Classroom Updates
~ March, 2006 ~

• Preschool - This month in Preschool, we are learning about Apples as we will celebrate Johnny Appleseed day on Thursday, March 9th.

  We are also learning about Pets. We had a Three little kittens day where we had cat ears and made mittens and ate mini apple pies. We will have a follow up in May, when a speaker from the Humane Society will come visit.

  For Lent, we are working on learning about the Beatitudes. Each week, the fours class will learn about another Beatitude and add a figure to our Lenten Ladder. Our first "rung" is Happy are we when we believe in God. Please take a look at our Lenten Ladder in the hallway. Our classroom is also filled with Kindness. For every random act of kindness we see someone perfoming a marble goes into our special bowl. This way we can see how little acts can grow to help all of us.

  Have a wonderful Lenten season.

• K/1st - The kindergarten and first graders are making great gains in becoming fluent readers. Many of the first graders are reading chapter books, and the kindergarteners are now sounding out words in new stories. In math, the class is working on a unit of measurement. We are currently focusing on learning to measure in inches and feet. In science we have been growing mold samples and learning about bacteria, which we will study using microscopes. In religion, the class has been learning about the Lord’s Prayer, and discussing what each line of the Our Father means in words that they know. We are also continuing our Lenten studies about this Liturgical season.

• 2nd - Religion: The students have been learning to identify parts of the liturgy so they can participate in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Learning from the religion texts and taking turn in different roles of the liturgical-role play in class increase the children’s participation and understanding of the Word and the Eucharist at Mass. The more attentiveness and understanding of the children in the sacraments they partake, the deeper appreciation of God’s love and grace for them and in turn they will share with others what they have received.

  Social Studies: The students learn about our country’s government and about the symbolism of the United States flag.

  Writing: They also learn how to write book report.

• 3rd/4th - Lenten Preparations and reflections are an essential and valued part of the month of March. Our spiritual lives have also been enriched by our class study on different types of prayer. This month we are also preparing and serving during the Friday Mass. Standardized tests are underway and we value your prayers on our behalf. After the first three tests, attitudes remain positive. Over the two-week testing period, twenty different tests will be given, 10 for each of the two grades. Subjects tested are: Word Study Skills, Reading Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Math Problem Solving, Math Procedures, Spelling, Language, Science, Social Studies, and Listening (dictated). A variety of flu bugs have been passed around the school, as well as in our classroom. We look forward to renewal of bodies and spirits during Spring Break.

• 5th/6th - Math: 5th graders are working hard with fractions and will be soon adding and subtracting them. GCF and simplest form are terms that these students are using with ease now. 6th graders are learning to identify polygons in several ways. Accurate vocabulary is very important to this process and we are stretching.

  Language Arts: All students are involved in 3 Greek plays. The plays will be presented the afternoon of March 24. Science fiction or fantasy are the genres of the month.

  Science: Students have been learning about renewable and nonrenewable resources. There have been many discussions about how we can become more responsible citizens.

  World History: Ancient Greece is soon to be followed by ancient Rome in our studies. Some of the names and concepts are beginning to be more familiar. The plays being done during LA are an extension of this unit.

• 7th/8th - This month the 7th and 8th grades are preparing for their trip to Washington D.C., researching each of the sites they will see on the trip. They are also doing research for history term papers. The class is studying Newton’s Laws of Motion in science and the 5th through 8th grades are exploring electricity in our special Friday afternoon classes. In math, the 7th grade is learning about using percents and the 8th are working on geometric formulas. In religion, the class is discussing the meaning of “Truth.” We are looking forward to spring weather so that we can do some learning outside of the classroom.