Week 30 News

Upcoming Events May 13-17

• Monday: Rosary
• Tuesday:
• Wednesday:
• Thursday:
• Friday:

Religion –  We are finishing up our unit on the 10 Commandments by preparing an instructional book for our first grade buddies.  This will be followed by a unit on Mary and the Rosary. We will be participating in the K-5 Rosary service in the church on Monday, May 20.  

Maddy Rice and Leo Pagano serving God at Mass! 
Great job to both of you.

Reading/Language Arts – Mrs. Schaffer’s class began the whole class book Bridge to Terabithia and will finish up the school year with this book.   Mrs. Anderson’s class will end the year with literature circle books by the author Peg Kehret.  Mrs. Alsin’s class started Literature Circle groups with books surrounding the theme of children with special needs.

Math – The students will begin work on exponential notation and Powers of 10. We will discuss how the movement of the decimal works to change the place value

Social Studies - I purchased books from The Learning Post. The cost is $3.75.  Once students bring their money, they will get their book. Please have all project materials (poster board, etc…) for Monday as we will spend next week assembling all the amazing information found about Iowa into student projects.  All this will be done during class time and will only be homework for some that need extra time.

Language Arts – We’ve chosen our informative writing topics and will research and write these papers next week.  We will continue to work on the mechanics of writing with Daily Language Review as well.

Spelling –  Next week will be our last week for Spelling.  The list will consist of words with the prefixes com- and col-.

Maddy Rice had a blast being our "Chef" Wednesday preparing tacos for all of us.  This was an auction item she really wanted.  This has become a popular choice...I'm hearing they will add a few more of these for next years Auction.

Students were flexible and understanding at the news of cancelling our field trip and adapted to the fun we planned instead. Who knew kids loved plain old board games still! Here are a few pics of Mrs. Anderson's class enjoying some FUN!

Week 29 News

Upcoming Events: May 6-10

• Monday: Rosary
• Tuesday:  
• Wednesday: Mass @ 8:45
• Thursday: Field Trip to the Water Festival
• Friday:  No classes, Teacher Professional Development

Mrs. Anderson's Class 

May Crowning Mass

Religion –  We continue to study our unit on the 10 Commandments.  This will be followed by a unit on Mary and the Rosary.  We will be participating in two K-5 Rosary services in the church on Monday, May 6 and Monday, May 20.  5th grade will be leading the Rosary on the 6th.

Reading/Language Arts – Mrs. Schaffer’s class completed their research for their Lit Circle Books/Special Needs presentations and presented them this week.  Next week Mrs. Schaffer’s class will begin the whole class book Bridge to Terabithia.  Mrs. Anderson’s class will end the year with Literature Circle books by the author Peg Kehret.  Mrs. Alsin’s class started Literature Circle groups with books surrounding the theme of children with special needs.

Math – The students will begin work on exponential notation and Powers of 10. We will discuss how the movement of the decimal works to change the place value

Social Studies - We continue exploring our great state of Iowa, gathering information on a number of specific topics from cites, to businesses that started here, to famous people from the state of Iowa, and more.  Students will continue to gather information and then put it together in their finished project. If your child is choosing the book, I have ordered them and I will pick the books up from The Learning Post for students. The cost is usually around $3.75.  

Language Arts – We began our unit on informative writing by reflecting on the word curiosity and what it means.  We also developed I Wonder statements and looked at a variety of nonfiction texts. This is all a part of the brainstorming process.  We will continue brainstorming next week and move into choosing our topics and learning how to research.

Spelling –  We will not have spelling due to our short week and field trip.

Week 28 News

Upcoming Events: April 29-May 3

• Monday: 
• Tuesday:  Human Growth and Development Discussions
• Wednesday: May Crowning Mass @ 8:45
• Thursday:
• Friday: 

{Jesus} said this signifying by what kind of death {Peter} would glorify God.  And when he said this, he said to {Peter}, follow me."

