12-17-20

Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

12-17-20

Math

The third grade class is learning about the multiplication factors of 2, 4, 5, and 10. In class, we discuss strategies for each factor. We also watch fun, educational videos for each factor. Please continue to practice the facts at home.

XtraMath and Dreambox are great resources to use over break.  Directions to access both at home have been included in the take home folder.

Reading/Language Arts

This week the third grade class read Yonder Mountain-A Cherokee Legend" by Robert Bushyhead. Chief Sky no longer lead the tribe. He is looking for a replacement. He tests three young men to see who will be the next chief.  The comprehension skill focused on compare and contrast. The grammar skill covered subject-verb agreement. Students also worked on contractions as the phonics skills. The vocabulary skill stressed homophones and homographs.

The lesson 12 weekly assessment results have been included in take folder.

Science

Students are learning about plant and animal adaptations. 

Christmas Party

St. Malachy School will celebrate Christmas on Tuesday, December 22nd. There will be some holiday activities in the room during the morning. Students will need a sack lunch and drink for lunch. From 11:45-12:15, students will lunch in the classroom. From 12:15-12:45, the school will sing Christmas carols. During the afternoon, third grade will have the sock exchange and enjoy a tasty treat.

Important Dates

Thursday, December 16th-Wear Red

Friday, December 17th-Wear Green

Monday, December 21st-Wear Holiday Spirit Wear

Tuesday, December 22nd-Wear Ugly Sweaters

Wednesday, December 23rd-Tuesday, January 5th-NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, January 6th-Classes Resume

Friday, January 8th-Spirit Day $1

12-10-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

12-10-20

Math

The third grade class will have a test over Chapter 3-Understanding Multiplication on Friday, December 12th. 

Reading/Language Arts

This week third grade is reading the trickster tale "Tops and Bottoms" by Janet Stevens. In this story, Hare tricks Bear when becoming business partners growing crops. Bear is left each time with the leftovers from the crop. Bear eventually learns his lesson and plants and harvests his own land. The comprehension skill covered theme. Students also worked on idioms at the vocabulary skill.  The grammar skill worked on quotations. Homophones was covered as the phonics skill.

The lesson 11 weekly assessment results have been included in the take home folder.

Science

The third grade students have started a unit on life science studying plants and animals. The class has discussed how the environment might effect traits of the organisms.

Music Program

Filming for the music program will take place on Tuesday, December 15th. The students need to wear their mass clothes on this day. Filming will take place at St. Malachy School.

3rd Grade Mass

Third grade will lead them mass on Wednesday, December 16th. Those students that didn't have a part in the first mass will have a part in this mass. Speaking parts have been included in the the take home folder. Please practice speaking parts at home. Weekly masses can be viewed online each week.

Secret Sock Exchange

During the class Christmas party on Tuesday, December 22nd, the third grade class will have having a secret sock exchange. Each third grade student can bring in a new pair of wrapped child sized holiday themed socks suitable for a boy or girl. Socks should cost $5 or less. We will play a fun game to exchange the Christmas themed socks. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

Important Dates

Wednesday, December 16th-3rd Grade Mass

Friday, December 18th-Spirit Day ($1)

Tuesday, December 22nd-Class Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 23rd-Tuesday, January 5th-Christmas Break

Wednesday, January 6th-Classes Resume

12-4-20

 3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

12-3-20

Science

The next unit in science will cover what living things. Students will learn about their needs, adaptations, and how they survive.

Math

Students continue to work on learning the process of multiplication. Students are learning about making arrays.

Reading/Language Arts

Third grade students read the informational text "Technology Wins the Game" by Mark Andrews. Students learned how sports have changed due to technology changes in equipment, surfaces, shoes,and clothing. The comprehension skill covered sequencing. Students also worked on the -oi and -oy sound as the phonics skill. The vocabulary focused on suffixes( -less, -ful, and -ous). Students also worked on plural nouns as the grammar skill.

The results of the lesson 10 weekly assessment and Unit 2 Benchmark test have been included in take home folder.

Mass

Mass will be celebrated next week on Tuesday, December 9th with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Students will need to dress in mass attire. There will be no mass then on Wednesday, December 10th.

