Welcome to Term 4

Dear Year Three Parents,

Welcome back to Term 4.  We hope that you had safe and relaxing holiday.

A reminder of the three Year Three class teachers’ contact email addresses:

• 3 Green         - Mandy Dencher              mandy.bland@bne.catholic.edu.au
• 3 Navy         - Gay Lynch                       glynch@bne.catholic.edu.au                     
• 3 Maroon     - Sarah Francia                sfrancia@bne.catholic.edu.au
• 3 White         - Sonya Telford                 stelford@bne.catholic.edu.au 

In addition, all Year Three teachers have blog and twitter accounts. Please take some time to have a look at them using the following web addresses:

3 Green

Blog:                        http://mrsdenchersclass.blogspot.com.au/ 

Twitter:                  @3green2015

3 Navy

Blog:                        http://mrslynchclass.blogspot.com.au/

Twitter:                  @thelynchclan

3 White

Blog:                        http://mrstelfordsclassroom.blogspot.com.au/

Twitter:                  @sontelford

3 Maroon

Blog:                         http://threemaroon.weebly.com/ 

Twitter:                  @Miss_Francia_

CURRICULUM NEWS

 

Religion

In Religion this term we will be focusing on the strand Sacred Texts.  We are concentrating on the Bible, with a focus on the four Gospels.

 

Science

In Science this term we will be exploring the concept of heat production. Specifically, we will focus on the effect of heat on a variety of materials.

 

History / Geography

In History this term we are looking at different climate zones around the world. The children will be making comparisons between climatic differences, customs and Christmas traditions.

 

English

We are focussing on procedural texts this term and will also be incorporating this genre in Science. The comprehension strategies that will be covered this term are Inferring, Finding the Main Idea and Summarizing.

 

Maths

Subtraction with regrouping will be further explored this term. There will be a particular focus on the Measurement and Geometry strand, including 3D shapes, mass, volume and length. Consolidation in counting money and reading and recording time will continue. Students will continue to learn the relationship between multiplication and division. Regular practice of recalling multiplication facts is needed.

 

Homework

It is very important that your child learns their spelling and times tables. Again, we ask you to test your child every Thursday night on spelling and times tables. This can be recorded in Thursday’s column and marked by an adult. A great strategy to improve their understanding is to ask the spelling words out of order as well as the times tables.

Swimming

In week 4, the Year 3 students will begin their swimming lessons. Please ensure they have the following for each lesson:

• Swimming cap – these can be purchased from the school office for $2.50
• Swimmers (one-piece for the girls)
• T-shirt
• Footwear (e.g. Thongs)
• Towel

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s class teacher for an appointment time.  We are often very busy before and after school so prior arrangement of a time to meet does help us to manage out time more effectively.  The best ways to contact us are through email, the office or a note via your child.

 

Have a wonderful term.

Week 8

Wow, what a busy term it has been!


The Year Three students had a great time on their excursion on Friday. They were lucky to attend mass at St Stephen's Cathedral and then be given a guided tour of the Cathedral, learning about the history. Afterwards the children were taken to Calamvale District Park to have playtime.


A reminder that our class is leading mass in the Church this week. Mass will begin at 9am sharp. It would be wonderful to have you there with us.


As we work towards the end of term it is important that your child not miss vital classroom time. Of course, if they are unwell I encourage you to keep them home to prevent spreading disease further.


Showcase night will be held on the Wednesday of Week 10 (16^th September) and you will be able to collect your child’s portfolio’s then also. This is a great opportunity for you to witness some of the amazing work samples your child has produced this term.


I look forward to seeing you then,
Mandy.

Welcome to Term 3

CURRICULUM NEWS

 

Religion

In Religion this term we will be focusing on the strand Christian Life.  We are concentrating on the area of Mission and Service through the scriptures and learning why it is important to help the poor and disadvantaged. We will also be looking at the structure of the Catholic Church.

 

Science

In Science this semester we will be exploring the concept Earth and Space, concentrating on Day and Night.  We will look at the Sun as a source of light, the rotation of the Earth and the sizes of the Earth, Sun and Moon.

 

History

In History this term we are looking at the concept of Community and Remembrance, focusing on Life in the 1800 to 1900s.  Students will discover what life was like for a child in the past and compare it to their lives today. 