John 21:19

What a wonderful day learning all about the Vietnam Culture from one of our very own
5th grade parents.  Thank you Mrs. Schumacher for providing such a rich experience for
all of us!

Religion –Happy Easter!  We hope you enjoyed a blessed Easter with your families.  We are moving back into our unit on the 10 Commandments. This will be followed by a unit on Mary and the Rosary.  We will be participating in two K-5 Rosary services in the church on Monday May 6 and Monday May 20. 5th grade will be leading the Rosary on the 6th.  May 1 will be our all school May Crowning Mass. Please send a flower with your child to school on this day.

Reading/Language Arts – Mrs. Schaffer’s Class Groups are continuing to research and are putting together a presentation to teach the class about their Lit Circle book and the special need highlighted in the book.  Preparations will continue into next week and then presented at the end of the week. Mrs. Anderson’s class is finished the whole class book Restart, and all students tested over this book.  Mrs. Alsin’s class is finishing the whole class book Bridge to Terabithia.    

Math – We continue to examine how to find common denominators and add and subtract fractions. Please continue to find ways to connect fractions with your child as you come across them in everyday life. Thank you!

Social Studies - We started our “Road Trip Through Iowa” this week with a preview of our Iowa History Project.  Students will be working on researching a number of things about our great state and will have three project options on how they wish to present their findings; make a book, brochure, or poster.  We will begin researching next week. All work will be completed here at school during social studies classes. A detailed timeline will be posted for checkpoints throughout to help students manage their time.  I will order the books at a discount from The Learning Post for students choosing the book project and pick them all up. The cost is usually around $3.75.

Science - Please look for Science Tests over the Respiratory system to be coming home on Monday to be corrected, signed and returned Tuesday.

Language Arts – We practiced writing Free Verse poetry as well as analyzing poems.  Our previously scheduled Poetry Assessment on Thursday the 25th has been postponed to Monday the 29th.   On Friday, we observed Cultural Day by tasting a Vietnamese treat and wrote a poem about it. Thank you to the Schumacher Family for providing our delicious treat.   Our final unit of the year will be informative writing. We will begin this after poetry.

Spelling –  Our Spelling list next week will be homophones.  Students will need to know the spelling as well as the meaning of each homophone.

Vietnam prizes given to children, usually filled with money.

Week 27 News

Upcoming Events: April 22-26

• Easter Monday: No School
• Tuesday:  Code 411
• Wednesday: Mass @ 8:45
• Thursday:
• Friday: Mission Dress Down, Cultural Day

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said {to the disciples}, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

John 20:19-20

Religion –We continue to work through presenting our Google Slide Presentations on the 7 Sacraments. We will be taking a break from the 10 Commandments next week.  To observe Holy Week, we will watch video reflections on the Stations of the Cross and journal about them. Our All School Stations of the Cross will be held on April 19 at 2:30 in the church.  Service Projects/Verification Sheets are due on Good Friday the 19th as well.

Reading/Language Arts – Mrs. Schaffer’s Class wrapped up reading the special needs Lit Circle books.  Groups are now researching and putting together a presentation to teach the class about their book and the special need highlighted in the book.  Groups were able to choose from a variety of presentation styles. We will have 2 poster presentations, 1 collage presentation, and 2 talk show presentations. Preparations will continue into next week.  Mrs. Anderson’s class is finishing the whole class book Restart and Mrs. Alsin’s class is finishing the whole class book Bridge to Terabithia.    

Math – This week, we started the study of using data to analyze situations and addition and subtraction of fractions. Thank you for your participation in helping your child identify how many states you have been in. We also started analyzing a game called Finish First to see if the game is fair or unfair depending on who goes first. Please continue to find ways to connect fractions with your child as you come across them in everyday life. Thank you!

Social Studies - Students are back to weekly geography quizzes on Fridays as we study map skills from a variety of different places.  Look for these to come home each week to be signed.

