December 7, 2015
Dear Third Grade Parents,
We are very busy preparing for the birth of Christ, as I am sure you are as well!
Report cards will be sent home this Friday. I just wanted to clarify the grading system. 4, 3, 2, 1 do not equate to A, B, C, or D. Please look at the descriptors. The 4 means exceeding standards, so they are going above and beyond what is expected. They must add more components than requested. Your child may be doing excellent work, and they may receive a 3. A 3 indicates that they are meeting the standard for their grade level, and they are doing quality work. A report card with mostly 3’s is something to be proud of! A 2 means that your child is working towards the standard. Your child may be working their hardest, but more growth is needed in order to meet the standard. It also indicates that progress is being shown. On the other hand your child may receive a 2 because they are not trying their hardest. A 1 indicates that your child is below the standard and needs more assistance and practice in order to meet the standard.
You’re Invited:
We will present our play on Wednesday, December 16th. Our performance will be at 9:45 am. All parents, grandparents and siblings under 5 are invited. Parents and grandparents as well as preschool aged siblings are invited to attend. Sorry, siblings at Holy Rosary will not be able to attend, due to limited space.
Costumes: Last week we talked with your children about costume ideas for their character in the Nativity play. We will continue to talk this week as well. Costumes are not something that you need to go and buy but should be able to use everyday items.
Useful items could include: pillow cases, sheets, bathrobes, scarves, belts, rope etc.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the costumes.
Students need to bring their costumes in next Monday, December 14th. Please do not send them earlier because we don’t have the space to hold them. Your child’s costume should be in a bag labeled with their name on it.
Advent Outreach: All through Advent HRS will collect money and goods for our community. The third grade is collecting money to purchase Christmas meals for 2 local families in need. We will also collect food for the Parish food bank. I know this is a busy time of year, discuss with your child how they can earn some money to donate this Advent and do so to the extent your family is able. This is a great leadership opportunity and a chance for students to live out Catholic social teachings. On Thursday, December 17th, we will gather as a school to honor this service and bless the gifts we are sending into the community. We will also go on our field trip to Safeway to purchase these meals that day.
States test (GeoJourney): The Southwest region and Mountain region test will be this Thursday, December 10th. Students will need to know the postal abbreviation and location of each state in those two regions.
Book Reports: Book report grades are coming home today.
Prayer Partner: Please remind your child that their homemade card and prayer for their faith-family prayer partner are due to me by Monday, December 14th! If you child does not know who their prayer partner is please tell them to see their Faith Family teacher!
The card should reflect time well spent. Include on your card:
TO: (Your prayer partner’s name)
FROM: (Your name)
A prayer that you have written
Artwork that you have drawn
Anything else you’d like to include.
Christmas Program Song Reminder: Please make sure you child is practicing the songs for the program on Thursday.
Christmas Program: Our annual Christmas Program is Thursday, December 10 in the church, beginning at 6:30 with the school band performance. Following the band, each class will perform. Church doors will open at 5:30. Please see that your child reports to the classroom no earlier than 6:00 p.m. – teacher supervision in the classrooms will not begin until 6:00. Students are to wear their “Sunday best” – no jeans, etc. – please consult the handbook for general guidelines. I am looking forward to this specialist event!
This week the students will be learning:
Reading: Last week we finished The Boxcar Children and today and tomorrow students will take a final test on the book. We also begin reading about Magnets. Students learn about how they work and what they are used for. This unit ties in with what students are learning in science.
Math: We continue with chapter 5-understanding division. This week we learn how multiplication and division are related and how to use multiplication to solve division problems. We also work on problem solving with division.
Social Studies: Students take their States test. We also learn about the different regions of Native American tribes and how where they lived influenced their lives.
Science: Students complete experiments with magnets. They learn that opposite poles repel and like poles attract. They use this knowledge to move magnets and objects around spaces.
Religion: We use our Religion time to practice the Nativity Play.
Spelling: The spelling homework is due Thursday and the test will be on Friday. This week we work with homophones.
hole whole its it’s hear here won one hour our their there
fur fir
Challenge word: piece
This week’s star: Marianna
Next week’s star: No Star
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Erin Meland