Week at a Glance

*Catholic Schools Week* - January 30, 2024 - February 2, 2024

Math: We will review for our Chapter 4 test on subtraction on Monday and take our Chapter 4 test Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will spend class time completing our i-Ready Math diagnostic assessment. We will then transition to chapter 6, which will build on students’ knowledge of two-digit addition and subtraction to solve three-digit addition and subtraction problems.

Phonics (Fundations): We will continue spelling and reading words with the /er/ spelling pattern. Unlike most spelling patterns, there is no “hard rule” for whether to use er, ir, or ur, so we will spend a lot of time focusing on which spelling option looks correct. This will take time and practice, and any extra practice you can do at home can certainly help. 🙂 Trick words from this past week are learn, earth, and picture. Trick words for the second half of next week are mother, brother, and father.

Reading and Writing (Wit & Wisdom): Students will continue learning about the life of pioneers as they use text features in a nonfiction text to identify important information. They will also describe the main topic and details in written paragraphs and in pieces of art. Additionally, they will work to identify challenges that pioneers faced, along with ways that they responded to those challenges. They will use this information the following week to form their next informational paragraphs.

Science: None - please see Social Studies

Social Studies: Due to extra time being spent on Religion preparing for Reconciliation, we did not get much time for Social Studies this past week. As we continue our unit on Economics, we will look at how goods are made and brought to us. Students will define the following terms: consumer, goods, income, producer, trade, transportation. They will also be able to sequence how goods are made and delivered.

Religion: We are in the final week before First Reconciliation, so we are going to practice the Act of Contrition prayer daily. We will also be taking a “tour” of the church with Fr. Martin next Wednesday during school. Additionally, we will practice what to say, do an examination of conscience, and review the difference between sins and mistakes.

Tests and Quizzes:

• Math Chapter 4 Test → Tuesday, 1/30/24
• Please see the review sheet that went home last week for ideas of types of problems your child will see on the test.
• i-Ready math diagnostic 2 = week of 1/29/24 (most likely Wednesday, 1/31 and Thursday, 2/1)
• No studying is needed for this.
• Please help your child get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast each day.
• I am so proud at how hard the students worked on their i-Ready reading diagnostic. They took their time and tried their very best, and it showed!

Additional Reminders:

• Please try to take your children to Mass over the weekend. If possible, we’d love to see you at the 9am Mass to celebrate the start of Catholic Schools Week. Mass will be followed by our school’s Open House, complete with Book Fair and Pancake Breakfast. We have so much to be thankful for at St. Joe’s!
• Please send your child to school with a water bottle and a lunch every day.
• Catholic Schools Week Events:

• • Monday = Red, White, and Blue Dress Down Day → Celebrate our nation
  • Tuesday = All School Mass → Celebrate volunteers and families (coffee in the narthex after Mass)
  • Wednesday = Celebrate teachers (Thank you to the SJSPA for the teacher lunch treats)
  • Thursday = Pillow Drive for bedding ministry → Celebrate our community
  • Friday = Spirit Wear Dress Down + Special Treat in the Koenig Center → Celebrate our students

• Monday, 1/29 = Community Dinner → All are welcome to attend the free community dinner in the Koenig Center at 6pm. Please visit this link to sign up. My husband and I have gone to some of these in the past and plan to go this time too. It’s always nice to meet different people from our parish community and enjoy a tasty meal!

• Friday, 2/2 = Buddy Reading with our 8th grade buddies → Please send in a book or two from home with your child to read with his/her buddy. (Students are also welcome to use books from the classroom if they prefer.)

• 1st Reconciliation = Sunday, 2/4/24, following the 5pm Mass → Please keep practicing the Act of Contrition prayer with your children.

• First Communion Banner Kits - Please see the email from Mrs. Lombardo with information about how to order a Communion Banner Kit. You can also visit this link to purchase one: https://www.givecentral.org/location/181/event/39492 Please let me know if you have any questions.

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