Weekly Update 1/12

                         This week's quote was "In a world where you can be anything - be kind!"

Our class nominated Catalina Pechin for her helpful, kind spirit!

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Katelyn Nguyen had her special week!  

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Catalina Pechin had her half-birthday on Wednesday!

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Mary Linwood Antrim's birthday is January 15, but we won't be in school. 

We celebrated her on Friday!

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This week we organized and started TEAMs! Ask your daughter about their team and what their Latin name means. We look forward to some friendly competitions and point opportunities!

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Curriculum Updates                    Paper folders came home today!

Reading:  We read articles and gathered facts about avalanches. Next, we drew something related to avalanches and wrote facts around the picture.  These are hanging in the hallway for now.  Students were given the writing prompt, "If you were near a snowy mountain and there was an avalanche, which type of avalanche would you hope to encounter.  Explain why."  The girls used a graphic organizer to plan their ideas and text evidence to write a response. 

Math: We reviewed large number multiplication, division, factors, and multiples.  We assessed these skills on Thursday.  Our next large unit is fractions.  We will create equivalent fractions, compare and order them, and work with mixed and improper numbers.  

Language Arts:  We worked on creating compound sentences using "FANBOYS" to guide us.  These were incorporated in our peer interview paragraphs.  The girls were paired with students in Mrs. Ferrell's class.  After an interview, the girls created an informational paragraph and magazine cover for the student.  These will be in the hallway.  The magazine covers that were made for us are here for you to view! This will continue next week. 

This week's "THUNK" question: If you say sorry but don't mean it, but the person you say it to thinks that you do, does it count?

Social Studies:  Students are using non-fiction research and their notes to create a project that will best demonstrate the knowledge and information they have gathered. Our goal is to complete this project by the end of Friday, January 19. 

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A message from Kefu Dorian:

World Language Week will return from February 5th to 9th, 2024! We celebrate different languages and cultures throughout the week. This year’s theme is: Speaking in Tune: Learning Languages to Harmonize with the World .
We would love for everyone to be part of it. If you speak a different language and would like to share your love for that language, we want to hear from you!
We would like to keep it simple and easy: just shoot a video of you saying the following in your target language: “Hello, my name is _____, and I speak ______. I learned to speak _____________ (when and where). Goodbye!”  Please also email me an English version of your monologue. If you are using your phone to shoot it, horizontal video is better than vertical.
Please let us know if you would like to help. Once we get everyone's video, we will put them together and share it with the entire School during World Language Week.
We did something similar with our Lower School parents a few years ago. You can watch the old video here as an example.
Please send your video and script directly to me at kdorion@st.catherines.org  by Friday January 26th, 2024.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for being part of our World Language Week celebration!

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Brenna Reed
• "Special Week" Student next week: 
• No school Monday (MLK, Jr. Day) and Tuesday (PD Day for Teachers)
• Happy birthday on Monday, Mary Linwood!
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers : Chinese lessons begin next week!
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 12/15

                                      This week's quote was "You are capable of amazing things!"

Our class nominated BELLA DOUGLAS for her encouraging words and helpful spirit! 

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HAZEL SCHELL's special week was a couple of weeks ago, 

but we still appreciate her and wanted to share a picture in front of her poster!

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Curriculum Updates     
Reading:  We are wrapping up Rain Reign. We had literature circle meetings, assessments, and class discussions.   We talked about the author's purpose and theme for the story. While Rose went through some difficult times, she ultimately has hope for things to come. We also recognized that Rose did the right thing even though it was difficult.

Math: We are using large number division to solve a case.... Who ate part of the gingerbread man cookie?? Students are working in pairs or small groups to support each other through the clues and computations.  

Language Arts:  We completed our favorite stuffed animal stories.  I enjoyed reading the sweet childhood memories! We also completed our abstract noun project on the site Canva.  We tried to demonstrate how holiday related abstract nouns make us feel and how we experience them at this time of year. 

