Happy Saint Lucy Day

Wow,

I was so proud of our class yesterday!  They did a perfect job and I could not be more proud of them!! They looked and acted their parts beautifully.  I hope that you all enjoyed.

Today we started are day honoring our elders, by delivering coffee and sweet rolls in the tradition of Swedish children on Saint Lucia Day!

A few things to remember:

Field Trip tomorrow - uniform required
Lunch Orders Due no later than Friday
Paper Product Missions Drive  Friday
Food Drive Monday
Game Basket for Catholic Schools Week


Thank you for your continued support through this very busy time of year.

Mrs. Bryant

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
12-12 to 12-16

I look forward to seeing all of you at our play today at
1:30 & 7:00!

Please have your child meet me in the 8th grade classroom no later than 6:45, in costume for this evening’s performance.

We will not have any Simple Solutions this week.

I am looking for volunteers to help on Tuesday
to assist us in making and delivering coffee and sweet rolls. 
We will bake and deliver from about 9 to 10.

Our Christmas Mass is on Friday.  
We will be collecting paper products and toiletries for the food bank.

On Monday students may have a free dress-down day for donating three food items. 

We will have our field trip to Magical Theater on Wednesday morning.


For December students will be required to take and pass one AR test,
on a chapter book.  These tests can be taken prior to break or the first days back after break.

This week in religion students will continue to learn about the Jesse tree and the Advent season.  Students will also celebrate St. Lucia Day by making and serving sweet rolls to the faculty and staff. 

In Math we be focused on multiplication.  Students will take a timed-test on Thursday.  Thirty minutes of IXL will be due on Friday.

This week is Spelling List #14.  All of the words are posted on Spelling City, and the test is on Friday.

In science we will be watching a three-part movie “A Home for Pearl”.  We will focus on habitats and the needs of animals.

In Social Studies we will still be using Rudolph to explore character traits.  Students will write rules for reindeer.  We will also create “diverse” reindeer and write a paragraph on why it is important to honor diversity.

In Language Arts we hope to finish the Christmas legends.  

May you have a very peace-filled week!

Play Update:

As we get ready to take you back in time to the year 1862, I have just a few reminders:

1.    Please remember dress rehearsal is on Thursday, December 8th.  Students may leave their costumes at school for Monday’s performance, and then will bring them home for the evening performance.
2.    Monday night students need to meet in the 8th grade classroom no later than 6:45. 
3.    If you child gets ill or will not make one or both performances, please contact me as soon as possible.  You can text or call my cell phone at 330-730-5882.
4.    Please….keep practicing those play parts with your child, I am hoping to have them all memorized by Thursday.  Encourage slow and loud speaking.

If you have any questions or concerns please let me know ASAP.

Thank you for your continued support!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
12-5 to 12-9

Please send your child’s Santa Shop money on Wednesday morning.

For December students will be required to take and pass one AR test,
on a chapter book.
These tests can be taken prior to break or the first days back after break.

We will not have any Simple Solutions this week.

Our play is on December 12th at 1:30 & 7:00.  We will be practicing at school this week, please continue to practice your child’s lines this week. 


This week in religion students will continue to learn about the Jesse tree and the Advent season.  Students will also celebrate St. Nicholas Day.  We will be celebrating the Immaculate Conception Mass on Thursday at school.  This is a Holy Day of obligation, and we will not attend Mass on Friday as a school.

In Math we be reviewing subtraction and taking the quiz on chapter 3 on Thursday.   Students will also be practicing their multiplication.  Timed-tests will be on Thursday.  Thirty minutes of IXL is due on Friday.

This week is Spelling List #13.  All of the words are posted on Spelling City, and the test is on Friday.

In Science students will begin to work on comparing and contrasting ecosystems.

In Social Studies students will use the character traits associated with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer to create an acrostic poem.   We will also work on the continents and oceans with a mapping project.

In reading we will be focusing on comprehension strategies finishing our December National Geographic.

In Language Arts students finish their Christmas legends.  We will also look at story elements and cause and effect.

Have a wonderful week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
11-28 to 12-2

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Wednesday will be the last day to take AR tests for the November goal.

End of the interim is Thursday, December 1st.

Don’t forget field trip slips and money—please return ASAP.

