Home

5th Grade Team

Welcome to 5th Grade!

Hello, and welcome back to school! I hope your family had a wonderful summer filled with fun, relaxation, and memorable adventures. My name is Mrs. Schiff, and I am delighted to be your child’s Math, Science, and Social Studies teacher this year. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, exploring, growing, and creating lasting memories together in our classroom.

A Little About Me

I have been married for 24 years and have called Libertyville home for the past 26 years. My husband and I have four children: Amanda, who has been married for almost four years and blessed us with our first granddaughter this past June 2026; Olivia, a senior at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business; Ty, a sophomore at Arizona State University Carey School of Business; and Audrina, who is in 7th grade here at SJCS.

During my 15 years at St. Joseph Catholic School, I have been blessed to grow both personally and professionally within this wonderful school community. I earned my degree in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019 and continue to further my education.

I also had the opportunity to serve as the 5th–8th Grade Middle School Resource Teacher years ago, working closely with students who have ISPs and 504 Plans. This experience strengthened my understanding of differentiated instruction and the importance of meeting students where they are while helping them build confidence and reach their individual potential. I am currently continuing my education as I work toward earning my Special Education credential.

Looking Ahead to a Wonderful Year

As we begin this new school year, one of my greatest priorities is to ensure that every student feels seen, supported, challenged, and capable of success. I believe children learn best when they feel comfortable asking questions, taking academic risks, and recognizing that mistakes are an important part of learning and growth.

My experience as the 5th–8th Grade Resource Teacher also provided me with a strong understanding of our Middle School Math, Science, and Social Studies curriculum. I will continue collaborating closely with our Middle School teachers throughout the year to help ensure that our 5th graders develop the academic skills, study habits, independence, and confidence they need for a successful transition into 6th grade.

I am truly grateful for the trust you place in me as your child’s teacher. I value the partnership between home and school and believe that open communication plays an important role in each child's success. Please never hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or anything you feel would help me better support your child.

I am excited for all that this year has in store for us!

Many Blessings,
Mrs. Schiff

Help Support Our Classroom

I have created an Amazon Classroom Wish List with items that will help enhance our students’ learning experiences throughout the year. The list includes resources to expand our classroom library of knowledge, support new and engaging approaches to Math instruction, provide opportunities for hands-on and differentiated learning, and help students develop important study skills, organization, and independent learning habits.

Every item, big or small, will be put to good use and directly benefit our students. Any donation is sincerely appreciated, but certainly never expected. I am incredibly grateful for the continued generosity and support of our SJCS families.

You can find the wish list using the Amazon tab on this webpage or by visiting the link below.

Thank you for helping me create a classroom where our students can continue to learn, grow, and thrive!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Posts

Thursday, April 23, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None- (We worked on our required weekly 40 minutes of iReady math lessons today. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None (Since we are ahead in Science, I used our class time to start our Wonder of the World presentations today. They are doing a great job, and most were so creative in Canva. I'm so proud of them, plus I'm learning a lot from them too.)

Social Studies - Gold Rush packet #2 and D.O.G. are due tomorrow if not finished in class. I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Today, we explored the history of the Gold Rush with packet #2 of facts and questions. All packets will go home on Friday for parents to view.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None- (We took our Chapter 10 Test today. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None - Bubis Only (Today we started the next lesson in our book, which asked us the critical question: How do clouds and precipitation form? - You might want to ask: Is it possible for hail to fall when the air temperature is above 0 degrees Celsius? Yes, because the wind and freezing temperature at the top of the clouds are what form hail, not the temperature of the Earth. What form of precipitation does most rain start as?... Ice Crystals Types of clouds?...Cirrus, Cumulonimbus, Altocumulus, Stratus, Fog. - My class did this yesterday.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - Practice Test - Math Test on Wednesday (We are all doing the same Practice Test and Test for Math this week...Practice 1A, Test 1B. We worked on the Practice Test in class, and they have another one for homework tonight. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None - Schiff Only (Today we started the next lesson in our book, which asked us the critical question: How do clouds and precipitation form? - You might want to ask: Is it possible for hail to fall when the air temperature is above 0 degrees Celsius? Yes, because the wind and freezing temperature at the top of the clouds are what form hail, not the temperature of the Earth. What form of precipitation does most rain start as?... Ice Crystals Types of clouds?...Cirrus, Cumulonimbus, Altocumulus, Stratus, Fog. Miss Bubis's class will read this tomorrow.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Monday, April 20, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None - Math Test on Wednesday (Today, I surprised the students, and we are all doing the same Practice Test and Test for Math this week...Practice 1A, Test 1B. We worked on the Practice Test in class. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Bubis Only - None (They each continued researching their chosen Wonder of the World. Once the research is completed, they could create it on Canva.)

