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

Weekly Update 10/27

MACY had a great week as our first "Special Week" student!  

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This week's quote-of-the-week was "There is great power in the word YET."

Our class nominated MARGOT after observing her work hard and learn new things!

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Curriculum Updates         

Reading: We practiced reader's theater scripts.  These fun Halloween themed stories were great for fluency and intonation practice.  The girls really got into character and enjoyed performing for their classmates.  We also discussed the value of curiosity.  I shared questions that I have gathered from students over the years to spark some thoughts.  We used the site Wonderopolis to further explore and stretch our brain with a new topic or idea.  The girls are gathering questions and we will work towards exploring those thoughts  to learn more.  

Math: This week we started the CUBES strategy in math where we focused on a word problem's parts to help us figure out what to do to solve it.  Ask your daughter if she can remember what the letters of CUBES represent.  We also completed a review of place value and are close to a chapter assessment.  As the homework starts to get more challenging, remind your daughter that they can watch me solve the problems and guide them as they work on their packet.  

Language Arts:  I am encouraging the girls to sprinkle figurative language into their writing and notice them when authors use them.  The class worked on a paragraph trying to persuade me to dress as a specific "powerful woman" for Halloween next week.  Some of them even suggested the correct person!  During our "quick write" time, we had our first THUNK.  Thunks are thought provoking questions to see the world in a different light.  This week's question was "What color is Wednesday?" 

Social Studies: As a class, we discussed the "Learning Pit".  This went over that uncomfortable feeling that can arise when you don't know something or you are tackling something challenging.  It's ok to not know something YET. This will be applied in our westward expansion exploration.  I am guiding the girls through resources to learn more about this time period and choose topics of interest.  They will research and create a book about the westward expansion. 

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Bella Douglas
• "Special Week" Student next week: Margot Callahan
• Students may wear costumes on Halloween and bring a change of clothes, if needed.
• Halloween parade on the Green at 8:15.
• Wordly Wise Dress-Up Day - Friday, 11/10
• Students need their bike helmets on Mondays and Wednesdays for the next three weeks.  
• Week of Oct 30th: Ask your daughter her class number to help you!
  1-7 are doing archery
  8-14/15 are biking
  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

Weekly Update 10/19

 Happy birthday to NANCY GRAY! We hope today is as awesome as you! 

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This week's quote-of-the-week was "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right!"  Our class nominated MARY LINWOOD for showing a positive attitude and encouraging others!    

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Curriculum Updates         

Reading: We wrapped up James and the Giant Peach with an assessment for understanding. Students also created a poster to show their thinking about the author's technique and message of the book.  These will be on display for a bit and then come home.  

Math: We are continuing our large numbers unit with comparing and rounding.  I have noticed most girls need some support with word problems.  I will model the use of the strategy CUBES.  This will help them pay attention to the parts of the word problem that will help them figure out what to do to solve it. 

Language Arts:  We finished up our "Witch Spell" stories that are on display in our hallway.  After Halloween, these will come home.  We also created self-portraits using the style of Tim Burton.  

Social Studies: Our Pixton comics are complete and hanging in the hall.  These will make their way home soon!  Next week, we will begin our "Westward Expansion" unit.  

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Brenna Reed
• "Special Week" Student next week: Macy Van der Waag
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link!
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 10/6

 We did it!  We had fun preparing and executing our Chapel service Friday!  I hope the girls are proud of how hard they worked to make it happen! 

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This week's quote-of-the-week was "Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is right, even if no one is doing it."  We observed our friends all week for showing how to do the right thing.  Our class nominated HAZEL!

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Curriculum Updates            (Paper folders came home today.)

Reading: Our reading time this week was dedicated to practicing for our Chapel service.  We practiced our lines and even edited what needed tweaking.  We will continue and wrap up James and the Giant Peach next week.

Math: We practiced and assessed basic fluency facts.  We also began a geometry poster project that reviews all of our previous unit.  Our place value unit continues with targeted practice on comparing and rounding large numbers.

Language Arts:  We added the onomatopoeia to our list of figurative language types.  We are reviewing them with the theme of fall.  

Social Studies: Students are reading more about the branch of government they chose for the Pixton comic. We developed a rubric together to make sure that what we create has all of the necessary components for a quality project.  Once these are complete, we will move on to the next unit: Westward Expansion.

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Important Date and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Macy Van der Waag
• "Special Week" Student next week:
• Happy Birthday to Nancy Gray on Thursday, 10/19!
• conferences are next week (no school Friday, 10/20)
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• Check our our photo link!
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 10/6

 Today we enjoyed the Blessing of the Animals on the green! 

Check out some pictures in our "October" class photo folder!

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This week's quote-of-the-week was "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them FEEL."  We observed our friends all week for demonstrations of this quality in how they made others feel.  Our class nominated Alexandra!

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Reminder:

I have set up a sign-up for fall conferences!  

I tried to incorporate other days and times to help with scheduling.  

Please reach out if none of the offered days/times work for you.  

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Curriculum Updates    

Reading: We will soon wrap up our reading of James and the Giant Peach. We have learned about and created various jobs to use for discussion of the book.  Small group chats gave the girls opportunities to share their thinking about the book's message and big themes.  Today we  enjoyed PEACH SMOOTHIES while we worked!

Math: While we will continue to spiral review the geometry concepts, we began our unit on big numbers.  We had a fun partner activity where we created large numbers and then used place value pieces to deduct and get as close to zero as possible.  After our first round, we talked about strategy and tried again. Look for a photo of the fun in the "October" photo file!

Language Arts:  The girls absolutely love our "quick write" time where they write about anything they choose.  Many of them love to share their creative stories. We also completed a "Spelling and Me" lesson where students choose a picture and insert a picture of themselves into the image.  This picture is then used to spark a story using 5 or more of their spelling words.  Check out what they created!  

Social Studies: The government unit continues, and we are digging deeper into the three branches of government.  We will continue a Pixton comic to show what we know once the unit is complete. 

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Important Date and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Katelyn Nguyen
• "Special Week" Student next week:
• Check SeeSaw for updates from Specials teachers
• No school Monday, October 9 - Fall Break
• Thursday, October 12 - BBQ Bash 6:30-8:30
• Our class-led chapel will be Friday, October 13 in the LSAR at 8:15.
• Check our our photo link!
• One-Pager sheet of links and information