Homework

June 4-8, 2018

Dear Families,

Thank you so much for the goodies, cards, and well wishes. I hope you all have a wonderful summer. I have enjoyed working with your children. They have learned a lot this year!

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Linda Green

May 28-June 1, 2018

Dear Families,

No school Monday due to Memorial Day holiday.

The year is wrapping up quickly.

Thursday we will be going to the preschool graduation. Friday is the Eighth Grade graduation mass in the morning. Noon dismissal. Graduation ceremony is at 6:00 PM Friday evening.

June 6th is our class party at 1:00 with a 2:15 dismissal.

June 7th is the last day of school. There will be a morning prayer service, followed by "jumping the line" and a 10:30 dismissal.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support this year.

Sincerely,

Linda Green

May 21-25, 2018

Dear Families,

Thank you Mr. Salazar, Mrs. Cooley, and Sakura's Uncle Paul for taking time out of your busy schedules to come with us on our field trip to Mission San Jose.

The countdown begins!!!

This is the last week of spelling words. Please be sure to complete book reports asap. We are finishing up "How to Steal a Dog" this week.

Our language arts assignment for the last few weeks is to do a biography report about someone. Students may bring in books or articles about a specific person. They may also use the internet to look up facts in class. The biographies should be about a page in length and written or typed neatly. Pictures may be added. Students are encouraged to go to the library to look for resources.

We are reviewing math facts in class. We have completed the green books. All students should know their multiplication facts by heart.

Friday is field day. Snacks and lunch will be provided so students don't need to bring their backpacks to school. Each Faith Family has a color to represent their team. Friday is also a noon dismissal. Monday, May 28th is Memorial Day, a school holiday.

Mrs. Green

Spelling Unit 32 January February March April May June July August September October November December Sunday Monday Tuesday

May 14-18, 2018

Dear Families,

Our field trip to Mission San Jose in Fremont is THIS FRIDAY!!! Students are to wear full uniforms (no jeans) and bring a lunch with a beverage. We have Sakura's Uncle Paul, Mr. Cooley, and Mr. Salazar as drivers. We need 2 more chaperones (non drivers) to go with us. I have everyone's permission slip. Paige, Sakura, Addy, Emma, Kaylee, Mr. Salazar, Uncle Paul, and Mr. Cooley have paid. I still need $3 from Gavin, Patrick, Jaeden, Andre, and Maddie. Chaperones are $5 each. PLEASE get the money and any needed paperwork to me ASAP! PLEASE let me know if you are available to be a chaperone.

I hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day.

Friday, May 25th is a minimum day and FIELD DAY!!! The 28th of May is Memorial Day, no school.

Looking ahead, class parties are June 6th at 1:00. Dismissal is at 2:15.

Some students still have not turned in their book reports for May.

All students need to MEMORIZE their multiplication facts this summer BEFORE 5th grade!!!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Green

Unit 31 Spelling Words highway football classmate skateboard motorcycle newspaper background notebook stoplight sideline crosswalk somewhere grandstand brainstorm scrapbook

May 7-11, 2018

Dear Families,

My granddaughter was born Saturday, April 28th at 1:28 AM. Everyone is doing well:)

Thank you to all the families who brought goodies for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Tuesday, May 8th is the May Crowning prayer service. Students are to bring flowers for the service.

We start STAR testing this week.

I sent home the permission slips for the field trip to Mission San Jose in Fremont for Friday, May 18th. We need drivers and chaperones. The cost is $3 for students and $5 for adults. Please sign and return the permission slips with money as soon as possible. I need the money and permission slips no later than Friday, May 11. Uniforms are required. Thank you.

May 12th is the Jubilee Celebration. May 25th is Field Day with noon dismissal. May 28th is Memorial Day and no school.

Fourth graders need to turn in their book reports for May. Keep practicing math facts.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Green

Unit 29 Spelling Words: believe guess century machine library probably recognize separate question portrait citizen enough government biography especially

April 30-May 4, 2018

Dear Families,

Friday is noon dismissal with no extended care. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and Friday is our luncheon:)

We have finished "Toothpaste Millionaire" and we will start "How to Steal a Dog" this week.

The class is working on multiplication and division in math. PRACTICE YOUR FACTS!!! Several students have forgotten how to multiply 2 digit numbers!

The fourth graders have been discussing art and Monet. I brought some prints by Monet to inspire us to paint with watercolors outdoors.

Students have finished their "marble drops". We also made paper from recycled paper.

We have finished our packets about the explorers who came to California. Next, we will learn about the Pony Express and the railroads in California.

We are scheduled to go to Mission San Jose in Fremont on May 18th. I will need 2-3 drivers plus chaperones. The cost is $3 for children and $5 for adults. Please let me know if you are able to drive. If we can't get enough drivers and chaperones, we will have to cancel our trip.

On a personal note, my daughter is due with her second baby (girl) on May 5th. I'm supposed to take care of my 2 year old granddaughter at this time for a few days. Very exciting!!!

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs. Green

Unit 28 Spelling Words: nation moisture direction figure mention creature vacation pleasure condition location feature attention adventure protection furniture

April 23-27, 2018

Dear Families,

We will finish "Toothpaste Millionaire" this week. We will make our own toothpaste recipes. Anyone have any glycerine? We also need mint flavoring. Also, our class is out of paper towels and cleaning wipes. If you can donate to our class, we'd appreciate it:)

Don't forget to go to the school play "Little Shop of Horrors" this coming Friday and Saturday evening at Martinez Junior High.

In math we are reviewing problem solving, multiplication, and division.

Our social studies unit is about the explorers who came to California.

Does anyone have copies of "Mr. Popper's Penguins"? We're looking for chapter books to read together in class.

