March 26, 2015

3RD GRADE  NEWS

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

3-26-15  

Welcome back from spring break!  I hope you and your family enjoyed the time off of school. My family and I went on vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for six days, then spent time in Ames, IA for my daughter's dance competition.  In addition, my family and I attended my cousin's wedding in Wall Lake, IA.  To say we were busy is an understatement!  
The last two months of school will be plenty busy.  Please keep checking the assignment book for homework due.

MATH

Third grade is finishing up with Chapter 7.  The test will be on Monday, March 30th.  An extra practice sheet was sent home with the students on today.  The next chapter will focus on fractions.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS

This week third grade is reading a realistic fiction story entitled "Dog of the Sea Waves."  This story is about the friendship that develops after a young man saves a seal from dying.  The comprehension skill covered author's purpose.  The vocabulary strategy focused on shades of meaning of words and phrases.  The grammar skill covered complex sentences.  Students learned about independent clauses, dependent clauses, and subordinating conjunctions.  The phonics skill covered the prefixes of bi-, re-, un-, and pre-.

SCIENCE

Students are learning about matter in science.  The class has learned about three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas).  Students have learned about atoms and how they are connected in each state of matter.  The class has also learned about mass and volume.

NIGERIAN SEMINARY PROJECT

St. Malachy School continues to raise funds for this project.  Students may bring quarters on Friday, March 27th to wear a hat, have a water bottle, bring electronics, and wear sweatpants. There will be another noisy change collection on Wednesday, April 1st.

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday, April 1st-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, April 2nd-Sedar Meal

Friday, April 3rd-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Wednesday, April 8th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Monday, April 13th-Friday, April 17th-Iowa Assessments

Wednesday, April 15th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Wednesday, April 22nd-3rd Grade Mass

Wednesday, April 22nd-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Wednesday, April 29th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

March 5, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

3-5-15

Science

Third grade is learning about matter.  Students have observed physical properties of matter.  In groups, students examined objects using their senses to identify physical properties.

Reading/Language Arts

This week's selection was a fantasy story called "The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman."  Uncle Ray, who lives in South Carolina, is unable to visit his niece Tameka, who lives in California.  He makes a wooden figure and send it on the journey.  This story is told through letters written by Uncle Ray, Tameka, and those who take Oliver along his journey.  The comprehension skill covered sequence of events.  The vocabulary strategy covered the suffixes of -er and -est.  The grammar skill covered possessive nouns. The phonic skill covered the suffixes of -er, -ly, ous, and -ful.

Lesson 22 weekly assessment results have been included in the take home folder.

Math

Third graders continue to learn the basic division facts.  The class has covered the dividends of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10.  Please practice the basic facts at home.

Book Order

A book order was sent home in last week's take home folder.  Orders are due by Friday, March 6th.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 12th. A current copy of the schedule has been included in the take home folder.  If your name is not listed, please call Sarah in the office at 782-7125 to schedule a time.  If you are unable to come on March 12th, please notify me so we can set up another time to meet. Progress reports from the second trimester are available for viewing online.  Please look them over so we can discuss any questions you might have at conferences. There is no school on Friday, March 13th. Spring break is from Monday, March 16th-Friday, March 20th. School resumes on Monday, March 23rd.

St. Malachy Foundation Gala

The foundation gala was a success.  Thank you to everyone who helped and contributed to the third grade items.  I thought the basket and the silent auction item turned out great!  The Bed and Breakfast basket was purchased by Kelsey Bailey.  The FAITH class picture was bought by Bob Walter.

Upcoming Dates

Friday, March 6th-Book Order Due

Wednesday, March 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, March 12th-Parent/Teacher Conferences

Friday, March 13th-NO SCHOOL

Monday, March 16th-Friday, March 20th-Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

Wednesday, March 25th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

2-26-15

3rd Grade News

2-26-15

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

MATH

The students continue to work with division in math.  Overall I was pleased with the students' scores on the Chapter 6 Test.  Chapter 7 will focus on the basic facts.  Please practice these at home.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS

This week's reading selection "The Journey-Stories of Migration" is an informational text about locusts and whales migrating.  The comprehension skill focused on compare and contrast.  The vocabulary strategy covered word roots.   In grammar students reviewed adjectives and adverbs that compare.  The phonics skill covered words that have spelling changes when ending with -s, -es, -ed, and -ing.

