Dear Third Grade Parents,

I hope you are all well and enjoyed the sunny weekend.  This week in third grade is promising to be a quiet one in terms of tests and quizzes.  We will however, continue to be as busy as ever working hard to learn all we can from one another.  Please see the Curriculum Update below to see what this week has in store for us.

Curriculum Update for the Week of February 24, 2014:

Religion:  Begin Chapter 15:  The celebration of the Sacraments- Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist are the Sacraments of Initiation; The Sacraments of Healing- Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick; The Sacraments of Service to Others- Holy Orders, and the Sacrament of Marriage

Math:  Equations and two step word problems; practice with two step word problems; focus on mathematical practices;  Quick Quiz on Thursday

Grammar:  Irregular Verbs, Helping Verbs and Verb Phrases;  Vocabulary Workshop:  Continue unit 4-  Match the meaning, synonyms and antonyms;

Reading:  Continue Guided Reading Groups-  Group 1:  Read and discuss chapters 15-21 of Because of Winn-Dixie;  Group 2:  Read and Discuss chapters 4-7 of Peter Pan

Social Studies:  Begin chapter 8- Citizenship:  Being a good citizen and the roles of a citizen

Science:  Continue chapter 6-  Weather and Climate;  The different types of rocks and minerals

Well, this is all for now.  Enjoy the remaining hours of our warm, San Diego Sunshine!  Thank you for all you do to make Stella Maris Academy the amazing school it is.  Take care and God bless.

Sincerely,
Ms.  Eileen Griffin
Your Third Grade Teacher

Happy Presidents' Day !!!!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

There is nothing like a four day weekend to re-charge the batteries and help to prepare for another great week of learning.  I trust everyone had a terrific weekend of fun and relaxation in the lovely San Diego sunshine.  I know I did.

Here is this week's Curriculum Update.  Please note that I moved last week's Social Studies Chapter 7 Test to this Wednesday.  I just felt with three tests in Religion, Science and Spelling, adding one more was just too much.  Please be sure to review the Chapter 7 lessons with your third grader.  Thank you!

Curriculum Update for the Week of February 17, 2014:

Religion:  Continue Chapter 12- God calls people to be holy;  Introduce the terms: poverty, chastity and obedience;  Chapter 12 Quiz on Friday

Math:  Word problems with Extra or hidden information; Write first step questions for 2 step problems; Solve two step word problems; Equations and 2 step word problems

Reading:  Whole group:  Read, discuss and complete comprehension activities for a Winter Games selection;  Guided Reading Group 1:  Continue to read and discuss Because of Winn Dixie- chapters 9-13;  Guided Reading Group 2:  Begin to read and discuss Peter Pan- chapters 1-5 (I cannot wait to read this with my third graders.  It is one of my all time favorite stories with great imagination)

Social Studies:  Review Chapter 7;  Chapter 7 Test on Wednesday;  Begin Chapter 8:  Citizenship

Science:  Begin Chapter 6:  Earth and Weather;  The Water Cycle; Weather and climate

Language Arts:  Continue to study verbs; Continue to work on facts and opinions;  Begin Fact and opinion writing piece, "There's No Place Like Home";  Spelling test on Friday

Have a fantastic week!  Thank you for all you do to make Stella Maris an amazing place to learn.  Take care and God bless!

Sincerely,
Ms.  Eileen Griffin
Your Third Grade Teacher

Hooray for Hollywood….!!!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

What a pleasure it was to see and chat with so many of you at this weekend's SMA Gala!  Holy cow, SMA really knows how to come together and celebrate our school. I LOVE it!!!  Thank you for your generosity in support of our fabulous school and all of its amazing programs.  I am so proud to be a part this community.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to Mrs. Goldman and Mrs. Stiko for helping to create our lovely class project!!!!  Your creativity is inspiring.

This week the third graders and I will be busy preparing for a few chapter tests.  Please review the Curriculum Update below to ensure you and your child are aware of test dates.  All study guides should be in your their three ring binder under the appropriate subject.


Curriculum Update for the Week of February 9, 2014:


Religion:  Review Chapter 11; Chapter 11 Quiz on Tuesday;  Begin Chapter 12:  God Calls us to Holiness; Vocations to the religious life or to ministries of lay service

Math:  Word problems with unknown addends or unknown factors;  Word problems with unknown starts;  Comparison problems;  Comparison problems with misleading language

Language Arts:  What is a fact and what is an opinion?  Begin opinion writing piece- There's no place like home

Reading:  Guided reading group 1:  Continue to read, discuss and complete comprehension activities for Because of Winn-Dixie;  Group 2: Continue to read, discuss and complete comprehension activities for Ramona Quimby, Age 8;  Whole Group reading:  Complete Close reading article on the Winter Games.

Science:  Final Chapter 5 Review;  Chapter 5 Test on Thursday

Social Studies:  Final Chapter 7 Review;  Chapter 7 Test on Wednesday

Art:  Continue Native American burlap weaving project

I realize this is a big week for tests.  If I find the class is just overwhelmed from studying, I will move the Science test to next Tuesday.  I promise to let you know by this Tuesday via the Homework planner.


I hope all of you had a restful weekend.  Thank you again for your support of SMA at this year's gala.  You are an amazing group of parents!  Take care and God bless.

Sincerely,
Ms. Eileen Griffin
Your Third grade Teacher

Go Team USA!!!!!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

Last week's Catholic Schools' Week was a great success.  Thank you to all of you for your continued support and dedication.  It is only with your help that SMA is able to accomplish all it does.  Thank you!

I especially want to thank you for making Teacher Appreciation Day so special.  I had a fantastic day and I absolutely love my clothespin plaque.  It is amazingly precious and I will treasure it always.  I also enjoyed running down to my favorite Kate Spade store to pick out a sweet ice cream themed pouch to help keep my handbag organized.  Thank you for the gift card that allowed me to do so!!!!  You definitely know my weakness.

This week should be a bit calmer.  Please be sure to review this week's Curriculum Update as there are a few tests and quizzes that are scheduled for the upcoming weeks.

Curriculum Update for the Week of February 2, 2014:

Religion:  Continue chapter 11:  The people who serve our parish- pastor, deacon, lectors and altar servers;  parish outreach; worshipping together;  Chapter 11 Quiz next Tuesday

Math:  Solve word problems using addition and subtraction; Word problems with unknown addends or unknown factors; word problems with unknown starts; comparison problems; review multiplication facts

Reading:  Close reading lessons focus on winter olympic topics; Guided reading group 1:  Finish reading Pippi Longstocking and begin Because of Winn Dixie;  Guided reading group 2:  Continue to read and discuss  Ramon Quimby, Age 8

Social Sutdies:  Continue Chapter 7- the local government in California; the services provided by the local government;  Chapter 7 Test next Wednesday

Science:  Finish chapter 5:  how ecosystems change, adaptations;  Chapter 5 Test next Friday

Language Arts:  Continue grammar unit on verbs; Valentine's Day themed idioms

Art:  Native American burlap weaving

Well, that is all for now.  I hope all of you are enjoying your Super Bowl Sunday wherever you are.  Thank you for all  you do to help make Stella Maris Academy an amazing place to learn.  Take care and God bless!

Sincerely,
Ms Eileen Griffin
Your Third Grade Teacher