Good afternoon!

It sure was a very busy week in our grade 3 classroom! 

In today's class the students started off the day with their weekly spelling test.  All students will be bringing home their marked spelling tests with them tonight.  I ask that all incorrectly spelled words be re-written ten times each over the weekend in their spelling notebooks.  

During the Unit of Inquiry time today the students worked on an experiment testing the use of gravity.  Students experimented dropping balls from the air, and then worked on creating a contraption that will allow them to slow down the force of gravity.  Students timed their balls dropping before and after the use of their contraption to see if it did in fact help them slow down the speed of their balls dropping.  There was a great deal of excitement with this experiment.  Students may be taking the rest of their experiment worksheet home with them to complete for homework over the weekend!

During mathematics today the students continued with their data management unit.  In today's class the students worked on interpreting and creating their own graphs.  The students focused on interpreting the data in bar graphs and circle graphs.  They had a lot of fun in this work period!  Ask your child tonight what they learned.  They also worked on Abeka math where they focused on addition, multiplication and division.

Students also went to PE, Art  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, re-write incorrect spelling words ten times each, Abeka pages 51 - 52,  math pages 102-103, and complete gravity experiment worksheet if necessary.

Important information:   The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $65 for adults and $10 for children.  Ticket prices for adults go up to $75 on January 14th so buy your tickets soon!

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Nelson

Welcome back!

It was a pleasure to get back to school after being away from the classroom!  It sounds as though the students were very excited to come back to school as well which was great to hear!

The students started off the day today working on language.  In today's class the students copied down their new weekly spelling words and then worked on reinforcing them in their Spelling Workbooks.  This week the words focused on consonant clusters.  During language today the students also had time to use their journals to summarize and reflect on their holidays.  The students had a chance to share their stories to the class which was great!  We got to hear about holidays that focused on families visiting, sports practices, outdoor fun, and a lot more!  During language the students also used their letter writing skills to write a letter to a friend welcoming them back to school after the winter break.  All students will be bringing home their welcome letter with them tonight!

During our Unit of Inquiry today we continued on with our unit all about forces.  In today's class we focused on how society sometimes has to use safety devices to aid us in the protection against forces.  As a class we watched a video all about seatbelts, and witnessed a demonstration of how and why they need to be used.  We discussed the scientific principal that 'all objects will stay in motion'.  Ask your child tonight what they learned!

During mathematics today the students began their new unit on data management!  As a class we discussed the meaning behind the term data management.  We broke down the two words (data meaning information and management meaning organizing) and discussed how a proper understanding of these two terms will help with their success in this unit.  In today's class the students began sorting shapes based on two attributes.  The students focused on the use of charts and Venn Diagrams to help them sort their data.

Students also went to PE  and French classes.

Homework: Read for 2o minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, Spelling Workout pages 70 - 72, and math pages 96 - 97.

Important information:   The next P.D Day at St. Jude's is on January 24th.  There will be no school for students on this day.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson