November: Blessed are the the meek for they shall inherit the earth."
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty." - Proverbs 16:32
Conference link! Sorry for being slow to get this up! If anyone would like to meet and can't make one of these slots, please let me know!
November 2, 2026 All Souls' Day (Officially called "The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed")
5th Grade - **Fifth grade - Please finish up the All Souls Day worksheet that we were working on at the end of class today by class on WEDNESDAY! It shouldn't take long to do!
Please do corrections on your chapter 2 test as soon as you can! You must follow the guidelines for test corrections in order for them to count! Click here for a reminder: Test corrections guidelines Please make sure you are looking in your book or notes for answers. I allow for corrections because I want you to learn the material, and looking up the answers is part of this!
If you are not doing corrections, please have your test signed and returned - Then I know that your parent has "okayed" you NOT doing corrections.
Parents, a lot of them have "odd" grades on this test! I try to give partial credit whenever I can to help them out, but when some answers have 3 parts, they can get 1/3 or 2/3 correct... and then get 1/2 credit for a different question, the numbers don't add up into neat whole numbers! (Same thing with the bonus questions on this test! The first one had 3 archangels; the second had 4 mysteries of the rosary, and I gave partial extra credit to students who got part of it right. If you catch any math mistakes (or other grading errors!), please don't hesitate to send me a note! I try to be careful, but mistakes can happen! (Same thing with typing errors as I'm entering grades into Option C.)
If you want to review what we did in class today, scroll down to the notes I posted under 6th grade! (We just didn't get to "Communion of Saints" in 5th grade.)
6th Grade -
All Saints Day reflection: Some of you finished this work on Friday. Everyone else, you can turn it in any time this week. (On Friday, you won't come to class but I'll be here by dismissal.) Here is a link to the paper in case you lost yours: All Saints Day Reflection. Go on Google Classroom and look for the assignment to find all of the links I shared with you! If you turned yours in on Friday but would like it back to check it/add more before it's graded, please let me know!
If you didn't finish copying your notes (or were absent!), here are today's notes: All Saints Day/All Souls Day notes
I got your homework/notes checked from last week but am still working on your tests. Sorry! Busy weeks and days! Coming soon! *Sometimes you get varying points for homework depending on correctness/quality of your work, other times, I'm just checking for completion. For last Thursday's homework, you'll get a 5/5 for having both the worksheet and notes done. (And for the 3 kids who accidentally copied the LONG set of notes, I'm still counting your homework as "done" since you did much more than you needed to... and hoping that the error helps you to listen/write down your homework very carefully next time! 😳) Always check the H.W. page for info!!!
Both classes: During the month of November, we will be praying for those who have died. We'll frequently be using the Prayer for the Departed at the beginning of religion class. Both classes will be expected to know the prayer by the end of the month... hopefully they will without any extra studying after praying it all month (and it's a short prayer, anyway.) At the end of the month, they'll need to write the prayer down and it will count for a quiz grade. I'll prompt them with words "Eternal rest..." and they need to complete the rest. Spelling doesn't count, but anyone who writes God with a lowercase g will get a point off! I may start doing the same on tests. By 5th and 6th grade, I shouldn't be seeing any students writing ANY proper names - especially God's - with a lowercase letter at the beginning! Here is a link to the prayer. All students should have it glued in their notebooks: Prayer for the Faithful Departed
October 28, 2026
6th Grade: Complete All Saints Day Worksheet. (Read, highlight, answer the questions on the back including the last one in full sentences.) I'll collect it tomorrow to check.
Add your All Saints Day notes to your religion notebook - I will also check this tomorrow. We should have had time to do all of this today IN CLASS! All Saints Day Notes
Both classes: The tests that were taken this week won't be added into Option C until after Progress Reports. All graded homework, graded classroom, and corrections that were turned in on time should have been added in to Option C by now, but I still need to go through everything in my student work folder again to make sure that I added in all work and corrections that were turned in late. (I also want to add in a couple of bonus points for those students who did the Blooket and/or emailed me their online practice test results!)
Reminder: When a homework or classwork assignment is graded, it's generally for a small amount of points (3-6 point range)... but those little things really add up if a student is consistently not completing his/her homework. On the flip side, if someone has a hard time with test taking but is responsible and completes his/her work consistently, those smaller grades are boosting their grade! (Same with the students who take advantage of extra credit opportunities whenever they're available!)