Important Dates

Friday, December 4th-Spirit Day ($1)

Tuesday, December 9th-Mass (Feast of Immaculate Conception)

Wednesday, December 16th-3rd Grade Lead the Mass

Friday, December 18th-Spirit Day ($1)

Tuesday, December 22nd-Class Christmas Party

11-19-20

Burg's Buzz 

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

11-19-20

Reading/Language Arts

This week third grade is reading the biography "Young Thomas Jeffereson" by Michael Dooling. Students learn about Edison's life as a young boy struggling in school to his early years as a scientist to The comprehension skill focused on main ideas and supporting details. The vocabulary skill covered shades of meaning in words . Students worked on subject and object pronouns as the grammar skill. The phonics skill focused on the words containing -al, -au, o, and    .

The results of the lesson 8 and 9 weekly assessments have been included in the take home folder.

Next week (November 23rd and 24th) third grade will be taking the Unit 2 Benchmark test

Science

Third grade has been learning about the pattern of motion. Students will have a test after returning from Thanksgiving break.

Math

Third grade has started multiplication. The third chapter will focus on the process.

Please continue to work on the basic facts at home. We try and get fact fluency done everyday on XtraMath. This is a  program students can do at home as well. 

Christmas Program

Taping of the Christmas program will take place on Monday, November 23rd. Students are asked to wear their Sunday best (mass attire). If the weather is nice, the class will be walking to Holy Spirit Church around 9:45 AM.

Important Dates

Monday, November 23rd-Videoing Christmas Program

Wednesday, November 25th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Thursday, Nov. 26th and Friday, Nov. 27th-NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Vacation)

Friday, December 4th-Spirit Day ($1)

11-12-20

 3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

11-12-20

Math

The third grade class will be having a test over chapter 2 "Interpreting and Analyzing Data" on Thursday, November 12th. A review sheet was sent home early this week. 

The next chapter will focus on multiplication.

Reading/Language Arts

This week the third class is reading the realistic fiction story "Kamaishibai Man" by Allen Say. The comprehension skill focused on cause and effect. Students identified concrete and abstract nouns as the grammar skill. The class worked on the vowel diphthongs (ow and ou) as the phonics skill.  The vocabulary skill covered dictionary skills.

Science

The class continues to study motion. Students have been learning how speed effects motion.

World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is Friday, November 13th. Students are asked to wear a cardigan, sweater, or zip up jacket like Mr. Rogers. I plan on showing the students a video about Mr. Rogers.

Third grade students will also be creating and mailing a kindness card to someone in their lives. Please make sure your child has the mailing address of who they choose to send the card.

Christmas Program

Taping of the Christmas program will take place on Monday, November 23rd. Students are asked to wear mass clothes to school on this day.

Important Dates

Friday, November 13th-Spirit Day ($1)

Friday, November 13th-End of 1st Trimester

Thursday, November 18th-PTO Meeting 6 PM

Monday, November 23rd-Taping the Christmas Program

Wednesday, November 25th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Thursday, November 26th-NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Vacation)

Friday, November 27th-NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Vacation)

Friday, December 4th-Spirit Day ($1)

11-5-20

 3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

11-5-20

Science

The third grade class is now learning about motion. Students have learned about position. Students have also learned about frame of reference.

Reading/Language Art

This week third grade is reading a folktale called The Harvest Birds by Blanca Lopez de Mariscal. In this story, Juan's dream is to be a farmer. When his father dies, the land is split amongst his two older brothers. Juan decides to ask the richest man in town for land, and the man laughs at him. Next, Juan ask the oldest man in town for land to farm. This man agrees, but offers a stipulation. Juan along with the zanate birds have a bountiful harvest to everyone's surprise. The old man gives Juan the land for future farming. Students worked on drawing conclusions as the comprehension skill. The phonics skill covered silent letters (wr-, kn-, and -tch). The grammar skill focused on using commas in sentences. The class also worked on context clues as the vocabulary skill.

Math

Third grade continues to work on analyzing and interpreting data. Students have worked with picture graphs, bar graphs, and line plots.

