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tion about ourselves, what we love most about their books, and even giving suggestions for their next book.  We can't wait to see if we get a letter back from them in the future!   
•  In math class we have spent most our time using dimes, nickels, and pennies to show money amounts.  We are just learning how to make change for a dollar.  One of the biggest things we have learned is to add double digits using multiple strategies.  This is a big skill to learn and it has been challenging, but they are doing a great job.  We love our math curriculum because of the multiple methods the students are shown to solve one problem.  The way we solve math problems can vary from person to person and it's great that our curriculum allows that. 
•  The students have really enjoyed science class and are currently learning about matter and mass.  Matter is anything that takes up space. Did you know there are three kinds of matter? There is solid matter, liquid matter, and gas matter. This is a fun concept for the students to learn.   
•  In Social Studies the students are being our last Unit.  We will learn about goods and services, needs and wants, and saving and spending money.  To tie math and social studies together, the students will have a classroom sale.  They will sell a toy from home and buy a new toy from a classmate using real money.
• The rest of our school year will be spent working primarily on continuing our reading and math skills.  We will also review the skills we have learned so far this year in preparation for 2^nd grade!  We are SO PROUD of all the accomplishments our students have made this year.  Happy Spring!

• 3^rd Grade ~ Kristi Anderson & Deb Winburn
• It has been said that every cloud has a silver lining. Our late spring and lack of warm weather has helped us stay focused on the tasks at hand. We feel confident our third graders will do the community proud with their testing scores as in years past.
•  Third graders are busy preparing for the biography fair. Students are in the publishing stage and will soon be assembling boards. Feel free to walk through the elementary gym on Friday, May 3^rd at 2:30 to meet a variety of famous Americans.
•  After morning testing sessions, students have been learning about Impressionism and the characteristics of this type of painting. These works of art were done with quick brush strokes to take advantage of fading light, appear somewhat blurry, and were often nature scenes. We have enjoyed many books on the subject by James Mayhew in which Katie, the main character, jumps into paintings and has adventures. We also viewed Linnea in Monet's Garden to reinforce concepts. Students drew and painted water lilies, and they are magnificent!

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