A Few Notes Before We Leave for Summer

• Please remember that Monday and Tuesday we will dismiss at 11:15 a.m. 
• Monday is our Semester Celebration at 8:15 a.m. Students with all "A"s for the 3rd and 4th 9 weeks will be recognized as well as all of our monthly AR winners for the second semester. You are welcome to join us. ***Please see below for a note from Mrs. Shelley about parking.
• Monday we will also watch The Secret Garden in our room with special snacks to celebrate the end of the year together. (It is always fun to compare and contrast a novel with the movie version.) Students may bring a pillow to make themselves comfortable during the movie.
• Tuesday Field Day will begin at 9 a.m. (Students may wear their Field Day T-shirts with uniform bottoms, and uniform approved shoes.) We will go around to each event together as team red and team blue battle it out once again. After all the active fun we will enjoy pizza and popsicles together at 10:30. 
• Summer Reading information can be accessed online--just click here. Happy Reading!!!!
• Please encourage your child to practice his/her math facts regularly this summer.

******A Note from Mrs. Shelley about Parking:

• PARKING for school events.......PLEASE refrain from parking at Eastwood Church.
• You may park at The Crossing Church. It is the SMALL church that is for sale across the street. If the Crossing Church lot fills up, we strongly encourage you to park on the Trinity campus. There is ample parking behind the school. Plan ahead and arrive early so that you can park appropriately. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Our Last full week!

What a great year! I am so very proud of the leadership and growth of my Handey Helpers! They are a precious group and they have been an absolute delight to teach! I cannot thank you enough for sharing your treasures with me this year! Believe it or not we have only 7 days left together. We still have work to do and we intend to "finish strong." 

 Please note the following:

• Folders will go home Friday with report cards so that all grades will be included in the final folder for you to see. 
• Monday, May 16th at 8:15 in Willett Hall will be our Semester Celebration. Monthly AR point winners for second semester and students who have earned all "A's" for the third and fourth marking periods will be recognized at this time. We will dismiss at 11:15!
• Tuesday, May 17th is our Field Day and Pizza Party! We will dismiss at 11:15!

Plans for this week:

Reading: Secret Garden

Language: Review and creative writing
Spelling: Unit 35; No Test! 

Bible: Philippians 2:15

Math: Completing Chapter 22 and beginning long division 
Science: Completing Chapter 14 Heat, Light, and Sound
Social Studies: Completing Chapter 12 Government

May 2 - 6, 2011

We had a great trip to Hyundai. Thanks to all of our drivers. We only have a couple of weeks left of school  but we are still going strong in our lessons. I have been encouraging all of the students to finish strong just like it talks about in the Bible! See our plans for next week below. Please note that Wednesday will be our final Coach Class this year.

Spelling - Unit 34; extra words: secret, vacation; Test Thursday; spellingcity.com has been updated


Language - Dictionary skills, creative writing (The book reports look great!)


Reading - "Prairie School," Theme Skills Wrap-up (drawing conclusions, making generalizations, information and study skills, problem solving and decision making), Complete Pilgrim's Progress


Math - Chapter 21 Test Tuesday; Chapter 22, pages 388 -393; Final timed division daily grade for this year


Science - Ch. 16 Test Wednesday; Ch. 14, pages 544-550


Social Studies - Chapter 12, pages 384 -404


Bible - Recite Psalm 91:2 (NIV) in class Friday; This is the National Day of Prayer official verse. The National Day of Prayer is Thursday!

He is Risen!!!

What a wonderful week! I am so proud of our third grade worship leaders. We talked a good bit about the importance praising God and not distracting from His glory. They did a beautiful job. My heart is overwhelmed with praise when I hear our children praising Him. I will post the chapel service soon. I did this last year and my youngest son will watch it and sing the praise songs along with the video. What a blessing!

We are going to Hyundai Wednesday! We will leave at 9 a.m. and return to school in time for lunch. Don't forget that students must wear shoes!