 

English

We are focussing on Diary Writing this term and will also be incorporating this genre in History. It would be beneficial to your child if they regularly wrote in a personal diary at home, recording their thoughts and feelings about their day. The comprehension strategies that will be covered this term are Inferring, Finding the Main Idea and Summarizing. We will also be learning about different types of verbs.

 

Maths

Subtraction with regrouping will be introduced this term. Consolidation in counting money and reading and recording time will continue. Students will learn the relationship between multiplication and division. Regular practice of recalling multiplication facts is needed.

 

Homework

It is very important that your child learns their spelling and times tables. Again, we ask you to test your child every Thursday night on spelling and times tables. This can be recorded in Thursday’s column and marked by an adult. A great strategy to improve their understanding is to ask the spelling words out of order as well as the times tables.

 

Other

We have noticed that many children are missing or finished items from their pencil cases.  Your child should have the following items in their pencil case:

• 2 lead pencils
• Sharpener
• Ruler
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Coloured pencils/crayons 

 As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s class teacher for an appointment time.  We are often very busy before and after school so prior arrangement of a time to meet does help us to manage out time more effectively.  The best ways to contact us are through email, the office or a note via your child.

 

Have a wonderful term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 1

Welcome back parents and students!
We have a busy and exciting term ahead.


In the last week of Term 2 your child would have received a photo order envelope. Could you please fill this out and return it to school as soon as possible.


This week you will receive a term overview letter, which will explain the units of work the children are completing.


As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me either via email: mandy.bland@bne.catholic.edu.au or through the school office.


Mandy.

Week 10

We have a busy last week of Term 2 coming up!

MONDAY is Prep to Yr 2 athletics carnival (students can wear their house colour Tshirt on this day but not essential, sports uniform is fine)

TUESDAY: Athletics Week continues with 800m finals, High Jump and Shot Put finals.
Tuesday is the parent showcase of Dance Fever - Prep to Yr 3 is 9:30-10:30am and Yrs 4-6 is on at 11:30-12:30pm on the Multi Purpose Court.
Tuesday afternoon from 4-5pm is the parent consultation regarding the new Principal for 2016- will be held in Kolbe Place.

WEDNESDAY: Athletic finals continue with Shot Put, High Jump and Long Jump for various ages.
Portfolios and report cards are sent home.

THURSDAY: Athletics continues for long jump and the 200m finals at 1pm.

FRIDAY: Yr 3-6 Athletics carnival (again coloured house shirts can be worn).
Term 2 concludes at 3pm for winter holidays.

Term 3 resumes Monday 13 July!

Have a great break!

Mandy.

Week 7

Welcome to week 7!


I cannot believe we are nearly half way through the year. The Year Three students have been very busy completing assessment tasks, as we come to the end of another term.


A reminder that Parent/Teacher interviews are being held next week. Interviews are being held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You can book your interview online, or through the school office. There was some information in last weeks newsletter about resetting/obtaining your pin for the portal if you have forgotten it. Report cards and portfolios will be sent home in the last week.


A reminder to keep personal items, such as jumpers and hats, named. Some children are prone to losing their items on a daily basis, so naming items makes returns much more efficient.


See you next week,
Mandy.

Week 4

Welcome to Week 4!


As I'm sure you are aware, the Year 3 students will be sitting their NAPLAN tests this week. The tests will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
It is important that your child arrives to school on time. I have also reminded the children of the importance of having a healthy dinner, adequate breakfast and plenty of sleep so that they are ready for each test.


Due to NAPLAN taking place this week, the Year 3 teachers have decided NOT to give the children homework. The children will continue to change their home readers each day and are expected to still be reading for a minimum of 10-15 minutes each night.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN or homework this week, please feel free to send me an email. You can reach me at mandy.bland@bne.catholic.edu.au.


Have a great week,
Mandy.

Week 2

Welcome to Week 2!

A reminder that 3 Green is leading assembly this coming Wednesday (29th). This will be the only assembly our class leads this term, so it would be great if you could make it to support your child.

Also, there are a number of children who have overdue library books (some dating back to the beginning of March). Please check to see if your child has any books at home that need to be returned or re-borrowed. Remember, it is essential that each child has their own library bag, should they wish to borrow from the library.

