December 14 – 18

Spirit Week: December 14 – 18

Monday, December 14 – Holiday Headwear Day:  Wear fun and festive holiday hats, like antlers headbands, elf ears or Santa hats.
Tuesday, December 15 – Winter Sports Fan Day: hockey, skiing, ice skating etc. or our school colors of purple and gold – break out your St. John jerseys.
Wednesday, December 16 – Cozy Day:  come to class in your comfy, slippers, wearable blankets or scarves.
Thursday, December 17 – Ugly Sweater Day!

Friday, December 18 – Festive Friday: Dress in Christmas Cheer!

St. John School Advent Project: Unbound :

This Advent, St. John School continues to collect donations for the charity Unbound. St. John School’s monthly contribution goes toward basic needs such as nutrition, healthcare and an education for our sponsor students. Meet our Unbound friends: https://youtu.be/bLYCReYTZHc

Ways to donate:
Bring a donation to class (PK-2)
Drop off your donation when picking up hot lunch or

Give online- new updated link!:https://st-johnschool.org/unbound/

December 7 – 11

We have two weeks until Christmas break and holiday excitement fills our Zoom room! This week we look forward to some fun and common core aligned assignments.

 

Religion:  The focus is on Advent.  Students are invited join our class for the Mass on Tuesday at 10:30 to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. If you would like to watch the mass as a family, join the live Facebook stream through the parish page.

Math:  4.NBT.5: Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.

Reading with Mrs. Halley: Students will be given a variety of options to respond to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe during class time.

Writing/Grammar: We continue to share Christmas Stories and work on Grammar Boot Camp.

STEM: Candy Cane Experiment

 

Take note of this great opportunity: Elf College at St. John School

Students in preschool through grade 8 have an exciting opportunity to join St. John School’s Elf-in-Training Program and help our Unbound friends.  The “course load” includes four kindness activities and a STEM project.  Upon completion, students will be graduates of Elf College and receive a graduation gift! See NewsViews for more information!

Happy Thanksgiving!

  May you enjoy peace and gratitude this Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Prayer by Ralph Waldo Emerson

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

Blessing

Come Lord Jesus, our guest to be And bless these gifts Bestowed by Thee.

And bless our loved ones everywhere, And keep them in Your loving care.

Important Announcements:

Tuesday, November 24 the students are invited to join us in our Zoom Room  for the all School Virtual Mass. Note the day and time change.  If your student would like to join your family for mass it will be live-streamed from the St. John Parish FB page, 1pm. Students are dismissed after mass for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

  • Wednesday, November 25 School not in Session, Thanksgiving Holiday
  • Thursday, November 26, Happy Thanksgiving!
    • Thanksgiving Day Mass, live-streamed from the St. John Parish FB page, 10:30am
  • Friday, November 26 School not in Session, Thanksgiving Holiday

 

November 16 – 20

Thank you for the beautiful pie plate! I appreciate your thoughtful kindness.   The support I feel from you ignites my energy for teaching! Your children continue to brighten our zoom room with smiling faces, hilarious remarks and thoughtful reflections.

Academics for the week:

Writing: Students finished a practice write on an opinion paper last week. This week they will write, edit and turn in a paper on the topic: Would you Rather Have a Pet Chimpanzee or a Pet Python? Your student will ask for your help to edit either Wednesday evening or Thursday evening. They will type on the document I provide to ensure I am able to collect and save their amazing writing!

Reading with Mrs. Halley: We continue our novel study of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Students will be asked to complete an ACHIEVE article daily during Independent Work Time. I encourage them to join me in ZOOM if they have questions during Achieve time.

Math: We are wrapping up measurement this week and beginning our new Zearn Mission!  The new Zearn mission helps students learn lifelong skills of multiplying and dividing big numbers. Students learn strategies that will allow them to multiply and divide on paper and in their heads. Keep practicing math facts at home to support this learning!

Science: Students will be introduced to the surprisingly important role of “failure” in the process of developing solutions to problems. If you can provide a few bobby pins by Friday your student will be able to do a hands on activity. If not- no worries, they will be able to participate in discussion and observation.

STEM: We will do an activity using materials from the Science folder sent home a couple weeks ago. This is the Save Fred Activity. Be sure your student has the materials on hand for Friday.