Our play is on December 12th at 1:30 & 7:00.  Please start thinking about a pioneer outfit for your child.   Remember Doylestown’s history of farming and mining, no extravagant clothing would have been worn to school.

Our week:

This week in religion students will be introduced to Advent and to the Jesse tree.  We will begin to prepare our hearts, mind and souls for Christmas.   One of our Mission projects for December will be a “baby” tree for the Barberton Pregnancy center.  (Think new clothes, formula, ect…)  We will gather items at the school to hang and put underneath the tree.

In Math we will finish our chapter on subtraction.  Students will also be practicing their multiplication.  Timed-tests will be on Thursday.  Thirty minutes of IXL is due on Friday.

This week is a review unit in Spelling.  All of the words are posted on Spelling City, and the test is on Friday.

In Science we will finish Chapter 3 with a test on Thursday.  Please look for a study guide to come home on Tuesday night.

In Social Studies students will also be working on “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.  We will also be learning about character traits associated with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.  Students will be working with these character traits through the holidays.  We will relate them to our Catholic Faith and to the holiday season.

In reading we will be focusing on comprehension strategies with two articles from “National Geographic Explorer”.

In Language Arts students will be introduced to legends.  We will read two legends associated with the poinsettia and then students will begin the steps of the writing process to create their own Christmas legends.

Simple Solutions this week are lessons #45 to #48.

Have a wonderful week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
11-21 to 11-2

Count your blessings,
Name them one by one.
And it will surprise you,
What the Lord has done.

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Our Short but sweet week!

Please remember that no lunch orders for December will be accepted after Tuesday.

Tuesday is a Missions Dress Down Day - $1 or more to help Father Natumba.

Don’t forget field trip slips and money!

Our Short but sweet week:

This week in religion we will continue to learn and understand The Apostle’s Creed.

In Math we will review subtraction, and work on problem solving skills.

There will be no Simple Solutions or spelling this week.

In Science we will have an experiment about adaptations.  Students will also be reviewing invertebrates.

In Social Studies students will also be working on “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, and also labeling world maps with continents and oceans.

In reading we will be focusing on comprehension strategies with an article from “National Geographic Explorer”.

In Language Arts students will publish their Thanksgiving Haiku.

May you all enjoy a peace-filled and blessing-filled Thanksgiving.

I will be counting your children among my blessings this year! 

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
11-14 to 11-18

Lunch Orders Due Friday!
(No late orders will be accepted!)

This week in religion we will begin to learn and understand The Apostle’s Creed.

In Math the focus this week will be on subtracting across zeros in large numbers.  We will also learn to decide when to estimate or give exact answers in word problems.   Students have a note in their agenda telling them what multiplication table to focus on for this week. Thirty minutes of ixl math is due by Friday.

Spelling this week is Unit #11. All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com. The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

Simple Solutions this week will be lessons #41 through #44.

Vertebrates, Invertebrates and the needs of animals will be our focus in science this week.  Students will work in pairs to create habitats for animals.

In Social Studies students will read about the early years of Doylestown history.  Students will also be working on “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.

In reading we will be focusing on cause and effect with the story City Green. 

In Language Arts students will be introduced to Haikus and use the steps of the writing process to write Thanksgiving Haikus.  Students will also be adding to their dictionaries and our word wall this week.

The focus in health will be what people eat around the world in a normal week.  Students will relate our research to the Catholic Social Justice teachings and the Acts of Mercy.

I hope to see you all at the auction!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
11-7 to 11-11


Family turkey projects are due on Monday, November 7th.

Third Grade will visit the Book Fair on Monday and Wednesday.

If you were unable to make a conference time and would like one, please email and I will work out a time that is more convenient for you.  Thanks

This week in religion we will finish our project with the Seventh Graders.  Students will have Father Rob on Monday for Religion Class. We are finishing our chapter on Mary and will have the quiz on Thursday.  Students will create a study guide by highlighting information within the chapter.

In Math students will be focusing on fact families for addition and subtraction.  We will also be subtracting large digit numbers with and without regrouping.  Students have a note in their agenda telling them what multiplication table to focus on for this week. Thirty minutes of ixl math is due by Friday.

This week in reading students will finish our article and story on the cactus.  Students will have a quiz on “Cactus Hotel” on Tuesday. 