Thank you for your continued help and support.

Mrs. Green

Spelling Unit 27: thirty sixteen eleven billion forty thirteen fifteen eighteen fifty fourteen million nineteen twenty seventeen twelve

April 16-20, 2018

Dear Families,

Friday is our field trip to Sonoma Raceway. Shell is providing lunch for all of us. Mrs. Pult wants all St. Catherine students to wear their uniforms. We are going by bus and will return by the end of the day.

The spelling test will be on Thursday.

We are doing various types of tests with the third graders in science to prepare for our Mystery Festival.

The students have been working in small groups to make "Marble Drops". Some even have a theme!!! Very creative!!!

Keep reading!

We are getting into algebra and problem solving in math now. Keep practicing your math facts!

Thank you for your continued help and support.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Green

Spelling Unit 26 cheerful colorful spotless thankful graceful harmless hopeful restless wonderful frightful breathless thoughtful faithful motionless beautiful

U

April 9-13, 2018

Dear Families,

I hope you all had a beautiful Easter with your families and a restful Spring Break.

We are starting a new book in reading called "Toothpaste Millionaire". It deals with starting a business:)

The fourth grade is also hosting a Mystery Festival for the third grade class. This week we are showing them how to do fingerprinting and chromatography so they can identify the clues of the mystery. This is from Lawrence Hall of Science.

We are going to the Sonoma Raceway on April 20th for our field trip. I also scheduled a field trip to Mission San Jose in Fremont on May 18th. I'm waiting for approval and then I will send out notices. I will need drivers and chaperones. This is just for 4th graders.

The class has been working on fractions and decimals in math. We will cover probability and problem solving this week.

I am finishing up the mission reports and will get them back to you soon. The students did a great job!!! Next we are working on California Statehood packets in Social Studies.

We have 19 spelling words this week in Unit 25.

Keep reading for your April book reports!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Green

Unit 25 Spelling Words: lonely wisely barely rapidly finally truly secretly closely eagerly safely totally freely perfectly certainly personally recently daily weekly monthly

March 26-30, 2018

Dear Families,

Thank you for helping your child with their Mission projects. They turned out very well!

Please sign and return the NEW permission slips for our Sonoma Raceway field trip. The new forms are for BUS FIELD TRIPS. Thank you:)

We need matzoh bread for our Seder meal Wednesday.

The class made Rubber Eggs! We put raw eggs in vinegar for 3 days. The calcium in the shells dissolved in the acid in the vinegar. We weighed and measured the eggs before and after they were in the vinegar. Now half are sitting in Karo Syrup and half are in water. We are waiting to see the results. So far only 2 eggs popped! (messy but interesting:)

No spelling or homework this week. Most everyone has turned in their book reports for March. Some have turned in a book report for April already! Good job!

We will finish By the Great Horn Spoon! this week and have the assessment. The students will draw pictures of the characters from the story. The class has also been working on packets in social studies that deal with the gold rush, Bear Flag Revolt, and the Mexican American War. We will start a new story after spring break.

The students have started working with fractions and decimals. They were VERY reluctant to try. Once we started, they realized it wasn't so difficult. Then they said, "What were we so scared of?" Now they feel like mathematicians!!! (LOL)

Please send in your Rice Bowls THIS WEEK! Thank you so much:)

I hope you all have a beautiful Easter and a nice Spring Break!

Best,

Mrs. Green

March 19-23, 2018

Dear Families,

St. Catherine School's 4th through 8th graders have been invited by Shell Refinery to go to Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma for a STEM field trip to learn about alternate transportation and fuel sources on April 20th. They provide the bus and lunch!!! No additional chaperones will be required since we only have 10 students. I will send home permission slips that need to be returned THIS THURSDAY 3/22 to ensure a spot. Students not turning in a permission slip will not be able to join us. We leave at 8:00 and return around 2:30.

Monday is Reconciliation.

This Wednesday Lindsay Wildlife Experience is coming to our classroom for a presentation about the animals of Mt. Diablo. We won this presentation through a lottery with Shell. We were eligible since we went to Mt. View Sanitary marsh for our field trip!!!

This week we will have a chance to see the middle school students' science fair projects.

Friday is Adoration.

Mission projects are due THIS FRIDAY, March 23rd. Final complete copies may be turned in any time this week. I have 3 binders already:)

Next week we will celebrate Seder Meal with our Faith Families. Each grade is bringing something to share. Fourth Grade students have each been asked to bring a box of matzah (flat bread).

Rice Bowls are due next week. The office requests checks instead of cash, if possible. Thank you for your donations.

Next Thursday is Holy Thursday, a noon dismissal, when Easter Break begins. School resumes April 9th.

Please return the report card envelopes ASAP.

Mrs. Voight still needs empty egg cartons for a special project.

This week the class will be doing experiments with eggs. We will put the eggs in vinegar and observe the outcome.

Keep reading!

Thank you so much,

Mrs. Green

Unit 24 Spelling Words: dislike mistake disturb dismiss misery dishonest disease misplaced discuss disappointment disagree misfortune discover disappear distribute

March 12-16, 2018

Dear 4th Grade Families,

Report cards go home this week. Please sign and return the envelopes as soon as possible.

Friday, March 16th is a Teacher Inservice Day-No Students

Mission reports will be due March 22nd due to the fact that March 16th is a teacher in-service day. Many students have taken their notes home to edit, type. and print. Two have been turned in already! GREAT JOB!!!

Mrs. Voight would like empty egg cartons (dozen size) for a class project. Each child needs 2 cartons, if possible.

Friday, we had a guest speaker come from Catholic Relief Services to talk to us about the importance of donating money for the Rice Bowl program. Be sure to continue adding to your Rice Bowl!