Progress Reports are about trying to help everyone to get back on track (if they're not). There should still be plenty of time between now and report card time for improvement!
I don't delete anything on this homework page till JUNE, so if anyone needs to scroll back to find something that you missed, you'll be able to.
October 26, 2026
Fifth Grade: Test on Wednesday! Don't forget to study both nights even though you don't have religion class tomorrow.
Sixth Grade: Test tomorrow! Updated: Bible packet answers - You can use this to double check yours!
Both classes:
Scroll down to see what you need to study! All the information has been posted since last week. (Oct. 19)
I will post Blooket links here before the end of the day. USE THEM!
Tips:
I will rarely phrase questions on the Blooket in the exact same way that it will appear on the test test, but I DO try to make sure that all of the content you need to know is included.
READ EVERY ANSWER CHOICE. I know that you are trying to get through the Blooket quickly to gain points, but sometimes, the information that's MOST important for you to know is found in one of the answer choices (e.g., in an "all of the above are true" question.) Do NOT rush through without reading everything! Some of the answers might help you with the test questions where you need to respond in a sentence.
I always try to make the Blookets (or any review that we do!) harder than your test will be. It's all things we've learned, but if you do well with the Blooket, *hopefully* the actual test will seem a little easier by comparison.
3. If you didn't do the online book practice quiz last week when it was assigned, you still should! They are helpful as well!
Sixth Grade Blooket link: Grade 6 Ch 2 Test Review Blooket
Fifth Grade Blooket link: Gr. 5 Ch 2 Test Review Blooket (If I have time to add a few more questions, I'll delete this link and add a new one.)
October 21, 2026
5th Grade - Watch the video that we ran out of time for today! Answer the questions on the paper I left on your desks!
"What Type of Catholic Are You?" video
Here are the questions in case you lost/forgot your paper. I'll collect these tomorrow!
Catholic Rites video response sheet
Bonus video below! (This is short and a good review anyway!)
What's a Sacrament? 7 Sacraments Explained for Kids video
October 20, 2026
See yesterday - Both classes!
If you didn't do your online practice quiz yet, please do it tonight and email me the results.
Start studying for next week's test! See below for more info.
If you have any specific questions or things you don't understand, you can email me your questions so I make sure I include them in our review day! (For example, if you are someone who put a "2" next to some topics at the end of the quiz.)
6th Grade - This is a past study guide that I just found in my files. It's long! I didn't have a chance to read over it again myself yet to see it I want to edit it; just sharing so you can use it to start studying for next week's test. There are MANY days between now and next Tuesday for you to study, but only ONE day of religion class between now and then! You need to make sure you review on your own! Grade 6 Chapter 2 Study Guide
October 19, 2026
Because we have a shorter week due to Middle States, both classes will have their second test next week. We'll use this week to wrap things up and prepare!
Grade 5: All homework is due on Wednesday since you have music tomorrow. You can decide what to do tonight and what tomorrow.
I want you to keep studying the definitions for grace and sacrament. These words are central to what we're learning all year long, so everyone needs to know them. Anyone who had trouble on the mini-quiz last week can have a redo at the beginning of class on Wednesday! The definitions can be found here: Grade 5 Chapter 2 Notes (There are two definitions for grace and two for sacrament on the notes doc. For each one, learn it whichever way is easier for you to remember! )
Try the "Christ Our Life" online practice quiz and email me your results! tcunnane@stjamesregional.com. Make sure you got my N's right! If someone mistypes it, that's usually their mistake! (Or just cut and paste.) It's a short/quick quiz, so I highly recommend that you keep retaking it till you get them all right. Link for the quiz: Christ Our Life Ch 2 Quiz (Gr 5) (**If I ever forget to post the link, click on my "Resources" tab and go to the 5th grade Christ Our Life link. You'll see all the chapters listed.)
Here are more ways to study between now and next Wednesday! (10/28) Book study guide: Christ Our Life Ch 2 Study Guide (Gr 5)
Mrs. Cunnane's Study guide (This one includes all the things you learned since the last test that are NOT in the book! 40 Hours, Our Lady of the Rosary, angels, etc.)