Assignments for April 25-29:

Reading:  Helen Keller;  Pilgrim's Progress 

Language:  Dictionary Skills; Book reports are due Thursday, April 28th

Spelling:  Lesson 33--test on Thursday

Bible:  Matthew 6:9-13  The Lord's Prayer (NIV)--write on Friday

Math:  Metric Measurement p. 372-384

Science:  Chapter 16  Simple Machines p. 640-661

Social Studies:  Chapter 11 Rights and Responsibilities p. 370-379

He is Risen!!!

Happy Easter Week!

We are looking forward to leading the Lower School in worship Thursday at our Easter chapel. It will begin at 8:15. You are welcome to come and worship with us! Remember that we are out of school on Good Friday, April 22nd.

Our Hyundai field trip is Wednesday, April 27th. We will leave at 9 a.m. and return in time to eat lunch at 11 a.m. Remember that students MUST wear shoes.

We are working hard to "finish strong." Please see our assignments for this week below. We are also excited about having the Mac laptops in our room again this week.

Assignments for April 18th - 21st:

Reading: Pilgrim's Progress; comprehension skill review

Language: Poetry writing (April is Poetry Month!); skill review; book reports are due April 28th

Spelling: Easter words--Test Thursday; spellingcity.com has been updated!

Math: Ch. 20 Measurement--Test Wednesday! We will also be working with Numbers program on the Macs!

Science: Ch. 12 Energy test Tuesday!

Social Studies: Chapter 11 "Rights and Responsibilities" pages 358- 368

Bible: John 11:25--Recite in class Thursday!

April 11th - 15th

    I hope everyone enjoyed their half day on Friday! What a wonderful break after working so hard testing all week! I am so glad the weather turned out to be so pretty, too! Believe it or not we are at mid-term of the last nine weeks of school. Reports will go home in Monday's folders. We are also getting close to Easter and our Easter Chapel at school. Our third graders will lead chapel on Thursday, April 21st at 8:15 a.m. They should be working on learning their lines at home. It will be a beautiful time of worship and you are welcome to come and worship with us. Below you will find our plans for the upcoming week. Have a wonderful week!

Assignments for April 11-15:

Reading: "Ramona Quimby, Age 8"; Pilgrim's Progress
Language: Singular and Plural Possessives p. 74-77; Non-fiction Book Reports will be due April 28th--Directions will go home Monday 

Spelling: Lesson 32--test on Thursday 
Bible: "Easter" Matthew 28:4-6--write on Friday Science: Chapter 12 p. 502-516: Chapter 12 test will be Tuesday, April 19th 
Social Studies: Chapter 10 p. 330-341--test on Friday 
Math: Chapter 20--Customary Measurement p. 352-359

Market Day Pictures and a Look at Next Week

Market Day was great!!! Above you can see the students preparing for the big event! Don't miss the commercials the students made. You can view them by clicking "Handey Helpers on Schooltube." (You have to click "Show All" to be able to see them all.) Also, "Morning Message" filmed right from our room Friday.  The next set of pictures will show the products that were for sale!

I was impressed with their great products. Next,  you can see students busy buying, selling, and showing their business to visiting friends. Many visitors came to see our class economy in action including Mr. Neu, Mrs. Osmer, Mrs. Hasty, and other classes. We appreciate all of the sweet encouragement!

Wednesday we enjoyed learning from a special guest. We owe Wat Johnston (Watkins's dad) a big "thank you" for sharing with us about his "real world" businesses. He helped show us that what we are learning in Social Studies and practiced with our Market Day Project directly connects to what he does everyday. Thank you, Mr. Johnston! (See the pictures of his visit below.)


Now for a look at what to expect this week:

ITBS TESTING!!! We will be testing all week. Please make sure that your child has two, #2 pencils with good erasers. Also, students will perform better with plenty of rest and a nutritious breakfast. We will testing in the Science Lab and will begin early so be prompt!

