Thursday, June 18, 2015

IMPORTANT NOTICES for Friday, June 19th

Dear Parents,
         We are coming to the end of our school year! A reminder that this Friday dismissal is at 12:00. on Monday at 11:00 we are having an Awards Ceremony for all classes.  Parents are invited if you wish to come. On Monday we are all having our end of the year PIZZA party. All third grade students need to bring in $5.00 no later than this Friday so I make the arrangements. Each student should bring in his or her own juice but no large bottles or glass bottles.  Students may also bring in one bag of snacks, chips, cookies, cupcakes, chocolates, candy-  whatever you wish to share but  one bag or box is enough.  ALL WORKBOOKS, NOTEBOOKS, FOLDERS WITH PAPERS THAT ARE SENT HOME SHOULD STAY AT HOME.  ON FRIDAY AND MONDAY,  ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING IN ONLY A PENCIL CASE WITH PENCILS, ERASERS, COLORED PENCILS, AN EMPTY FOLDER TO SEND HOME ANY ADDITIONL PAPERS, AND AN EMPTY BOOKBAG TO TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL THINGS HOME.
           On Tuesday we are all attending the  eighth grade Graduation Ceremony and all students should be in school uniform. On Wednesday, all students wil receive their final report card and be dismissed by 1:00 and look forward to their summer vacation!

Monday, June 15, 2015

Homework for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grades for June 15 to 19

Dear Parents,
         This is a reminder that the  ELA Final Exam is this Wednesday for all grades.  Besides knowing all the vocabulary definitions for each of the six Units on the Study Guide, students should how to write a proper essay with a suitable introduction and a sensible conclusion.  Students must also show that they know how to use transition words correctly. Fourth must write three paragraphs. Third must write two paragraphs. Second must write one paragraphs with 6 to 8 sentences each.  Students must also know how to capitalize titles correctly. Students will need to cite evidence from the reading passage they are given in writing their essay. Below are some helpful suggestions for each grade.

FOURTH
Review all the vocabulary definitions for each of the six Units on the Study Guide.
Study how to use transition words correctly by viewing http://www.gallaudet.edu/tip/english_center/writing/guide_to_transition_words_and_sentence_samples.html.  The most important ones to study are Words that show comparison, Words that show contrast, Words that add information, Words that show conclusion.
Practice also C2 and C3 on ixl.com so that you know the difference between fragments, run-ons and complete sentences.

THIRD
Review all the vocabulary definitions for each of the six Units on the Study Guide.
Study how to use transition words correctly by viewing http://www.gallaudet.edu/tip/english_center/writing/guide_to_transition_words_and_sentence_samples.html.  The most important ones to study are Words that limit or prepare for example,Words that show conclusion, Words for additional information, Words that show effect/results.
Practice also C2 and C3 on ixl.com so that you know the difference between fragments, run-ons and complete sentences.

SECOND
Review all the vocabulary definitions for each of the six Units on the Study Guide.
Practice writing a good introduction and conclusion.  Practice retelling a story using time order  words such as First, Next, Then, Finally.
Practice also C2 and C3 on ixl.com so that you know the difference between fragments, run-ons and complete sentences.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Second Grade Religion 6/8 to 6/12

Lesson Plan

Third Grade Religion 6/8 to 6/12

Lesson Plan

Fourth Grade Religion 6/8 to 6/12

Lesson Plan

Second Grade ELA 6/8 to 6/12

Lesson Plan

Third Grade ELA 6/8 to 6/12

Lesson Plan

Fourth Grade ELA 6/8 to 6/12

Lesson Plan

Homework for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grades for 6/8 to 6/12

Dear Parents,
        As I started reviewing the printed out Study Guides for ELA on Monday, I realized that many children had not done any reviewing at all over the weekend . I say this because several did not even know the vocabulary definitions which I even wrote out for them to make it easier to study! Students should not rely on the fact that I review in class.  Students need to study at home as well. There will be a final ELA Quiz  this Thursday since there is no school on Friday. The vocabulary definitions students need to study for this quiz are listed in the Study Guide under Unit 6.  I have waited until now to give the quiz in order to complete Unit 6. A few students did not even give in their final ELA project which was due last Thursday!  I will be giving mini assessments during the week to check if students are STUDYING THEIR STUDY GUIDES in ELA. Students should be reviewing  the year's work in their notebook and practicing skills on ixl listed in the Grammar section.  Please remember that the ELA End Term Exam grade will appear on their report card as well as being counted into their average. I am not giving any other homework besides what is on the Study Guide so there is no reason to get a poor grade if students do what is assigned! The ELA Final Exam in next Wednesday.
       Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter!
      Please see below for ELA quiz study guide for each grade:
FOURTH
* Study Unit 6 vocabulary definitions listed on Study Guide.
*Study meaning of words derived from  mythology in  notebook  dated 5/12.
* Be able to describe the hero's cycle from ordinary life back to status quo listed in notebook and on video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhk4N9A0oCA

THIRD
* Study Unit 6 vocabulary definitions listed on Study Guide.
*Study poetic devices: simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration, personification
*Be able to explain what Elmer used to help each of the animals in My Father's Dragon
*Be able to summarize the chapter you were assigned and relate the events in correct order.