Stay tuned - Blooket probably coming later. I need to look at last year's!
Grade 6
If you didn't finish the Bible packet in class today, please complete it tonight. If you left yours in school, here's the link to print it: Introduction to the Bible packet. (If you need to print a new one and there are sections you're 100% sure you finished, you can skip those parts and just do the parts you didn't do yet as long as you know the other packet is in school and can bring both to class!)
You will also have a test next week (Tuesday 10/27).
Interactive chapter review can be found here. Please complete tonight OR tomorrow night and email the the results. (tcunnane@stjamesregional.com) https://isr.loyolapress.com/col_g6_s2
Keep trying till you get them all right!
Use the book study guide, your spot check quiz, and your fill in the blank notes to start studying! Book study guide link: Christ Our Life Ch 2 Study Guide (Gr. 6)
Other things that you've learned that will be on next week's test: angels (and their feast days), the Rosary/Our Lady of the Rosary, 40 Hours, and the 3 saints you learned! (St. Jerome, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Margaret Mary). I hope you put all of your notes and handouts in a safe place (religion folder or religion notebook). I'll check to see if I have a 6th grade study guide and/or Blooket for this upcoming test from last last year!
October 15, 2026
6th Grade: Go to the THIRD video down on this link. (It says "What is the Bible" and it is by The Bible Project.)
https://sites.google.com/view/mrscunnane/resources/video-resources
Put your name on a piece of loose leaf paper and answer the following questions:
What is something they talked about in the video that we also learned from reading our text book today?
What is something that the video said that was new and interesting to you?
What is something they said that you think is important to remember?
What is one question you have after watching the video?
You don't need to write down the questions, but please number your answers, write in complete sentences, and make sure your work is legible.
5th Grade: If you didn't finish your notes today, click on this link. You ONLY need to write down the part that is highlighted; that's what was on the board today:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z7eWqelZo35i3sjZ3eYU3YocUW-Zwgp82NnAVdCLLWo/edit?usp=sharing
October 14, 2026
5th Grade - We're nearing the end of your second chapter. We'll be able to finish it up in these next few days. Monday will be our review day, but Tuesday you go to music, so our test day will be next Wednesday 10/21. Please start studying now! As you get older, the content of what you learn starts to get harder, and you need to make sure you give yourself enough days to review.
I'm going to give you a mini-quiz at the beginning of class tomorrow so I know if you studied! You can use your notes or my notes and you can use the Sacrament worksheet from class today. (All of my notes are linked at the bottom of the study guide that I posted below.)
know the definition of grace
know the definition of a sacrament
*We learned more than one way that you can define each of these words! You can choose which wording is easiest for you to remember.
We may do another mini-quiz (on what we do tomorrow) on Friday! Stay tuned! I'm trying to impress upon the students the importance of studying a little bit at a time instead of trying to review everything at once the night before a test.
IF you know the definitions above and have time, here are some other things you can review and see if you remember: (But focus on the two things above first! That's what I'll ask about tomorrow!)
A few of our other vocab words: evangelist, gospel, Blessed Sacrament, angel, archangel, Rosary
Here are the 3 dates you need to know for next week. What do we celebrate on each date? Sept. 29, Oct. 2, Oct. 7
Here is a study guide for next week's test. You have a full week till then! Please note that a couple of the topics will be taught tomorrow and Friday, but by the end of the week, it all will have been covered! 5th Grade Study Guide: Chapter 2 and more!
6th Grade - Because we have two more saints to learn about this week (Friday!) and we have a short week next week (Half day Thursday, off on Friday), we won't get up to your test till the week after next, but we do need to wrap this chapter up so we can move on to the book of Genesis SOON!
October 13, 2026
Both classes - Tuesday is your last chance for the 40 Hours extra credit! 7 PM in St. Madeline's church. See link for more info: Eucharistic Benediction Extra Credit
When you participate in the things we're learning about, it will always help you to remember better!
October 9, 2026
See yesterday's homework! This is an extra credit opportunity that you can only take advantage of this Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evening. Once it's done, it's done!