March 19th the 4th grade will have a prayer service in the church, followed by reconciliation.

March 23rd is adoration. Soup and Stations are that evening. Please sign up to bring soup to share.

March 21st Lindsay Wildlife Experience is coming to our class for a presentation of animals from Mt. Diablo!!!

March 22nd is the middle school Science Fair.

March 29th we will have a Seder Meal with the entire school. Each class will be assigned to bring a specific food. More information to follow. This is also a minimum day.

Please continue to read and do a book report each month. I have 4 book reports for March already!!!

Practice your multiplication facts. They should be MEMORIZED by now! This week we will work with FRACTIONS!!!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Green

Spelling Unit 23 remove unfair instant regret unable instead review unaware invent repeat unless incorrect retreat refuse incomplete

March 5-9, 2018

Hello 4th Grade Families,

This Sunday is the Children's mass at 8:30. Hope to see you there!

We have been practicing multiplication and division facts to prepare for fractions! Most students are becoming more comfortable with math.

Great book reports!!! Now is the time to start another book for March. March book reports are due March 23rd.

March 16th is a teacher in-service day, no students.

Most students have finished finding the facts about their missions. Several have started writing their rough drafts. They need to bring in a thin binder to put their finished report in. Students may bring in photos or other additions to their project.

March 12th we will start our "Rubber Egg" experiment.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Green

Unit 22 Spelling Words: (all "e" words) except example exciting exactly extend expect excuse explain express exert exercise exhausted excellent expensive extremely

February 26-March 2, 2018

Hello 4th Grade Families,

Thank you to Mr. Burke, Mr. Cooley, Mr. Salazar, and Mrs. Sullivan for taking us to the marsh for our field trip! We couldn't have gone without you!!! Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to accompany us last Friday. It was an interesting trip. The kids loved the hands-on activities. I bet we all will look at water differently:)

Please bring food in for the Lenten Food Drive. They are collecting canned pineapple, mac and cheese, cereal, creamed soups, and boxed scalloped potatoes. Other non-perishable foods may be donated. Let's fill our 4th grade bin!!!

Book reports are due this Wednesday. 100 page book minimum. Be sure to label title and author in proper form. I need to know the characters, setting, and plot. Please include a summary and a positive or negative review for the book. Now it's time to start another book!

We will have a multiplication test to cover the standards this week. Then we move on to simple division (single digits) to double digits with remainders. Later, we will revisit fractions. KEEP PRACTICING YOUR MATH FACTS!!!

Most students have found the facts for their mission reports. They will be writing rough drafts next and editing them. They may hand write or type the final copy. The notes, rough draft, and final copy must be turned in together. We will make a cover for the reports from the pictures of the missions they made for Open House. Final copies are due March 16th. Oral reports will be the following week.

Last week the students tested different substances for their pH level. We started with purple cabbage juice as an indicator and then tried test strips to verify our conclusions. Students also cleaned a water sample using strainers and filters. Afterwards, they let the water settle and noted the clarity of the water at each stage. This was in preparation for our field trip.

We continue with Spelling Unit 21 this week. The challenge is to write a sentence using more than one spelling word:)

Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs. G.

Unit 21 Spelling Words

silent suit special sorry notice ceiling promise sudden cereal select circus office sentence balance celebrate

February 19-23, 2018

Hello 4th Grade Families,

It was great to see you all at conferences last week. You have amazing children!!!

Monday, February 19th is President's Day and no school.

Wednesday, February 21st is mass and 2:15 dismissal.

Friday, February 23rd is our marsh field trip!!! We will leave school at 8:30 and return by 1:30. Students are allowed to wear jeans, sweatshirts, jackets, and tennis shoes. It is supposed to be cold, around 62 degrees. Dress in layers. Bring your lunch, drink, and a snack wrapped separately. No backpacks or lunch boxes, please. Paper bags work best. Be sure to label with your names!!! Thank you to our drivers and chaperones:)

We are doing several experiments to prepare for our field trip. One experiment was cleaning a model oil spill. We will also try filtering water and test various substances for pH levels.

Since we will only have 3 days of regular classes this week, we will not have a spelling test.

Continue to read your chapter books and do a report. It can be a poster, written report, diorama, or mobile. They are due March 2nd.

We are going to continue working on our mission reports in class. Most students have finished their notes. We will write rough drafts next. They final copies may be written or typed.

We have been practicing multiplication facts to help us with fractions. Keep practicing your math facts. You're getting SO much better!!!

We are in the middle of "James and the Giant Peach". The students made a paper peach and the characters from the story. They will write biographies about the characters and a summary of the story.

Mrs. Voight is teaching the class about the Sacraments and Lent in Religion class. Please bring food for the Lenten Food Drive!

Have a great long weekend and a wonderful week:)

Thank you,

Mrs. Green

February 12-16, 2018

Hello Everyone,

Please return the field trip permission slips as soon as possible. We need 3-4 drivers and chaperones. If we don't get enough drivers, we will have to cancel our trip. As the letter from Mt. View Sanitary says, children should wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed toed shoes. I wear a tee shirt and hoodie with jeans and old tennis shoes. There is a chance they can get muddy so don't wear the expensive stuff! Layers are good, as the mornings are chilly and the afternoons warm up. Please bring a bag lunch and beverage(no backpacks or lunch boxes PLEASE). They should also bring a separate snack. There is drinking water available. There are no stores nearby to buy anything, so bring your food and drinks with you. This is a waste water treatment plant that allows class tours. It is off of Arthur Road in Martinez, near the freeway going to the Benicia Bridge (by the windmill). Hats, cameras, and binoculars are optional. Please use sunscreen and/or bug repellant before leaving. Take any allergy medicines needed as we are outside and it can be windy. It should be really fun! The field trip is Feb. 23. We will leave school at 8:30 and return around 1:30.

