Announcements

 The children have been studying the concept of "parish"-the leaders, the 
people,the activities. We took time to consider what we each can participate 
as members of our Christian family.
  Third grade will be beginning our study of geometry. We will be making a 
shape booklet for our own reference. Class charts will identify lines, line 
segments, rays, parallel lines, intersecting lines. Have your children 
observe the world around them and help them see some of the topics we will 
cover. Maintenance will continue as well as multiplication practice.
  Benchmark 3 will begin this week. Our read aloud is Mr. Popper's Penguins.
We have used the story as background for envelope addressing and friendly 
letter writing. We even had a riddle on Monday that lead us to an ice cream 
sandwich treat!
   Our language has been focusing on verbs. In Phonics, we are reinforcing
correct spelling of words with endings.
   This week the children will be introduced to the author Jan Brett. She has 
a distinctive style of writing and artwork. We will be reading her books The 
Gingerbread HOuse and The Gingerbread Baby. We will enjoy The Mitten when we 
review subjects and predicates. The children will be creating a Gingerbread 
book with all kinds of activities such as word building, story order, 
cooperative groups and reading aloud and much more.
   The children will receive their new writing copybook this week as we 
continue our writing practice. The focus will be characters, feelings, and 
setting.
    As Presidents' Day approaches, the class is creating historical time 
lines. We have done a Lincoln activity and will get to George Washington this 
week. 
     Our study of Earth science will begin with rock observations. The 
children will choose rocks and identify them on a chart through observations 
of their properties.