Weekend homework every weekend: Practice the 3rd Commandment! "Keep holy the Sabbath." In other words, attend Mass on Saturday night or Sunday! (It's God's job, not mine, to keep track of whether or not you're doing this. 😉)
October 8, 2026
Extra credit opportunity if you participate in St. Madeline's 40 Hours services this upcoming week! (It's also an opportunity for participating in a holy, spiritual Tradition of our Church and experiencing what we're learning about firsthand. 😇) Eucharistic Benediction Extra Credit
I'll give everyone a printed copy of this information today.
*Monday is an inservice day and I only teach 6th on Tuesday (5th has music), but I do hope to bring 6th grade over to the church for adoration. 6th graders, if you have Rosaries or a prayer book that you'd like to bring with you, you may.
October 6, 2026
6th Grade: If you didn't have a chance to finish copying your notes today (band kids especially!), here they are:
(Look for the "10-6-26" section)
**I think everyone heard me at the end of the day, but in case anyone missed it, you do NOT have to finish your "Spot check" Bible paper at home. We'll go over it first thing on Thursday before moving on to what's next.*
Both classes, see info about the Living Rosary below.
October 5, 2026 Memorial of St. Faustina Kowalska
Both grades: On Wednesday afternoon at 1:15, we'll pray the "Living Rosary" out on the schoolyard. Anyone is welcome to attend. I have a good number of Rosary beads in the classroom for anyone who wishes to borrow some, but if you have your own Rosary beads at home that you'd like to bring on that day, you may!
If you were still planning on doing corrections on your last test, please do! I'm hoping that by next week, we'll be preparing for our second test, so make sure this one is out of the way. This week, we'll be learning about Our Lady of the Rosary, the Rosary and Catholic devotions in general, and 40 Hours, so we'll only have 1-2 days to work on our book chapter.
If anyone in either class was absent or didn't finish copying the notes, here they are. (We only did the large print section up to the line.) Our Lady of the Rosary Notes
6th Grade - If you didn't finish your Rosary diagram in class, please finish tonight. Here is a good diagram to help you if you're stuck! Make sure you add The Apostles Creed and The Hail Holy Queen where they belong. The Fatima Prayer and the Rosary Prayer are optional prayers that many people say when they pray the Rosary. You can add them, but we don't usually say them when we do the Living Rosary as a school. (It's tough to label the Fatima Prayer on your diagram because it goes right after the Glory Be. There's not much space! You can draw an arrow.
How to Say the Rosary (diagram)
The order of each decade goes:
Our Father (large/separate bead)
Ten Hail Marys (should have one decade labeled "decade = 10")
Glory Be (string after the ten Hail Marys BEFORE the next Our Father)
Fatima Prayer - Right after the Glory Be
Tomorrow, we'll talk a little bit about the Mysteries of the Rosary.
5th Grade - Just a few kids brought home their praise poster to finish. Remember, it's for a grade so you need to complete it and bring it back! Please have them in by this Friday.
October 2, 2026 Memorial of the Guardian Angels 👼(*You need to know this date and the Feast of the Archangels for your next religion test!)
5th Grade - Today we're having a "finishing day" in class. Some students are finishing their praise posters (which will be graded) and some are completing their worksheets on angels that we started on Monday. If anyone brought your poster home to finish, please do so by Friday, Oct. 9 at the latest! Anyone who is finished all of their work will be doing this worksheet to practice looking up Bible passages and thinking about what they read. If anyone would like to finish this activity and turn it in as a extra credit assignment, you can! "Jesus Worshiped the Father" worksheet (It will be just added in as an extra classwork assignment - So a bonus "good grade" to bring up their overall average.) If you don't have a Bible at home, you can use the online Bible on the US bishops' website. (I have this it posted on the "resource" tab on my website for any time you need it.) USCCB Online Bible
6th Grade: We were busy working today and I never even had a chance to mention this, but here's an optional extra credit activity for your class for anyone who is interested:
St. Francis Extra Credit - Google Classroom
Both classes: Did you do your corrections yet? 👀 I'm having tests signed and returned this year because I know that sometimes there are 5th/6th graders who tell me that they don't need to do corrections... and parents would prefer that they would! 😉 I'm hoping this will help to ensure that students aren't making certain decisions without their parents' approval... and hopefully help there to be less of a scramble for last minute test corrections before report cards.
This weekend is the memorial of everyone's favorite nature-loving saint, St. Francis of Assisi! Pet owners, check your parish bulletins! Many parishes do a blessing of the animals on this weekend! 🐶🐱🐢🐦🦎🐰🐹 This year marks 800 years since St. Francis died, so Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed this year to be a special Jubilee of St. Francis.