Monday we are making masks for Mardi Gras in class. We will also start STAR testing.

Tuesday we will have our Valentine/Mardi Gras party at 2:00. The masks will be judged and we will have Mardi Gras King and Queen for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. The parade starts at 2:45. IF your child wants to give Valentines to classmates, make sure there is one for everyone. There are 10 students in our class. We are going to make a Valentine for Austin. I will deliver it to John Swett.

Wednesday is mass and Ash Wednesday. It is also early dismissal (2:15) for our faculty meeting.

Thursday I am meeting you for conferences. I hope everyone signed up!

Friday is a regular day.

Monday, February 19th is Presidents Day and a school holiday. (3 day weekend!!!)

Students should be reading at home. Do your book report and start another book.

We completed our Metric Mini Olympics and the medals have been awarded. In keeping with the Olympic theme, homework is to find out how many countries are competing in the Winter Olympics this year. How many medals has team USA won so far?

Unit 20 Spelling Words: junk socket carpet kangaroo corner picnic ticket candle bucket creaky attack plastic racket attic hockey

February 5-9, 2018

Hi There,

FOURTH GRADES IS AWESOME!!!

Maddie won 3rd place in the Knights of Columbus poster contest! Kaylee won the Book Fair coloring contest! The whole fourth grade won LIVE animal presentations from Lindsay Wildlife Experience!

The students have gotten MANY compliments on their missions and dioramas. The 8th graders did a lesson with us last week, where we made California flags. LOTS of California history:) The 4th graders worked with the 3rd graders to clean the upper playground. What a difference! We also made placemats for the special visitors we had for the leadership luncheon and Valentine's for the seniors.

Very exciting to go to the St. Catherine Auction! What a fun evening:)

February 19th is President's Day-no school. Next Tuesday is Fat Tuesday. Wednesday is Valentine's Day, Ash Wednesday, and 2:15 dismissal. More details about Valentines party to come.

We are finishing "Indian in the Cupboard". The students will be making posters for summaries of the story. We would like to read "James and the Giant Peach" next, but we only have 3 copies. IF you have a copy of the book, can you bring it to school for a few weeks? I will try to get more copies as soon as possible. THANK YOU!

Please bring the Mission Project packet Ms. Sanchez assigned to school. We will work on it in class this month. I have a few extra copies if you can't find yours. The children can use computers and books for their research. This will be graded as Language Arts and history. Neatness and spelling count! Students may bring in pictures, maps, or other things to add to their reports.

We've been working on fractions in math. We've been converting common denominators, reducing, adding, and subtracting. Please help your child practice at home.

We are doing a unit on measurement using the metric system called "The Mini Metric Olympics". We measured distance, weight, and liquid. We will find the results this week.

February 23rd we are going to Mt. View Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Plant (off Arthur Road) in Martinez for a field trip. We are learning about habitats, camouflage, and water quality. We will do pH testing to understand water testing/quality.

For homework, I would like students to read chapter books and do a report on the story. Books should be at least 100 pages. One book a month is minimum. Check 3rd and 4th grade Common Core Literature lists for appropriate titles. Children may make a diorama, poster, mobile, or written report. This will count as part of their LA grade. Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl books are very popular. (Don't forget Pippi Longstockings.) The students may read these books during SSR (Silent Sustained Reading) in class as well.

This week's spelling words for Unit 19 are: bridge jazz image luggage jumble jockey manage gentle plunge cabbage lodge garbage range message dangerous

Have a great week!

Mrs. G

January 29-February 2, 2018

Hello All,

It was very nice to see so many of you at Open House on Sunday! So many people came in to see the mission models!

No homework this week:)

Monday we are cleaning the upper yard for our service project. The 4th graders made placemats for the special guests who are coming to the leadership luncheon on Tuesday. Wednesday is pajama day and pancake breakfast. Thursday 8th grade students are doing a lesson with us. Friday is the Spelling Bee and a minimum day. Saturday is the auction!

Lots going on this week.

Mrs. G

January 22-26, 2018

Hello 4th Grade Families,

We are getting ready for Open House this coming Sunday, January 28th. Mass is at 8:30. Students are to wear full uniforms (no shorts) to mass. There will be a Scavenger Hunt with clues in the classes and a prize at the end! Invite your friends and perspective families to visit St. Catherine's. There will be various activities for the students during Catholic Schools Week as well, including Pajama Day and a Pancake Breakfast!

Students have been working on various assignments to showcase their work. The dioramas have turned out REALLY WELL!!! LOTS of details! Now they want to do a diorama for "Indian in the Cupboard"! They have made connections working with miniatures in literature and social studies. They are relating Little Bear to the Native Americans during the mission days. This also ties in with math, working to scale.

I will have sign-ups for conferences in February, dates and times to be determined soon. The conferences will be in lieu of the November conferences (that I missed) and progress reports this trimester. I look forward to meeting with you.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Green

Homework-

Mission models due Friday, January 26th.

Unit 18 Spelling Words (homophones)

close sight poor peek groan waste clothes miner pour site peak waist grown pore minor

January 15-19, 2018

Dear 4th Grade Families,

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend! This Friday is a minimum day (noon dismissal) AND free dress!!!

Most students are working on their dioramas representing a chapter from "Runaway Ralph" in class. They may do this at home and/or use materials from home. They are to write a paragraph (or so), written on an index card, describing the scene from the chapter as well. Dioramas are due this Friday, January 19th. Names, chapter #, and paragraph should be attached to the back of the box.