Social Studies - None... I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Schiff homeroom - They each continued researching their chosen Wonder of the World. Once the research is completed, they could create it on Canva. Then, we explored the history of the Gold Rush with packet #1 of facts and questions.) Bubis homeroom - (Today, we explored the history of the Gold Rush with packet #1 of facts and questions. All packets will go home on Friday for parents to view.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Aprikl 20 to April 24, 2026 Week at a Glance

Math: Conclusion of Chapter 10 on Multiplying and Dividing Fractions (one lesson per day)

The same Chapter 10 differentiated Practice test will be completed twice as homework on Monday and Tuesday nights, giving us three opportunities to practice before taking the real test.
Chapter 10 differentiated Math Test on Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Math iReady lessons on Thursday
Fun Math games on Friday

Science: Chapter 5 on Water Cycles (one lesson per week)

We will read the next lesson, asking us to focus on the question, “How do clouds and precipitation form?”

How does water move through the environment?

Learning Objective:

Students will classify precipitation and investigate its relationship with other weather conditions.

Key Vocabulary in this lesson: hail, precipitation, and sleet

Social Studies: Gold Rush/Westward Expansion and Wonders of the World Presentation Project…

We will have packets on the Gold Rush to work on on Monday and Tuesday. This week, we will end this unit.

We will also play Oregon Trail and have fun after the packet work is done.

On Wednesday, we will focus on the Westward Expansion with a webquest packet
Thursday and Friday, we will start our presentations of our Wonder project that was created in Canva

Learning Objective of the Gold Rush:

Why and how the Gold Rush began
What life was like during the Gold Rush
What lasting effects did the Gold Rush have on California's people and land
Students will also gain a better understanding of the Gold Rush's incredible impact on California's history.

*Please note that The Week at a Glance is very broad. Please check my nightly Edlio posts to read about what we did in class that day.*

Friday, April 17, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None (Today, we had some Friday fun with Math games and i-Ready games, too.) Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None (We continued reading in the Climate Change books. We also worked on the coordinating questions in our packets. The students are learning a lot, and I am so proud of them. Please look above for the chapter read for each class.)

Social Studies - None... I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (They each continued researching their chosen Wonder of the World. Once the research is completed, they could create it on Canva.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Thursday, April 16, 2026 Homework

The field trip form for 4/29/26 came home last week. You can pay in cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School. They were due back yesterday. Thank you!

Math - Dividing fractions three-page packet, if not finished in class - optional: IXL lesson 3L9 (Today, we divided whole numbers by unit fractions in a packet for extra practice of what we learned earlier this week. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Bubis only - Climate Change, Chapters 10 & 11, if not finished in class... Schiff only - Climate Change, Chapters 8, 9, & 10, if not finished in class (We continued reading in the Climate Change books. We also worked on the coordinating questions in our packets. The students are learning a lot, and I am so proud of them. Please look above for the chapter read for each class.)

Social Studies - None, but D.O.G. is due tomorrow. I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. They each started researching the Wonder of the World they picked. Once the research is completed, they could create it on Canva.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Homework

The field trip form for 4/29/26 came home last week. You can pay in cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School. They were due back yesterday. Thank you!

Math - Dividing fractions two-page packet, if not finished in class - optional: IXL lesson 3L9 (Today, we divided unit fractions by whole numbers in our books. It was a continuation of yesterday's lesson and came easily to the entire class. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Bubis only - Climate Change, Chapters 8 & 9, if not finished in class (We continued reading Chapters 8 & 9 in the Climate Change books. We also worked on the coordinating questions in our packets. The students are learning a lot, and I am so proud of them. My class will catch up tomorrow, as we had our monthly visit with Ms. Han and Mrs. Walsh.)

Social Studies - Gold Rush Chapters 10, if not finished in class. The entire packet will be due to me tomorrow. I also need to know what Wonder you want to do your project on by tomorrow. I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Today, we finished reading our books about the Gold Rush with chapter 10. This chapter was called "How the Gold Rush Changed America". Some questions to ask.... For how many years did the gold rush last?... The California Gold Rush lasted for five years. What are three ways the gold rush changed America?...1- People come to California from all over the world. 2- Native Americans lost their way of life. 3- Farms and ranches sprang up all around California. - We also spent half the class period talking about the Wonder of the World project we will be working on in Canva. Students received the expectations and rubrics for this project. They may share that with you at home.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

The Father/Son Night: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 in the Koenig Center. Dr. Raymund Pingoy will facilitate the evening.
Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Homework

The field trip form for 4/29/26 came home last week. You can pay in cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School. They were due back yesterday. Thank you!