Don't forget to go to Church this weekend! God comes first! 😇🙏
October 1, 2026 Memorial of St. Therese (also a Doctor of the Church!)
Both classes: Always do your corrections as soon as you're able so you don't forget and the material is fresh in your minds! **You MUST look up the answers you got wrong. I've already checked a couple of 5th grade "corrections" where the answers weren't all correct. If this keeps happening, you'll need to note on every item to tell where you found the answer. (textbook page, notebook, handout, etc.) Please follow the guidelines here every time. PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Guidelines for Test Corrections We went over this in class.
Please have your test signed and returned! Thank you!
Sept. 30, 2026 Memorial of St. Jerome, Father and Doctor of the Church
Did you know?
PSA for both parents and students! I know if can be a lot of keep up with all of your teachers' webpages. Did you know that the school has a page that you can bookmark with all of your teacher's pages? (It's under "Academics" on the school website.) Link below:
Fifth Grade - Test corrections for anyone who wants to do them! Make sure you follow the guidelines of how to do them! (READ THIS FIRST: Guidelines for Test Corrections. )
If anyone wants to review what we did in class today, here are our notes! Notes on Grace
We'll keep working on Bible citations tomorrow.
Sixth Grade - St. Jerome graphic organizer due tomorrow. (Read and complete the first side. These are your notes on St. Jerome! Save it and don't lose it!)
You'll get your tests back tomorrow!
Sept. 29, 2026 Feast of the Archangels! Happy feast day to to all the Michaels, Gabriels, and Raphaels! :)
Sixth Grade - If you didn't finish your St. Jerome graphic organizer, please finish it tonight! Front side only. (Back was extra for early finishers.) I don't see you tomorrow, so it's due on Thursday.
Did you miss any answers on our angel worksheet today? Check here! Fill in the blank Angels notes (with answers)
Fifth grade had a schedule change and will usually be going to music instead of religion on Tuesday afternoons. (This is to allow for more ELA time in the morning - We had more than the required minutes for religion in a week.) However, Mrs. Ingalls is out sick today, so I think I'll be seeing them today still.
Both classes: Fifth grade will be getting their tests back today (assuming I see them!). Sixth grade, you'll get yours tomorrow! I'm still adding some notes to some of them and calculating scores. (I thought I had a free period to finish today in school!)
Fifth graders, if you want to do test corrections, you need to read this note first! Everything on here is what we discussed in school about corrections. These are the guidelines that you'll need to stick to all year! I strongly recommend doing your corrections THIS WEEK so you don't forget about them! If you have a busy week and want to do them over the weekend, I'm okay with that, but you need to remember since we don't usually have weekend homework!
Both classes, please read: Test Corrections Guidelines
I plan to work on updating other grades (graded homework and classwork assignments) as the week goes on. If you owe me anything, please turn it in asap!
Sept. 28, 2026
Sorry, 5th grade!! I hope you knew the note below was for 6th grade. I was leaving in a rush today to get to St. John's for children's choir and didn't notice that I forgot to write which grade that was for. (No homework for 5th grade!)
6th Grade: Do the homework that you wrote down in your assignment book! Reading, highlighting, defining vocabulary words. I will collect them to check tomorrow before lunch. We should have had enough time to complete everything in class today.
Sept. 25, 2026
Homework for every weekend (for anyone who is Catholic): Go to Mass! 😇😉
Today we learned about the Beatitude for the upcoming month. Here are our notes on it: Beatitudes Notes (Scroll down to October)
For fun: Here's a sampling of the humor of Blessed Fulton Sheen: https://youtu.be/MH8uHvXSZTM?si=OsBqkVpOEHzSiTSt
Sept. 23, 2026 Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, better known as "Padre Pio"
Here's my favorite Padre Pio quote: "Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer." 🙏🤎
6th Grade - Study for tomorrow's test! Scroll down to see what you need to know. **Make sure you know this month's Beatitude and what it means. (I didn't put it on the 5th grade test since I forgot to remind them.) It should be one of the first things in your notes this year. If not, scroll way down and look for the link on the homework page. We did it in the second week of school.