In Language Arts we will focus on the use of the apostrophe in both contractions and for possessives.

In Science students will have a test on Wednesday over Chapter 2.  A study guide will come home on Monday and we will spend the week reviewing for the test using smartboard lessons.

Spelling this week is Unit #10. All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com. The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

In Social Studies students will be working with grid coordinates in mapping.  We will also begin to look at our local area past to present.  We will begin with a text on the Wadsworth area and compare and contrast that to Doylestown.

In Health we are starting a unit on nutrition.  This week we will begin to discuss healthy food choices by examining how Americans eat on Thanksgiving.

Simple Solutions this week will be lessons #37 through #40.


May you have a blessed week!

 Extra November Information

 

For November students will be required to take and pass one AR test 

on a chapter book they read on their own.  

Please encourage your child to use their reading journal time to accomplish this goal.

It is part of their reading grade.


Family turkey projects are due on Monday, November 7th.

I will be sending home a November/December book order, regardless of book fair.
If you would like to use this for Christmas gifts, just send in an email and I will hide the books for you until you can pick them up.

The Wonderful World of Third Grade

 
10-31 to 11-4

I am beginning to put together our auction project.  On Wednesday the students will be photographed spelling out the letters of SPPS.  Please make sure your student is in their best uniform that day.  I think the mixture of school plaid and blue will look really nice, so if you have the plaid, I would appreciate if the girls wear it on Wednesday.  Thank you for your help.

This week in religion we will learn about All Saints and All Souls Day.  Students will also be praying the first three decades of the Joyful Mysteries.  Students are also completing a stained glass picture of Mary with a seventh grade partner.

In Math we will be doing a project with symmetry.  Students will be taking our timed multiplication quiz this Thursday.  Students have a note in their agenda telling them what multiplication table to focus on.  We will also be finishing Chapter 3 in our math books. Thirty minutes of ixl math is due by Friday.

This week in reading we will be reading a story from our reading book that complements an article from National Geographic and also our current chapter in science.   Students will focus on cause and effect. 

In Language Arts we will be finishing two projects that we have been working on.  Students will also be focused on figurative language.

In Science students will continue to learn about different types of plants, what they need to survive and about the process of photosynthesis.  In addition to looking at what plants need, students will begin to see how the environment affects plant and animal life.

Spelling this week is Unit #9. All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com. The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

In Social Studies students begin to focus on our local theme by contrasting and comparing what Doylestown and our school may have been like 150 years ago.  As you well know, we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of our school this year.  The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade have been asked to create a Christmas program that highlights what our school may have been like 150 years ago.  For the Third Grade portion of the play we will demonstrate how students learned by rote memorization and repetition.  Students will be memorizing sections of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, for their part in the play.  Also, please begin to think about a costume for a student from that era for your child.  Thanks.

Simple Solutions this week will be lessons #33 through #36.


May you have a blessed week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
10-24 to 10-28

Friday is the end of the First Quarter! 
Wow time does fly when you are having fun!

Please help your child finish their AR goal of two-chapter books!

This week in religion we will focus on the Joyful mysteries and the Annunciation. 


In Math we will be taking our timed multiplication quiz this Tuesday.  Students have a note in their agenda telling them what multiplication table to focus on.  We will also be working on improving our speed for simple subtraction and addition facts.  Students will also be practicing adding large numbers both with and without regrouping. Thirty minutes of ixl math is due by Friday.

This week in reading we will finish our research project and read two non-fiction science articles in National Geographic Explorer.

In Language Arts students will use their knowledge of the parts of speech to create a Halloween project.

In Science students will begin to learn about different types of plants, what they need to survive and about the process of photosynthesis.

Spelling this week is Unit #8. All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com. The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

In Social Studies students will finish Chapter two, by creating a map grid of Doylestown.  We will begin to review for the test, which will be next Tuesday.

Remember that students are to wear uniforms to school on Monday and then change into their Halloween costumes in the afternoon.  We will be walking, so please make sure the students costume is comfortable to make the trek around town!  Also, please be cognizant of the appropriateness of your child’s costume for a Catholic School!  Thanks!

Simple Solutions this week will be lessons #29 through #32.

