Swimming Week

This week we have been busy swimming and taking the Discovery test.  Your children are doing an AWESOME job in swimming lessons and also did their best work on the Discovery tests.  You have every reason to be incredibly proud of them.  Those two items took up quite a bit of time for us in 3rd grade and so our week was not a normal one.  Yet, there was so much learning that occurred.  This week I am going to give you the top 3 things that struck me as fabulous in 3rd grade.

1.  Our rocks are done polishing!  The day we took the rocks out of the polishers was a big day for our class.  We talked a lot about how God is our ROCK and his desire is for us to SHINE for him each and every day, just like a perfectly polished rock.  We placed our rocks on a platter and each morning since every child has chosen a new rock.  As we pray, each child prays a prayer of thanksgiving and then adds their rock into the center bowl.  We have watched the level of rocks (blessings!) increase and overflow!  No, our eyes are not always closed during these prayers, but what a great way to see God's blessings being poured out to us!

2.  Every child has chosen a story to focus on for the personal narrative unit in Writing.  Your child came home today with a copy of his/her timeline about the story he/she wants to write about.  This weekend I have told the class that they need to simply tell that story to as many people as they can.  The more they share their story, the more details they will hopefully remember and they can add those details later to their writing.   If your child is telling you about an event that you shared with them, try to give him/her a few extra details as well.  :) Remember, this is a "seed story" or a small moment.  It is not about the whole day at the amusement park but rather what it was like waiting in line for that favorite ride.

3.  Spelling word work began this week and the students did a wonderful job!  We have been busy learning the procedures that go along with this spelling program and also how to sort our words into categories.  Hopefully your child has been able to explain this to you each evening at home as well.  If you have questions, always feel free to contact me.

Upcoming Events:

• Reading minutes are due Monday.  
• Spelling word work will come home Monday.  Tests are always given on Friday.
• Psalm 8 will be due September 29.
• Swimming lessons continue this week with the exception of Wednesday.  Feel free to come watch from 12:40-1:20 at the Aquatic Center.
• Walk-a-thon is this Wednesday from 1:00-2:15 at the High School track.
• No School on September 28 due to Staff Development
• Grandparents day is October 8.

Blessings!

Lynae