Hopefully everyone is working on their mission models!?! Mrs. Pult said any materials can be used for the models, including kits (found at Michael's). They are due January 26th, in time for Open House! We are making a large model of a "generic" mission in class together. We also have a packet about the missions with vocabulary and historical information. We will work on the mission packets Ms. Sanchez passed out. If you are working on this packet at home, PLEASE use your BEST handwriting, spelling, grammar, etc!!! Written reports are due March 16th.

We have started reading "Indian in the Cupboard" for literature. Students are practicing writing, research, and computer skills. They used these skills when they looked up facts about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and put those facts into a paragraph. They will read these paragraphs in class. In math last week, the class reviewed 6 and 7 times tables and division facts. This week we will continue with 8s, 9s, and 10s tables.

LOTS of projects and assignments due this month, so I will not assign "regular" homework. Please continue practicing math facts and KEEP READING!!! Don't forget RAZ Kids and Mathletics as well. I will have students do spelling sentences, alphabetizing, etc. in class. I am adding this week's spelling words to study for the test Friday.

Enjoy the rain!

Mrs. Green

Unit 17 Spelling Words

settle angle title bubble trouble sparkle kettle simple scramble terrible puzzle scribble tremble double trickle

January 8-12, 2018

Dear 4th Grade Families,

We have several important dates to remember this month. Jan. 12- No School/Teacher In-service day. Jan. 15- No School/ Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 19-Free Dress Jan. 28-Catholic Schools Week/Mass/Open House Jan. 31- Pajama Day (yes they may wear pajamas to church!) Feb. 2- Minimum Day Feb. 3- Auction

Mrs. Pult would like the students to use the online programs Mathletics, Kids A-Z, and RAZ Kids to reinforce skills in class and at home for homework. I will send your child's user name and password home. Student's progress is sent to me in a report. I will be checking to make sure everyone is moving along.

Students are to make a model of their mission at home. The written reports will be done in class. Models and reports will be due by mid-March.

I gave everyone a deck of blank cards and dice for Christmas to make a game for class. Students make up their own game to be played by other students. Games are due no later than January 25th. They will be on display at Open House.

Keep practicing multiplication and division facts!!! Keep reading!!!

Mrs. Green

January 4-5, 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and time with friends and family. Thank you SO much for the warm gloves, hand lotion, candy, and auction ticket! Thank you to our room parents for a lovely class party. I was so impressed at the Christmas concert! Everyone sang so well and the church was beautiful. What a wonderful way to start the Christmas season!

We will be focusing on our Mission Projects for the next few months. The students will be developing research and writing skills for their projects. I would like to take them to the public library for walking field trips in the next few weeks to gather more reference materials. Students will also look up facts during computer class time. I have many books in the classroom as well. Ms. Sanchez passed out information packets that we will review and revise as necessary. Many students tell me they have already chosen a mission. I would like to work with each child individually with this assignment, breaking it down into smaller pieces. We will make a "model" of a mission site together in class. More information will follow as we go along.

I'm working on getting additional math materials to enhance our program. Students will have math homework packets to reinforce multiplication and division facts this month. Then we move on to fractions!!!

I gave each student a blank deck of cards and dice to make up a game. These "games" will be used to practice math skills as well as entertain.

Soon we will finish "Runaway Ralph". I would like the children to make dioramas to depict a chapter in the story during class time. (Remember those?). If possible, please bring in an empty shoe box or empty large tissue box. I have a few, if needed. Students may bring in other elements to complete the project. I would like to display them at Open House during Catholic Schools week at the end of January.

In science, we have started learning about static electricity. Then we will move on to magnets and electricity. Everyone will make "wires, switches, and circuits" for this unit.

We have a field trip scheduled in February for the marsh at Mt. View Sanitary District, right here in Martinez. I will send out permission slips next week. We will need drivers/chaperones.

We will start homework again next week. No spelling this week. Keep reading!

The Hayward Historical Society has wonderful trunks with loads of resources and materials about California history for students to use. Is there anyone who is in the Hayward area on Friday afternoons who could pick up and deliver a trunk to our class? I haven't called them yet, but I was thinking of a January 19th pick up (it has to be before 4:00) and returning February 2nd. I can't get to Hayward by 4:00. I know it's a lot to ask. If no one can pick it up, I can find some materials we can use instead. The trunk just makes it more exciting:)

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Mrs. Green

December 18-20, 2017

Hello All,

I am so happy to be back at St. Catherine, especially during this magical Christmas season! This is such a busy and exciting time of year. I appreciate your understanding, patience, and support during my absence. I had NO IDEA I would be out so long. I am finally able to wear both shoes AND use the stairs. Small accomplishments.

Tuesday, December 19th is the Christmas Program. Everyone should be practicing the song and hopefully, have the words memorized-especially the 2nd and 3rd verses. Students are to wear "Sunday best" for the performance. We will meet in the 4th grade classroom at 5:45. The performance begins at 6:00. Refreshments will follow. Hope to see you all there!!!

Wednesday, December 20th is a minimum day. The students have drawn names for a Secret Santa gift exchange, with a $5 to $10 limit. A gift card is always nice. I have asked the students if they would like to wear "ugly Christmas sweaters" on Wednesday, December 20th. This is OPTIONAL, NOT REQUIRED, just for fun. We have mass first thing and full uniforms are required, however, they may put on their sweaters AFTER mass. Our class party begins at 11:00. The principal has suggested no red punch, 1 sweet, 1 chip/dip, 1 veggie plate, fruit, cheese/crackers. I know the room parents have a great party planned for us. THANK YOU to everyone who helps make this a great day for the kids! Your help is truly appreciated:) Clean-up at 11:45.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!!!

See you in 2018!!!

Mrs. Green xoxo

n Important Note About the SF Symphony Field Trip - November 30, 2017

Hello, everyone!!

I have copied the informational email I sent out below. Please contact me if you have any questions!

