Dear Third Grade Parents,

Well, Christmas vacation is only days away and you can already feel the anticipation of Jesus' birthday celebration in the air.  As you and your families gather together to create new memories, please know you are all in my prayers and I wish you and your's the merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year.  Enjoy this special time with your little one's!

I am not going to post a curriculum update for this week due to the shortened week and due to the fact that with pageant practice times looming ahead, I am uncertain just how much we will be able to get through.  Please know, that the third graders and I will continue to work hard as we close our lessons in Religion, Science, and Social Studies.  We will begin the new chapters when we start back up again in January.  While there will not be a spelling test this week, there will be a Chapter 10 Religion Quiz on Tuesday.

Don't forget, there is mass tomorrow morning and on Tuesday, the entire school will be performing in the annual SMA Christmas Pageant.  Lastly, Wednesday will be a busy day.  The third grade class will be celebrating Polar Express Day and may come to school in appropriate pajama attire.  We will also be having an ornament exchange with our sixth grade buddies.  Each student should come to school with a $5 (max) Christmas ornament to exchange with their buddy.

I believe that is all for now!  Thank you for all of your support during this busy week.  Your time and patience is greatly appreciated.  Have a wonderful week.  Take care and God bless!

Sincerely,
Ms Griffin
Your Third Grade Teacher      

Merry Grinchmas!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

It's finally here, the week the third grade class is going to the Old Globe Theater to watch Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I can hardly wait to see everyone's reaction to this fun production.  I know they are going to love it!

Just some last minute reminders for this fun day, third graders must come to school on Wednesday in their mass uniform.  This is a fancy event and we want to represent SMA in style.  Lastly, please pack a "brown bag" lunch for your third grader.  We will be eating lunch at Balboa Park before making our way back to school.  Thank you for helping to make this fun field trip possible.  Be prepared to hear some fun highlights after school on Wednesday.

Be sure to look over this week's Curriculum Update to know all we are learning in third grade!

Curriculum Update for the Week of December 8, 2014:

Religion:  Continue chapter 10- different types of prayers; The Church prays at all times:  The Liturgy of the Hours;  Chapter 10 Quiz next Monday 

Math: Review Bar Graphs; Telling Time; Represent and organize data; use graphs to solve time and measurement; continue to review multiplication tables

Reading:  continue in guided reading groups: Chasing Vermeer, The Courage of Sarah Noble, Sarah, Plain and Tall, Stone Fox;  Whole Group- Read and discuss Little House on the Prairie- Ch 5- 9

Science:  Review and discuss Ch 5, Lesson 2 Study Guide; How ecosystems change- natural events and seasonal changes

Social Studies:  Native Americans and their government- tribal councils; Begin Chapter 5- Exploring California

Language Arts:  Continue to work on Advent writing piece; Grammar:  Continue to review compound subjects and compound verbs;  Unit 13 spelling test on Friday

Art:  Finish angel ornaments

Well, it is going to be another busy week of learning in third grade.  I hope everyone enjoys the sunshine we are promised this week.  Thank you for all you do to help make Stella Maris Academy a great place to learn.  Take care and God bless!

Sincerely,
Ms. Eileen Griffin