"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."
-- Chinese Proverb
My name is Margo Van Den Bossche. This will be my second year teaching at St. Peter’s School and my eighth year teaching third grade in the Archdiocese of Washington. This year is a transitional year as students move from primary into the intermediate grades. Education is a journey and I am proud to be one of the teachers leading the expedition. Please contact me at school3@stpeterswaldorf.org if you have any questions. God Bless!
January 4, 2012
It is better to be the child of God than king of the whole world.
~St. Aloysius Gonzaga~
Brrrrr! Winter has finally made its appearance. Please make sure students come to school with coats, gloves, and hats for recess. We try to go outside most days even if it is only for 10 minutes to run off some of the students’ energy.
Third quarter brings a change from Science to Social Studies. Our series includes a workbook that will need to be covered with clear contact paper. These will come home after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Please be on the lookout for the permission slip for our field trip. We are going to The College of Southern Maryland to see a production of Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit. This play will fit nicely with the Incredible Stories theme we are currently reading in our textbooks. Most of our stories in our reading book also have Accelerated Reading tests. Please encourage your student to take these tests. Don’t forget to check out your child progress on the Renaissance Learning site.
December 12, 2011
We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.
~Pope Paul VI~
While we are still in fall for a few more days, the weather has turned cold and darkness falls quickly. Please make sure that your children are dressed for the weather.
I was very proud of the third graders performance in the Christmas program. They have learned how to read music in such a short time! I can’t wait to hear what they will be playing in the Spring!
Multiplication, multiplication, multiplication! That is the buzz word for third grade. We are working on our multiplication facts and some need help at home to practice them. Have a set of flash cards in the car for the before or after school car ride
Please encourage your students to reread everything (including directions). I am seeing a lot of mistakes made because students are not reading directions or they are rushing to finish and skipping questions. Some of this is normal since for the most part students are not struggling to read. If school and home work together to encourage students to check their own work, this skill will become second nature. That being said, I am so very proud of all of the students. They are working very hard and they are working well together.
May God Bless you all during this Advent and throughout the Christmas Season. Come let us adore Him Christ the Lord!
October 10, 2011
Lord, give me the grace to work to bring about the things I pray for.
~ Saint Thomas More
The Race for Education was a huge success! Thank you to all of the parents and sponsors. The third grade has been working very hard as we get use to using the Accelerated Math program. We are the first classroom at St. Peter’s to be able to use the program completely in the classroom. The students are able to work independently and they like being able to see their own progress and successes. This is in no way meant to replace our own Saxon math program so continue to look for the homework.
I have had several parents ask about rolling backpacks. We do have the room in the classroom for rolling backpacks. I do know that for some students regular backpacks can get heavy depending on the number of books they are carrying.
Finally, just a gentle reminder that Spelling is due every Wednesday. The three activities are homework and are part of the Writing/English grade.
So far the 3td graders have passed 100 Accelerated Reading tests. We may be a small class but we are reading! Keep encouraging you child to read. Go Storm!
September 1, 2011
So often people say that we should look to the elderly, learn from their wisdom, their many years. I disagree, I say we should look to the young: untarnished, without stereotypes implanted in their minds, no poison, no hatred in their hearts. When we learn to see life through the eyes of a child, that is when we become truly wise.
-- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
I am excited to finally have the school year underway. Summer activities are winding down and soon the leaves will begin to change. Let us pray that we have seen our weather events for the year!
If you did not cover workbooks with clear contact paper already they will come home this week. This helps the workbooks stand up to being constantly pulled out of desks and backpacks.
Our schedule for special classes will be gym days are Tuesday and Thursday. Computer is held on Monday and Library will be Thursday. Tuesday we will have Art. Music is on Wednesday and Spanish will on Friday. Classroom information will be discussed at Back to School Night, September 20th.
I am looking forward to meeting everyone on the 20th. Thank you for sharing your precious children with me. It is going to be amazing watching your children as they learn, grow and share together.