May you have a blessed week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
10-17 to 10-21

Wow, Third Grade did a fantastic job with their first Mass.
I could not be more proud of my class.
Thank you for your help and support.

Also, a HUGE thank you to all of the families who brought their children to the closing ceremony for Eucharistic Devotions! 
The students did a great job!

This week Third Grade will be participating in Operation Evergreen, a missions project where our students make ornaments for soldiers over seas.  Third grade will also be using their budding writing skills to create Christmas cards and letters to our soldiers.

In Math we will be learning new vocabulary and practicing addition and finding missing addends.  Students will need to complete their weekly 30 minutes of IXL by Friday.   Please look for a note in you child’s agenda this week, reminding them what multiplication table to focus on this week.

This week in reading we will take three articles that we read last week about spiders and turn them into a research project.  Students will be working in groups to complete this research project.

In Language Arts we will continue to work on the personal narratives.  Students will also be introduced to adjectives.

In Science students will be having a test on Friday.  We will be reviewing throughout the week.  Look for a study guide on Tuesday.

Spelling this week is Unit #7. All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com. The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

In Social Studies students will look at the natural resources in our country and in Doylestown. Students will also compare resources now to resources 150 years ago, when our school was first founded.

Remember that our field trip to Magical Theater is on Thursday.  One of our 6th grade students is playing a lead role in the play!

Students are often forgetting their snacks on hot lunch days.  I have been providing snacks, because it is a long time for students to go from breakfast to lunch without a little snack.  Please remember to pack snacks on hot lunch days.   Thanks!

May you have a blessed week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
10-10 to 10-14

Book Orders are due on 10/14!
3rd grade Mass 10/14 - 9:00
Closing Mass for Eucharistic Devotions – Sunday


Note-
There are NO Simple Solutions pages this week. 
In place, we will be working with the “Who Knows” page
in the back of the Simple Solutions math book. 
We will have a quiz on those facts Friday.
Look for flashcards to come home on Monday.

We will be celebrating the Mass on Friday.  Please check with your child about their part in this Mass.  Every child will not receive a part in each Mass, but will participate with several parts throughout the year.  Also, please look for a note from Father soon regarding Eucharistic Devotions Closing Mass.

In Math students will take the test on Chapter 2. We will also be reviewing addition and subtraction facts.  Students will be introduced to the 5 and 10 multiplication tables. Students will need to complete their weekly 30 minutes of IXL by Friday.

This week in reading we will read “National Geographic Explorer” magazine. 

In Language Arts we will be working on the traits of writing as we complete and publish our personal narratives.

In Science students will be focused on plant and animal cells, life cycles and metamorphosis.

Spelling this week is Unit #6.  This is a 40-word review unit. All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com.  Students will also write their word list in their weekly agenda, if you need a list to help with practice.  The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

In Health we will focus on ways to stay healthy.  Students will also be doing a project about germs and antibodies.

In Social Studies we will be exploring the landforms of Doylestown and looking at our nation's geography.

May you have a blessed week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
10-3 to 10-7

Book Orders are due on 10/14!
Mark your calendar – 3rd grade Mass 10/14!

Father has purchased all the tissue paper needed for the project!  For those of you who already purchased yours, we will put it to good use on another upcoming project!  Thank you for your donations.

In Religion this week we will be reviewing Chapter 3 and taking the quiz on Tuesday.  Students will also be working on two projects this week for Guardian Angel day and also for a project we are working on with Kindergarten.

In Math, students will be finishing and reviewing Chapter 2.  We will take the quiz on Thursday, along with our one-minute timed-test.  Students will need to complete their weekly 30 minutes of IXL by Friday.

In reading students will read the story Max Malone Makes a Million. This week we will focus on problem and solution.

For the month of October students are required to take and pass 2 AR tests this month.  Please encourage your child to use their reading journal time to help them accomplish this goal.

In Language Arts students will be introduced to adjectives.  We will also continue our work on personal narratives.

Science this week will focus on animal and plant cells, and also introduce students to life cycles and metamorphosis.