DON'T FORGET!!! Friday we will dismiss at 11:30--lunch will NOT be served!

Due to testing we will not have homework, memory work, or a spelling test this week. Also, Coach Class will NOT meet this Wednesday.

Assignments:


Reading: Pilgrim's Progress
Language: Contractions
Math: Chapter 19 Congruence and Symmetry pages 332-339
Science:  Chapter 12 Energy Pages 493-501
Social Studies: Market Day Reflections; Chapter 10 Making Goods! Pages 328-334

Have a great week!!!!

March 28th - April 1st

Important Notes:

• Thursday, March 31st is Group Picture Day!!! Come ready to SMILE!
• Friday, April 1st is Market Day! We are very excited!
• ITBS Testing will be April 4th -8th. Be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast each day that week!
• Friday, April 8th we will dismiss at 11:30p.m.
• Monday, April 11th Mid-term Reports go home.
• Also, remember that students may purchase Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits in WH from 7:15 - 7:50 a.m. each Friday from now until the end of school. US students are using this as a fundraiser for the March of Dimes.

Lessons for this week:

• Spelling - Lesson 31, extra words: geometry, responsibility; Test Thursday
• Language - The testing genre and test practice
• Reading - Anthology: "Poppa's New Pants;" Skills: Drawing Conclusions, Following Directions Novel: Pilgrim's Progress
• Math- Polygons, pages 314 -327
• Science - Review Chapter 11 Matter; Test Thursday
• Social Studies; Review Chapter 9; Test Tuesday; Prepare for Market Day Friday! Students will use the Mac laptops Tuesday and Wednesday to work on their advertising campaigns and business cards! Introduce Chapter 10 "Making Goods"
• Bible - Easter verses: Matthew 28: 1-3; Written test on Friday

Welcome, Spring!!!!!!!!

Spring is officially here and it couldn't be more beautiful! I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break! We are excited to welcome Harper Thomas to our class and to Trinity!

To Market, To Market --- I hope you've heard about are latest class project -- Market Day. Before we left for the break we were all very excited about it. We are currently learning about the economy in social studies so we have decided to take our classroom economy up a level. Students will create a business plan, produce a product, advertise their product, and sell it to classmates (purchases will be made using their "Classroom Cash") on our Market Day-- April 1st! I have been so tickled at their enthusiasm, great business ideas, and advertising plans. I can't wait to see how it all comes together!!!

Important Dates 

• April 4 - 8 -- ITBS Testing
• April 11th -- Midterm reports
• April 21st -- Third Graders will lead Easter Chapel

Lessons for March 21st - 25th

Spelling -- Lesson 29--suffixes -less, -ness; extra words: obstinate, evangelist; Test Thursday; Don't forget spellingcity.com!

English -- Review Unit 6 Pronouns--Test Wednesday; Testing Skills Practice

Reading -- Anthology: "Pepita Talks Twice" Skills: Problem solving, synonyms; Novel: Third-grade version of Pilgrim's Progress, we will also use this novel as our discussion tool for Bible! Other skills: Understanding the testing genre

Math -- Geometry pages 292 -311; ixl.com skills: R. 1, R. 2, R.11, R.12

Science -- pages 472 - 483 - We are continuing are study of matter.

Social Studies -- pages 302 - 314 -- wrapping up chapter 9; Test Tuesday, March 29th; Market Day is Friday, April 1st

Bible -- Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? 
The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?"-- written test Friday

March 7th - 11th, 2011

We had a great week! We enjoyed eating fractions with Hershey's bars today. We are also all very excited about the sunshine and are looking forward to SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!

