Classroom Happenings

2022 to 2023

March

This month we are studying the Catholic Social Teaching of Call to Family, Community, and Participation. Click HERE to view our monthly curriculum outline.

Connecticut Geography

Students are learning about Connecticut's neighbors, counties, and towns. Here they are creating a political map of our state.

COMING SOON!

The Transfiguration

4A studied the Gospel story of The Transfiguration and analyzed artist depictions of it. In groups, they discussed the similarities and differences among each piece to the Gospel.

Furry Friends

Students visited Jake for the second time this year. To make their visit even more special, they wrote acrostic poems about him and read them aloud.

Where in the world is 4A?

In preparation for STA's multicultural night, students researched and created various presentations to educate the student body about the amazing country of Peru!

Original Poems

We wrote acrostic poems for Jake and our own haikus about Saint Patrick.

February

This month we are studying the Catholic Social Teaching of Call to Family, Community, and Participation. Click HERE to view our monthly curriculum outline.

Random Acts of Kindness Week

4A had a Top Secret mission during Random Acts of Kindness Week to send cards to a much loved person in our school. They needed to write heartfelt messages expressing their gratitude and why they are so awesome!

Valentine Suncatchers

In the spirit of sharing God's love with everyone, students in 4A and 4B made heart suncatchers for our friends at the West Hartford Senior Center!

Hearts for the Homeless

Students from STA helped Mrs. Carpenter make handmade cards for the homeless to celebrate Valentine's Day!

Catholic Schools Week

Thank you to the Saint Thomas students, parents, and our HSA for making this year's Catholic Schools Week so special!

Saint Thomas & Saint Timothy School

2023 Catholic Schools Week

Monday - Service Day

4A students and their KB buddies made cards to go with Blankets of Hope to keep the homeless warm this winter season.

Tuesday - Career Day

A HUGE thank you goes to Mrs. Williams, Mr. Peters, Mrs. Gill, Mrs. Smutnick, Mr. Lawson, and Dr. Litzendorf for visiting our classroom on Career Day to share what they do, why they love it, and how their job makes the world a better place!

Wednesday - Faith Day

STA students came together in Saint Thomas Church to pray the rosary during Eucharistic Adoration.

Thursday - Scholarship Day

Thanks to the Saint Thomas & Saint Timothy students enjoyed a science demonstration by Mad Science!

Friday - School Spirit Day

Thanks to Coach Croal, Saint Thomas students and teachers participated in friendly and fun student vs. teacher games in the gym.

January

This month we are studying the Catholic Social Teaching of Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Click HERE to view our monthly curriculum outline.

Fraction Number Lines

As 4A students began their fraction unit, they used fraction strips to help conceptualize number lines.

Factor Trees

Students learn how to make a factor tree to help put fractions into simplest form.

Works of Mercy

Students created a word web to help them draft a concrete poem about a work of mercy they are most passionate about.

“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” - Matthew 25:31-32

Enjoy reading several published concrete poems from our Works of Mercy unit.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the Hungry
Clothe the Naked
Visit the Sick
Visit those in Prison
Give Drink to the Thirsty
Bury the Dead
Shelter the Homeless

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Admonish the Sinner
Instruct the Ignorant
Counsel the Doubtful
Comfort the Sorrowful
Bear Wrongs Patiently
Forgive all Injuries
Pray for the Living and the Dead

December

This month we are studying the Catholic Social Teaching of Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. Click HERE to view our monthly curriculum outline.

Connecticut Science Center

All of 4th grade visited the Connecticut Science Center! With their chaperoned groups, they completed a scavenger hunt to learn more about health, sound, space, and so much more!

Gifts to the World

4A students thought long and hard about the things that they want to improve in the world. After classroom conversations, they chose one thing they would like to gift to the world. Some gifts included world peace, ending pollution, feeding the hungry, and so much more!

Penance & Reconciliation

As we prepare for the birth of Christ this Advent season, 4th graders took part in the holy sacrament of penance and reconciliation.

Christmas Ornaments

One of the greatest things about STA is the opportunity to celebrate and study our faith. The first Friday of December we took the opportunity to discuss what Christmas is all about and made ornaments to decorate our classroom tree!

Holidays Around the World

This month in Religion students are researching multicultural holidays celebrated around the world. Some of the holidays students are researching are Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali, Three Kings Day, Juneteenth, and Chinese New Year.

November

This month we are studying the Catholic Social Teaching of Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Click HERE to view our monthly curriculum outline.

Gospel Weeklies

Learning about our faith can be lots of fun! Thanks to our Gospel Weeklies, Venture, students learn about the upcoming Sunday gospel and complete activities that build on their understanding of our Catholic identity.

Peer Revising

As 4A students prepared for their publishing party they worked in pairs to critique each other's work. Using sentence frames, they provided compliments, critiques, and asked questions to help their peer authors strengthen their personal narratives.

Saint Thomas Church

4th grade students met with Mrs. Carpenter to learn about St. Thomas the Apostle Church! Together they visited the sacristy to learn about how priests prepare for mass and helped set up for the weekend's services.

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Continents & Oceans

During our geography unit, students refreshed their memory on the seven continents and world oceans through song!

Personal Narrative Publishing Party

Students in classrooms 4A and 4B shared their published personal narratives. Light refreshments were served during their fun and festive celebration thanks to our generous STA families!

5 Little Turkeys

Another successful buddy project with KB! Together, students made turkey puppets and reenacted the skit 5 Little Turkeys.

Advent Prayer Service

4th grade students celebrated the start of Advent with their own prayer service! Students led the school in song, taught others about the meaning of Advent, shared the gospel, and prayed.