Math - Lesson 10 enrichment worksheet - optional: IXL lesson 3L9 (Today, we divided unit fractions by whole numbers in our books. It was a continuation of yesterday's lesson and came easily to the entire class. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Schiff Only - Climate Change Chapter 7, if not finished in class (Today, we started the next lesson in our book, which asked the important question, What is Weather? We will go deeper into this topic later this week, along with a weather packet. We then continued reading Chapter 7 in the Climate Change books. We also worked on the coordinating questions in our packets. The students are learning a lot, and I am so proud of them. Miss Bubis's class did this yesterday.)

Social Studies - Gold Rush Chapters 8 & 9, if not finished in class. I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Today, we continued to read about the Gold Rush in chapters 8 & 9. These chapters were called "Boomtowns" and "Mining Gets Harder". Some questions to ask.... Why were gold rush towns nicknamed Boomtowns?... They were small towns that seemed to spring up overnight, densely populated and full of activity. What nickname was San Francisco known by?... Golden Gate What is ore?... It is hard rock with gold veins. What were two dangers the miners faced while tunneling for ore?...1- cave-ins on the miners 2- explosions and poisonous gases in a tunnel)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

The Father/Son Night: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 in the Koenig Center. Dr. Raymund Pingoy will facilitate the evening.
Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Monday, April 13, 2026 Homework

The field trip form for 4/29/26 came home last week. You can pay in cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School. They were due back on today. Thank you!

Math - IXL lesson 3L9, if not finished in class - optional: IXL lesson VDU (Today, we divided fractions by whole numbers using models in our books. Then we worked on IXL lesson U.1. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Bubis Only - Climate Change Chapter 7, if not finished in class (Today, we started the next lesson in our book, which asked the important question, What is Weather? We will go deeper into this topic later this week, along with a weather packet. We then continued reading Chapter 7 in the Climate Change books. We also worked on the coordinating questions in our packets. The students are learning a lot, and I am so proud of them. My class will work on this tomorrow.)

Social Studies - Gold Rush Chapters 6 & 7, if not finished in class. I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Today we continued to read about the Gold Rush with chapters 6 & 7. These chapters were titled "Striking it Rich (or Not)" and "Law & Order". Some questions to ask.... About how much money did an average miner earn during the gold rush?...$30 What was the first newspaper in San Francisco?... California Star California was not a US state when the gold rush started - TRUE What was it called when a miner prospected another miner's claim while that miner was not around?...claim jumping)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

The Father/Son Night: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 in the Koenig Center. Dr. Raymund Pingoy will facilitate the evening.
Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

April 13 to April 17, 2026 Week at a Glance

Math: Chapter 10 on Multiplying and Dividing Fractions (one lesson per day)

Chapter 10, Lesson 9 - Division with Unit Fractions (learning objective: Divide whole numbers by unit fractions using models)
Chapter 10, Lesson 10 - Divide Whole Numbers by Unit Fractions (learning objective: Use bar diagrams to divide whole numbers by unit fractions)
Chapter 10, Lesson 11 - Divide Unit Fractions by Whole Numbers (Learning objective: use bar diagrams to divide unit fractions by whole numbers)
Math iReady lessons on Thursday
Math games on Friday

Science: Chapter 5 on Water Cycles (one lesson per week) & Finish Climate Change books

We will read the next lesson in our textbook, which asks us to focus on the question, “What is weather?”

Learning objective:

Students will analyze data and use evidence to identify the factors that determine weather.

Key Vocabulary in this lesson: barometric pressure, humidity, and weather

Climate Change Books

We will finish reading the book What is Climate Change? And finish filling out the comprehension question packets.

Learning objectives of “What is Climate Change?” -

Explain various causes of climate change.
Identify local and global impacts of climate change
Identify ways climate change impacts people differently according to race, class, nationality, culture, etc.
Describe ways that climate change impacts them and their families personally.

Social Studies: Wonders of the World Presentation Project…

We will work in Canva (program), creating our interactive poster boards, brochures, pamphlets, etc…
Students will be researching the questions I require to fulfill their rubric scores.

Learning Objective of Canva:

Develop proficiency in using the platform's tools and features to create visually engaging and effective designs, including presentations, social media graphics, and other visual content.