This week's "THUNK" question: If you paint over a window, is it still a window?

Social Studies:  Students are using non-fiction research and their notes to create a project that will best demonstrate the knowledge and information they have gathered. 

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Katelyn Nguyen
• "Special Week" Student next week: 
• Gift Service - Wednesday, December 20 from 9:00-10:00 at Reveille UMC
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 12/8

                                                                                    

Good luck to the Robotics team as they travel Saturday to compete in the State Tournament!  Go, Genevieve and Annabelle!

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                     This week's quote was "Why dull someone's pencil when you can sharpen it?"

Our class nominated MADELYN HOLLOWAY for being positive and helpful!

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We celebrated Brenna Reed's half birthday!  

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Curriculum Updates     

Reading:  We are reading and discussing Rain Reign.  Rose is trying to navigate an impending hurricane and her dog, Rain, is missing! We are working on literature circle jobs to discuss in small groups and are taking mini-comprehension assessments to give me guidance on what we need to review and investigate.  

Math: We are using 2 by 2 digit multiplication to solve a case.... Who stole the marshmallows?? Students are working in pairs and small groups to support each other through the clues and computations.  

Language Arts:  Students are reviewing figurative language with holiday themed sentences on paper trees.  They are also typing stories about their favorite stuffed animal.  Once these are completed, edited, and revised, they will be shared on a collaborative slide for you to read.  

This week's "THUNK" question:  Is there more future or more past?

Social Studies: We completed the timeline of the westward expansion of the United States in the 1800s.  Students are using non-fiction research and their notes to create a project that will best demonstrate the knowledge and information they have gathered. 

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CelebrateRVA donation for Fourthies - due by 12/14

Happy Birthday plates and napkins (packs of 8-10; please no characters on them)

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Nancy Gray McDermid
• "Special Week" Student next week: 
• Holiday mug due by next Fri., Dec. 15!
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 12/1

                              This week's quote was "If you can't think of anything nice to say, 

                                                        you aren't thinking hard enough!."

Our class nominated MACY for being a positive role model for others!

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We had two half birthdays and one regular birthday this week!  

Happy half birthday to ANNABELLE and MADELYN! 

Happy birthday to HAZEL!

                                                                    

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

Reading:  We began the novel Rain Reign.  Every five chapters, we are gathering in small groups to discuss various aspects of the story.  Every thirteen chapters, the girls will take a comprehension assessment to monitor their understanding of the story.  The story centers around Rose, a fifth-grader who has autism and loves to talk about homonyms.  At this point in the story, we are focusing on understanding what makes Rose different and how the world interacts with her.

Math: We are currently working on 2 by 2 digit multiplication.  We are tightening up the process of solving and checking our work.  I have shown the students "Lattice Multiplication" for a challenge.  Next week, I plan to review and extend division.

Language Arts:  We are beginning the work of diagramming sentences to fully understand the function of words.  This should aid our reading and writing.  We are focusing on prepositional phrases to extend our sentences, as well.  I read the story The Velveteen Rabbit as a mentor text to kick off our next writing topic.  Students will brainstorm and write about their favorite stuffed animal.  

This week's "THUNK" question:  

Which is more important, being right or being nice?

Social Studies: We are continuing our work on the timeline of the westward expansion of the United States in the 1800s.  Students are now in the project development stage that will continue as we learn more through the timeline and non-fiction research.  

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CelebrateRVA donation for Fourthies from 12/4 - 12/14:

Happy Birthday plates and napkins (packs of 8-10; please no characters on them)

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: HAZEL SCHELL
• "Special Week" Student next week: HAZEL SCHELL
• Fourth Grade Field Trip to the Capitol Wed., Dec. 6 (9:30-11:30)
• BRENNA REED'S half birthday is December 8!
• Holiday mug due by Fri., Dec. 15!
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link!
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

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