We are meeting at North Concord BART at 8:00 am and will return to the same station between 2:30 pm and 3:00 pm. There must be someone available to drop off and pick up your child at the aforementioned times. I will personally be at the BART station around 7:30 am, so if you intend to arrive early let me know! We currently have 11 chaperones attending with our 4th and 5th grade classes. I understand that there is some concern about traveling on BART, but I do feel that we will have enough coverage for our students' safety. If your child is unable to attend, please keep them home for the day. I will be giving them a packet to work on.

Please make sure your child wears their uniform and has a sweater or coat, as it is much colder in San Francisco. They should only bring a sack lunch. We will be keeping the lunches in a backpack that I will hold onto, so please do not send their lunchboxes with them. I ask that the students not bring any electronic devices. I will have my cellphone in case of any emergencies, and I will be carrying all of your contact information with me.

Regards!

Ms. Amanda G. Sanchez

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November 27 - December 1, 2017 Name___________________________________________

Welcome back, everyone!

I hope that you all had a lovely holiday. Our trip to the SF Symphony is this week, and I'm excited to have the students attend! Unfortunately, in the shuffle of recent substitute teachers, we have misplaced ALL of the permission slips that were handed in before I arrived. Please fill out another permission slip!! If you have already paid for the trip, do not include any money!!

I want to thank everyone, once again, for your patience! The blank permission slip form can be found here: http://school.stcatherinemartinez.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Parent-Permision-Form.pdf

Ms. Amanda G. Sanchez

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Unit 13: Spelling Words - model, royal, cotton, central, custom, flavor, towel, happen, local, lemon, jewel, capital, travel, normal, natural.

Monday, November 27, 2017

• Write Unit 13 Spelling Words 5 times each.
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials__________________________________

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

• Write Unit 13 Spelling Words in sentences.
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials_____________________________________

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

• Write Unit 13 Spelling Words in alphabetical order.
• Math: page 85
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials_____________________________________

Thursday, November 30, 2017

• Study for tomorrow's Spelling Test
• Math: pages 88 & 89
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials_____________________________________

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November 20 - November 24, 2017 Name___________________________________________

Happy Thanksgiving! No homework this week!

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November 13 - November 17, 2017 Name___________________________________________

Hello, all!

The homework load will return to normal starting on Monday, November 13th. We will be working directly from our green math books this week, so it will seem that the homework has skipped around a little. I am going to continue asking our students to complete the same pattern of work for their spelling words each week.

UPDATE: We have started discussing our California Missions Projects in class today (11/13). Each student was given a packet to help guide them through the project which will include a creative element, a written report, and an oral presentation. They will have a number of weeks to work on these, and I will be working with them in class to gather their research. However, there will be work that must be completed at home in the coming weeks. I want to be sure that our students are pacing themselves, and completing items from a provided checklist in a timely manner. I will post all of the appropriate due dates when the class has reached a solid starting point.

As a reminder, we are still collecting canned goods and other non-perishable food items for St. Vincent de Paul. Any student may bring in the following items:

• Stuffing
• Boxed Potatoes
• Canned Corn
• Canned Green Beans
• Cranberry Sauce
• Canned Pumpkin
• Mushroom Soup
• Evaporated Milk
• Turkey
• Other canned goods

You may also donate cash or a check, which can be made out to St. Vincent de Paul!

Here's to another great week!

Ms. Amanda G. Sanchez

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Unit 11: Spelling Words - curve, heard, worry, further, perfect, worth, return, shirt, hurry, surge, expert, search, purpose, certain, thirsty.

Monday, November 13, 2017

• Write Unit 12 Spelling Words 5 times each.
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials__________________________________

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

• Write Unit 12 Spelling Words in sentences.
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials_____________________________________

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

• Write Unit 12 Spelling Words in alphabetical order.
• Math: pages 81 & 82
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials_____________________________________

Thursday, November 16, 2017

• Study for tomorrow's Spelling Test
• Math: pages 83 & 84
• Read for 20-30 minutes.

Parent Initials_____________________________________

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November 6 - November 10, 2017 Name ____________________________________________

Hello, hello!

First, I'd like to introduce myself! My name is Amanda G. Sanchez and I will be working with your kids until Mrs. Green returns. I've had a blast getting to know everyone, and I'm happy to report that I am getting us all back on track. I will start assigning regular homework no later than Monday (November 13th). Until then, students will be taking home any work they do not finish in class.

We've been working on our STAR testing this week (Tuesday) and will continue to test until Wednesday. Students do have an opportunity to make up testing and re-test as needed.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive has begun! Any student can bring in the following items:

• Stuffing
• Boxed Potatoes
• Canned Corn
• Canned Green Beans
• Cranberry Sauce
• Canned Pumpkin
• Mushroom Soup
• Evaporated Milk
• Turkey
• Other canned goods

You may also donate cash or a check made out to St. Vincent de Paul!

Thank you for your continued support and understanding!

Ms. Amanda G. Sanchez

October 30-November 3, 2017 Name______________________________________

Hello,

Hobbling along here...

Limited homework this week due to the excitement of Halloween. No math homework Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday is the Halloween parade (10:30) followed by the class party. Noon dismissal.

The class will be looking up facts about Veterans' Day in the next week and Thanksgiving facts the following week. This is part of their computer class as well as social studies.

Everyone should know their 2, 5, 9, 10, and 11 multiplication facts by heart. Practice 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8s as well. Everyone needs to be proficient in multiplication to master division. Fourth graders need these concepts to move on to fractions!!!