The results from the Unit 21 weekly assessment are included in the take home folder.

SCIENCE

Students took a test today over the solar system.  The next unit will focus on matter.

ST. MALACHY FOUNDATION GALA

The St. Malachy Foundation Gala will take place on Saturday, February 28th at the Supertel.  The doors open at 5:00 pm.  Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM.  The auction begins at 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased from Sarah in the office for $30.00. 

Thank you to all the third grade parents who donated, organized, and created the auction items.  Your help and generosity are greatly appreciated.  The money raised at this event benefits St. Malachy students.  I am unable to attend this year.  My family and I will be in Grinnell at my son's basketball tournament.

NIGERIA FUNDRAISER

The Des Moines Diocese and St. Malachy School is committed to raising funds for Nigeria.  Third grade students can pay a quarter for each "fun" thing they want to participate in which includes wearing sweatpants, wearing a hat, having a water bottle, and bringing an electronic device. Dates for these activities include February 26th and 27th and March 5th, 6th, 26th, and 27th.  In addition there will be two noisy can collections at Mass on March 25th and April 1st.

BOOK ORDER

In your child's take home folder is a book order for March.  Please send the order back to school with your child with cash or check or order online by credit card at www.scholastic.com.  All orders are due by Friday, March 6th.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 12th, from 1:00-5:00 PM and 6:00-9:30 PM.  Please check the school's website to check on your scheduled time.  There are a few families that are not on the schedule.  Please contact Sarah in the office for a date on the 12th.  If you are unable to attend the March 12th, please contact me so we can set up another time.  I did send out an email to those families not on the schedule. 

Dismissal on this day is at 11:50 AM.  No lunch will be served at school. There is no school on Friday, March 13th. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday, March 4th-3 Hour Early Dismissal

Friday, March 6th-Book Orders Due

Wednesday, March 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal 

Thursday, March 12th-Parent/Teacher Conferences

Friday, March 13th-NO SCHOOL

Monday, March 16th-Friday, March 20th-Spring Break

Wednesday, March 25th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

2-19-15

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

2-19-15

MATH

Third grade is ready for the Chapter 6 division that covers the process of division.  The test will be on Friday, February 20th.  A review sheet was sent home earlier in the week.  Chapter 7 will focus on learning the division facts.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS

Students read the historical fiction selection entitled "Sarah, Plain and Tall" this week.  The comprehension skill focused on analyzing the story structure (setting, characters, and plot). Students also worked on point of view that the story was being told. The vocubulary strategy covered the prefix non-.  Students worked with base words that end with -ed and -ing in phonics.  The class continued to work on adverbs in grammar.

The take home folder includes the results of the Unit 4 Benchmark Test.  The previous test scores are also included for parents to review and compare.  These benchmark tests are more difficult than the weekly assessments, but are testing concepts and skills learned throughout the previous weeks.

SCIENCE

Students continued to learn about the moon.  In class each student was able to make a model of the four main phases (new moon, first quarter, full moon, and third quarter) by using Oreos to represent the moon.  Students seemed to really enjoy this activity, especially since they go to eat the cookies as well.  Here is a picture showing one of the student's models.

ST. MALACHY FOUNDATION DINNER AND AUCTION

The annual St. Malachy Foundation dinner and auction is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th.  The event is held at the Supertel. Doors open at 5:00 PM.  Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM.  The live auction begins at 7:00 PM.  Tickets can be purchased for $30 at the office.

Donations for the Bed and Breakfast basket are still be accepted.