*Please note that The Week at a Glance is very broad. Please check my nightly Edlio posts to read about what we did in class that day.*

Friday, April 10, 2026 Homework

The field trip form for 4/29/26 came home the other day. You can pay in cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School. They are due back on Monday, April 13th. Thank you!

Math - None (Today, we are ahead in Math, so I skipped math for a double Science lesson on Climate Change. I needed Ms. Bubis's class to catch up to us.)

Science - None (Today, my class continued reading Chapters 5 & 6 in the Climate Change books. Ms. Bubis's class had to read chapters 3 through 6 to catch up. We also worked on the coordinating questions in our packets. The students are learning a lot, and I am so proud of them.)

Social Studies - None - I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Today, we continued to read about the Gold Rush with chapters 4 & 5. These chapters were titled "Working a Claim" and "A Miner's Week." Some questions to ask.... What did it mean for a prospector to "Stake a claim"?...A Prospector would hammer stakes at the four corners of the area he thought was a good place to search for gold. How long did a prospector's claim last before it was up for grabs?... One week. About how many hours did a prospector work each day?...12 to 16 hours per day. What disease did many miners get from having a lack of vitamin C in their diet?... Scurvy. What does the word scarce mean?...hard to find, rare.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

The Father/Son Night: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 in the Koenig Center. Dr. Raymund Pingoy will facilitate the evening.
Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Thursday, April 9, 2026 Homework

The field trip form for 4/29/26 came home yesterday. You can pay in cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School. They are due back on Monday, April 13th. Thank you!

Math - Lesson 7 worksheet, if not finished in class - optional: IXL lesson 8KV - (Today, we continued working on multiplying fractions and then reducing them to their simplest form, BUT this time we included some mixed numbers in the problems. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Climate Change Chapters 3 & 4, if not finished in class (Today we continued reading Chapters 3 & 4 in the Climate Change books. We also worked on the coordinating questions in our packets. The students are learning a lot, and I am so proud of them.)

Social Studies - Gold Rush Chapters 2 & 3, if not finished in class. I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Today, we continued to read chapters 2 & 3 about the Gold Rush. These chapters were titled "Gold Fever" and "Rushing West". Some questions to ask.... How did the news of the gold strike travel in the 1840s?...By word of mouth. Jewelry made of pure gold consists of how many karats?... 24 karats. What were wagons pulled by heading west?... Oxen. How long did it take to travel by land from New York to California?...7 months. Why was it hard to travel from the East Coast to California in 1848?... Snow and cold weather made it much harder to travel across the country to California.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

The Father/Son Night: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 in the Koenig Center. Dr. Raymund Pingoy will facilitate the evening.
Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Homework

The field trip form for 4/29/26 is coming home today. You can pay in cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School. They are due back on Monday, April 13th. Thank you!

Math - pgs 743 & 744 and extra enrichment worksheet if not finished in class - optional: IXL lesson 8KV - (Today, we continued working on multiplying fractions and then reducing them to their simplest form. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Climate Change Chapters 1 & 2, if not finished in class (Today, I distributed their Climate Change books and comprehension packets. We read chapters 1 and 2 today and answered the accompanying questions. Minds were blown with all the information just read today. Please ask your child to share some facts with you.)

Social Studies - Gold Rush Chapter 1, if not finished in class. I also posted the Oregon Trail game on Google Classroom Social Studies if you want to play as a family... the good ol' video games. (Today, we started our new unit on the Gold Rush.) The students were very excited about this! The introduction and Chapter 1 were about striking gold. Some questions to ask.... Which mineral is known as Fool's Gold?...pyrite What were two tests James Marshall performed on the shinny nuggets to prove it was gold?...1- He hit the gold with a hammer, and 2- He boiled the gold in a pot of water with lye soap.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

The Father/Son Night: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 in the Koenig Center. Dr. Raymund Pingoy will facilitate the evening.
Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Homework

Math - None - (Today, we eased back into Math by doing our weekly 40-minute requirement of iReady math lessons. Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks.)

Science & Social Studies - None (Today, I promised the students they could finish watching the Disney movie National Treasure, which I love so much.) They started it before Spring Break, but we didn't quite finish it. It has so many historical mentions throughout the film. You should watch it as a family if you haven't seen it. They have it streaming on Disney+. The second one is great, too, and we might watch it by the end of the school year.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

The Father/Son Night: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 in the Koenig Center. Dr. Raymund Pingoy will facilitate the evening.
Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents—field trip forms to go home in April. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!