3rd Grade Peek at the Week News November 7, 2011

Dear 3rd Grade Parents,

Please take a look at this week's highlights:

Vocabulary/Spelling: Unit 12 textbook pages due tomorrow. Vocabulary Quiz on Thursday. Spelling Test on Friday.

Reading: Students are still reading Sideways Stories from Wayside School and completing interactive notes together in small groups. They are enjoying analyzing different characters from the book using a cross-curricular character building lesson they recently learned. Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud (http://www.bucketfillers101.com/).

English: We are learning two different types of nouns: common vs. proper nouns. We are also learning the grammar mechanics of abbreviations and titles. We continue to apply our grammar mechanics into writing.

Math: Recitation of multiplication facts continued. Study for tomorrow's quiz 11's and 12's. Ask your child if he/she still needs to make up other math facts quiz. Today we will do a mixed multiplication drill called Mad Minute. They are given a mix of 50 multiplication facts and they are timed to see if they can recall the facts quickly and accurately. Tonight, they will need to do a Mad Minute drill with a parent or guardian. The parent/guardian will time the child (2 minutes for 50 facts). After two minutes, students need to record how many facts they completed correctly. Then they may fill in the rest of the facts in a different color pencil or pen. Parent signature required for verification.

Science: This week, students are given reading passages from a weekly reader newspaper. We have read together in class on Matter. We will have discussions and writing prompts as well as comprehension questions together in class. Please encourage your class to be attentive during these discussions, especially when the teacher announces that they will need to listen to be able to successfully answer the comprehension questions.

Notes/Reminder:
We have had two lovely guest speakers come to us recently to discuss healthy eating habits and nutrition. Mrs. Garcia and Mrs. Jeanne Gay recently spoke to the 3rd graders. Some key points:
*Healthy habits and healthy choices to respect and protect our bodies
*Taking pride in our bodies as they are gifts from God
*Learned a song called "Healthy is Good for Me"

Mrs. Jeanne Gay is a  registered Dietitian with a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences and holds a Master's Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She works mainly in Rehab and Long Term Care providing nutritional support for patients healing from surgery, strokes, and cancer treatments. She loves children and holding other people's children. She has one son at Holy Family, Everett in 6th grade. Her husband Tony is regularly seen playing bass guitar during Friday Mass or at TYM on Sunday Evening. Mrs. Jeanne Gay is a volunteer for the Parish Council at HFN, as wellas in PTO events, PSIA, Running club, and other events at the church and school.