Third Grade has started a wonderful year.  They are a bunch of creative and enthusiastic students.  I am delighted that they demonstrate positive and responsive attitude towards learning.  Our children learn to work independently, with a partner, and in groups in the different learning centers I have set up in the classroom. 

From the very beginning of the school year, they show interest and are very enthusiastic to learn a new skill each day.

    On the first few days, they have made a project called Color Scribble Project.  They made line sketches with the accompaniment of music.  They had a blast dancing and sketching both at the same time!

     We are very focused learning our spelling words and Math facts, emphasizing on mental processes.  We have just started the multiplication fact families coordinating them with drawing of pictures to easily comprehend multiplication facts.

     We are improving our reading as well.  We are acquiring different reading strategies to help  understand reading a story or article.  It is a treat for the whole class to read enjoyable contemporary stories, fiction and non-fiction stories.

     Last but not the least, we would like to give a warm welcome to our new friend and classmate Brianna Adame to Santa Clara Academy.  There is a bright horizon awaiting us in the months to come.  Way to go, TERRIFIC Third Grade!!!

Third Graders are responding enthusiastically to the challenges every school day.  Challenges that make them feel academically prepared and confident. 

           We have been focusing on memorizing the basic prayers such as Hail Holy Queen and the Apostles Creed.  We are also discussing historical facts about the early life and childhood of Jesus, the Son of God, and our Savior.  It also includes the Bible Scriptures and how we can apply the moral lessons in our daily life activities and experiences to help us become better individuals and faithful Christians.  Through this, it helps us foster our faith in God.

           In Spelling, we are learning the different techniques to memorize spelling words.  It is just as significant as any other subjects.  We need to be able to write and spell the word accurately.  By learning the definition of the word, the number of syllables, and how to use the guide word in the dictionary.  These are important dictionary skills. 

           We also spend a great deal of time in reading fiction and non-fiction books.  We are fascinated to know the life stories of famous authors and illustrators. 

            We are greatly challenged by memorizing Math facts specifically timetables.  We are determined to learn the facts by heart to be able to solve problems accurately utilizing the mental processes.

            Surely you can infer that we are having a great year of fun and learning.  That’s us, T- for Terrific Third! Hurray!!!!!!  

           Mathematics proves to be the most challenging lesson for third   graders.  We discuss the commutative and associative properties of multiplication.  We learn the process of multiplying two to three digits by one or two factors.  Memorizing the product of the many big numbers is a constant challenge.  But children are responding very positively to all these.  They are well- motivated to accept the challenge because of the many rewards Mrs. Bue gives to the student who performs well.  So, parents please continue to work with them at home using flash cards of multiplication.  They will become adept at mental calculations once they know their timetables. 

           In celebration of All Saint’s Day, Third grade class has been studying about Catholic saints and martyrs for the past two weeks everyday in Religion class.  The children are incredibly amazed upon learning significant, interesting, and almost unbelievable facts about them.  We discuss life stories of famous saints and their contribution to the Catholic Church.  We also tackle in detail how the saints lived as a follower of Jesus and how they faithfully served God.  The children find stories of miracles they had performed undoubtedly interesting and amazing.  Through these accounts of great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the unwavering desire to serve the poor and the exceptional characters and virtues of all these saints, children are motivated to do their best at all times.  It is evident that because of this, there is a huge impact in the way they behave.  The faith of the children has become even more stronger.

           This is just a fragment of the many things we acquire and learn in third grade.  Bravo!!!          

     For the celebration of Advent, the class makes a thorough discussion of the symbols of

Advent, their meaning and significance to faith.  The children understand the concept of Advent through application of Gospel values in daily life such as compassion, empathy for others, thoughtfulness, and generosity.   

     In Math, we are immersed in studying and memorizing number facts for multiplication and division.  The goal is to acquire an extensive understanding of the relationships of the two processes.  The students are striving to be proficient in mental calculations and solving word problems. 