Reading Incentive Program

The results are in for the month of October. Nine third grade students met the goal of reading 400 minutes. Congratulations to the following students Karsi, Brock, Hayden, Vada, Kalvin, Kylin, Kinsely, Sam, Indie, and Breckyn for meeting the reading goal. The class read for a total of 5,034 minutes during the month of October. Congratulations to Brock for being the student that read the most minutes with 660 total.

November calendars were sent home in last week's take home folder. Also the PTO is having a Read-A-Thon to fund raise money for the school. This program run through Friday, November 13th. Students may count minutes read for both programs.

Important Dates

Wednesday, November 11th-3rd Grade Attends Live Mass

Friday, November 13th-Spirit Day ($1)

Thursday, November 12th-PTO Meeting 6 PM

Wednesday, November 25th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Thursday, November 26th-Friday, November 26th-NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)

10-22-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-22-20

Math

Chapter 2 in math focuses on analyzing and interpreting data. Students will be introduced to a variety of graphs and tables.  Students have worked with a tally table and a frequency table. Students have also interpreted data on a picture graph.

Science

The third grade class has reached the end of the unit on force. Students will be reviewing for a test over the next couple of days. A study guide will be sent home next week.

Reading/Language Arts

This week third grade is reading "What Do Illustrators Do?" by Eileen Christelow. Students learned the steps illustrators go through when designing the pages of a book. The comprehension skill covered text and graphic features. Students identified synonyms as the vocabulary strategy. The grammar skill focused on present, past, and future tense. Students worked with three letter clusters (spr-, str-, scr-, and thr-) as the phonics skill.

The lesson 6 weekly assessment results have been included in the take home folder.

FAST Assessment

The results of the FAST assessment testing have been included in the take home folder. Notes are also being sent home with student who will receive interventions either with Mrs. Mitchell or myself. Students will be assessed again in the winter and the spring to see growth.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/teacher conferences in third grade will take place on Tuesday, October 27th from 3:30-5:30 PM and Thursday, October 29th from 1-5 and 6:00-9:30 PM. Each conference will last 12 minutes to allow time to clean in between each one. One parent is allowed to come to the conference and no students. Teachers will take each parent's temperature before the conference. Masks are required. For those requesting a virtual conference, I will send out the link at the beginning of next week.  

School dismisses 3 hours early (12:10 PM) on Thursday, October 29th due to conferences. No lunch will be served. There is no school on Friday, October 30th.

Halloween Parade

The annual Halloween parade is still happening! Students can bring their costumes to school on Wednesday, October 28th. This year the parade will be shown online. Students will change into their costumes in the afternoon. Online viewing will begin at   

Important Dates

Friday, October 23rd-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Tuesday, October 27th-Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30-5:30 PM

Wednesday, October 28th-Halloween Parade 

Thursday, October 29th-3 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, October 29th-Parent/Teacher Conferences 1:00-5:00 and 6:00-9:30 PM

Friday, October 30th-NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 13th-Spirit Day $1

Friday, November 13th-End of the 1st Trimester

10-15-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-15-20

Reading/Language Arts

This week third grade is reading the narrative nonfiction story called "Bat Loves the Night" by Nicola Davies. In this story, students follow Bat through her night of leaving the barn, find a moth to eat, returning home, and snuggling with her baby in the barn when the daylight shines through the sky. The comprehension skill covered sequencing. Students worked on the suffixes of -ible and -able as the vocabulary strategy. The phonics skill focused on dividing words with VCV (vowel, consonant, vowel pattern). In grammar students worked on verbs.

The results of the Unit 1 Benchmark Assessment have been included in the take home folder. Students completed two different tests within this assessment. All of the questions are multiple choice. In the Reading and Analyzing section, students read fiction and nonfiction passages and had to answer vocabulary and comprehension questions. The questions covered the skills that the first five stories had covered such as story structure, compare/contrast, context clues, and word families to name a few. In the Revising and Editing sections, students are looking for ways to make changes in the way sentence are written. This includes grammar skills like common/proper nouns, simple sentences, and compound sentences.

Science

Third grade students have learning about the force of magnets. Students have learned magnets attract and repel. The class has also learned that each magnet has a north and south pole.