Science - We continued our unit over weather this week and how to measure it.  We discussed severe weather, how to stay safe, weather instruments, the atmosphere, air pressure, the water cycle, and the 4 main clouds.  We will have our review session Tuesday and test over this unit Wednesday April 24th. Your child was encouraged to bring home their ISN, which has all they need to study for this exam.

Language Arts – This week we spent time learning about Haikus, Cinquains, and Free Verse Poetry.  We also practiced writing each of these types of poems. We will practice analyzing poetry next and take the end of unit assessment.  The assessment will likely be held on Thursday the 25th. On Friday we will observe Cultural Day by tasting a Vietnamese treat and writing a poem about it.   Our final unit of the year will be informative writing. We will begin this after poetry.

Spelling –  Our Spelling list next week will consist of Vietnamese words in observance of our Vietnamese Cultural Day at St. Francis on Friday April 26th.

Week 26 News

Upcoming Events: April 15-19 HOLY WEEK

• Monday:
• Tuesday:
• Wednesday: Mass @ 8:45
• Holy Thursday:
• Good Friday: Stations of the Cross
• Easter Monday: No School

The women found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. 

Luke 14:2-4

Religion –We continue to work through presenting our Google Slide Presentations on the 7 Sacraments. We will be taking a break from the 10 Commandments next week.  To observe Holy Week, we will watch video reflections on the Stations of the Cross and journal about them. Our All School Stations of the Cross will be held on April 19 at 2:30 in the church.  Service Projects/Verification Sheets are due on Good Friday the 19th as well.

Reading/Language Arts – Mrs. Schaffer’s Class has continued with the round of Special Needs Lit Circles.  The main character in each of the books chosen is dealing with a special need. Following the reading of these books, groups will research and present information on their character’s special need and how it was portrayed within the book.  Comprehension strategies are being emphasized as well. Mrs. Anderson’s class is finishing the whole class book Restart and Mrs. Alsin’s class is finishing the whole class book Bridge to Terabithia.    

Math – This week, we started the study of using data to analyze situations and addition and subtraction of fractions. Thank you for your participation in helping your child identify how many states you have been in. We also started analyzing a game called Finish First to see if the game is fair or unfair depending on who goes first. Please continue to find ways to connect fractions with your child as you come across them in everyday life. Thank you!

Social Studies - Students are back to weekly geography quizzes on Fridays as we study map skills from a variety of different places.  Look for these to come home each week to be signed.

Science - Students have their assessment over the Respiratory system. They are to make corrections and have it signed to return Monday. We started exploring weather this week, talking about the difference between Climate and weather.  We will continue with this unit this week.

Language Arts – This week we spent time learning about poetry terms and vocabulary as well as Acrostic Poetry, Color Poetry, Quatrains, and Haikus.  We also practiced writing each of these types of poems. We will continue with other types of poetry next week.

Spelling –  There will not be a Spelling list this week due to extra time being given to The Stations of the Cross and Holy Week in Religion.

Week 25 News

Upcoming Events : April 9-12

• MONDAY:  No Classes - Teacher Professional Development 

• TUESDAY:  Spirit Wear 

• WEDNESDAY:  Liturgy @ 8:45am

• THURSDAY:  

• FRIDAY:  Prayer Service @ 8:40, Reconciliation

As Jesus rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they has seen.  

Luke 19:36-37

Religion –We continue to work through presenting our Google Slide Presentations on the 7 Sacraments. We will be starting a unit on the 10 Commandments next week.   Throughout Lent we will be attending school wide prayer services. Our last service will be held on April 12 at 8:40, and Stations of the Cross on April 19 at 2:30.  