If you haven't already done so, could you please return your child's portfolio to school. There is a section on the contents page for you to comment and/or sign to acknowledge that you have looked through their portfolio.

Have a great week,
Mandy.

Welcome to Term 2!

TERM TWO INFORMATION 2015

 

Welcome to Term Two.  The three Year Three class teachers contact email addresses are:

• 3 Green            - Mandy Dencher         mandy.bland@bne.catholic.edu.au
• 3 Navy              - Gay Lynch                  glynch@bne.catholic.edu.au                
• 3 Maroon         - Sarah Francia             sfrancia@bne.catholic.edu.au
• 3 White             - Sonya Telford             stelford@bne.catholic.edu.au

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.  To make an appointment, please contact your child’s teacher through the school office, write a short note or email your class teacher.  We will get back to you with a suitable time to meet.

In addition all Year Three teachers use blogs and Twitter to keep parents up to date with the routines and events happening each week in Year Three.  If you have not had a chance to view our blogs and tweets, please take some time to have a look at them using the following addresses:

 

3 Green

Blog:                 http://mrsdenchersclass.blogspot.com.au/ 

Twitter:             @3green2015

3 Navy

Blog:                              http://mrslynchclass.blogspot.com.au/
Twitter:             @thelynchclan

3 White

Blog:                  http://mrstelfordsclassroom.blogspot.com.au/
Twitter:             @sontelford

3 Maroon

Blog:                 http://threemaroon.weebly.com/  
Twitter:             @Miss_Francia_

RELIGION

In Religion this term students are learning about the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.  Students will learn the significance of these sacraments and the symbols associated with these sacraments.

LITERACY

Literacy will compose of daily reading and writing workshops. Reading comprehension strategies will comprise of making connections and main idea. Writing workshops will compose of daily flash writing, focusing on specific writing traits to encourage descriptive language. There will also be a specific focus on spelling, grammar and punctuation each week.

NUMERACY

In class children will be practising daily number fact recall and strategies. They will be exploring numbers to 10 000, completing addition and subtraction operations with trading, fractions of a whole, number patterns, revising time and money, identifying angles, exploring length and area, exploring the properties of 2D shapes and representing data using tables and graphs.

HISTORY In History this term we will be continuing to explore Community and Remembrance.  We will be focussing on ‘Special Australian Celebrations’ including Australia Day, ANZAC Day, Queensland Day and National Sorry Day. 

SCIENCE

In Science this term will we be exploring Plants in Action – specifically we will be looking at bean plants, parts of a flower and the dispersal of seeds.

GEOGRAPHY

This term in Geography the students will continue to learn more about Australia’s states and territories including landmarks both man-made and natural.

SPECIALIST LESSONS

Students in Three Green and Three Maroon will continue to take part in Physical Education lessons every Monday for one hour each. They will need to wear their sports uniform on Mondays and Fridays. These students will participate in a one hour music lesson each Tuesday. Students in Three White and Three Navy will continue to take part in Physical Education lessons every Tuesday for one hour each. They will need to wear their sports uniform on Tuesdays and Fridays. These students will participate in a one hour music lesson each Monday. All Year Three students will attend a library lesson each Thursday. Please ensure students have their books to return or re-borrow and a library bag for borrowing.

DANCE FEVER Every Tuesday students in Year Three are participating in 30 minute Dance Fever lessons.  They are learning a variety of dances, Hip Hop and more traditional forms of dance. 

HOMEWORK
Homework will be given to the students on Monday and it is due back each Friday. Homework will consist of spelling words and number facts. Home Readers will be sent home every day. Reading is an essential part of your child’s daily homework. Please sign and date the sheet that is attached to the inside of your child’s homework book. Please note that the purpose of Home Readers is to instil confidence in your child. The books are specifically chosen to be able to be read independently by the child to an adult. Your child should be able to retell the story and answer a range of questions you pose. This will aid their comprehension skills.

FRUIT / VEGETABLE SNACK TIME

Each morning students are given an opportunity to have a small fruit or vegetable snack prior to First Break. This is to boost their energy levels and maintain concentration.