Math

This week the third grade class was tested over the skills covered in chapter 1 such as estimation, addition strategies, and subtraction strategies.

Chapter 2 will focus on interpreting and analyzing data. Please continue to practice addition and subtraction facts at home.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences for fall are set up for Tuesday, October 26th from 3:30-5:30 PM and Thursday, October 29th from 1:00-5:30 pm and 6:00-9:30 PM. A link to sign up for a third grade conference was emailed to you earlier this week. Here is the link for those who still need to sign up for a conference.  Parent/Teacher Fall Conferences

Parents should have also received an email from Mrs. Simmons outlining the guidelines for parent/teacher conferences this time around.

● Conferences will last 12 minutes - this allows for time to clean between each visit. 

● 1 Parent/guardian may attend (we recommend the other parents/guardians attend via

Facetime or speaker phone call). 

● Teachers will take the temperature of the parent/guardian in attendance.

● Masks are required.

● To reduce exposure we ask that parents/guardians use the door nearest your

child’s classroom door.

● We ask that children to not attend.

● We will have the Book Fair in the gym on Thursday from 1-9:30. We ask parents to social distance and sanitize their hands before shopping. 

Google Meet Conference - If you would like to attend virtually. Please let the teacher know when you sign up for your conference. 

Important Dates

Friday, October 16th-Spirit Day $1

Friday, October 23rd-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Tuesday, October 27th-Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:30-5:30 PM)

Wednesday, October 28th-Halloween Activities in the Afternoon

Thursday, October 29th-Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:00-5:00 pm and 6:00-9:30 pm)

Friday, October 30th-NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 13th-End of the 1st Trimester

10-8-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-8-20

Science

The class continues to learn about forces. Students have learned about friction and gravity. 

Math

The class has been working on subtraction strategies. This involves regrouping. Please practice this skill at home with with your child for extra practice. Students will be taking the chapter 1 test over addition and subtraction strategies on Tuesday, October 13th. A review page will be sent home with the students this Friday. It does not need returned to school.

Reading/Language Arts

This week was spent taking the Unit 1 Benchmark Assessment. Please look for the results in next week's take home folder.   

Students also began writing Halloween personal narratives. The class has worked through the process of brainstorming and prewriting, writing the rough draft, and revising and editing. Published work will be done next week.

Important Dates

Friday, October 9th-Spirit Day $1

Wednesday, October 14th-3rd Grade Leads the Mass

Thursday, October 15th-PTO Zoom Meeting 6 PM

Friday, October 16th-Spirit Day $1

Friday, September 23rd-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Wednesday, October 28th-Halloween Activities in the Afternoon

Thursday, October 29th-Parent/Teacher Conferences

Friday, October 30th-NO SCHOOL

10-01-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

10-01-20

Reading/Language Arts

This week students are reading the biography "Roberto Clemente-Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates" by Jonah Winter. Students learned about the life of the baseball player. The comprehension skill covered cause and effect. Students identified singular and plural nouns as the grammar skill. The vocabulary skill focused on the prefix of mis-. The phonics skill worked on long i words.

The lesson 4 weekly assessments have been included in the take home folder. During the week of October 5th-9th, third grade students will be taking the Unit 1 Benchmark test. Students will be assessed on the vocabulary, comprehension, phonics, and grammar skills covered during the first unit of stories. Due to this testing third grade will not be moving ahead in the reading series. In addition to the benchmark testing, students will work on writing skills.

Science

Third graders continue to learn about force. Students have learned the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces. The third grade class has also learned about friction.

Math

The third grade has has started working on subtracting this week. Students have estimated sums and used mental math to solve subtraction problems. Please work on the basic addition and subtraction facts at home. Students shouldn't always be relying on their fingers to add and subtract. During class, we discuss strategies for solving problems.

Homecoming

Creston Schools is celebrating Homecoming on Friday, October 2nd. Students are encourage to wear their Panther gear (red/black). Students can pay $1 to wear sweats to school at St. Malachy. School will dismiss 3 hours early, so students can attend a pep rally and queen coronation at 1:30 PM at the football field. Masks are required to attend the event. Please note that no lunch will be served on this day due to the early dismissal.

Reading Incentive Program

A note has been included in the take home folder explaining the reading incentive program. An October calendar was also included in the take home folder. Please keep track of minutes read during the month and record on the calendar. The goal for October, November, and December is 400 minutes each month. If students meet the goal and return the calendar, they will receive a certificate to Pizza Ranch. The student that read the most each month will also get a prize. There will also be rewards at the end of the six months for students who reach the goal in each of the six months and the two students who read the most minutes total over the course of the program.

Book Order

An October book order has been emailed to parents. Please feel free to browse the online selections. The book order is due by Friday, October 9th.

Important Dates

Friday, October 2nd-Spirit Day $1 (Homecoming)

Friday, October 2nd-3 Hour Early Dismissal

Wednesday, October 7th-NO MASS

Friday, October 9th-Spirit Day $1

Wednesday, October 14th-3rd Grade Leads the Mass

Thursday, October 15th-PTO Meeting

Friday, October 16th-Spirit Day $1

9-24-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

9/24/20

Math

Third graders continue to work on addition strategies. This week students used place value to add numbers. Students broke apart numbers in standard form and wrote in expanded form (349=300+40+9). 

Science

The class continues to learn about force. Students have been learning about simple machines.

Reading/Language Arts

This week third grade the historical fiction story "Pop's Bridge" written by Eve Bunting. In the story, two boys, Robert and Charlie, watch their work on the building of the Golden Gate Bridge. Robert is convinced his dad has the most important job on the crew until one day there is an accident. He then realizes all of the jobs are important to the completion of the bridge. The comprehension skill focused on comparing and contrasting characters. Students identified common and proper nouns as the grammar skill. The phonics skill covered words with the long o sound, and the vocabulary skill focused on word families. Students had to identify base words to help with the understanding of the word.

The results of the lesson 3 weekly assessment have been included in the take home folder.

Homecoming

Friday, October 2nd is Creston High School's Homecoming. This is a $1 Spirit Day at St. Malachy School. Students are encouraged to wear their Panther gear/red and black to school. School will be dismissed 3 hours early. There is no parade this year. Coronation and a pep rally will take place at 1:30 PM at the football field.  Masks are required.

Important Dates

Friday, September 25th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Friday, October 2nd-Homecoming Spirit Day ($1)

Friday, October 2nd-3 Hour Early Dismissal (Homecoming)

Wednesday, October 7th-3rd Grade Leads Mass

Friday, October 9th-Spirit Day ($1)

Thursday, October 16th-PTO Meeting

Friday, October 16th-Spirit Day ($1)

9-17-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

9-17-20

Reading/Language Arts

This week the third grade students are reading the realistic fiction story "Destiny's Gift" by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley. In this story, Mrs. Wade, a bookstore owner, has a special relationship with Destiny. When Destiny learns the bookstore may have to close because Mrs. Wade cannot pay the higher rent, she gets the community to help spread the word to let others know of the situation. Destiny also gives Mrs. Wade a special gift to show her appreciation of their friendship. The comprehension skill focused on understanding characters. Students also learned about simple and compound sentences as the grammar skill. The phonics skill covered the vowel pairs of -ay, ai, ea, and ee. Students also worked on antonyms as the vocabulary skill.

The lesson 2 weekly assessment scores have been included in the take home folder for parents to view. I have been discussing with the third grade students the importance of paying attention during the week because all of the skills we cover will be on the weekly assessment. We have also discussed taking our time on the assessments and reading each question carefully.

Science

The next topic the third grade is going to cover is force. Students will learn about balanced and unbalanced forces.

Math

Students have been practicing solving addition problems using multiple strategies such as using a number line, using compatible numbers, and using friendly numbers to add. Students have been introduced to the Commutative Property (4+3=7 and 3+4=7), the Identity Property (3+0=3), and the Associative Property (16 + 7) + 23= 16 + (7 +23).

Please continue to practice the basic facts (addition and subtraction) at home. Any additional practice would be beneficial.