5th Grade - No homework! 🙂
Sept 22, 2026
Study tips for both classes:
When we take notes, it's usually either on things that are in our curriculum but not in our book OR things I think aren't clear enough in the book. (So things in our notes are in addition to what we need to know from the book. You can't JUST study the notes.)
For feast days (saint days, days to honor Mary) - You do need to know the date. (There are a lot over the course of the year BUT just 1-3 per test!) You need to know the most important facts about the event (or person when it's a saint). For example, for Our Mother of Sorrows, the worksheets went into a lot of detail. Don't go crazy studying it all! Know what St. Simeon has to do with the day, what we remember on that day, and you should be able to tell at least a few of the "sorrows" that Mary experienced (but not all seven unless it's a bonus.)
**In addition to the Nativity of Mary and Our Mother of Sorrows (also called Our Lady of Sorrows), you learned about memorials, feast days, and Solemnities. You should know which of those celebrations is the most important, which is the most common, etc. (In your notes! And should be on my homework page if you scroll down!)
To study from your textbook:
ALWAYS try the practice quiz! If I don't post it here, look for the Christ Our Life link on my "Resources" page and go to the correct chapter.
Use the study guide online and the chapter review pages in your text book.
Look through the chapter(s). The titles and subtitles often let you know what's important! What words are in boldface? Is there any other vocabulary that we learned? What did we highlight? Are there any bullet point lists? (A lot of times those are the sorts of things that come up in open-ended questions where there is more than one correct way to answer it.) The better you are at following along and highlighting exactly what I ask you to in class, the easier it will be to study!
Grade 5 - Test Tomorrow! Chapter 1 + what's in our notes.
Grade 6 - Ch. 1 test (+ other info from notes) on THURSDAY. Don't forget the page before the first chapter! (Very important!) You get an extra day to study due to having Spanish on Wednesday BUT you need to remember to bring your book and notebook home with you tomorrow even though you don't have religion class!
Sometimes we have a Blooket to review, but we don't have one for our first chapters. We'll play an offline game to review in class!
I do always offer the chance to do corrections afterwards (for half, not full credit) or a retest if you really struggled - but it's much easier to study and be prepared for the original test. (Because after the test we'll be moving on to the next chapters in class.)
Sept. 21, 2026 Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle
Both classes will have their first religion test this week. My goal is to give 5th grade's on Wednesday and 6th grade's on Thursday (*since you have Spanish on Thursday!) Both classes learned about some things that aren't in your book: kinds of Catholic celebrations (memorials, feasts, and Solemnities), the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Sept. 8), the Memorial of Our Mother of Sorrows (Sept. 15). You need to know these for the tests, too. If you scroll down, you'll see the notes links and they should be in your book as well. **I need to give back your paper about Our Mother of Sorrows - I'll have it for you tomorrow! Study other things tonight!
5th Grade - Tonight, carefully read over the Chapter Review on p. 7. If it's in the "We remember" section, I can almost guarantee that it will also be on the test! Know any key words on that page as well as any other bold-faced words (or words we added!) in the pages of the chapter.
Complete the chapter review on p. 8. All answers will be in the chapter and they tend to go in a simliar order to how they were introduced in the chapter.
You should also study the notes on prayer.
You should always use the online resourses to help you study, too! The interactive book quiz is very helpful (sometimes some of those questions end up on the test!) and the study guide has the key points from each lesson. Open this link and look for Chapter 1:
Christ Our Life Study Resources
Grade 6 - Finish the top section of p. 8 if you didn't finish in class. (You can do the bottom if you want, but you don't have to.
If you didn't finish the Bible paper, finish reading and highlighting at home tonight. You need to write three "Things to Know" on the back. (Any three things that you thought were especially important or interesting! Write in complete sentences. We'll share ideas tomorrow.)
Even though chapter 1 is short, it contains some important information. Make sure you include p. 2 "How to Read the Bible as a Catholic" when you study, as well as the USCCB paper (which you got today) about reading the Bible. The main reason we're doing a test is because your NEXT chapter has a lot of information and I don't want you to have to study both at once.
Your notes won't match this exactly, but here are notes on the Sacred Deposit from class today.
Sept 17, 2026
5th Grade: Please complete the worksheet you got at the end of class! Return tomorrow! Later tonight when I'm home, I'll try to find a link so I can post a copy in case anyone forgot theirs. (But I wont be home for a while.)