     We are reading, reading, writing, and writing!  The children are honing their talents for creative composition writing.  Through brainstorming, they can elaborate a personal narrative story.  Great job third grade!

     May you have a very blessed and Merry Christmas.   

     In a great effort to augment students’ comprehension skills, third grade class has been focusing on reading different kinds of stories.  Students learn to summarize a selection by getting significant details in the story.  They are also getting adept to locating information, finding the main idea, and learning critical thinking skills. 

    Each day, students acquire a new word they can add to their list of vocabulary words.  This word is introduced, its meaning, and usage in the sentence.  I strongly encourage them to use these big words in their daily conversation. 

     For the coming Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, the class reads some excerpts from his famous speech.  Of the numerous things they are acquiring, this week especially, students will accomplish two things:  One, they’ll gain self-confidence expressing themselves by reading the famous speech with proper intonation, phrasing, and facial expression.  Two, as young writers, they will see growth in their ability to write a composition.  Based from his famous speech of “I Have a Dream” they’ll write and elaborate on an essay about their dream of becoming successful in the future.

     Keep reading third grade! Great job!

        Third grade as usual has been engaged in so many activities last month.  From writing personal narrative essay, memorizing poems, interpreting songs, creating food chain mobile, writing adoration or thanksgiving prayer, tests, to project designs, indeed January was a very busy month.

          Students had a blast with the visit to the senior citizens in Dallas.  There, they offered prayers, sang a song, recited a poem, and selected students read their essay about their dream to become a successful individual someday.

          In reading, we have read a beautiful non-fiction story, which is one of the most memorable stories we have read, about an amazing dog named Balto.  This story talks about his unique inherent qualities when he saved the people of Nome, Alaska from an epidemic.  His day is celebrated on Feb. 2.  The children have learned two important moral lessons from this story:  Determination and bravery.

          In Math, the focus is in the inverse relationship between multiplication and division with emphasis on the use of the decimal point.  They are also getting adept on the concept of order of operation.

     We have an in-depth discussion of the four marks of the Catholic Church in religion.  This week, when we begin the season of Lent, we plan of offering some forms of personal sacrifices for our Lord and Savior to be able to relate His great pain and suffering for us.

     It is a delight to see the children’s growth in many learning areas.

Keep up the great job third grade!!

       Third Grade is blooming, blooming, blooming in all areas.  We continue to progress in our ability to write essays, personal narrative writing, prayer writing such as adoration and thanksgiving prayer, indeed it is very productive.

          In reading, we read fiction and non-fiction stories, in which they develop their comprehension and ability to locate explicitly stated main idea, sequencing, and recalling details.

          In Math, the focus is in adding and subtracting fractions and changing to lowest terms.  This is quite a complex operation.

       We have an in-depth discussion of the ways to change attitudes during the season of Lent.  This is geared towards sacrificing, prayer, kindness, and improving oneself in order to follow Jesus and relate to his suffering and sacrifice for us. 

         Keep your child reading at home.  I hope all of you have a safe spring break. 

Keep up the great job third grade!!

     In the past few weeks, we have discussed and learned the many contributing factors that make our country and the world as a whole unique.  Students have learned the different culture, language, government, and the different customs of some countries.  The people who immigrated to the United States have incorporated these different culture and customs to their way of life that make our country uniquely diverse.  This is the main point of our research.  Students will research about each country’s:  people, language, culture, customs, and food.  Include only the significant details in the presentation.  I am encouraging students to be very creative.  Be resourceful, meaning, as much as possible don’t spend on anything but use old materials.  Old materials can be amazing if presented creatively.

      The poster will be submitted on April 21^st, Monday.

       For Science Fair Project, students will choose a topic and research for it.  Please follow the steps in creating a scientific research by following the guide I have given to the students.  This Science Fair Project is due first week of May.

God bless and Happy creating!

Mrs.  Marisel Bue