Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11 to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Many Americans refer to Patriot Day as 9/11 or September 11.

In honor of 9/11 victims, St. James Lower School came together for a minute of silence and prayer. Educating students about this event in history.

3rd graders also read the book, “September Roses”.

On September 11, 2001, two sisters from South Africa are flying to New York City with 2,400 roses to be displayed at a flower show. As their plane approaches the airport, a cloud of black smoke billows over the Manhattan skyline. When they land, they learn of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. All flights are canceled; the sisters cannot go home, and they are stranded with boxes and boxes of roses.

In the days that followed September 11, Jeanette Winter was drawn to Union Square and saw, among the hundreds of memorial offerings, twin towers made of roses. In the pages of this small and vibrant book, she tells a moving story.

We began our poetry unit of study by creating an Acrostic Poem titled, “America”.

Oh Canada!

We’ve had an exciting week learning all about Canada! Students can …….

• locate Canada on a map

• recognize Canadian currency

• recall facts about the Maple Tree

• recognize Canada’s flag

  PD’s parents recently traveled to Canada and knew we’d be studying the country, so……..they brought back a bag of PURE MAPLE CANDIES for us to taste!!! Wow-e-wow they were delicious!!! Well, a few of us would disagree ;)

3rd graders are setting goals and learning about the educational uses of our class set of Chromebooks! We have an exciting journey ahead of us!!

MATTER, MATTER EVERYWHERE! Look at those science skills :)

Our 1st day of school team building activity, Save Sam, was so much fun to watch! Each group had to work together and complete a challenge. Communication was key!

SURFACE TENSION & BUBBLES 

The surface tension of water provides the necessary wall tension for the formation of bubbles with water. The tendency to minimize that wall tension pulls the bubbles into spherical shapes. 

Mrs. Wagy and her students visited our class and made this a special science lesson that we will all remember!

READER'S THEATRE

Of course, we wouldn't end our year without a final Reader's Theater performance! 

This one, in particular, was on the set of a live game show called, "Know Your State". We even invited the 2nd-grade class to watch! 

As students continue their repeated readings of the script, they are improving their reading skills and comprehension. They also will have the opportunity to practice speaking skills, such as pronunciation, inflection, expression, and varied volume. Since the activity is meant to practice reading, students don't need to memorize their lines, which keeps the spotlight on the reading practice, not the performance.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

3rd graders were fortunate to have their very own Chromebook in the classroom this year! We have utilized the Chromebooks by working on programs such as Khan Academy, Typing.com, Google Documents, and Wikipedia. Below, the students are researching questions for an assignment called, "Research Scavenger Hunt". Learning how to browse the internet is just as important as finding the answers you are looking for!

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Tuesdays are my favorite!! All school meets in the cafeteria for Chapel and we are given the opportunity to learn more about Jesus through the teachings of Father Doug. As an added bonus after Chapel, the Lower School (grades 1-3) attend choir class. Although we teachers take turns sitting in during this time, I have LOVED every minute of the time I have done so!! Their amazing and precious voices truly speak love! The camaraderie between these children is beautiful to witness. Not to mention, Mrs. Tipton is planting knowledge these students will carry with them throughout life! Sigh! :)

The Regional Arts Center & Perot Theater, downtown Texarkana

A collaborative community history & art public tour project

Pictured with: Becky Black, Ph.D., Visual Arts & Community Programs Coordinator

Our 3rd Graders rocked this project last Friday!  

They received history instruction, specifically local history, as well as public speaking practice, preparation, and application; 

and they also received an understanding of public service in a manner that could not have been reached if they hadn’t performed this service themselves. 

The tour was given twice throughout the day. Combined, roughly 60 community members joined. 

TRAHC: Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council 

Self-portraits that were created in Art class, with the help of Mrs. McCarley, 

were also on display during the tour! 

The Perot Theater

Pictured with: Tiffani Whitehead, Marketing Coordinator
The class was gifted an original light bulb of the theater as a token of appreciation for their public service. So cool!