Today's notes if anyone didn't finish copying:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yj6XHX3vwJAMfMF4aZVpSShRiytyT3gmC9qNRRKE_FU/edit?usp=sharing
6th Grade: If you forgot to do your religion homework, please complete it tonight! There will be a homework grade for religion this year!
Sept. 16, 2026
6th Grade: Our Mother of Sorrows worksheet if you didn't do it already! Due tomorrow.
5th Grade - No homework unless you forgot to give me last night's!
Today, we reviewed the different purposes of prayer and delved specifically into what it means to praise God. In the days to come, we'll continue to learn about prayer, specifically about worship and liturgy.
Sept. 15, 2026 Memorial of Our Mother of Sorrows
6th Grade: Complete the worksheet on Our Mother of Sorrows. Due on THURSDAY since you have Spanish tomorrow afternoon! See the "tip" I posted for 5th grade!
5th Grade: Please finish your worksheet on Our Mother of Sorrows. I think most students just need to fill in one or two more facts on the reverse side. Tip: I would make the date we celebrate this memorial one of your facts, since that's something you need to know!
(Optional) Extra Credit (both grades): Due Friday. Today, we learned about Mary's title "Our Lady of Sorrows". On the Venn Diagram, list whichever of the 7 sorrows are "just" part of the 7 Sorrows of Mary on the left side. (5th grade: listed on your worksheet! 6th grade wrote them in their notebook.). List whichever of the 5 Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are "just" sorrowful mysteries in the right circle. (Hint: The Mysteries of the Rosary should be in the back of your religion book in the "Things Catholics Should Know" section.) At least ONE event is both a sorrow of Mary AND a Sorrowful Mystery and definitely belongs in the middle section for "both". There is a SECOND event that's really close to being the same. You could either put that one in the middle OR in your separate lists; I'd except either answer. (Hopefully this makes sense when you compare the lists! On my own answer key, I wrote those two on the separate lists but then did an arrow to the middle and wrote what was the same about them.) If you get them all correct, I'll add it in as a 12/12 classwork grade + 1 extra point for doing extra work, so you'll be starting the year with a 100%+ in Option C!
Sept. 14, 2026 Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross
Grade 5: If you didn't finish the words and writing on your page about the first Beatitude, please finish tonight and return. (You will get a small classwork grade on each page you do.) If you just need to color, you can finish at home if you want! If you are stuck, reread the notes!
Grade 6: No homework! Fantastic job this afternoon! Keep up the good work! :)
(If you want, you can continue our class discussion at home with your parents. What do Catholics mean when they say that everything in the Bible is true?)
A look ahead: The bishops have a helpful page on how to read the Bible. We'll talk about it a little at a time this week.
https://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible
Sept. 11, 2026
First and foremost today, we prayed for the victims of 9-11, both the people who perished on that day, their family members and friends who still miss them, and the rescue workers who got sick in the years that followed. Miss Salvati has a beautiful flag in our classroom with all of the names of those who died in the attacks listed on it. We prayed this interdenominational prayer today and yesterday:
Interdenominational Prayer for Sept. 11
Then, both classes spent some time learning about what the Beatitudes are in general, and specifically about the Beatitude for the month of September. The 5th grade will be making a Beatitudes booklet this year. We'll do one page each month and I plan to use it as a small classwork grade each month. (They need more time to work on this month's page next week. Since this was new to them, we spent more time talking about what the Beatitudes are in general and still need to delve into "Blessed are the poor in spirit..."
6th grade already learned about the Beatitudes last year (and made the booklet), so we'll just be doing a review each month and taking some notes on the Beatitude. They'll be expected to know the Beatitude, and have a general idea of what it means and how they can live it out. (Expect it to turn up on our next test!) Here are my notes. The 6th grader's notes might not match up exactly. They were allowed to explain what the Beatitudes are and what this month's Beatitude means in their own words. (Many of them remembered well! I loved their explanations!) Beatitudes Notes
6th grade parents: I know you've been made aware of some behavior issues already from Mrs. DiIorio. I let them know in my class today that I will be keeping close track of both homework - who follows through and who doesn't - and behavior this year. You may want to touch base with your child this weekend and ask how they are doing. NOT how their fellow classmates are doing! There are times that they are very inclined to point out each others' wrongdoings, and I've been trying to impress upon them that:
shushing others (loudly!)
calling out about something someone else is doing
laughing at something someone else is doing
encouraging someone else to do something they're not supposed to in any way
....are all causing far more disruptions than if they were to ignore other's misbehaviors and focus on what they were supposed to be doing themselves. Each student is responsible for his or her own actions -- and each student can make a difference for the better!