Spelling this week is Unit #5.  All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com.  Students will also write their word list in their weekly agenda, if you need a list to help with practice.
The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

Simple Solutions 10/3 to 10/7

Math, Science & Grammar – Lessons #21 through Lessons #24

Have a fantastic week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
9-26 to 9-30

School Pictures Monday
End of the Interim is Thursday

This week in Religion we will be exploring ways that we can know, love and serve God.  Students will hear the stories of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Father Rob will be teaching a monthly Religion lesson to our class.  For October’s lesson he has asked each student to bring to class a multi-colored pack of tissue paper.  Thank you in advance for your help with this.

In Math students will work on memorizing the multiplication table for 3.  Students will also practice rounding large digit numbers and creating strategies to solve word problems.  Our timed-test will be on Thursday this week.  Students will need to complete their weekly 30 minutes of IXL by Friday.

In reading students will read the story OPT: An Illusionary Tale.  Students will be introduced to steps in a process, and apply the strategy when viewing the optical illusions within the story.  

Please remember students are required to take and pass at least 2 AR tests this month.  Please encourage your child to use their reading journal time to help them accomplish this goal.

In Language Arts students will be learning new vocabulary for the word wall, working on their Personal Narratives and reviewing ending punctuation.

In Science students will begin to look at animal needs and classifications.  This week students will focus on habitats.

Our Social Studies chapter will look at different landforms.  We will then adapt this information to our local area and begin to explore the different landforms in and around Doylestown.  Students will also be introduced to a climate map.

In Health we will continue to look at disease and ways that we can remain healthy.

Spelling this week is Unit #4.  All the words are posted on www.spellingcity.com.  Students will also write their word list in their weekly agenda, if you need a list to help with practice.
The Spelling Test will be on Friday.

Simple Solutions 9/19 to 9/22

Math, Science & Grammar – Lessons #17 through Lessons #20


Have a fantastic week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
9-19 to 9-22

Remember, no school on Friday for students.
Lunch orders are due no later than Thursday.

This week in Religion we will be using a song to explore how we can live our lives for Jesus.  Students will relate Bible stories to their own lives and discuss how we can join the “dance”.

In Math we will work on comparing numbers up to 5 digits.  Students will use place value charts and number lines.  Students will also be studying the multiplication table of 2.  The timed test will be on Thursday.  Students will also need to do 30 minutes of IXL this week and it will still be due by Friday.

In reading we will be using the comprehension strategy of problem and solutions as we interactively read the story Phoebe and the Spelling Bee.   Students will also be working with several new vocabulary words this week.

Please remember students are required to take and pass at least 2 AR tests this month.  Please encourage your child to use their reading journal time to help them accomplish this goal.

In Language Arts we will be working on identifying verbs.  Students will also be introduced to Personal Narratives and we will begin the prewriting step of the writing process to create our own personal narratives.

In Science students will be reviewing the Scientific Method.  We will be conducting two classroom investigations.

In Social Studies we will be working with maps reviewing the compass rose.

There will be no spelling this week.

Simple Solutions 9/19 to 9/22

Math, Science & Grammar – Lessons #13 through Lessons #16


Have a great Week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
9-13 to 9-16

Scholastic Book orders are due
by the end of the school day on Thursday, 9/15.You can order online or send in your order to class. 
Thanks!

I am re-working my idea for Simple Solutions.  I think it will benefit parents, students and teacher, to be on the same lesson for each subject.  This week we will catch-up all of our books to lesson #12 by Friday.  We will take all three short quizzes each Friday.  

IXL math practice will be counted as part of the student’s weekly math grade.
When I access my teacher page I can see all the statistics on students practice. 
Please make sure your student is set up on their account (not as a guest) when they do their 30 weekly minutes.  These minutes need to be completed by Friday each week, however students can work over the weekend for the following week’s minutes.

This week in Religion we will be learning about King David, and the gifts that God has given each person.  Students will take a test on Chapter 2 on Friday.

In Math we will continue to work with place value and reviewing the multiplication tables for 0 and 1.  Students will finish Chapter #1 and review this week.  We will have the test on Thursday.  Students will also take their first “Happy Meal” timed tests this week over the multiplication tables for 0 and 1.  Students will take a 1 minute timed test each week.  Our class goal is to master 0 through 12 by Christmas break!  When a student masters all 12 and passes their timed tests they will have earned a special lunch of a Happy Meal.  Students have been taught how to create flashcard books, and shown how to study on IXL math and www.mathplayground.com.  They will need to study outside of class to memorize their multiplication tables.