Notes:

• Don't forget our current missions project for the local Caring Center. Students may bring toiletry supplies through March 8th.
• Report cards go home Thursday, March 10th
• SCIENCE FEST is Friday, March 11th from noon to 3 p.m.
• SPRING BREAK is March 14th - 18th

Next Week:

• Spelling- Unit 28; Extra words: numerator and denominator; Test Thursday
• English- Pronouns, contractions, homophones pages 222 - 230; We will test on Pronouns when we return from Spring Break, Tuesday, March 22nd.
• Reading - Theme Wrap-up skills assessment, Focus on the fairy tale genre: "Cinderella" and "Yeh-Shen"
• Math - Fractions pages 433 - 448; Test on Ch. 23 and 24 Thursday
• Science - Matter pages 462 - 471
• Social Studies - Chapter 9 pages 288 - 301--We are studying economics!
• Bible - Acts 16:30-31 will be recited Friday: 

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved----you and your household."   Acts 16:30-31

February 28th - March 4th

Hi, Parents! 


We had a busy week last week that included book reports, chapel, and a visit with local missionaries. Look for pictures and video this week! Below is a peek at our week ahead.

Upcoming Plans:

Reading: Anthology~"Trapped By the Ice;" Novel~ How to Eat Fried Worms

Spelling: Unit 27~Test on Thursday
English: Pronouns p. 214-221 
Bible: Missions Matthew 28:19-20; Bible memory will be fill in the blanks on Friday 
Math: Chapter 23~Fractions p. 410-426; Division facts practice 0-12's! 
Science: Chapter 10~ Test Wednesday; Chapter 11~Matter p. 452-461
Social Studies: Chapter 8 - Test Tuesday; Unit on Presidents and First Ladies

February 22nd - 25th, 2011

We had a wonderful Valentine's celebration! Thank you to all the moms that made it happen and a special thank you to Jodi Hargrove for organizing the party. I have enjoyed all of my sweet notes, treats, and prizes--I know the kids have too. It is hard to believe that it is already the last week of February!

We had a great week last week that included having the Apple laptop cart for two days. During those two days students researched inventions and created presentations on the program Pages that we will display on a timeline in our hallway. The students also enjoyed using the Macs to take their spelling test! I am continually impressed with their enthusiasm for learning.

Thursday included another special treat. Mrs. Beth Hargrove, Prather Anne's grandmother and retired Bible teacher for Trinity, taught a sweet Bible lesson about how God cares for us and included a lesson about birds too!

We have another full week this week that will include chapel on Wednesday and oral book talks on Friday! I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! Below is an overview of our week:

Reading: Continue last week's skills and read Yumni and Halmoni's Trip and How to Eat Fried Worms.

Language: Letter Writing -- Test on Thursday; Historical Fiction Book Report Friday.

Spelling: Unit 26; Test Thursday; Spellingcity.com is updated

Math: Chapter 16--Probability pgs. 268 - 284; Multiplication timed daily grade this week.

Science: Seasons pgs. 404 - 413

Social Studies: pgs. 266 - 275; Chapter 8 Test Tuesday, March 1st

Bible: 1 John 4: 7-8 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." Recite on Friday. 

February 14 - 18, 2011

Important Notes:

• Valentine's Day Party is Monday! Don't forget to bring your valentines!
• Monday, February 21st is a school holiday --President's Day!
• Wednesday, February 23rd -Chapel
• Thursday, March 10th -- Report Cards
• Friday, March 11th Science Fest
• March 14th - 18th -- Spring Break

Other Announcements:

I am so very proud of our the explorer research reports that were presented this Tuesday! 

Congratulations to the following students for entering the Weekly Reader contest: Watkins, Lucy, Prather Anne, Gray, and Ellie. The reports were outstanding! They were so exciting others have been inspired to do the reports without entering the contest. Any students who choose to do so will still be rewarded with classroom cash awards!