LATE SLIPS

The late slip policy is being sent home with your child.  It is also a page on my blog if you need for future reference. Late slips start on Monday, February 23rd.

LENT

Ash Wednesday signified the beginning of Lent.  This past week Mrs. Sickels and the 4th grade class made everyone doughnuts for Fat Tuesday.  Students received ashes on Wednesday. Third grade did a wonderful job with the mass.  During religion class this week, students decided what they were going to give up or do for their Lenten promise.  Throughout this time, Lenten Angels will be get together.  At some point students will be doing the Stations of the Cross and Reconciliation.  Another aspect of Lent it giving to others.  The Diocese of Des Moines and St. Malachy School are once again participating in raising funds for the Nigeria Project.  There will be a couple noisy can collections during masses.  There will also be some "fun" days for students to pay for participation. Options for third grade include paying 25 cents to wear sweatpants, wear a hat, have a water bottle, and bring electronic devices. Dates for these days include February 26th and 27th, and March 5th, 6th, 26th, and 27th.  Please look for note in the take home folder.

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday, February 18th-End of 2nd Trimester

Monday, February 23rd-Late Slips Begin

Wednesday, February 25th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Wednesday, March 4th-3 Hour Early Dismissal

Wednesday, March 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, March 12th-11:50 AM Dismissal

Thursday, March 12th-Parent/Teacher Conferences 1:00-9:30 PM

Friday, March 13th-NO SCHOOL

Monday, March 16th-Friday, March 20th-Spring Break

February 12, 2015

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

2-12-15

St. Malachy School will be in session on Wednesday, February 18th.  The public school will not be holding classes due to the wrestling state duals.  There will be no buses on this day.  Please plan accordingly.  If your child will not be at school this day, please let me know.

SCIENCE

Third grade has been learning about the phases of the moon and lunar and solar eclipses.

MATH

Third grade continues to learn about the process of division.  This week students related division to repeated subtraction.  Students also used a number line to show the repeated subtraction.  Students are learning to use arrays and multiplication to solve division problems. 

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS

Students took the Unit 4 Benchmark Test this week.  Please look for the results in next week's take home folder.

Third grade also worked on poetry this week.  Many poems were read aloud.  The class examined the poems by looking at the number of stanzas, the number of lines, if the poem had rhyming or not, and the meaning of poems.  Students also wrote Valentine's Day poems.  You will be able to view your child's poem at conferences in March.

The results of Lesson 20 weekly assessment have been included in the take home folder.

The normal schedule for reading/language arts will resume next week.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Third grade is in charge of the Mass on Wednesday, February 18th.  Parts have been included in the take home folder.  If your child does not have a part in this mass, they will have a part in the next mass on April 22nd.  Please practice speaking parts at home with your child.  During religion class next week, students will decide what they are going to give up for Lent.

LATE SLIPS

The third trimester begins on Monday, February 23rd, which means late slips will be starting in third grade. Every time a student doesn’t not have an assignment (spelling packet, writing missed words, getting a test signed, etc) completed, he or she receives a late slip. The student must get the late slip signed and the homework completed and returned the next day.  If the homework is completed and the late slip is signed there is no other consequence.  If the late slip is not signed or the homework is not completed by the next day, the student will have to serve a detention.  On the sixth late slip received, the student gets an automatic detention. Anymore late slips are received after the sixth one also results in detention being served.  Parents will be notified when a detention is to be served.  Students receive late slips from Mrs. Sickels, Miss Surma, and me, so the six late slips allowed are per teacher.  I have talked with the third graders about the late slip policy.  The best way to avoid late slips is to just get homework completed on time!  Please continue to check assignment books to see what was done during the day, what still needs to be completed, and what needs to be signed.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the late slip policy.  My email is nburg@crestonstmalachy.org or by phone at school 782-7125.  By starting the late slip policy now, students know what to expect in the upper grades. Please take a few minutes to talk to your third grader about the late slip policy and what the consequences are for not getting work completed. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday, February 13th-NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)

Wednesday, February 18th-3rd Grade Mass

Wednesday, February 18th-1 Hour Early Dismisssal

Friday, February 20th-2nd Trimester Ends
Monday, February 23rd-3rd Trimester Begins

Wednesday, February 25th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, March 4th-3 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, March 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, March 12th-Dismiss at 11:50 AM
Parent/Teacher Conferrence 1:00-9:30 PM

                                                                               

2-5-15

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

2-5-15

Math

Chapter 6 focused on the process of division. Students have worked on the size of equal groups and the number of equal groups.