In reading use the National Geographic Magazines from last week to create posters that highlight main idea, supporting details and vocabulary for each article.  Students will also be introduced to new vocabulary for next week’s story Phoebe and the Spelling Bee.

In Language Arts students produce the final copy for their name paragraphs.   Students will also take a quiz over the first unit in Phonics.

In Science we are still finishing our unit on the Scientific Method.

Spelling this week is Unit #3, long e and long a.  All words are posted on www.spellingcity.com for practice.  The test will be on Friday.


Simple Solutions 9/13 to 9/16

Math – none
Science – Lessons #11 and #12
Grammar – Lessons #11 and #12

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
9-6 to 9-9

I hope everyone had a very peace-filled and fun Labor Day Weekend!


❈    This week in Religion we will be working on the Apostle’s Creed, and The New Commandment.

❈    In Math we will continue to work with place value and reviewing the multiplication tables for 0 and 1.  Students will have an interactive lesson on place value with using our Smartboard.  Please utilize the IXL math program nightly to help your child practice their math skills, www.ixlmath.com.  I have added an IXL component to the reading journal.  I would like students to spend 30 minutes weekly on IXL math.  This can be done any night or combination of nights throughout the week.

❈    In reading we will be focusing on comprehension strategies with a non-fiction monthly magazine, “National Geographic Explorer”.  This week we will read the September edition, which contains two, life science stories and one earth science story.  Students will also enjoy an interactive Smartboard lesson that correlates with the story, “Lessons in Lava”.

❈    In Language Arts students will be focusing on proper nouns, subject and predicate and proofreading.  Students will play a Smartboard game to help them identify sentences.  Students will also continue to work through the steps in the writing process, while writing and publishing their name paragraphs.

❈    In Health we are continuing to learning about germs and disease.

❈    In Science we are finishing our unit on the Scientific Method.  Students will be learning about inquiry skills and science tools.  We will also conduct an investigation on bubbles.

❈    Spelling this week is Unit #2, silent e.  All words are posted on www.spellingcity.com for practice.  The test will be on Friday.

❈    Reading Journal needs to be completed nightly as it is very important for students to read daily for at least 20 minutes.  However, IXL math, spelling and the Simple Solution books can adapt to your scheduling needs.  I only ask that the students work ahead just for the week we are in, and also they can work ahead, but cannot fall behind in their homework.   Hopefully, that freedom will help with your weekly scheduling.

Simple Solutions 9/6 to 9/9
Math – Lessons #9 through #12
Science – Lessons #7 through #9
Grammar – Lessons #8 through #10

Have a great week!

The Wonderful World of Third Grade
8-29 to 9-2

It was a very successful first week.  
Thank you for the great communication and support through the first week. 
We worked hard, and the students are adjusting to their new routines,
and new expectations nicely.

❈    Please check your child’s agenda daily. Any day-to-day communications will be written in the agenda. 

❈    The class webpage has links to all pertinent websites: IXL math, Scholastic, Spelling city.  In addition the weekly newsletter and schedules are posted and updated often.

❈    We will have three Simple Solution books that we are working with this year.  Simple Solutions is a supplement to our curriculum.  Students will be introduced to and given lessons on new information and then the series will continually refresh students on all concepts.  There are “help pages” for students (and parents) in the back of each book for reference.  The books are set up on a five-day schedule, with four lessons and a quiz each week. 

Math = Monday through Thursday lessons.  Quiz each Friday. 
Science = Wednesday through Monday lessons.  Quiz each Tuesday. 
Grammar = Thursday through Tuesday lessons.  Quiz each Wednesday. 

❈    Reading Journals should be paper-clipped in your child’s agenda and return daily to school.  Students should be filling out the comments section by themselves.  Please encourage your child to follow a book night-to-night, as this will help them reach their Accelerated Reading goal for September.  Each student is required to read and pass two AR tests in the month of September, these need to be books read at home, either independently, or with a parent. 

❈    This week in Religion we will be taking the quiz for Chapter 1 on Wednesday.  Students did a fantastic job with our first Mass of the year, I couldn’t be more proud of their behavior.