****I just saw that WR extended the deadline for the contest!! The deadline they have now posted is February 25th!!!! Here are those links again for those who are interested:  http://www.weeklyreader.com/1/contests/article/eyewitness-history-contest http://www.weeklyreader.com/article/eyewitness-history%20

Plans for next week:

• Spelling- Unit 25: extra words: lunar, president; test Thursday--Spellingcity.com is updated!
• English - Letter writing; Oral Book Reports will be presented Friday, February 25th, Rubrics and guidelines went home Friday, February 11th
• Reading - Across the Wide Dark Sea;   Skills: Making Inferences, Dictionary skills: syllabication, suffixes; Novel: How to Eat Fried Worms
• Math - pages 210 - 231; Test Friday, February 18th on Chapters 11- 13
• Science - Moon, pages 414 -423
• Social Studies - Pony Express and Inventions Over Time; pages 252 -263;  Ch. 8 test--Friday, February 25th
• Bible - Deuteronomy 6: 5-6 -- "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts." Recite in class Friday, February 18th.

February 7 - 11, 2011

We are working hard! Our research reports are nearly complete. Expect them to come home on Monday so that students can do their final proofreading. Reports will be presented on Tuesday. The students will receive a grade in Language and Social Studies for their hard work. Below you will find important information and next week's plans. Also, please keep the Blevins family in your prayers. Cooper's grandfather passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. Stay warm and dry this weekend!


Important Notes:

• Congratulations to Mary Curles and Gray Rutland for earning the most AR points for third grade in the month of January. We had several other students that were very close to winning. I am so proud of the way this group encourages each other in the area of reading. You are raising great kids!!!

• I missed sending home paper copies of the contest information, but the following links will take you to the contest guidelines and copies of last year's winning entries: http://www.weeklyreader.com/1/contests/article/eyewitness-history-contest http://www.weeklyreader.com/article/eyewitness-history%20

• Midterm reports will go home in Monday's folders.

• Valentine's Party will be at the end of the day Monday, February 14th. Next week we will decorate the bags that will serve as our valentine mailboxes.

• Friday, February 18 will be a regular school day. Monday, February 21st is President's Day and will be a school holiday.

Below is a peek at our plans for next week:


Spelling: Unit 23 Contractions, extra words: valentine, division; Test Thursday; Spellingcity.com is current! ;)


Language: Adjectives and Adverbs (Unit 4) Test on Tuesday; We will begin learning about letter writing after our test; Also, next Friday (the 11th) the students will check out books for their next book report.  Oral book reports on a historical fiction book will be presented on Friday, February 25th.  Look for report guidelines and grading rubric to come home Friday, February 11th.


Reading: Focus on biographies- pages 120 - 145


Math: Division- pages 192 - 209


Science: Stars - pages 434 -437


Social Studies: Explorer reports completed in class Monday and shared in class Tuesday; Chapter 8 - Technology Changes Communities pages 242 -251; Those doing the Weekly Reader project will share their projects with the class on Thursday.


Bible: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - Fill in the blank test on Friday.

E-mail sent February 3, 2011

Hi, Parents!

Our research reports need a couple of extra days to be completed. We will NOT be sharing them tomorrow. Instead, we will begin writing our final drafts! I think the extra time will be well worth it and you will be most impressed with our young authors. I am very proud of their efforts so far! Look for their final copies to come home next week to be proofread before they are shared and turned in for a grade. 

On another note, your children have blown me away in their eagerness to learn! Several weeks ago they mentioned that they would like to interview a family member and share with the class what they learned. As it turns out, Weekly Reader News has a contest along these lines. I will send home the details of the contest tomorrow for those who are interested. Students who would like to participate should turn in their reports Thursday, February 10th so that I can mail them by the 11th. THIS IS NOT AN ASSIGNMENT--it is completely optional. Students who choose complete this project will be rewarded with classroom cash to be used in our class store. They will also receive a free homework pass for their efforts.

 I absolutely LOVE their enthusiasm for learning. Thank you for sharing your ambitious learners with me -- they are delightful!!!!

In Him,

Jennifer Handey

January 31 - February 4, 2011

Mid-term reports will go home Monday, Februrary 7th. Have a great week!