SECOND
* Study  ALL the Unit 6 vocabulary definitions listed on Study Guide.
*Know the difference beteen dairy and grain fooods.
*Know the names of the different body systems and what each one is for.  See last notes written in ELA notebook.
*Be able to write about the body system you researched and explain how it works.



Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Homework for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grades for 6/1 to 6/5

Dear Parents,
         The study guides for the Religion End-Term Exam for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th have been updated and posted separately by grade. Please check the archive under the pictures on my blog to view the study guide for your grade.  If possible I would like each student to have a print out of the study guide to refer to when the internet is not on hand. Please be sure to refer to these NEW separate study guides which have been updated and not the previous one in which all three grades were posted together!  A reminder that all projects from each grade are due no later than this Thursday since there is no school on Friday!  Grades will be entered on SIS on the weekend.
          Our principal passed out the study guides (three pages stapled together) to students from each grade this past Monday. Please check for them and if possible make an extra copy just in case! There is a page of review notes for each of the six units covered this year.
           The homework for this week is to STUDY STUDY STUDY for Religion Exam this Thursday. The homework for next week is to STUDY using the ELA Study Guides.  Each grade will be asked to write a  complete essay based on a new reading passage on one the topics covered during the year.  This requires beginning with an introduction, writing complete sentences, using correct capitalization and punctuation and checking for omitted words.  It also means using linking words to connect ideas in sentences and paragraphs, making sure information makes sense to the reader, proofreading carefully and thoroughly, and ending with a sensible conclusion. Fourth graders will need to write three paragraphs. Third graders will need to write two paragraphs. Second graders will need to write one.
          If  third or fourth  have trouble getting to the websites to review the vocabulary on www.cram or www.studystack, please google: Review for Religion Archdiocesean Exam for ______ grade.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Second Grade Religion for 6/1 to 6/5

Lesson Plan

Third Grade Religion for 6/1 to 6/5

Lesson Plan

Fourth Grade Religion for 6/1 to 6/5

Lesson Plan

Second Grade ELA for 6/1 to 6/5

Lesson Plan

Third Grade ELA for 6/1 to 6/5

Lesson Plan

Fourth Grade ELA for 6/1 to 6/5

Lesson Plan

Fourth Grade Religion Study Guide for Archdiocesan Exam

Fourth Grade Review for End Term Exam

*Review thoroughly all definitions on http://www.cram.com/flashcards/grade-4-archdiocesan-religion-exam-2743936 Another possibility is www.studystack.com/flashcard-258432
*Review all definitions of words on  flashcards for Units 1,2,3 &; 4 on www.sadlierreligion.com
*Study TWO SHEETS of notes stapled in notebook listed under Review for Archdiocesan Exam
*Study list of essay questions students have worked on for homework.
*Study notes listing the Beatitudes and explaining the meaning of each.

Be sure to MEMORIZE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
* each of the Ten Commandments (and ways in which you as fourth grader obey each one)
*Jesus' Two Great Commandments  (see notebook)
*Jesus' New Commandment (see notebook) 
 *each of the Beatitudes and what the terms mean  (see notebook) *Corporal Works of Mercy (text p. 138)  
*Spiritual Works of Mercy (text p. 139)                                                                                                                                                                                            
*Practical Works of Mercy  (specific ways in which we practice these works of mercy)
*each of the five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
*the Stations of the Cross (text p. 329)
*the steps for making a good moral choice (listed on review sheet)
*the Sanctus prayer
*names of the Sacraments of Initiation, Sacraments of Healing, Sacraments of Service
*name of a saint and specific evidence of how he/she lived a life of holiness
*four steps of Reconciliation and how to prepare for it (examination of conscience)
*Advent season practices: Advent wreath, Jesse tree, setting up a Nativity scene, etc.
*different types of sins: omission, commission, mortal, venial original
*Lenten season practices: praying the Stations of the Cross, fasting, almsgiving, etc.
*dates and names of important feast days listed on review sheets

*Know at least two PARABLES: 
   The Good  Samaritan      (notebook see 10-2)                                  The Prodigal Son (The Forgiving Father)  

                                                      The Prodigal Son  

          There was a father who had two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the family money. The father gave it to him and he left home.  He spent all his money foolishly with his friends. Then when the money was gone, his friends left him and he had no place to live, food, or clothes. The son returned to his father and asked his forgiveness. The father was very happy to have his son back. He forgave him and even had a celebration for him. The older son was jealous and got angry and refused to go to the celebration.  This parable teaches us that like the forgiving father, God always wants us to come back to him and will forgive us if we are truly sorry.