❈    In Math we will be working with place value and reviewing the multiplication tables for 0 and 1.  Please utilize the IXL math program nightly to help your child practice their math skills, www.ixlmath.com.  Students brought home passwords and usernames last week.

❈    In reading we will be focusing on comprehension strategies with the story Grandfather’s Journey.

❈    In Language Arts students will be focusing on nouns, vocabulary and they will also begin to write their first story, “My special name…” which we began to research last week in religion.

❈    In Health we are learning about germs and disease.  Students will be working in partnerships this week to create “Third Grade Germ Busters”.

❈    In Science we are focusing on the Scientific Method.  Students will be learning about inquiry skills and science tools.

❈    Spelling this week is Unit #1, short vowels.  All words are posted on www.spellingcity.com for practice.  The test will be on Friday.

Welcome Letter

Mrs. Bryant’s
2011-2012 Third Grade

Welcome to the Amazing Journey of Third Grade!

    Third Grade is a very exciting, special and hard year.  It is usually a very big adjustment for the students to transition to the demands of the Third Grade.  Together we will make this transition smooth and productive for your child.   I am going to provide a brief outline of my room and procedures in this letter.  At the beginning of each week I will also e-mail and post a newsletter with information about our room and upcoming events.  Please look over and read these letters as they will be a valuable link between you and your child’s school days.  If you ever have any questions, concerns, or ideas please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail.  (mrsbryant@stspeterandpaulschool.com)  An open line of communication is essential to your child’s success. 

About Me:
     This will be my twelefth year of teaching.  I have taught reading, First, Second and Third Grades.  I have BA from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Pacific University.   My family and I moved back to Ohio 9 years ago from Oregon.  I am truly excited about the upcoming school year, and of being a part of your child’s educational experience!

My Classroom:
    It is very important for a classroom to be a safe and comfortable learning environment.  To meet this need the students will have very clearly defined rules and procedures to follow.  Clear expectations help support and encourage good behavior.  Each year Third Grade’s expectations center around three main concepts; Respect, Responsibility and Kindness.

Expectations:
1. Treat others, yourself and the environment with respect.
2. Raise your hand to speak and stay seated unless given permission to behave differently. 
3. Follow the directions of all school adults quickly and quietly.
4. Take responsibility for your actions.

We will also be working on classroom standards, which will include:
1. Practice active listening.
2. Help and encourage others.
3. Strive for excellence and allow others to do the same.

Students will receive many positive incentives when they are making appropriate choices.  These will include, but are not limited to, stickers, raffle tickets, extra recess, computer time, class rewards, treats and most importantly compliments and praise.
If there is a discipline issue, the student will be given a chance to correct the behavior before receiving a consequence.   Students will receive an infraction mark in their agenda if they cannot fix their behavior.  Three infraction marks in a day will result in a behavior notice sent home.  These notices need to be discussed, signed and returned the following day.  If a student receives three behavior notices it will result in a detention.  All teachers and specialists will be using this system to ensure consistency for the students.

Homework and written communication:
    I require a reading journal to be completed Monday through Thursday.  My goal is that students will devote 15 to 20 minutes nightly to recreational reading.  I believe that it is essential that students are reading every night.  I also firmly believe that it is essential that parents are still reading to their children every night.  Therefore, the 20 minutes of reading can be any reading done during the evening.   Students will also be bringing home other subjects nightly.  All assignments will be written in the student agenda.
    Please take time nightly to look over your child’s agenda and folder.  Students will fill out their agendas at the end of each day as a class.  They are expected to return them each morning.  I will sign their reading journal in their agenda, daily, and ask that you do the same.  The best encouragement and motivation is your interest in what your child is accomplishing.  If your child sees that you are interested and looking at the quality of work that they are doing, it will reinforce the home/school connection.

Routines:   
     Students will have a daily snack in the lunch room after morning recess.  Please help your student choose and pack snacks each day that are healthy, and filling.  It is a long day trying to concentrate on your work if you are hungry during class.  I do allow students to have a water bottles on their desks, if it is not a distraction during teaching times.

Specials:
    Music - Monday and Thursday
    Gym & Spanish - Tuesday and Wednesday
    Computer - Monday and Thursday
    Art - Friday 
   


I am looking forward to a wonderful year!