Miss you all,

Mrs. Green

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Unit 10 Spelling Words: proof duty stew issue review smooth value whose troop truce regular include argue usually continue

Monday, October 30, 2017

Spelling: Write words 5 times each. Read 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials__________________________________

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Spelling: Write words in sentences. Read 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials_____________________________________

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Spelling: Write words in alphabetical order. Math: pages 71 & 72 Read 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials_____________________________________

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test. Math: pages 73 & 74 Read 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials_____________________________________

October 23-27, 2017 Name_________________________________________________

Hi There,

Still recuperating. I understand the class did a great job at mass last week. Thursday and Friday are minimum days this week.

Permission slips for the symphony should have gone home Friday. Please sign and return as soon as possible. We needed to change the date to November 30th so we could go to the Symphony and City Hall. We still need parents to be chaperones!

Practice your multiplication facts!!!

Next week will be the Halloween parade and party.

Miss you all! Mrs. Green

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Unit 9 Spelling Words: over brake motion below choke stolen noble moment swallow notice spoke croak propose hollow although

Monday, October 23, 2017

Spelling: Write words 5 times each. Math: workbook pages 63-64 Read for 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials____________________________

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Spelling: Write words in sentences. Math: workbook pages 65-66 Read for 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials___________________________

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Spelling: Write words in alphabetical order. Math: workbook pages 67-68 Read for 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials____________________________

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Spelling: Study for tomorrow's spelling test. Math: workbook pages 69-70 Read for 20-30 minutes. Parent Initials___________________________

October 16-20, 2017 Name__________________________________________________

Hello Families,

Unfortunately, I will be out for another 4 weeks. I thought I was getting a boot and could come back this week, but, I got a cast instead. I guess the break will take longer to heal.

Since school was closed Thursday and Friday, we will try to pick up where we left off. Thanks for understanding.

We need 6 more parents to be chaperones for our field trip to the San Francisco Symphony. Please let me know if you can come with us. We are going with the 5th grade class, so Ms. Knapp will be sending out the permission slips and making the arrangements.

The class will be studying Dia de los Muertos and Halloween. Mrs. Voight will discuss the religious aspects of these holidays. The students will also be doing Saint Reports for Religion class. More information to follow.

The 4th grade will start reading "Witches" for reading and literature to tie in with Halloween.

I'm reading the Halloween stories the children wrote. Very spooky!!!

Thank you again for your continued support and understanding.

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Unit 8 Spelling Words: price mild supply fight invite surprise private divide slight lightning quite bicycle decide library drive

Monday, October 16, 2017

Spelling: Study for Unit 7 spelling test AND write unit 8 spelling words 5 times each. Math: workbook pages 55-56 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs: Parent Initials_______________________________

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Spelling: Write words in alphabetical order. Math: workbook pages 57-58 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs: Parent Initials_________________________________

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Spelling: Write words in sentences. Math: workbook pages 59-60 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs: Parent Initials________________________________

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test. Math: workbook pages 61-62 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs: Parent Initials________________________________

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October 9-13, 2017 Name______________________________________________

Hello Families,

First of all, I want to thank the students for being so good while I'm out. Everyone has said they have all stepped up to the challenge. I know it hasn't been easy. I'm so proud of my class. I LOVED the Get Well cards. They really cheered me up:) Thank you SO much!

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who ran Friday at the Run for Fun event!!! GREAT JOB!!!

I have 2 doctor's appointments on Tuesday. Hopefully, I will find out when I will be able to come back to St. Catherine. I MISS YOU!!! More information later...

This month we're focusing on Halloween and Day of the Dead. We will gather facts about each holiday and compare and contrast how they are celebrated. I am planning to make plaster of Paris with gauze (the stuff they used for casts) masks for the children to paint and decorate. I will be putting vaseline on their face and adding layers of gauze. When it hardens, I remove it to dry. I've been doing these masks for years. At my other school, the masks were put on display in the church. We discuss the history, religion, and art involved. Please let me know if you DO NOT want your child to have a mask.

The 4th grade class will be writing Halloween stories, complete with haunted houses. We are focusing on nouns, verbs, and adjectives to write descriptive, scary stories.

The class has finished "Stuart Little" and will be making posters for each chapter with a brief summary. We will be watching the DVD of "Stuart Little" and comparing the movie to the book. Our next book is "Witches", by Roald Dahl. (Perfect for Halloween:)

Thank you for your continued understanding and support. I appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers:)

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Unit 7 Spelling Words: steam sweet honey shield treat screech least beetle reason breathe field beast valley species monkey

Monday, October 9, 2017

Columbus Day Holiday/no school

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Spelling: Write words 5 times each. Math: workbook pages 50-51 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs: Parent Initials_________________________

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Spelling: Write words in sentences. (You should have some great Halloween sentences with these spelling words!) Math: workbook pages 53-54 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs: Parent Initials__________________________

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Spelling: Write words in alphabetical order. Practice for tomorrow's test. Math: workbook pages 55-56 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs: Parent Initials____________________________

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October 2-6, 2017 Name_____________________________________

Hello Families!

Thank you so much for your support and understanding during this difficult time. I appreciate your cooperation and adjustments to substitutes and schedule changes. I'm told the kids are doing well and taking everything in stride:) They are wonderful children and I am so grateful to have them as my students. I am thankful to be working with such a fantastic faculty and staff of St. Catherine. Everyone has been great!

I'm so glad to learn that everyone turned in their money for tickets to the symphony!!! If we take BART, children's tickets are $4.94 round trip. Everyone also needs to pay an additional $2 for insurance. I can collect that money in November. Are there any parents who would like to go with us as chaperones? Tickets for adults are $8, plus $2 for insurance, plus $10.50 round trip for BART for a total of $20.50. If parents are willing to drive to San Francisco, we can save the BART fare. We will need 4 drivers (with 3 kids per car) and 3 more adults plus me (8 total) 2 adults per car (Diocese requirement). Also, all chaperones need to have "Safe Environment" certification. Drivers need proper insurance. Let me know if you are interested.