I think it's important to stay on top of behavior and have consistent expectations at the beginning of the year so that we can proceed through this year to come focused on what we're here for -- LEARNING! Thank you for all you do at home to encourage your child's best behavior and to support us middle school teachers.
Sept. 10, 2026
Grade 6: If you didn't finish the prior knowledge paper, please finish it tonight and bring it back tomorrow! (Don't ask anyone or look anything up! I just want to know what you already know!)
Grade 5: If you brought home your nametag to finish decorating, please bring it back tomorrow!
Parents: It was nice to see so many of you last night! For any parent who needs them, here are our hand outs from last night. I have plenty of extra copies in school; just send me an email or ask your child to take one tomorrow if you'd like one!
Back to School Night handout (6th Grade parents, please read the part about Confirmation at the end!)
Parent Survey ("Returning" 6th grade parents don't need to do this unless anything has changed since last year! But it's helpful to have an idea of the background of any new-to-me students, especially for non-Catholic students.)
Sept. 9, 2026
5th Grade: If anyone didn't finish copying their notes today and need to finish at home, here they are: Introduction to the Liturgical Year and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
I warned them that the times we'll take the most notes will be the days when we're learning about something that's in our curriculum but not in our religion book. (Today was one of those days!)
Tonight: Back to School Night 6 PM. Hope to see you there! 🙂
Small candy reward still available to anyone who remembers to have their religion book covered in clear contact paper! 😉🍭🍬
Sept. 8, 2026 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This afternoon, we celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation. Here are some prayers to say after confession in case you'd like to pray any tonight at home!
Please cover your religion book with clear contact paper if you didn't yet!
Grade 6: If you didn't have a chance to finish the religion class survey in class tonight, please finish in your free time and bring it back to me on Thursday. Thank you!
Grade 5 - 5th Grade missed religion today due to going over to church, so we'll cover today's feast day tomorrow, in addition to some vocabulary related to Catholic feasts that we'll be using throughout the year.
Sept. 3, 2026
Please have your religion book covered over the weekend! See below for "how to" video clip if needed! PSA: In both my 5th grade class and my 6th grade class, I had a student tell me that they cover their own books. I think that's a fantastic life skill, so parents can feel free to assign this task to their children, especially if your child is also good at things like gift wrapping and origami. 😉
Looking forward to meeting the new-to-me parents and seeing familiar faces at Back to School Night this coming week! Have a good weekend! 😎
Sept. 2, 2026
Welcome back to school!!
I'm looking forward to teaching you all! Check back here frequently for homework, study info, links to notes, etc.
Your first item of homework this year will be to have your book covered in clear contact paper! Sorry, parents, I know it's a pain. But the books get pretty beat up being carried around in the switch bags all year. The ones that are covered last through the year in far better shape! There are prayers in the insides of the front and back covers, so we need those covers in tact! Please have the books covered by Tuesday 9/8. Thank you for your help! We won't be using the books tomorrow, so it's okay if you want to keep it at home and send them back in at the start of next week. I overheard Mrs. Blithe telling her class that she sent their parents this link and asked her to pass it along to me. For whoever needs it, it's a very helpful how to cover books video! (My only edit would be to say to make sure the book fits widthwise. You will occasionally have books like the fat math book or wide handwriting book that need to be turned in the other direction to fit.)
(6th grade started Spanish today, so I won't see them till tomorrow!)
Here is our prayer for a new school year in case you'd like to pray it with your family at home: Prayer for a New School Year
At the end of class today the 5th grade and I started talking about our class rules. They can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/mrscunnane/home
PSA for anyone who's interested in Reading Olympics this year! We got the new book list! You can start reading at any time! :) We'll do a kick off meeting before too long. (See the Reading Olympic tab on my website for more info! I don't have the date for this year's competition yet.)