Reading/Language Arts

Students read "Life on the Ice" a nonfiction selection that focused on life on the North and South Pole.  The comprehension skill covered main idea and supporting details.  The vocabulary strategy used the dictionary/glossary.  In grammar students studied adverbs, words that describe verbs.  The phonics skill focused on compound words.

The results from Lesson 18 and 19 weekly assessments have been included in the take home folder.  Sorry that Unit 18 results didn't get included last week.  I was absent from school Thursday and Friday due to illness.

Next week students will be taking the Unit 4 Benchmark test. Since there is no school on Friday, February 13th, we will NOT move ahead in the reading series.  There will be NO spelling next week.  In addition to the testing, students will read and write poetry.

Science

Third grade continues to learn about the solar system. Students studied the Earth's rotation and revolution. The class also learned about the causes of the seasons.

Valentine's Day Party

The St. Malachy Valentine's Day party will be held during the afternoon of Thursday, February 12th.  There is no school on Friday, February 13th.  A class list was sent home last week. Valentines may be brought to school beginning on the 10th.  

St. Malachy Foundation Dinner and Auction

The date for the dinner and auction is Saturday, February 28th.  Donations are still be accepted for the Bed and Breakfast Basket.  Pictures of each student are wanted for the silent auction item.  Please get the pictures to Mrs. Lane by Friday, February 6th.

Imporant Dates

Wednesday, February 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Thursday, February 12th-Valentine's Day Party in the Afternoon

Friday, February 13th-NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, February 18th-3rd Grade Mass

Wednesday, February 18th-1 Hour Early Dismissal

Friday, February 20th-End of 2nd Trimester

1-29-15

3rd Grade News

nburg@crestonstmalachy.org

1-29-15

MATH

Chapters 6 and 7 will focus on division.  Chapter 6 will focus on the process of division.

SCIENCE

Third grade is learning about the solar system.  Students learned about the sun, eight planets, comets, and asteroids.  Students have learned that the planets are divided into two groups, the inner planets and outer planets.  In Library class, students are researching a planet to later share information with the class.  

READING/LANGUUAGE ARTS

This week students are reading the play "Two Bear Cubs" in which a mother bear is unable to find her two bear cubs.  An unlikely hero saves the day.  The comprehesion skill focused on story structure (setting, characters, and plot).  The vocabulary strategy covered prefixes pre-, re-, and bi-.  Students learned about irregular verbs in grammar.  The phonics skill focused on the vowel sounds in wood and spoon.

The results from the Lesson 18 weekly assessment have been included in the take home folder.  

AUCTION DONATIONS

Please remember to turn in your child's pictures (4 X 6 or smaller) for the silent auction item. We want every student represented on the project.  Any monetary donation for the  Bed and Breakfast Auction is greatly appreciated.  Please have these things to school by Friday, February 6th.

VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY

St. Malachy School will hold Valentine's Day parties during the afternoon of February 12th. There is no school on Friday, February 13th.  A class list has been included in the take home folder to use for addressing valentines.  Please if bringing valentines to school make sure to bring one for each child in the class.

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday, January 30th-Grandparents Mass at Holy Spirit Church at 1:30 PM

Wednesday, February 4th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, February 11th-1 Hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, February 12th-Valentine's Day Party in the PM
Friday, February 13th-NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, February 18th-3rd Grade Mass
Wednesday, February 18th-1 Hour Early Dismissal