Weekly Update 11/17

 This week's quote-of-the-week was "Your attitude determines your direction."

Our class nominated ANNABELLE for showing her classmates grace, positivity, and empathy!

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ANNABELLE had a wonderful week as the "Special Student".  We are thankful she is in our class!

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Curriculum Updates      

Reading:  We finished Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail.  Students answered questions to analyze their opinions, the theme, and the author's purpose.  I reviewed these responses for comprehension and spelling of various words.  We discussed what was misspelled and added words to our personal word chart in our writing notebook.  We also reviewed the story and shared our thoughts.  We will begin Rain Reign after Thanksgiving break. 

Math: We are working on 4 digit numbers by one digit.  Students are doing really well!  We are also covering multiples, factors, and products. I encouraged the girls to keep reviewing their basic facts to try to improve speed and accuracy.

Language Arts:  In writing, we wrapped up our "EYE-BOMBING"!  Students placed googley eyes on an object in the Lower School.  They took a picture and then wrote a piece from the perspective of the object.  What does it see or witness everyday?  How does it feel?  These are hanging in the hallway, but are also on this slide set if you'd like to read them!  

This week's "THUNK" question:  If elephants ruled the world, what changes would you see?

Social Studies: We are continuing our work on the timeline of the westward expansion of the United States in the 1800s.  I shared the directions for the ABC book project that will be worked on in conjunction with research and lessons.   

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: CATALINA (through Dec. 1)
• "Special Week" Student next week: 
• Trimester 1 ends on Tuesday, November 21
• St. Chris 4th graders will visit for a math expo on Tuesday, November 21 from 9:00-10:30.
• Thanksgiving Break: 11/22-11/27
• PJ/Donut/Taylor Swift Day and Big/Little Activity with 8th Graders on Wednesday, 11/29 
• The book fair visit is Friday, 12/1 at 9:30-9:50
• Fourth Grade Field Trip to the Capitol
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link!
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 11/10

This week's quote-of-the-week was "How wonderful it is that nobody need to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

Our class nominated BRENNA for always supporting her friends and classmates! 

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Wordly Wise Dress Up Day

Check out our slideshow of words from today!

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Curriculum Updates      

Reading:  We are continuing the Ranger in Time novel.  We are answering deeper level comprehension questions in writing.  We are also adding social studies related facts that are mentioned to our notes for a future project on westward expansion in the 1800s.

Math: We are working on multiplying 3 and 4 digit numbers by one digit.  I am going over several strategies and am encouraging the girls to choose the one that works for their brain and gets them the correct answer!  Most prefer the traditional method, while some are utilizing the break-apart strategy.

Language Arts:  In writing, we learned about the history of the Macy's Day parade.  We reviewed old photos from its beginning in 1924.  We even saw what is in the lineup for this year's parade!  The girls had to think of a balloon that isn't included and give detailed reasons WHY it should be in the parade.  After typing their essay, they created their balloon and set it against a New York skyline.  These look amazing in the hall and will come home in a few weeks.

Social Studies: This week we learned about the Lewis and Clark expedition.  We added information to our timeline and notes for a future project.  

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: MARY LINWOOD
• "Special Week" Student next week: ANNABELLE
• Students need their bike helmets on Monday and Wednesday next week.
• The choir will perform in the Wednesday chapel service at 8:15.
• The canned food drive to benefit St. Stephen's is happening from now until November 17!  This is a gold - white competition!
• Trimester 1 ends on Tuesday, November 21
• St. Chris 4th graders will visit for a math expo on Tuesday, November 21 from 9:00-10:30.
• Thanksgiving Break: 11/22-11/27
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link!
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 11/3

 MARGOT had a great week as the "Special Week" student!

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This week's quote-of-the-week was "Treat everybody like it's their birthday!"

Our class nominated NANCY GRAY for being kind and helpful!

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In Spanish, we learned about Dia de los Muertos! 

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Curriculum Updates         (Papers came home today in the white folder.)

Reading:  We began our Ranger in Time novel.  The setting is on the Oregon Trail so it is tying nicely into our social studies unit.  Reading the author's notes at the back gave us great background knowledge into the time period and how the author did her research. 

Math: I assessed the class on adding and subtracting 5-digit numbers and they were amazing! We are really strong in this skill, so we will move on to chapter 3.  This unit covers multiples, factors, and multiplying large numbers.  We will continue to spiral review all of the skills we have covered to this point.  

Language Arts:  In writing, we researched the objects and writings on the St. Catherine crest.  After Monday's chapel, we drew the crest.  This was a great lesson in perseverance.  It was tricky,...it was challenging - but we DID IT!  The girls then wrote an informative paragraph on what the objects on the crest represent.  These are hanging in the hall, but I also scored a copy of their work.  This scored piece will come home in papers soon.  Our recording of explaining the crest: https://flip.com/90afe45b

Social Studies: We reviewed and discussed Jamestown, the Revolutionary War, and the appeal of moving westward.  We are working on taking notes and jotting thoughts as we learn about 1860 US geography and the movement west of groups of people. 

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Vivienne Neal
• "Special Week" Student next week: 
• Wordly Wise Dress-Up Day - Friday, 11/10
• Students need their bike helmets on Mondays and Wednesdays for the next three weeks.  
• Week of Nov 8th:
  1-7 are biking
  8-14/15 are doing archery
  Week of Nov. 13th:
  All are biking
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link!
• One-Pager sheet of links and information