 

Dates to note from NewViews:

November 9 – 13

The students continue to surprise me with their motivation and positive energy.  We will take time to discuss President Elect Joe Biden and the historic significance of our first female Vice President, Kamala Harris. This is an astute and curious group who has been on pins and needles awaiting the outcome of the election!

Please note that this week we have Wednesday off of school. This day is to honor our Veterans. It is timely and important for us to remember that Veterans Day honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace. As a class we will learn the meaning of this day of remembrance.

Academics:

Math: The standards we will cover is 4.MD.1 and 2.: Know relative sizes of measurement units within one system of units including km, m, cm; kg, g; lb, oz.; l, ml; hr, min, sec. For example, know that 1 ft is 12 times as long as 1 in. Express the length of a 4 ft snake as 48 in. 

Reading from Mrs. Halley: We will continue our novel study of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with emphasis on character development. This week we will also discuss the importance of independent reading time outside of school hours.

Writing: Opinion writing is our focus. Students will be taught the difference between an opinion and a fact. We will illustrate how to fact check and support opinions with credible evidence. We will tie in respecting a variety of opinions. Our writing is based on our opinions of things such as: Should junk food be banned from school? Which animal is the fiercest?

Social Studies: Veterans Day discussion

Science: We will begin our science unit. Get ready for factual fun!

Items to Note from NewsViews:

  • Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day
    • School not in session
    • Mass, honoring our Veterans, live-streamed from the St. John Parish FB page, 3pm
  • Sunday, November 15
  • Friday, November 20
    • Remote Learners Student Portraits (remote learners are allowed free dress that is appropriate for portraiture)
    •  Food Drive Project supported by the 6th Grade . Drop off items at Hot Lunch Pick up. Non-glass items please😊

 

October 2 – 6

 

Thank you for attending conferences this week. The kids are fortunate to have such wonderful family support! Continue to encourage daily math fact practice for about 10 minutes and develop a reading routine.

Please join us for All Souls Day Mass via the parish Facebook page at 9:15 tomorrow. Class meets at 8:30 for attendance and morning routine. Students will be released to join mass link at 9:15.

Exciting reading challenge with ACHIEVE! November begins a Read to Succeed Contest. Encourage your child to participate!

Senora Blanca will led the class in the Day of The Dead Celebration tomorrow afternoon. Your student has been prepared to participate and Senora has taken time to plan a meaningful experience.

Academics this week:

Religion: Focus is on the virtue of  Gratitude and the Beatitude: Blessed are those who mourn. Mass 9:15am Monday!

Math: Solve multi-step word problems modeled with tape/box diagrams and assess the reasonableness of answers using rounding.

Reading from Ms. Halley: I introduced the students to EPIC free on-line books. All the books and educational videos are free from 8-4pm. Later this week, students will begin a novel study on the book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Students will read on their own or in small breakout groups. I encourage struggling readers to listen to an audible version.

Grammar:  4th grade grammar skills will be part of the daily routine.

Writing:  New unit on Opinion Writing begins. Students will periodically ask for parent feedback and help with editing.

Items to Note:

Virtual Recesses: Virtual recesses are on Wednesdays from 12-12:50. Students are invited to enter via Mrs. Halley’s zoom link.

Sunday, November 7 and 8th: State of the Parish. Attendance is mandatory for families who partake in fair share.  For more information refer to NewsViews.

In the works is a drive by celebration for Father Crispin as he celebrates his 30th anniversary as a priest. More information will be in NewsViews!

October 26 -30

Thank you for collecting the educational materials from school! We will be using the projects, books and packets beginning Tuesday. The goal is to provide educational hands-on opportunities for the next few weeks. Students will continue to be independent for the most part. With our new writing unit students will seek parent input and support when directed. Stay tuned for more information on that later!

I look forward to talking with parents and students this week for our conference. The link for the conference is the same one we use on the Google classroom.  Please be sure your child is with you for our Zoom conversation. My plan is to discuss what is working for your child during virtual learning. We will also discuss what could be shifted to improve the experience. This is a chance for us to commend hard work and progress. I see better educational and emotional results when excellent habits are highlighted and the not so great habits are problem solved. We will go into our conversation with the mindset that everyone is currently doing the best we know how to do!

