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.