Important Dates

Thursday, September 17th-PTO Meeting 6 PM (a link was sent out to join)

Friday, September 25th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Friday, October 2nd-Spirit Day (Homecoming $1)

Wednesday, October 7th-3rd Grade Leads the Mass

  

9-10-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

9-10-20

Science

Student continue to learn about engineers go about solving problems. We have learned about researching problems, testing solutions, and looking for how solutions might fail.

Math

Third grade students are working on estimating sums in math. Students continued to work on rounding to the nearest 10 and 100.

                                                                   Reading/Language Arts

This week students read the fantasy story "The Trial of Cardigan Jones" by Tim Egan. In this story, students read about a moose accused of stealing a pie from a pig.  The moose is put on trial to determine his guilt or innocence. The judge listens to all the facts before deciding the fate of the moose. The comprehension skill focused on this week was drawing conclusions. Students learned about using a dictionary as the vocabulary strategy. The phonics skill covered long vowel words that end in silent e (VCe pattern). Students learned about four types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory) as the grammar skill.

Included in this week's take home folder is the Lesson 1 weekly reading assessment results. Each week students will be assessed over the vocabulary, comprehension, phonics, and grammar skill covered throughout the week. This test is taken online.  Adjustments in testing will be made due to the students' scores.

Class Meeting

During the next third grade class meeting (9/18/20), students will be discussing the importance of names. In order for each student to participate, students will interview a parent/family member about how they got their name. Included in the take home folder this week is "The History of My Name" family interview research form. Third grade students ask the questions and write the answers down on the paper.

Important Dates

Friday, September 11th-Iowa/Iowa State Spirit Day ($1)

Thursday, September 17th-PTO Meeting 6 PM

Friday, September 25th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development Day)

9-3-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

9-3-20

Math

This week third grade students are working on the skill of estimation. Students have been working on rounding to the nearest 10 and 100.

Reading/Language Arts

This week third grade read the story "A Fine, Fine School" by Sharon Creech. In this humorous story, the principal Mr. Keene thinks his school is so fine he makes them go to school on Saturdays, then Sundays, and then in the summer. No one wants to disappoint Mr. Keene so the students and teacher go along with his plan until Tillie tells the principal that the students are missing out on learning at home. Mr. Keene realizes that Tillie is correct, so school goes back to only during the week. The comprehension skill covered story structure (characters, setting, and plot). The phonics skill focused on short vowel works and separating words that follow the vowel, consonant, consonant, vowel pattern. Students worked on context clues as the vocabulary strategy. The grammar skill focused on locating complete subjects and predicates.

Science

Third grade students are learning about engineering in science. Students have learned how engineers define a problem. Third graders have also learned when engineers design a solution, there needs to be specific criteria that is met. Another part of the engineering process students learned about is identifying the constraints.

Mass

Third grade will attend mass in the gym next week. Here is a reminder about attire on mass days.

Mass Day/Holy Day - all day attire 

3A. Students are expected to dress up on Mass days. 

3B. Dress shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, turtlenecks, and dress slacks for boys. 

3C. Dresses, skirts, slacks, sweaters, turtlenecks, and blouses for girls. 

3D. Leggings may be worn as long as the bottom of the dress or skirt extends to at least mid-thigh

3E. No denim of any kind or color (includes skirts, shirts, pants, dresses, and jumpers) on Mass days. 

3F. No dress shorts, gauchos, Capri, crop pants, or split skirts on Mass days. 3G. No t-shirts, sweatshirts or athletic gear on Mass days.

Important Dates

Monday, September 7th-NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)

Wednesday, September 9th-Mass (3rd Grade Will Attend in Gym)

8-27-20

 Burg's Buzz

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

8-27-20

Welcome Back

Welcome back to St. Malachy School! I know my family functions better on a regular school schedule. We have been busy these few days learning new routines. The students are doing a pretty good job of wearing masks and sanitizing hands regularly.  I am enjoying getting to know the third grade students. Here are some pictures from the first day of school.

Math

During these first few days students took the beginning of the year math test. This test covers each of the skills covered in third grade. Students will take an end of the year test in May to see their growth on these skills.

The first chapter in math will focus on addition and subtraction. Students will work on estimating, place value, and learn different about different properties.