*Know at least two MIRACLES:
                           The Wedding of Cana                                   The Multiplication of Loaves

MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CONFUSE CORPORAL AND SIRITUAL WORKS,OR JOYFUL MYSTERIES WITH PARABLES, OR COMMANDMENTS WITH BEATITUDES.  READ  AND FOLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!         


Third Grade Religion Study Guide for Archdiocesan Exam

Third Grade Review for End Term Exam
*Review  definitions on www.cram.com/.../grade-3-guardian-angel-archdiocesan-review-274654.
Another possibility is www.studystack.com/flashcard-37494
*Review definitions of all words on flashcards for Units 1, 2, 3 & 4 on  www.sadlierreligion.com
 * Look up the answer of all essay questions listed in notebook.

Be sure to memorize:
*each of the Ten Commandments  (and specific ways in which YOU practice each of these)
*Jesus' Two Great Commandments: You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
You can follow the first by making God most important and praying to Him daily. You can follow the second by helping your neighbor or donating to help the poor.

*Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation,  *Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick *Sacraments of Service: Matrimony, Holy Orders

Be sure to be able to describe the story and explain the meaning of the following parables:
 *The Prodigal Son (Forgiving Father) See  text pp. 210-211
* The Good Samaritan   See notebook for  Unit 2                 
* The Mustard Seed    See text p. 297  
*The Sower of the Seed    See text  pp. 298-299
 (Do not confuse parables with miracles.)

*Advent season practices: Advent wreath,  Jesse tree , setting up a Nativity scene, etc.

*Lenten season practices: praying the Stations of the Cross, fasting, almsgiving, etc.

Second Grade Religion Study Guide for End Term Exam

Religion  End Term Review Notes for Second Grade

*Review  definitions of all words on flashcards for Units 1, 2, 3, &; 4 on www.sadlierreligion.com 
*Review definitions in glossary in textbook (pp. 330 to 333)
*Be sure to memorize each of the Ten Commandments (and specific way in which YOU as a second grader obey each of these  commandments.

*Know the difference between the Blessed Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit), Holy Family (Joseph, Mary and Jesus)
*Know why Jesus is called both  human and divine.
* Know the FOUR Church seasons: Advent (first Church season to prepare for birth of Jesus), 
 Christmas (birth of Jesus) Lent (begins on Ash Wednesday to prepare for the rising of Jesus), Easter (rising of Jesus)                     

*Study the definition of the following words:
Crucifixion - death of Jesus nailed to the Cross
Resurrection - rising of Jesus from the dead celebrated on Easter Ascension - return of  Jesus to his Father in heaven   Pentecost - day Holy Spirit came upon the apostles - Birthday of the Church      Nativity- the birth of Jesus in a stable in the town of Bethlehem             
 Epiphany- feast celebrating when the Wise Men came to visit baby Jesus 
Annunciation -feast celebrating when angel Gabriel asked Mary to become the mother of God's son
Visitation - feast when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth to tell her she was having a baby
Incarnation - truth that the son of God was made man

Review also definitions of  following words. See flash cards or glossary pages in back  of textbook:
apostles, disciples, pastor, pope,  parable, miracle, grace, prayer, church, Mass, scripture, conscience, free will, worship, faith, vestments, sin (mortal, venial, and original), commandments, sacraments, host (Bread of Life)

There are seven sacraments: You need only to know about  Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist:
Baptism - We become children of God and members of the Church. The priest, our parents, and godparents are present. The symbols are water which washes away original sin and the light of the candle which is Jesus lighting our way.
Eucharist - Jesus feeds us with His body and blood in the form of the host in Holy Communion.
Reconciliation - We examine our conscience to think about our sins and which commandments we have broken.  We then confess our sins.  We say the Act of Contrition.  We say a penance to make up for our sins.  We receive absolution or forgiveness for our sins.


Prayers to MEMORIZE: Sign of the Cross (prayer to the Blessed Trinity), Our Father, Hail Mary, Act of Contrition 

Bible: Old Testament (time before Jesus)  and New Testament (after Jesus' birth)

*Know the Rite of Reconciliation:
 Before you receive the sacrament, you must EXAMINE YOUR CONSCIENCE which is thinking about your sins and knowing which commandments you have broken.
 The four steps  of Reconciliation are:
 *CONFESSION - telling your sins 
* CONTRITION - being sorry for your sins
* PENANCE - making up for the sins by prayers or good deeds   
 *ABSOLUTION- forgiveness of sins

Know the two parables of forgiveness:
 *The Lost Sheep  (also called The Good Shepherd) See pp. 132-133 in text book
*The Forgiving Father (also called The Prodigal Son)  See summary below.
          There was a father who had two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the family money. The father gave it to him and he left home.  He spent all his money foolishly with his friends. Then when the money was gone, his friends left him and he had no place to live, food, or clothes. The son returned to his father and asked his forgiveness. The father was very happy to have his son back. He forgave him and even had a celebration for him. The older son was jealous and got angry and refused to go to the celebration.  This parable teaches us that like the forgiving father, God always wants us to come back to him and will forgive us if we are truly sorry.