The St. Mary's Classroom

Third Grade
Mrs. Alger
talger@stmarysstclair.org

It’s a pleasure to be a part of the St. Mary’s family once again.  I am teaching third grade this year. I have teaching experience in K-2 with both a BA and MA in Education with a Reading emphasis from Western Michigan University. John and I are the proud parents of 3 teenage girls: Laura, Maggie and Molly. Laura is a college freshman.  Maggie and Molly are in high school. I enjoy reading, scrapbooking and gardening.

My philosophy of teaching is one of trying to zero in on the individual student’s learning style and interests. I feel every child has the right to learn in a safe and secure environment.  I want each child to know that they are a gift from God.  I emphasize the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

As third graders, children will learn and develop in the following areas:

                Math: multiplication/division facts; fractions; problem solving; numerals to 1000; regrouping

                Religion:  weekly participation in liturgies; prayer memorization; Bible study; the Holy Trinity

                Language Arts:

                                Reading: Recognize Main Idea, sequencing, main idea, context clues, cause/effect, recall details,
                                                Accelerated Reader

                Spelling:  weekly word lists using different spelling strategies

                English:  Grammar, writing stories & reports & poetry

                Social Studies: Study of Michigan

                Science: Life cycles, Solar system, Forms of Energy, Food pyramids, Ecosystems, Water

                Chess “First Move” program: beginning chess instruction

Art, Computers, Music, PE and Spanish instruction is offered to us by East China School District as part of the Shared Time program.