 

Week 8

Have you asked your child what they have to do for homework this week?
In addition to the regular spelling words and number facts, they children have been given a brief research-based task. As you would know, this term the children have been exploring the Australian and Aboriginal Flags and the Australian Coat of Arms. For the final part of the unit, the children are going to design their own family coat of arms. In your child's homework book there is an instruction sheet to guide the children on what sort of information they need to gather before completing their Coat of Arms this Friday. Please help your child be prepared by discussing the answers to some of the questions and encouraging them to write the information in the back of their homework books.


A reminder too that Showcase Evening will be held on the Wednesday of Week 10 - which is the 1st April. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to come and have a look at what your child has been learning about this term. I hope to see you there!


Mandy.

Book Club Orders

See below for new information regarding book club orders:

INTRODUCING SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS LOOP FOR PARENTS

 

LOOP is the NEW Scholastic Book Clubs Linked Online Ordering & Payment platform for parents.

As from Term 2, all ordering with Scholastic Book Club will be done through the LOOP system.  What does this mean for you as a parent/carer??

If you pay by Credit Card for your online Book Club order, the new platform makes it easy.  It will eliminate the need for paper order forms plus your online order is submitted to the school safe and sound.

 You can log-in to www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the new Iphone and Ipad app from the App store. Follow the instructions given below.

1.     Just click on ORDER in the top menu or REGISTER first to save your details for next time.

2.     Select your school and your child’s class.

3.     Add your child’s FIRST name and last initial (so the school knows who the order is for).

4.     Enter the item number from the Book Club brochure.

5.     You can order for multiple children at once if they attend the same school.

6.     All orders are linked directly to the school for submission to Scholastic.

Books will be delivered to the school and then your order will be sent to your child’s classroom if ordered by DUE DATE on brochure.

7.      There will be no need to return paper order forms or payment receipt details to the school.

PLEASE REMEMBER:  TO ORDER YOUR BOOKS BY THE DUE DATE, OTHERWISE IT MAY TAKE LONGER FOR BOOKS TO BE SENT TO SCHOOL, AND AS THERE IS A CUT OFF DATE, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ORDER FROM THAT ISSUE.

 

 

Week 6

Welcome to Week 6!

This week in Mathematics we are focussing on ‘time.’ We will be particularly focussing on quarter to/past and half past. I have encouraged the children to ask you to challenge them at home by asking them to read the time at any given point in the day.  Encouraging your child to read both digital times (such as on the microwave, DVD player or car radio) as well as reading analogue clocks is great practise. I have also suggested that if they have a (sensible) watch, they might like to start wearing it to school. During my time teaching Year Six over the past few years I have noticed many 10/11 year olds who could still not tell the time. This is such a necessary life skill and a little learning or revision can be done at any time of the day in very short bursts.

A reminder too, that we have our library lesson every Thursday. The children need to bring their library bags to borrow or re-borrow. Borrowed books must be returned before new books can be borrowed.  

Have a great week!

Mandy.

Week 5

Thank-you to all the parents and friends who came to watch 3G present their vision statement in the Church yesterday. The students did a wonderful job creating and presenting their vision for the year ahead. In case you missed it, you can see our presentation at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A58ODsuOQGw


A reminder that children should be reading EVERY day. There are quite a number of students who are not bringing back home readers every day, or have only borrowed a handful of books this term. Reading it vital for your child's growth in all areas of the curriculum.


Please remember that I am available via email or the school phone line, should you have any questions.
Have a great week!


Mandy.

Week 4, Term 1

Welcome to Week 4!


Just a reminder that homework has begun. Homework will go home today and is due back on Friday. Please ensure your child is reading their home reader books and/or their library books and you, as their parent or caregiver, are signing off on the bottom of their homework sheet.


Next Monday, the 23rd, Year 3 will be presenting their vision statement in the Church at 1:55pm. We would love for you to be there to witness our vision for the year ahead.


Mandy.

Week 3

Welcome to Week 3!

Year Three students will be getting homework for the first time this week.  They are expected to write out their spelling words each night (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) in the columns ruled up in their books. They will also need to write out their number facts each night, but this can be done in the table provided on their homework sheet. Each child will also be sent home with a home-reader book. There is a table on the bottom of their homework sheet for you, as their parent, to sign after you have heard them read. When they have read the book, they can bring it back to school to swap it for another. Homework is due on Friday. 