Science

Students are learning about the roles of scientists.  Students learned what scientists do, how they use data, and why scientists are important? Students learned about how scientists use the inquiry process.

Reading/Language Arts

This week has been spent assessing students' skills. Students were give a comprehensive screening assessment that covered phonics, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

Next week third grade will dive into the reading textbooks. There will be a spelling pretest and post test and a weekly assessment over the story next week.

Important Dates

Friday, August 28th-Spirit Day ($1)

Thursday, September 3rd-Picture Day

Monday, September 7th-NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)

Friday, September 11th-Hawkeye/Cyclone Spirit Day ($1)

3rd Grade Classroom

 Bring on the students! Ready for the school year to begin.

5-21-20

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

5-21-20

Math

This week was spent reviewing skills. Students practiced addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Third graders also reviewed measurement and fractions.

Science

This week students studied scientists. Students learned about Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Isaac Newton.

Reading/Language Arts

The class finished Charlotte's Web. I enjoyed reading the last chapter aloud. The remaining reading assignments will be fun activities around Charlotte's Web.

School Work

Friday, May 22nd is the last day homework will be assigned. All work is due on Monday, May 25th. I have been emailing students and parents about late work that is due. There is an exception about work being due though, Science and religion assigned this week is due Tuesday, May 26th. Social Studies is due on Wednesday, May 27th. All other work is due this Monday.

Last Day of School Pick Up

Parents can pick up supplies still at school on Thursday, May 28th from 2:00-6:00 PM. Mrs. Simmons sent out a sign up for families. Here is link to sign up Last Day of School Pick Up. One time slot per family. Student items will be in sacks. Drop off devices if you borrow from the school. Please return library books if you have any at home. 

Summer Break

I hope everyone has a healthy and safe summer break. This summer I will be planning a graduation party for my daughter since we couldn't it have in May. Hopefully, I will be able to attend some of my son's golf tournaments. I also hope to take a professional development on mindfulness.

I am hoping to plan a "I Graduated Third Grade, Now On to Fourth Grade" get together for the class later in the summer. Look for an email from me at a later date.

5-14-20

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

5-14-20

Math

This week students have been learning about perimeter and area. Students have also been working on two step word problems.

Science

The class continues to learn about the integumentary system. Students continue to learn facts about hair, skin, and nails.

Reading/Language Arts

Students continue to read Charlotte's Web. Students have worked on using text evidence and compare/contrast. Students continue to work on writing. The class has also been working on subjects and predicates and using context clues.

Last Day of School

The last day of assignments will be given is Friday, May 22nd. The last day assignments will be accepted is Thursday, May 28th.  

5-7-20

3rd Grade News

5-7-20

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

Science

The class is learning about the integumentary system. This system includes hair, skin, and nails.

Math

Students worked on elapsed time. Students are also working on measuring length. Students are measuring to the nearest inch and nearest 1/2 inch. Students are also measuring in centimeters.

Dreambox is also being assigned. Students should make sure they are getting the necessary minutes in each week.

Reading/Language Arts

Third grade continues to read in Charlotte's Web. Comprehension strategies this week include main idea and compare/contrast. Students are also asked to write about different events in the story. I really want the students to be working on writing complete sentences using an uppercase letter at the beginning and punctuation at the end. Students continued to work on parts of speech.

Third graders are also in the process of writing an informational paragraph with their planet research. I will print off a copy of the final paper and print off. These will be included in the student's portfolios.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to each of the third grade moms. Each one of you deserves a special day. Thank you being great moms to your children.

4-30-20

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

4-30-20

Math

Third grade has a couple more concepts to cover until the end of the year. We will work on telling time, measurement, perimeter and area and problem solving using two operations. Students will continue to review fractions as well as the basic facts.

Reading/Language Arts

Third graders continue reading Charlotte's Web. I hope the students are enjoying this book as much as I do. Students will continue to complete comprehension strategies that go along with the chapters. We are going to review parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs).

Next week third grade students will begin writing an informational paragraph using the planet research information. I will send you example to follow. I also plan on taking it slow and talking about each step.

Science

Third grade has spent the last few weeks learning about matter. Students have learned about the states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases). The class has studied the properties of matter and physical and chemical changes.

Next week third grade will begin learning about taking care of our bodies. We will learn about the integumentary system (skin, hair, and nails).

End of the Year

The last day of assignments for students will be on Friday, May 22nd. The next week will be used for getting caught up and everything turned in.

Parents, thank you so much for all you are doing at home. I greatly appreciate students completing and turning in work. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on assignments.

4-23-20

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

4-23-20

Math

Third grade continues to learn about fractions. Students have worked on fractions of a whole and fractions on a number line. 

Science

This week's science lesson focused on the properties of matter. Some of those properties included density, solubility, and magnetism. 

Reading/Language Arts

Third grade students are continuing to read Charlotte's Web. Activities focus on comprehension strategies such as compare/contrast, inferences, and characterization.

Google Classroom

Please continue to check google classroom daily for assignments and announcements. My goal is to provide feedback or comment on each assignment given. Your child should get a private comment back on work done. There might be times when I have to return the assignment to be corrected. Since we are using this online work to do end of the year grading, please make sure the work gets redone and returned. 

There are sometimes when computers have issues. There are so many more people using the same applications that STM is using. Here are some recommendations if you are experiencing computer issues.

*Try a reboot (computers just need a reset once in awhile)

*Try closing the program and returning to it refreshed (sometimes stuff doesn't appear right away)

*Google is grumpy - There are so many more people using the internet, google classroom, see-saw, and other the programs we are using. They are still adjusting to the high rate of use and experience glitches from time to time

*Walk away - if something isn't working walk-away. It might work better later. Many people are working on the systems night and day to keep them running smoothly.

*Call for help - Your teachers and Mrs. Simmons are available to assist with anything you are frustrated with using. A quick email can get you working with the right person.

Please also take time for yourselves. I know the weather this week has been nice. Let your child take breaks and enjoy time outside. Thank you for all everyone is doing to help STM students learn at home. We are all doing our best to get through this together.

4-16-20

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

4-16-20

Math

Third grade is learning about fractions. Students have identified equal parts of a whole. This includes halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and eighths. Students have learned about fractions of a whole and been introduced to fraction terminology (numerator and denominator).

Reading/Language Arts

Third grade is reading Charlotte's Web. After reading chapters, students will be doing activities associated with vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Students have used text evidence to support their ideas. Another strategy used is by compare and contrast.

Science

Third grade is learning about matter. Students have learned have solids, liquids, and gases.

Drive Through Parade

The drive through parade scheduled for Thursday, April 16th has been moved to Monday, April 20th at 4:00 PM. The parade has been moved to the forecasted weather.

Google Hangouts

I will continue to have a google hangout meeting with the third graders on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM. Third graders can meet with Mrs. Sickels on Tuesdays at 11:00-11:30 AM. Miss Surma will meet with third graders on Tuesdays from 3:00-3:30 PM. The meeting with Miss Surma and Mrs. Sickels are not mandatory, but these are good times to get questions answered.

Drive Thru Teacher Parade

3-25-20

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

3-25-20

Dear Parents,

I hope this finds you all doing staying healthy and doing well.Please let me know if you have any questions about school work. I will continue to update parents through email and social media. Continue to check SeeSaw and Google Classroom for announcements and assignments. Also, continue to get on Dreambox and XtraMath. The parent hub is a great place to look for resources. Please check it out when you have time.

Parent Hub 

I appreciate everything that everyone is doing at home. Please take time to enjoy yourselves during this time. Students still need time to play with their toys and play outside. I know this can be a stressful time with many parents still working. Please let me know if there is anything I can to do help out.

Please take a few minutes to get your child enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Online Enrollment

Please use the link to sign up for financial aid.

CTO

Enrollment and CTO needs filled out by April 3rd.

Please share any pictures with me of your children doing school work or having fun that the school can share on their social media outlets.

I absolutely loved being able to see the students today. It filled my heart to see their faces and hear their voices. I love my job at St. Malachy School. The students and their families are truly the best!

I will schedule another Zoom meeting for early next week.

God Bless!