Mrs. Fraser, December 1, 2014

CHRIST’S BIRTH

Reference:  Isaiah 9:6

Bible Verse:  For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

SPELLING WORDS:  LESSON 16 

Pattern Words-Words with the /ou/ sound

1.  count

2.  louder

3.  cloudy

4.  frown

5.  towels

6.  power

7.  drown

8.  crowd

9.  pounds

10.  browse

11.  sounded

12.  however

13.  outdoors

14.  surround

15.  household

16.  downtown

17.  playground

18.  outstanding

High-Frequency Words

19.  different

20.  probably

Challenge Words

* ornament

* Bethlehem

PARENT CORNER

TOWN HALL MEETING

You are invited to our 2014 Fresno Christian Schools Town Hall meeting. Come and hear about FCS Finances, Enrollment, Future FCS Programs and about some exciting opportunities for our parents, sponsoring churches, and alumni to participate in the life of our school community.

When: December 2, 2014
Time: 6:30PM-8:00PM
Where: Peoples Church
Student Ministries Main Room

There will be coffee and water available.

Our class is looking forward to Christmas caroling to residents at the  Stephen Care Homes.  

END OF SECOND QUARTER

Our second quarter ends on December 12th.  Please check your child’s grades on Powerschool this week and send in any late work, missing assignments, re-do’s by this Friday, December 5th.

MATH TEST

Thursday, December 4th, our class will have a math test over Chapter 5 Multiplication Concepts.  Please review the factor family of 3 and factor family of 4 in particular.  A math homework packet will be sent home as a well as a Chapter 5 Pre-Test to help review concepts studied.

BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS

During the next two weeks we will be completing our benchmark assessments in writing,  math, and reading inventories.

TOGETHER WE CAN

This our last week to bring in our contributions for the food drive. It will be benefiting the Pinedale community. Please bring your items to our classroom and we will have a big red bucket to put them in. It is a great opportunity for our children to share with those in need! The final day to bring items is Tuesday, Dec. 9th.

CHRISTMAS FLEECE BLANKETS MINISTRY

 SECRET ANGEL

This week our class will read the story entitled “The Last Straw.”  This Christmas story is about doing acts of kindness and sharing special secret surprises with those we love.  We will then draw names and from Dec.8th until Dec. 11th, third graders will be a secret angel to a special friend. Your child can draw a picture, write an encouraging note, bring a small sweet treat, pencil, sticker, eraser or any small token that says “I am thinking about you and praying for you.” The children should try to bring something every day.

On Thursday, December 11,  third graders will bring a gift  (no more than $5.00) for their secret friend and reveal the person they have been blessing. Above all, keep it a secret.  Do not put the name of the child to whom the present goes, but put your own child’s name on the tag (who the gift is from.)

CHRISTMAS SKATING PARTY

Please return your transportation request for our elementary Christmas skating party by this Friday, December 5.  The skating party will be  from 9:30-11:30 AM at Cal Skate on Friday, December 12th. We are taking carpools. I will have a sign-up outside my classroom door if you can help us with this. If you are going directly to Cal-Skate,  please let me know ahead of time as it will affect how I set up carpools. 

 All skating fees for the students are pre-paid through our class account. Parents and siblings that skate will need to pay the $6.00 for each skating session at the door. Non-skating parents who would just like to come and watch kids skate will need to pay an entrance fee of $3.00 at the door. Parents that wish to be a spectator at one session and skate at the other session need to pay $9.50.

Roller blades may been worn but they must have flush bolts, (no sharp exposed bolts/screws). If your skates have a heel brake it must be in good condition, no screw showing. Roller blades will be inspected by Cal Skate employees and if they do not meet the standards, you will need to use roller skates.Children are free to leave directly from Cal-Skate for Christmas vacation if that works best for you. School is dismissed at 12:00 PM.

PEACH BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Please check the handout that comes home on Dec 1st, which includes the requirements for participating in Fresno State’s Peach Blossom Festival.  This is a FCS requirement for all 1st-6th classes.  Parents may help third graders select a poem to memorize which is at least three to four stanzas (twelve to sixteen lines)  for presentation in a class Oral Interpretation Speech Meet on Friday, January 23rd. There are poems online, in our classroom, and poetry books in the library.  Finalists will be selected to complete in an elementary school-wide assembly on Monday, January 26th to determine FCS representatives for the Fresno State Speech Blossom Festival in spring.

Although this is not due until we come back from Christmas vacation, I strongly suggest you try and choose your poem before January.  Students should begin to memorize their poem at home with parental guidance.  A “Helpful Hints” guide sheet will be provided  for an effective presentation.  Please begin to work individually with your child on these 5 steps over Christmas vacation.  Judging is based on expression, platform presence, voice, and speech.

We will practice at school as well, after Christmas vacation. This is always a great experience for the children. You need to pick your poem and bring me a copy by Wed. Jan. 14th. Thanks for your help!

BIBLE

We will  study the story of Christ’s birth during the next two weeks beginning with God’s angel, Gabriel, visiting Mary to  share the good news of Jesus.  We will learn about Mary’s visit to see her cousin, Elizabeth and husband, Zacharias.  We will journey to Bethlehem with Joseph and Mary for Christ’s birth, relive the story of  the shepherds and Wise Men, along with the narrow escape to Egypt from King Herod’s plot.  We look forward to learning about the true meaning of the season and God’s greatest gift of all!!

SOCIAL STUDIES

This week we will be finishing Unit 2 American Indians. We will complete Chapter 4:  California Indians Today including A Changing Way of Life, Comparing History Maps,  Preserving the Culture, and Indians and Government.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Tuesday, December 2 – Town Hall Meeting / Student Ministries Center Main / 6:30-8:00 PM