Last week book club newsletters were sent out. Below are the instructions (from the library) on how to pay for an order.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAYMENT OF BOOK CLUB FOR PARENTS

Parents, please log onto www.scholastic.com.au, then click on parent payment.
Click on Book Club pay now, then continue to fill out details on Parent Bookclub Payment.
Once completed, you will receive a 11 digit receipt number which needs to be recorded on your order form, with all your details, and then return this order form to the school by the due date.

A reminder that all students need to have all of their equipment at school, everyday. There are a number of students who are still missing scrapbooks and textbooks (spelling and grammar). We have already begun working in most subject areas, so if you know that your child is missing these items, please try to get in contact with the supplier ASAP.

Mandy.

Welcome to Three Green, 2015!

TERM ONE INFORMATION 2015

 

Welcome to Term One.  The three Year Three class teachers contact email addresses are:

·         3 Green           - Mandy Dencher        mandy.bland@bne.catholic.edu.au

·         3 Navy             - Gay Lynch                 glynch@bne.catholic.edu.au                

·         3 Maroon         - Sarah Francia             sfrancia@bne.catholic.edu.au

·         3 White            - Sonya Telford            stelford@bne.catholic.edu.au

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.  To make an appointment, please contact your child’s teacher through the school office, write a short note or email your class teacher.  We will get back to you with a suitable time to meet.

In addition all Year Three teachers use blogs and Twitter to keep parents up to date with the routines and events happening each week in Year Three.  If you have not had a chance to view our blogs and tweets, please take some time to have a look at them using the following addresses:

 

3 Green

Blog:                 http://mrsdenchersclass.blogspot.com.au/ 

Twitter:              @3green2015

3 Navy

Blog:                  http://mrslynchclass.blogspot.com.au/

Twitter:              @thelynchclan

3 White

Blog:                  http://mrstelfordsclassroom.blogspot.com.au/

Twitter:              @sontelford

3 Maroon

Blog:                 http://threemaroon.weebly.com/  

Twitter:              @Miss_Francia_

RELIGION

In Religion this term, students will collaboratively create a class Vision Statement outlining the rules of the classroom and school environment. They will be learning about the scripture story of Moses and its origins to the celebration of Passover in the Jewish faith. 

LITERACY

Literacy will compose of daily reading and writing workshops. Reading comprehension strategies will compose of visualisation and retell. Writing workshops will compose of daily flash writing, focusing on specific writing traits to encourage descriptive language. There will also be a specific focus on spelling, grammar and punctuation each week.

NUMERACY

In class children will be practising daily number fact recall and strategies. They will be exploring numbers to 1000, completing addition and subtraction operations, revising time and money, exploring the properties of 3D shapes and representing data using tables and graphs.

HISTORY

In History, the students will be exploring local, state and national symbols and emblems, such as school logos, flags, floral emblems and the coat of arms, and discussing their origins and significance.

SCIENCE

In Science this term the students will be investigating how liquids and solids respond to changes in temperature. To test their predictions they will carry out a number of experiments.

GEOGRAPHY

Students will learn about Australian states and territories and their corresponding capital cities.  They will also explore man-made and natural landmarks.

SPECIALIST LESSONS

Students will take part in Physical Education lessons every Monday for one hour each. They will need to wear their sports uniform on Mondays and Fridays. The students will participate in a one hour music lesson each Tuesday. Students will attend a library lesson each Thursday. Please ensure students have their books to return or re-borrow and a library bag for borrowing.

HOMEWORK

Homework will be given to the students on Monday and it is due back each Friday. Homework will consist of spelling words and number facts. Home Readers will be sent home every day. Reading is an essential part of your child’s daily homework. Please sign and date the sheet that is attached to the inside of your child’s homework book. Please note that the purpose of Home Readers is to instil confidence in your child. The books are specifically chosen to be able to be read independently by the child to an adult. Your child should be able to retell the story and answer a range of questions you pose. This will aid their comprehension skills.

FRUIT / VEGETABLE SNACK TIME

Each morning students are given an opportunity to have a small fruit or vegetable snack prior to First Break. This is to boost their energy levels and maintain concentration.

WATER BOTTLES

It is important for your child to bring a water bottle to school every day, especially during the summer months. Hydration is widely recognised as essential for proper brain function. Students are encouraged to have their water bottle with them in class as this lessens the need for them to go outside for a drink and miss valuable learning time.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mandy Dencher