Weekly Update 2/23

                                       Genevieve Agee had a special birthday on February 19! 

                                                      We celebrated her on Wednesday! 

                                                 Her picture will be aded in next week. :-)                                                                                  ______________________________________________________

 Bella Douglas had a half-birthday on Thursday!      

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                              Last week's quote was "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Our class nominated Katelyn Nguyen for her helpfulness and kindness!

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Curriculum Updates           

Reading: We are wrapping up a "body biography" poster where we analyze a character and make inferences about their habits, choices and inner thoughts. These will be on display in the hallway below their watercolor paintings of the Danish village houses. 

Math: We are continuing to review fraction concepts before moving on to fraction computation.  Our regular homework routine will start again next week.

Language Arts: The girls are typing a biography and creating an illustration through the site Canva about a famous African American woman.  A link will come home soon so you can view our digital class book! 

Social Studies: Our time was used to continue the biographies and illustration page.

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Katelyn Nguyen
• "Special Week" student next week: Nancy Gray McDermid
• February 27 and 29  (Gold/White Cheer practice 7:40-7:55am)
• March 1: Gold/White Cheer Rally
• April 10: Fourth Grade Musical 9:30am in Endeavor Hall
• May 14: Choir Spring Concert 6:30 at Ryan Hall at St. Christopher's
• May 30: Fourth Grade Graduation
• Check SeeSaw for updates from specials teachers
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 2/16

                                         Katelyn Nguyen had a special birthday on Monday! 

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                                                                   Last week's quote was 

                                    "Today has no idea it's about to meet your awesome face!"

Our class nominated Nancy Gray McDermid for her awesome attitude! 

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This week's quote was "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Our class nominated Katelyn Nguyen for her helpfulness and kindness!

I will take her picture Wednesday once everyone who was out today has signed her poster. 

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Alexandra Quilez had her special week last week!  

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Genevieve Agee had her special week THIS week! 

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Curriculum Updates           

Reading: We have completed the novel Number the Stars. The girls are working on an essay response about their thoughts and opinions about the story. Next, they work on a "body biography" poster where they analyze a character and make inferences about their habits, choices and inner thoughts. These will be on display in the room for a while before they come home.

Math: The upcoming fraction assessment will check understanding of mixed/improper numbers, simplifying, and fractions on a number line.  As we are reviewing, I am noticing we need a little more time, so we will continue to review next week and then assess. We will then move to fraction computation.

Language Arts: We have researched a famous African American woman.  Now the girls are typing an essay and creating an illustration through the site Canva.  A link will come home soon so you can view our digital class book! 

Social Studies: Our time this week was used to complete research and begin the essays. 

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Nancy Gray McDermid
• "Special Week" student next week: 

• February 19: No School (Presidents' Day)

• February 22, 27, and 29  (Gold/White Cheer practice 7:40-7:55am)
• February 20: No School (Saints-Take-a-Break Day)
• March 1: Gold/White Cheer Rally
• April 10: Fourth Grade Musical 9:30am in Endeavor Hall
• May 14: Choir Spring Concert 6:30 at Ryan Hall at St. Christopher's
• May 30: Fourth Grade Graduation
• Check SeeSaw for updates from specials teachers
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 2/9

            This week's quote was "Today has no idea it's about to meet your awesome face!"

Our class nominated Nancy Gray McDermid for her awesome attitude! 

Nancy Gray was not at school today, so her picture will be added in next week.

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Alexandra Quilez had her special week!  

Since we had two friends not available for the picture, Alexandra graciously said we could take the picture next week!  Stay tuned!

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Today is the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year! 

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Look at this GORGEOUS painting our class completed with Mrs. Both!  It is hanging in the hallway near the assembly room.

Curriculum Updates                   Paper folders came home today!

Reading: We have almost completed the novel Number the Stars. Our discussions have centered around the strength and perseverance needed to do the right thing to help others!  We are ending the novel with an essay response and a character biography poster. This will be our focus next week.

Math: We are just about done with our first fraction unit. The girls will soon be assessed on equivalent fractions, comparing and ordering fractions.  The assessment will also check understanding of mixed/improper numbers, simplifying, and fractions on a number line.  We will then move to fraction computation.

Language Arts: We are researching a famous African American woman.  Once pertinent facts have been gathered by at least two sources, the girls will type an essay and create an illustration through the site Canva.  Once these have been edited and revised, a link will come home so you can view our digital class book! 

