Who Likes Christmas? We Like Christmas!!!!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

Can you believe it?!?  Our field trip week has arrived at last!!!  This Tuesday the third grade class will take a trip to Whoville and revisit the tale of Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  I can hardly wait to see the reactions of our class.  They are going to love it!  Thank you, parents for making this happen.  You have truly given your child a real holiday treat they won't soon forget.

In addition to our field trip on Tuesday, Stella Maris Academy will also play host to author Frans Vischer.  The class has been studying his Mr. Fuddles books in our school library with Mrs. Caughey.   A flyer was sent home last week with book purchasing information.   Please refer to the flyer for ordering information if you are interested in purchasing a book to have autographed by Mr. Vischer.  An autographed book always makes a great gift.  This author event will take place Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 P.M. in The Gathering Hall.

As I am sure you can imagine, the Christmas spirit has taken hold of the third grade class schedule and much of what I had hoped to accomplish last week has been pushed back to this week.  Please excuse the repetition, but know your third graders are still working hard to become the best third grade class they can possibly be.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Curriculum Update for the Week of December 9, 2013:

Religion:  Advent Penance Service for grades 3-5 on Monday morning;  Please review prayers; Continue chapter 8- The Marks of the Church; The Popes, Bishops are the successors of the Apostles

Reading:  Continue to read and discuss the novel, Who Is Stealing the Twelve Days of Christmas?;  Complete comprehension activities

Math:  Reading and using graphs with multi digit numbers; Using graphs to solve time and measurement problems;  Using graphs to represent and organize data

English/Language Arts:  Continue contractions as verbs;  Writing:  "How Can I Be A Hero?";  Spelling test on Friday

Social Studies:  Continue unit of Christmas Around the World:  Sweden, Germany and Mexico

***** A BIG thank you to Mr. Goldman for coming in and talking with the class about the holiday and traditions of Chanukah.  The class had a fantastic time listening to a story about the history and traditions of Chanukah.  We were even given the opportunity to play the dreidel game!  Thank you, Mr. Goldman!!!!

Science:  Continue to study the parts of a plant and how they grow and develop

Art Literacy:  Continue to study and write about the art work of Grandma Moses

*****  Another BIG thank you to Mrs. Daly for coming in each month to present some fantastic art work to our eager third graders.  The projects and presentations are always so much fun. Thank you, Mrs. Daly!!!!!  We appreciate all of the time you so willingly give us.

Well, I hope all of you had a fantastic weekend and enjoyed some indoor family time on Saturday as we all tried to stay dry during our BIG winter rain storm.  Enjoy the rest of  your Sunday evening!

One last thing,  be sure to come by the third grade classroom to see our class Christmas tree.  Thanks to Mrs. Goldman, the students were able to create their own Christmas ornaments to help decorate our tree.  It looks fantastic.  Thank you Mrs. Goldman!!!

Last, but certainly not least, have a fantastic week and thank you for all you do to make Stella Maris Academy an amazing place to learn. Take care and God bless!

Sincerely,
Ms. Eileen Griffin
Your Third Grade Teacher