Reading: Anthology~"Alejandro's Gift;" Wrap up theme

Spelling: Lesson 22~test on Thursday 

Language: Adverbs p.158-165 ; Research Writing

Bible: The Armor of God~Ephesians 6:14-18-~Fill in blanks on Friday

Math: Chapter 29~test on Wednesday; Timed Test for daily grade this week - practice; Begin Division chapter 1~p.182-187

Science: Chapter 10~The Solar System p. 424-433

Social Studies: Continuing our study on explorers~ Open Book Test on Chapter 7 - Thursday; Explorer research paper due Friday (We will do the writing in class and reports will go home Thursday for final proofing.)

January 24 -28, 2011

We are looking forward to an exciting week that includes the Book Fair and research on the Mac Laptops! See our plans below and have a great week!

Spelling:  Lesson 21;  test on Thursday



Language:  Adverbs p. 152-157; Continue writing instructions focus


Bible:  The Armor of God--Ephesians 6:10-11--recite on Friday


Math:  Multiplication p. 520-529


Science:  Review Chapter 9;  Chapter 9 Test on Wednesday;
begin Chapter 10 p. 402-405


Social Studies:  p. 228-231; continue research reports on explorers on Mac laptop computers


Reading:  Two Days in May

Happy Long Weekend!

Hi, All!

Please note the following:

• Monday is a holiday!
• Scholastic Book Fair will be at our school January 24th - 28th.
• Some students need to replenish supplies such as paper and pencils.
• Practice those MATH FACTS 0 -12!!!!!!!!!!

A look at the week ahead:

Reading: Anthology: Seal Surfer, Skill: Compare and Contrast, Character Analysis, Novel: Trumpet of the Swan

English: Writing Instructions

Spelling: Lesson 20 -- Test Thursday

Math - Chapter 27 pages 494 - 497 -- Test Thursday

Science - Pages 393 - 395; Severe weather

Social Studies - pages 226 - 227; Research Explorers with the Mac Labs!!!

Bible  -- The Beatitudes (worksheet) due Friday

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

War Eagle!!!

Our week will start off with great excitement as many of us are looking forward to a certain game Monday night! It was great to see my sweet friends back at school. Below is a look at our plans for next week. Remember that if we happen to have bad weather that interferes with school that the school will notify us with the Alert system.

Reading - Anthology: Night of the Pufflings, Novel: Trumpet of the Swan 
Language - Adjectives pages 148 -151
Spelling - Lesson 19 Extra Words: trumpet, cygnets, adjectives; Test Thursday
Math - Test Wednesday on Ch. 10 and multiplication facts 0 - 12; Begin higher multiplication pages 486 - 492
Social Studies - History, pages 212 - 225
Science - The Water Cycle, Weather; pages 384 - 392
Bible - 10 Commandments (see handout Monday); Fill in the blank and application assessment on Friday

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome back!!!!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas break! I enjoyed spending time with my family, but I have missed my sweet friends. I can't wait to get started back!

Important Dates to remember:

Thursday, January 6th -- Report cards go home

Thursday, January 6th, 8:15 a.m. in WH-- Semester Celebration. Parents are welcome. Students who have a achieved all As for the first semester, monthly AR winners, and Christmas Essay winners will be recognized at this time. Students will remain seated with their class and stand at their seat when their name is called. I will e-mail you if your student will be recognized.

Wednesday, January 12th -- Coach Class will begin again

Assignments for January 4 - 7, 2011:

Reading--novel, The Trumpet of the Swan

Spelling--Lesson 17--test on Friday

Language--Adjectives p. 142-147

Bible--Philippians 3:13-14--write (fill in the blanks) on Friday

Math--Multiplication 0-12s--p. 166-173; (Test on Ch. 10; 0 - 12 Multiplication facts will be Wednesday, January 12th)

Science--Water Cycle  p. 376-383

Social Studies--Chapter 7  p. 206-211