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

Happy Catholic Schools Week!!!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

It's baaaaaaack!  Catholic Schools Week has arrived and from what I hear, SMA celebrates the week in style.  I am excited to be a part of this event and to experience it first hand.  Thank you to all of you who have been busy behind the scenes to ensure this week is a great success.  You rock!!!!

In case you have not yet heard, I am asking each student to bring in their own 3-ring binder that is 1 1/2 inches wide.  The students will also need at least 5 subject dividers.  This is to begin the process of organizing our subject study guides and notes so that when tests or quizzes are assigned, there is only one place to look to find just what is needed.  Thank you for helping to make this happen!

I am posting this week's Curriculum Update with the disclaimer that some material may be pushed back depending upon our week's special events.  Thank you in advance for your patience!

Curriculum Update for the Week of January 27, 2014:

Religion:  Chapter 10 Quiz on Tuesday;  Begin Chapter 11- belonging to a parish and making it our home; the people who serve our parish- pastor, deacons, Eucharistic Ministers and altar servers

Math:  Review adding and subtracting three digit numbers with regrouping;  Quick quiz on Thursday- subtraction with regrouping

Reading:  This week we will focus on our guided reading groups:  Group 1- Read and discuss Pippi Longstocking chapters 8-11;  Group 2- read and discuss chapters 5- 7 of Ramona Quimby, Age 8;  Both guided reading groups will have comprehension activities to be completed in class.

Social Studies:  Continue chapter 7- the three levels of the government and the government of cities and towns

Science:  Continue chapter 5- how living things get energy, producers and consumers; how ecosystems change and the causes of an ecosystem change;  Animal Research Project due Friday

Language Arts:  Grammar:  Review when to use:  it's, its, they're, there, their, you're, your, can and may;  Begin unit on Action Verbs;  Vocabulary Workshop: Review Unit 3:  Unit 3 test on Friday

No spelling test this week!!

 I hope all of you had a restful weekend!!!  I look forward to seeing you throughout this week's events. 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

Dear Third Grade Parents,

I just wanted to quickly check in to post this week's Curriculum Update.  I hope everyone enjoyed this special three day weekend in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday.  The San Diego sunshine made for a lovely weekend of outdoor fun, I am sure.

I would like to thank our recent Secret Readers, Mr. Anaiz, Mrs. Cunnigham, Mrs. Vizcarra and Mrs. FitzCluster.   They have  generously given their time and have shared some fun and entertaining picture books.  Thank you, parents.  Your children are always so proud to share you with their classmates.

Please be sure to review this week's Curriculum Update to see what is in store for your third grader!

Curriculum Update for the Week of January 20, 2014:

Religion: Continue chapter 10-- Jesus teaches the Apostles to pray; the different types of prayer;  chapter 10 review- Chapter 10 quiz next Tuesday 

Math:  Continue chapter 4:  subtract across zero;  review and practice addition and subtraction; Quick quiz Thursday

Reading:  Begin Fairy Tale Unit:  Read and discuss "The Emperor's New Clothes" and complete comprehension exercises;  Comprehension test on Friday; Guided Reading Groups:  Group 1: Read and discuss chapters 7-8 of Pippi Longstocking;  Group 2:  Read and discuss chapter 4-5 of Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Language Arts:  Grammar:  Continue study of contractions;  Review figurative language- idioms and their use in the English Language; Spelling Test on Friday

Social Studies:  Begin chapter 7:  Rules and laws of our community and the government

Science:  Begin chapter 5:  Ecosystems-  What is an ecosystem?

Have a fantastic week of sunshine!  Please be on the look out for your child's report card.  They will go home this Friday.  Thank you for all you do to make Stella Maris Academy an amazing place to learn.  Take care and God bless!

Weekly Update

Dear Third Grade Parents,

I want to share with you just how proud I am of our third grade class.  The students worked so hard this first week back from Christmas vacation.  They were able to complete all of the lessons I had prepared for them and even completed a few of them a few minutes early to earn a little bit of "free time" in the classroom and on the playground.  I was very impressed by their diligence this week and I am looking forward to another great week of learning.

This week Ms. Seres and I will be leading the class through some team building activities.  It is our hope these activities will build a stronger sense of community amongst classmates and to create a  positive environment conducive to the learning needs of others.  More details will follow as we progress through the activities.

This is the last week of the second quarter grading period.  Any remaining work to be completed from before the Christmas vacation, must be completed and turned in by Monday, January 13th.  This will ensure the work is included in the second quarter grade book.  Thank you for your assistance in helping your third grader complete the activities.

Please review this week's Curriculum Update in order to help your third grader prepare for any and all upcoming tests and quizzes.

Curriculum Update for the Week of January 13, 1014:

Religion:  Finish Chapter 9 and review for the Chapter 9 Quiz on Wednesday;  Begin Chapter 10:  Jesus teaches his followers how to pray

Math:  Round to the Nearest Ten;  Quick Quiz on Chapter 4,  lessons 1-6 on Tuesday;  Explore Multi-digit Addition; The Grouping Concept in Addition; Addition Practice

Reading:  Read and discuss "Penguins" selection;  Complete comprehension exercises, Comprehension Test on Friday;  Guided Reading Groups:  Group 1: Continue to read and discuss Pippi Longstocking- chapters 5-8;
Group 2:  Continue to read and discuss Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Social Studies:  Continue unit on Native American Tribes-  The Cherokee and The Cheyenne

Science:  Finish and review Chapter 4:  The Life Cycles of Some Animals;  Chapter 4 Test on Friday;  Students are to continue to work on their animal research report

Language Arts:  Grammar:  Continue unit on contractions- "your" and "you're", "they're", "their" and "there"; Vocabulary Workshop:  Continue unit 3- choose the correct verb, synonyms and antonyms

As you can see, this week will be busy with end of unit/chapter quizzes and tests.  To help ease the homework load a little, the weekly spelling test will be pushed back to next Monday, January 20th.

I hope all of you have a fantastic week of sunshine and smiles.  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

Happy New Year!!!!!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

Happy New Year!!!!  I trust everyone had a fantastic holiday break and enjoyed some classic, holiday family time.  I know I did!  I feel well rested and energized to make 2014 an amazing year of learning and adventure.  It's going to be great.  I am really looking forward to seeing all of my third graders and creating some new memories to add to our growing collection.  I hope they are excited too.


I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your generosity during the Christmas Season.  I am truly overwhelmed.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!!!!!!!


This week will be a busy week of learning, but I am certain my third graders are ready to get down to business.  Please review the Curriculum Update below to see what this week will hold.

Curriculum Update for the Week of January 6, 2014:

Religion:  Begin Chapter 9- The Church is the body of Christ;  The Church continues to teach the true message of the Jesus

Math:  Begin Unit 4:  Make place value drawings;  build numbers; practice with place value; place value in word problems;  rounding to the nearest hundred

Reading:  Read and discuss the story "City Critters" and complete comprehension activities to complement the selection;  Guided Reading Groups-  Read and discuss January themed articles of interest.

Science:  Begin Chapter 4-  Living Things:  Classifying animals; How animal offspring are like their parents

Social Studies:  Continue unit on Native Americans and the different tribes of North America; Daily Geography

Language Arts:  Finish contractions as verbs;  Begin Vocabulary Workshop Unit 3; Spelling test on Friday! 

Please be on the look out for any and all work your third grader may have missed in December due to sickness or early Christmas vacation plans.  I will be sending the missing work home on Monday and Tuesday to ensure all graded work is completed in time for the quarter's end.  Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!  I am looking forward to the start of an amazing week.  Take care and God bless!

Sincerely,
Ms. Eileen Griffin
Your Third Grade Teacher

Merry Christmas!!!

Dear Third Grade Parents,

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!  Time certainly does fly when you are having fun!  This past week has been  quite memorable.  It began with a spectacular presentation on Christmas in Sweden from our very own Mama Ann.  She read us a story about Christmas in Sweden and showed us how celebrations light up in Sweden.  It was an experience we won't soon forget!

The fun continued on Tuesday when the Third Grade Class went to see the Old Globe's Production of Dr. Suess' "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".   What an amazing experience!  Thank you, Parents!  This was an outstanding field trip and I know the class thoroughly enjoyed the play.  We all left singing and ended our Grinchy experience with treats from the Steele Family and a little story hour from Mrs.  FitzCluster.

Tuesday's excitement ended with an amazing author visit from "Fuddles" creator, author and illustrator, Mr. Franz Fischer.  The entire Junior Yard listened to Mr. Fischer read one of his stories and to his process of creating a short story and the inspiration behind his work.  It was a great time had by all!

Holy cow, what a busy week!  It was a great week of fun that ended with smiles all around.  

This coming week is promising to be just as busy as the Third Grade class prepares for their contribution to this year's SMA Christmas Pageant.  Be sure to attend Tuesday night's performance for a great holiday show with plenty of laughter and singing.  

Wednesday is our last day of school and this year the Junior Yard is throwing one big Christmas party with a Polar Express theme.  I can hardly wait to watch this new holiday classic with my fabulous Third Grade Class.  It should be fun as the students are able to attend school wearing their cozy, winter pajamas, sip on hot cocoa and munch on yummy popcorn while watching a movie.  Yes, it sounds good to me!

With so much activity this week, a consistent schedule is hard to plan for.  Therefore, I will not be posting a Curriculum Update, but please know, the class and I will be working hard as we study Religion, Math and Reading each day.  Thank you for your understanding!

Lastly, I wish to thank all of  you for your generosity in helping me to celebrate my birthday this year.  What amazing treats to add sparkle and shine to my daily outfits.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!  My absolute favorite gift was the heartfelt wishes expressed in the birthday card from all of you.  In all of my years of teaching, (this is year 17- yikes!) I have never received a card that has meant so much to me.  I feel so blessed.  Thank you, again.  You made my day!!!!!

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.  May the love and the spirit of the season be with you and your loved ones as we celebrate the birth of our Jesus.  Take care and God bless!!!!

Merrily Yours,

Ms. Eileen Griffin

Your Third Grade Teacher

P.S.  Thank you for all you do to make Stella Maris Academy an amazing place to learn

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