THUNK:  What is the most important part of a fork?

Social Studies: Our time this week was used to gather more information through books and sites for the class book highlighting African American women. 

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**For the next few weeks, we will be taking a pause on spelling to allow for a mid year assessment and evaluation of which skills on which to focus. We also will have the mid-year ERB tests next week, so homework will be lighter. **

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Valentine cards can be sent in by Valentine's Day next Wednesday!  The girls need to make a container for their Valentines.  Go green and recycle items from around the house! Make sure to have your name on it somewhere to help when cards are distributed.  

Example: 

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Madelyn Holloway
• "Special Week" student next week: Genevieve Agee
• Monday is Katelyn Nguyen's birthday and Friday is Bella Douglas's half-birthday!
• Check SeeSaw for updates from specials teachers
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 2/2

                                This week's quote was "Never say "I can't".... always say "I'll try."

Our class nominated Alexandra Quilez for her positive attitude when facing new challenges!

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Catalina Pechin had her special week!  

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Curriculum Updates                   

Reading: We began the novel Number the Stars. We use the depth and complexity icons to dig deeper into what is happening in each chapter. Every two chapters, the girls complete a comprehension check for me to monitor their understanding. We are already noticing bigger themes like friendship and perseverance. 

Math: We are creating equivalent fractions to compare fractions.  We are also practicing how to compare a fraction to its half, the whole, or zero.  The use of fraction strips in class has been helpful to see exactly how the fractions compare. I have enjoyed experiencing their discovery that fractions and decimals are related!

Language Arts: We created a persuasive essay around the question "Are conversation hearts the ultimate Valentine's Day treat?" We used facts and our opinions to answer the question. These are hanging in the hall for now.

THUNK:  If you read a magazine or paper in a shop without paying for it, is that stealing?

Social Studies: This week kicked off a blend of research and writing unit.  The girls were randomly given the name of a prominent African American woman to research.  Biographies and illustrations will be compiled into a class book through the site Canva.  Once the project is done, I will share the link for your enjoyment!

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**For the next few weeks, we will be taking a pause on spelling to allow for a mid year assessment and evaluation of which skills on which to focus. We also will have the mid-year ERB tests the week of February 12 so homework will be lighter that week. **

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Valentine cards can be sent in any day between now and Valentine's Day!  The girls need to make a container for their Valentines.  Go green and recycle items from around the house! Make sure to have your name on it somewhere to help when cards are distributed.  

Example: 

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Mary Linwood Antrim
• "Special Week" student next week: Alexandra Quilez
• Wednesday, 2/7: author visit (Christina Soontornvat)
• Thursday, 2/8: students wear jeans
• Friday, 2/9: wear red and/or gold for the Chinese Lunar New Year
• Check SeeSaw for updates from specials teachers
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

Weekly Update 1/26

                                         This week's quote was "You are worth more than gold!"

Our class nominated Mary Linwood for her helpful, kind attitude when working with others!

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Mary Linwood had her special week!  

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Curriculum Updates                    Paper folders came home today!

Reading:  We finished our novel, Code 7. Each chapter provided a realistic fiction setting that had characters go through real life experiences and learn traits such as perseverance, authenticity, and responsibility. After each chapter, the girls created succinct summary statements and came up with a one-word theme.  Next week, we will begin the novel Number the Stars.

Math: We are doing so well on our fraction chapter!  The girls are very strong in their abilities to identify and manipulate fractions.  We are working on creating equivalent fractions and comparing fractions to 0, 1/2, or 1 whole. 

Language Arts:  Our focus this week was on creating vivid, descriptive sentences.  We went over the use and need for vocabulary, conjunctions, and prepositional phrases. The girls also enjoyed some free write time and shared the stories they are creating.  

Social Studies:   We enjoyed reading our peers' westward expansion projects and made notes on post-its provided "glows and grows". The glows are to highlight strengths of their work, and the grows are to offer suggestions for next time.  Our next unit will take us through the regions of the United States to learn about cities and geography throughout the nation.

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Important Dates and Information:

• Carpool helper next week: Vivienne Neal
• "Special Week" student next week: Catalina Pechin
• Wednesday: author visit (Christina Soontornvat)
• Friday: wear red and/or gold for the Chinese Lunar New Year
• Check SeeSaw for updates from specials teachers
• Check our our photo link! 
• One-Pager sheet of links and information

         We had a wonderful time at today's Gold/White team "Rock, Paper, Scissors" Tournament! 

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