Run for Fun is this Friday. Don't forget your sponsors! We also start the Cookie Dough Sales! YUMMY!!! So many events happening:) Thank you for your support.

Monday, October 9th is a school holiday in honor of Columbus Day.

Keep practicing math facts and keep reading!!!

Miss you all,

Mrs. Green _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Unit 6 Spelling Words: steak plain agent weight amaze danger brain bacon brave escape paper neighbor trace cable behave

Monday, October 2, 2017

Spelling: Write words 5 times each. Math: workbook page 45 # 1-4 word problems/ # 5 & 6 were done in class Read for 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs.: Parent Initials_________________________________

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Spelling: Write words in alphabetical order. Math: workbook pages 47-48 Read for 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs.: Parent Initials__________________________________

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Spelling: Write words in sentences. Math: workbook pages 49-50 Read for 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs.: Parent Initials___________________________________

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Spelling: Study for spelling test. Math: workbook page 51 Read 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs. Parent Initial_____________________________________

September 25-29, 2017 Name_________________________________

Hello All,

A funny thing happened on the way back from recess on Wednesday...I stepped on the uneven pavement and my foot rolled. I now have a fractured metatarsal on my left foot! (New vocabulary words) Unfortunately, I will be out for awhile. I will know more in the days to come. Please be patient with the homework and communication. We all need to be flexible. (LOL) Thank you for your understanding. You can contact me at Lgreen@csdo.org if you have any questions.

We will have to reschedule the cemetery field trip on October 20th. So far I only have money from 2 students for the symphony. If I don't have $8 from everyone by Friday, I will have to cancel the symphony and San Francisco City Hall field trip on November 28th.

The books orders have been shipped! Hopefully they will arrive this week.

The students are finishing up their park project (environmental engineering) and will be doing their presentations this week. I hope to see them on FaceTime.

We are finishing up "The Wind in the Willows". I would like to show the movie (Disney) to the class to compare and contrast to the book for Language Arts. Please let me know if it is OKAY for your child to watch this movie. (Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland was based on this story.) The class continues to read "Stuart Little". I would also like to show that movie (with Michael J. Fox) when we finish the book. However, I believe that one is rated PG. Please let me know if that is an issue.

We continue to move along in math. We are reviewing basic math concepts, and learning strategies for solving word problems. Keep practicing multiplication facts. They should know them ALL (up to 12s) by heart.

The class is learning about rocks and minerals in science. We continue to learn about map skills and the various geographical parts of California in social studies.

This week we are learning the letters a, aw, at, ai, and ac in cursive writing and how to connect them.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

See you soon! Mrs. Green

PS I won't be able to print the homework this week. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Unit 5 Spelling Words: fetch wren sketch design wreck comb twitch wrinkle ditch patch limb align wrench clutch snatch

Monday, September 25th Spelling: Write words 5 times each. Math: workbook pages 36-37 Read for 20-30 minutes Title: pgs. Parent Initials__________________________

Tuesday, September 26th Spelling: Write words in alphabetical order. Math: workbook pages 39-40 Read for 20-30 minutes Title: pgs. Parent Initials__________________________

Wednesday, September 27th Spelling: Write words in sentences. Math: workbook pages 41-42 Read for 20-30 minutes Title: pgs. Parent Initials_________________________

Thursday, September 28th Spelling: Study for tomorrow's test. Math: workbook pages 43-44 Read for 20-30 minutes. Title: pgs. Parent Initials____________________________

September 18-22, 2017

The class will be making applesauce on Wednesday. Please send a peeled apple (NOT SLICED) on Wednesday morning. We will cut them in class and cook them in a crock pot during the day. We will share the applesauce with the Kindergarten class in the afternoon and read Dr. Seuss stories to them.

Fourth graders have started the unit on rocks and minerals. We tested rocks for hardness (scratch test), weighed and measured them, as well as checked if they floated or sank. Afterwards we turned them into Pet Rocks. Our salt crystals are growing on the side of the cup and over the edge!

The students have finished "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and are making posters for each chapter with a written summary. Our next book is "Stuart Little".

We have started using map skills in social studies. We've discussed hemispheres, continents, and oceans.

I have arranged for the class to go to the Pioneer Cemetery in Martinez on October 20th. We will need parent drivers. I'm also making reservations for the San Francisco Symphony on November 28th at 11:30. The cost of the symphony tickets is $8 each. We will take BART to San Francisco and tour City Hall after the symphony. I would like the $8 from each student so I can make the reservations asap. You can send money for BART tickets when it gets closer to the date. PLEASE turn in your $8 by THIS FRIDAY, September 22nd. Thank you in advance.

Please make sure your student does their homework nightly. Homework reinforces the concepts taught in class. Several students have not turned in their homework or have turned it in very late. ALL 4th graders need to practice their addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts!!! A math quiz is coming soon.

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Spelling Unit 4: bunch cheese hunch shift charge perch ranch pinch cherry sheep punch cheap shelter chief chance

Monday, September 18, 2017

Spelling: Write words 5 times each. Math: Workbook pages page 27-28 Read 20-30 minutes. Title pages Parent Initials_________________

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Spelling: Write words in alphabetical order. Math: Workbook pages 29-30 Read 20-30 minutes Title pages Parent Initials___________________

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Spelling: Write words in sentences. Math: Workbook pages 31-32 Read for 20-30 minutes. Title pages Parent Initials__________________

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Spelling: Study for tomorrow's spelling test. Math: Workbook pages 33 Read for 20-30 minutes. Title pages Parent Initials____________________