The Days of Our (Third Grade) Lives

Lord on this Labor Day, we thank You for the blessing of work. We ask for strength to complete each day. We ask for rest when we are weary. We ask Your guidance for everyone seeking employment, and we ask that You be with those whose faces we might never see but who work tirelessly each day for the good of us all. Amen. – from Our Sunday Visitor

Welcome back to a wonderful new year of learning!  Ms. McLoughlin and I are thrilled to be teaching the wonderful students of Grade Three.  We have had a great week of learning new routines, talking about responsibilities, and meeting new teachers. As a reference, our Specials Schedule is as follows... Mondays:  Spanish...12:45-1:15 Tuesdays:  PE...9:00-9:45                   Music...12:00-12:45 Wednesdays:  Art...12:00-12:45 Thursdays:  Library...9:00-10:00                    Technology...12:00-12:45 Fridays:  Spanish...12:45-1:15 As always, please feel free to contact us at the school via a note in the backpack or email:   colleen.johnson@stmarysparish.org and erin.mcloughlin@stmarysparish.org . Enjoy your four-day weekend, and we look forward to seeing all 26 bright, shining faces on Tuesday, September 5th!

Heavenly Father, On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the example of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with your strength and peace. In union with people of goodwill of every nation, embolden us to answer the call to work for peace and justice, and thus, seek an end to violence and conflict around the globe. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen ~from the Archdiocese of Detroit http://www.aod.org/Being-Catholic/Prayer-and-Worship/Prayers/Memorial-Day-Prayer/

The Third Graders did a phenomenal job performing at the Spring Concert after our Memorial Day Prayer Service.  Decked out in red, white, and blue, Grade Three performed a number of songs showcasing their singing and instrumental talents.  I even got to join in on the fun as a guest performer!

We said good-bye to Hamlet...and Queen Gertrude...and King Claudius...and Lady Ophelia...and Polonius...and Laertes...and Rosencrantz...and Guildenstern...as we finished a young readers' adaptation of Shakespeare's tragic tale (with the help of Stick Figure Theatre). As we read about Prince Hamlet's trials and tribulations, we continued to delve into the theme of vengeance and how revenge leads to more suffering.  Because Hamlet said "yes" to his father's commandment, he turned away from God's commandment:  Thou shalt not kill.  These tragic events could have been thwarted if Hamlet found forgiveness in his heart, and more than just Horatio and Prince Fortinbras would still be standing. On to A Midsummer Night's Dream ! .

Congratulations to Grade Three for earning their THIRD Link Party!  We had cupcakes and drinks and watched Super Buddies .  Third Graders earned links by working together as a team.  Lining up silently, modeling good behavior for other students, working quietly during seatwork, and turning in homework on time were all ways that their third link chain grew until it hit the ground.  Way to go!

...and that's just what they did.  We had a beautiful day for the Walk-a-Thon.  The Third Graders had a great time walking and raising money for our school.  We finished it up with a popsicle followed by Recess, Lunch, and our THIRD Link Party!