 

 

 

October 19 -23

The Fourth Grade team is assembling educational activities for your students.  Math, reading, writing and science projects are being prepared. Almost everything the students need will be provided. We ask that you have tape (scotch and masking), glue sticks and scissors.  Please note the science materials contain some treats that are needed for experiments. Please remind your student not to eat the treats! We will begin using these items October 27.  Designated pick up times will be this Thursday and Friday. You will be alerted to the pick up times via email very soon! We are flexible and will be sure to make the pick up easy. I am happy to hand off the materials to siblings who are on campus.

A meaningful tradition in Fourth Grade is lead by Senora Blanca. El dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a uniquely Indo-Hispanic custom that demonstrates a strong sense of love and respect for one’s ancestors. The Day of the Dead is not a sad day. It is a celebration of the continuance of life, family relationships, community solidarity.  Information from Senora will be in a letter attached to the parent email.

Curriculum this week:

Religion: We will continue to talk about Mary. We focus on her compassion, and strength.

Math: Students will work on multistep words problems using multi-digit subtraction, addition and place value understanding. Also, we will continue to perfect fluency with math facts.

Reading: More main idea and supporting details. Plus the students will be rehearsing a Halloween Readers’ Theater.

Writing: Finishing up personal narratives. Students who have finished will be writing Halloween stories.

Grammar: Adverbs

Social Studies: Geographical Regions of Washington State

 

 Heads up on Spanish Materials for Monday: Students were told this last week 😊

Papel Picado Banners: Monday 10/19

2 sheets of tissue paper, any color.

1 sheet of white paper

Scissors

Some yarn or ribbon, any color.

 

I hope you have had a chance to sign up for a conference. Link here!  

Please reach out with questions and concerns!

October 12 – 16

We look forward to another great week! Class will begin at 8:30 am as usual Monday morning. At 9:15 students will be directed to leave our Zoom and log on to the all school mass via the St John facebook page. We will return to class after mass. 

This Friday students will not have class, it is a teacher in service day. Progress reports, Map Scores and Achieve Level Set will be put in the mail on Friday so be on the look out!  After you have an opportunity to review the information we will discuss scores and student goals during conferences which are scheduled for Monday, October 26 and Friday, October 30. A sign-up Genius will be sent out through the school .

Halloween will be here soon! The Fourth Grade will have a virtual Halloween celebration on Thursday, October 29th.  Students may come to on-line school in costume.

Academics for the coming week:

Math: Students will use place value understanding to round multi-digit numbers using real world applications, add multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm, solve word problems and work on a collaborative math activity.

Religion: According to Archdiocesan policy I will teach the Safe Environment lesson to the students on Thursday from 1:00 to 1:45. The topic: Boundaries: You Have Rights.  An opt out form is attached to this email.

Reading with Mrs Halley: We will continue our quest to determine main ideas and supporting details in both fiction and non-fiction.

Social Studies: We will read about Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest.

Writing: Students have chosen a topic for their personal narrative and will continue writing, revising, and editing.

Grammar: Relative pronouns.

Items to Note:

  • Monday, October 12 
  • October 16
    • School not in Session: Teacher Inservice Day

October 5 – 9

Thank you for your continued support. The students do excellent work on line by sharing new knowledge in large and small groups. They also follow through with all assigned work and assessments.  Let your student know we are so pleased with the progress!

Academics this week:

Religion: October is the month of the Rosary. We take time daily to ask Mary for strength and guidance. Here is a video refresher of the Rosary

Math: Big Concept this week:Use place value understanding to round multi-digit numbers to any place value. We continue fluency practice of basic facts. Please work with your student 10 minutes a day on math facts and if time play games that require logical reasoning or math understanding.

Reading with Mrs Halley: Students will wrap up our novel study of Bunnicula by sharing their book report projects with classmates. Our focus this week will be on reading, comprehending, and responding to non-fiction. Our topic focus is Hispanic Heritage Month

Social Studies:  Students will share their “Washington State Symbols” project. The class will read and discuss parts of chapter 1 from the Washington Adventure Book.

Writing: Our young authors will learn how to write a strong lead this week to hook the reader’s attention. We use mentor texts and give plenty of free write time.

Important News to Note: