Grade 3, Room 105

     It's hard to believe that it is already the new Trimester.  We have just finished a very challenging and exciting unit in our new Social Studies book.  Because of the elections we started with the unit on "Citizens and Government".  It helped the students connect their classroom studies with what was happening in the world.  We took part in the Scholastic News Magazine elections and, along with the other US citizens, elected Obama as President of the United States.

      We are beginning to look at multiplication in math.  Most of the students have accomplished the task of mastering the addition and subtraction facts in 3 minutes.  This was important because now we begin to study the multiplication facts, and will also need to master those.  As we learn multiplication, the children will be making flash cards to take home and study.  We will make one set at a time.  Please help your child memorize each set as it comes home.  It is not difficult to learn 12 facts at a time, but will be overwhelming if the flash cards pile up unlearned.

     We are beginning our third unit in Language Arts, and will be concentrating on summarizing, visualizing, generalizing, and reading genres.  As was required last trimester the students will be required to take one accelerated reading test each week.  Since they are all working at their own independent reading level, they should be able to easily pass a test each week.  They are also required to hand in one written book report each month. 

     This is a wonderful time in Religion because there are so many activities to keep us focused during the Advent and Christmas seasons.  We will be using an Advent wreath, an Advent calendar, and a Jesse Tree.  Hopefully these will keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas.
     
     Here are a few reminders to help things run smoothly as the year progresses:

1.  Check assignment notebooks for homework and reminders.
2.  Please give help on make-up work, and check that homework is

    done correctly and neatly.
3.  Don't forget to work on the multiplication facts.

4.  Please send an absentee note to school on the day your child

     returns after illness.  This is  required by state law and we

     keep these on file.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me by sending a note or an E-mail  (shirleyst1@sbcglobal.net)  Let's continue to work together to make this year an enjoyable learning experience for the children.

Thank you!                   
Sister Shirley