Reading/Language Arts – Mrs. Schaffer’s Class has started a round of Special Needs Lit Circles.  The main character in each of the books chosen is dealing with a special need. Following the reading of these books, groups will research and present information on their character’s special need and how it was portrayed within the book.  Comprehension strategies are being emphasized as well. Mrs. Anderson’s class continues the whole class book Restart focusing on comprehension strategies and Mrs. Alsin’s class is finishing the whole class book Bridge to Terabithia.    

Math – Your child will be bringing home the assessment for your review over fractions, decimals, and percents on Tuesday. Please discuss the results with your child, sign, and return.

Social Studies - Students are back to weekly geography quizzes on Fridays as we study map skills from a variety of different places.  Look for these to come home each week to be signed.

Science - We finished our unit over the Respiratory system with a fantastic hands-on LAB working with props brought in by Shannon Umthum (Landon) and Teresa Aoki (Joaquin). Their knowledge is amazing and students got the chance to listen to the heart and bowel sounds on SAM (Student Auscultation Manikin) that is used for training real doctors.  This simulation was very unique and we wish we would have had more time. A big thanks to both these moms for taking time to bring in SAM. Students will be bringing home their assessment over the Respiratory system on Tuesday, please go over it with them and sign to be returned. We wasted no time jumping into our next science unit-over Weather, with a presentation by Zach Sharpe from the Iowa Storm Chasing team.  He had lots of great video of storms he has chased and talked to students about his experiences, which generated tons of amazing questions. We will continue discussing Weather this week.

Language Arts – We finished up Figurative Language this week with the assessment on Thursday.  We started our next unit on Poetry. This will be the focus for the next couple of weeks.

Spelling –  The next Spelling List will consist of words that contain words with the word endings -le, -el, -al  We will review how to determine the meaning of words using context clues as well.

Week 24 News

Upcoming Events : April 1-5

• MONDAY:  April 1 

• TUESDAY:  Water Rocks Assembly 

• WEDNESDAY:  Liturgy @ 8:45am

• THURSDAY:  Lent prayer service @ 8:40am

• FRIDAY:  Weather Presentation by Meteorologist Zach Sharpe from Iowa Storm Chasers Network

• MONDAY April 8: No classes - Teacher Professional Development

Religion – We continue to work through presenting our Google Slide Presentations on the 7 Sacraments. Mrs. Anderson’s class has completed the Works of Mercy Assessment.  Mrs. Schaffer’s class and Mrs. Alsin’s class will be taking the assessment next week. We will then begin a unit on the 10 Commandments. Throughout Lent we will be attending school wide prayer services. These services will be held on April 4 at 8:40, April 12 at 8:40, and Stations of the Cross on April 19 at 2:30.  

Reading/Language Arts – Mrs, Schaffer’s class spent time this week learning about the comprehension strategies of Determining Importance and Sensory Image.  Mrs. Anderson’s class began the whole class book Restart and Mrs. Alsin’s class continued reading the whole class book Bridge to Terabithia.  Next week, Mrs. Schaffer’s class will complete another round of Lit Circles focusing on special needs and Mrs. Alsin and Mrs. Anderson’s Classes will continue with their whole class books. Many comprehension strategies are being utilized throughout all of these lessons.   

Math – The students will be taking the Oral and Slate and Open Response portions of the assessment for the fraction, decimal, and percent unit on Monday, April 1. Not an April Fool’s joke! :) The students will then proceed to take the Written Response portion of the assessment. Please continue to reinforce the importance of basic fact practice at home.

Science - We spent the week learning the main parts of the respiratory system.  We explored the lungs and finished the week creating our own in a very interactive Lab.  We will continue with this unit next week and test over this material on Friday April 5th.Language Arts – We spent this week learning about Figurative Language (similes,metaphors, idioms, personification, onomatopoeia).  We will continue next week (oxymorons and hyperboles) and assess on it next week and then begin a unit on Poetry.

Spelling –  The next Spelling List will consist of words that contain words with the Greek and Latin roots, homo, phobia, auto, and tract.  We will review synonyms, antonyms, and homographs as well too.