be sent home)

Wednesday, October 21st-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Wednesday, October 28th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, October 1, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-1-15

3rd grade is excited to have a new student in the classroom.  Charles Rudolf joined our class this past Monday. Charles has a  younger brother, Matthew, in second grade here at St. Malachy.  He is nine years old and lives in Casey, IA.  Welcome to St. Malachy, Charles!

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 vocabulary skill focused on the prefix mis-.

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.  This test is more difficult than the weekly tests.  These students see whether students are applying the skills they have learned.

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. 

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.

Prayer Service

Third grade will be leading a prayer service on Wednesday, October 7th. Father Halbur is out of town that day.  Parts have been sent home in the take home folder.  Half the class will participate in this prayer serrvice and the rest of the class will be in the next mass on November 25th. If your child does not have a part in this prayer service, he/she will have a part in the next one.  If your child has a speaking part, please practice the part with your child at home.  All the extra practice helps.

Reading Incentive Program

An October calendar to record minutes read each day has been included in the take home folder. Please record the number of minutes read at home each day.  The goal for the month is 400 total minutes.  At the end of the month, please return the calendar to school.  The calendar needs a parent's signature.  If the goal is met, please circle the reward your child wants.

Spaghetti Supper

There is information in the take home folder pertaining to the spaghetti supper.  Also please refer to this website to donate food items.  https://stmalachy.bringit.bz/public/6eaf51

Important Dates

Friday, October 2nd-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)
Wednesday, October 7th-3rd Grade Prayer Service at 9:15 AM
Wednesday, October 7th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 9th-Spirit Day (Pay $1 to wear sweat pants)
Saturday, October 10th-Spaghetti Supper
Wednesday, October 14th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, October 21st-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, September 24, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

9-24-15

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

Students took a test covering plants this past week.  Overall I was impressed with how well the students did.  Tests will be sent home for parents to review and sign.  The next chapter third grade will cover will be animals.

Reading Incentive Program

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are going to be participating in a reading incentive program for the months of October through December.  The goal of the program is to get students reading at home and develop lifelong readers. Each month a calendar will be sent home with the students.  Keep track of the numbers of minutes read each day.  This can include what the child reads individually and the reading parents and students do together. At the end of the month, please calculate the number of minutes read, sign, and return the calendar to school.  The goal in third grade for the months of October, November, and December is 400 total minutes for the month.  The goal will increase in January, February, and March.  If your child meets the goal he or she can choose a gift certificate from Pizza Hut for a free personal pan pizza or a gift certificate from Pizza Ranch for a free mini single topping pizza.  You will see a spot on each calendar to circle the option your child would like to have.  The certificate your child receives can change from month to month if they would like.  Certificates will be sent home in take home folders. Please return the calendar each month even if your child does not make the goal for the month.  I will let the students know the total minutes read in third grade for each month.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the reading program.  The October calendar will come home in next week's take home folder.  Happy reading!

Homecoming Parade

Parents and students are needed to ride on the Homecoming float for the parade on Friday, September 25th.  Please let me know if would be of interest to you or your child. More information will be sent home in Thursday's take home folder.  You will need to meet at 1:45 PM at the destination to be named later.  Once the parade is over the pick up will be at Holy Spirit Church.

Important Dates
Friday, September 25th-Spirit Day (Pay $1 to wear sweats)
Friday, September 25th-2 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, September 30th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 2nd-NO SCHOOL (Professional Development)
Wednesday, October 7th-3rd Grade Mass
Wednesday, October 7th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Friday, October 9th-Spirit Day
Saturday, October 10th-PTO Spaghetti Supper

Thursday, September 17, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

9-17-15

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 comprehension skill focused on analyzing the characters.  The vocabulary strategy covered antonyms. 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.  The students are reminded of this after each pretest.

Math

Third grade continues to work on using addition properties 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. An example of this is 345+414=(300+40+5) + (400+10+4)=759.

Please continue to work on the addition basic facts at home.  This will greatly helps students in the skills we are currently working on in class.

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 chlorophyll in the plant using the sun's energy to make sugars the plants need.  The by product of this process is oxygen.   

Third grade is preparing for their first science test.  In class students have completing the chapter review.  Once the chapter review is complete we will check together in class.  We will complete the study guide together.  A test covering plants will be next week.

Dress Code

Just a reminder to parents about the dress code. The dress code states that leggings may be worn as long as the bottom of the dress, skirt, or short extends to at least mid-thigh.  Please follow accordingly.

Highlights Magazine

In your child's take home folder this week is an order form for Highlights magazine.  You are under no obligation to buy.  Please fill out the order form either way.  The class receives free gifts with returned order forms filled out yes or no.  Please return by Wednesday, September 23rd.

Class Meeting

In next week's class meeting we are going to discuss the importance of our names.  In your child's take home folder is an interview form.  Your child needs to ask a parent at home these questions about how he/she got his/her name. The child needs to be the one writing the answers on the paper.  Students will share at our class meeting on Tuesday, September 21nd.  Please have your child complete and return the form by Monday, September 22nd.

Important Dates

Wednesday, September 23rd-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Friday, September 25th-Spirit Day

Friday, September 25th-2 Hour Early Dismissal

Wednesday, September 30th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Friday, October 2nd-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Wednesday, October 7th-3rd Grade Mass

Wednesday, October 7th-1 Hour Early Dismissal