Post #27

The girls shared their Animal Book Projects. They were interesting, informative, and CREATIVE. Our next book project will involve a fiction book of choice. Our novel study, set in the 1930's is The Home-Run King by Patricia McKissack. The novel teaches about our segregated past and showcases superstars in the Negro Baseball League. The girls are gathering facts about the 1930's and will build on a collaborative bulletin board next week.

The girls worked with determination on their Unit Four Math Test. The test required the girls to think outside the box and make connections using their fraction knowledge. Look for these in next week's work folder. The next unit focuses on multiplying and dividing compound measures and loops back to fractions. 

Olympic athletes were researched and trading cards were made. This activity gave the girls some practice with summarizing. Here's an example:

This Thursday began with a fabulous Author Talk by Carmen Agra Deedy. She is a master storyteller and the girls had a blast!

Our second Innovation Day is next Friday. The girls collaborated with Mrs. Ferrell's class back in October and sketched an idea that would help solve a world problem. They will build models on Friday that demonstrate their ideas. The girls are encouraged to scrounge around and bring the following material to school:

Tissue box
es

Curly straws

Cup and bowl 
tape- masking, duct, scotch

string

Cardboard boxes

Toilet rolls

Paper Bag/Plastic Bag

Pipe cleaners

Beads

Hot Glue gun

Flag Stickers

Glitter glue

Hole puncher

Paper lots of paper!

Shoeboxes

tissue paper

colored pencils, markers

paper plates

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

* Homework- Posted for family planning.

* All the Lower School lost and found will be on display in the LSAR Monday, Feb 26 from 10-4.

* Special Week Girl-Ceci 

* Carpool Helpers-Cate

Class Leadership Week of 2/26

Ambassadors- Alice and Ali

Photographer-Lydia

Girls-Your blog question is....... Name a book by Carmen Agra Deedy? Post your answer here. 

Post #26

The Happiest of Valentine's Day!

It was the week of love and friendship in room M02. The valentine theme was everywhere. The girls practiced large number calculations and addition/subtraction of fractions to the beat of Elvis Presley's and The Beatles' love themed tunes. They practiced editing skills with the Peanuts gang and learned about a monkey in love with chocolate. They even calculated their chocolate age. Fraction assessment next week. And of course we celebrated Valentine's Day with an exchange of valentine treats. Thanks to the Whorleys and Sauls for providing the classroom treats. 

History4Fourthies has us in the 1930's. The girls are learning about the impact of the Dust Bowl in the center of the country and the woes of those in the cities. They are imaging themselves during this time and journaling their thoughts. I love the way they "live" the experiences of the decades. They did a great job working with each other and performing a Reader's Theater set in the 1930's. 

We are moving into "Play Season." The girls are excited about their dance assignment and will receive their roles next week. I know they will support each other and put forth a great effort no matter their part in the play. The play is all about honoring the seniors. 

This group of girls thinks outside the box and are so creative when it comes to any writing challenge. They love reading their writing for their peers. They are articulate and confident standing in front of each other. They are quick to find their mechanics errors and this has led to many conversations about the importance of increased attention to detail during the editing process. 

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

* Homework- Posted for family planning.

* Daisy Days- T-Shirt order form in work folder.

* Special Week Girl-Ceci (Week of 2/26)

* Carpool Helpers-Stella

Class Leadership Week of 2/19

Ambassadors- Alice and Ali

Photographer-Lydia

Girls-Your blog question is....... Why is school closed on Monday? Post your answer here. 

Post #25

Going for the Gold!

Life is a team sport and the girls are going for GOLD! They are working with their table mates to keep organized, focused, and germ free. Each afternoon tables earn medals. It's all about working together and helping each other while being your best self. 

The "table teams" went on a math scavenger hunt together and solved fraction problems. Some were fairly tricky but the girls learned the value of teamwork. We are wrapping up our math unit. This go- round, the girls will be assessed in a less traditional manner. After a detailed review next week, they will choose from a menu of options (think personalized learning) to demonstrate their understanding. 

Speaking of personalized learning- The girls chose from several options for their animal book project. Some made documentaries in Adobe Spark, others made a musical Animoto, trading cards, and Buncees. They will present their projects next week.

Were are at the end of the 1920's in History4Fourthies. The fun of the roaring twenties has come to end. After a lively discussion about speakeasies, bootleggers, and prohibition we looked at life after October 29, 1929. The girls had so many questions about The Great Depression. I did my best to explain and we will spend several weeks experiencing the 1930's. We would love some guest speakers! If you ever want to come in and share your knowledge about a particular time period, please reach out to me.

Fourth grade Family Life class- "Growing Up Healthy" started this week. Mrs. Blanton has posted all curriculum, handouts, homework, and more on this site.

The girls have been working hard in dance class. Each group choreographed their own dance. They were so excited to show off their moves. Take a look:

A special shout-out to Ali, Alice, and Camden for their beautiful performances in today's recital. 

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

* Homework- Posted for family planning.

* Valentine's Day is around the corner. Time to decorate a collection box for all the valentines you will receive. Bring it to school on Wednesday. 

* Special Week Girl-Cate 

* Carpool Helpers-Alice and Sarah

Class Leadership Week of 2/12

Ambassadors- Ava and Caelan

Photographer-Alice

Girls-Your blog question is....... What holiday will we celebrate on Wednesday? Post your answer here. 

Post #24

Your daughter added this poster to her agenda this week. The girls in M02 truly demonstrate a growth mindset- ESPECIALLY IN MATH! Even this week's EdPuzzles promoted the importance of persistence and determination. Here's an example:

The girls are adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, reducing fractions, and solving word problems. We played with a teleprompter and the girls read a fraction poem abut the necessity of reducing to lowest terms.

We are in the "FRIENDSHIP BUSINESS" for sure. The girls finished their clever narratives and illustrated beautiful images of their friend products and services. Every company CEO or president needs her own business cards and the Fourthies are no exception. Each girl designed her own business card. Here are a few examples:

We are moving through the Roaring Twenties. The girls explored the cost of living in the twenties and worked some math problems comparing the cost of housing, cars, and more. Wondering what the average income was the year you were born? Or the cost of a loaf of bread? Your daughter can show you here.

Our field trip to the VMFA was a huge success. The girls were attentive and asked thoughtful questions. They impressed our guide and me. It's during events like a field trip when I feel so blessed to be a part of the St. Catherine's community.

February is going to be a busy month for us. We started talking about Black History Month and reading articles in Newsela. This is also the month of Chocolate and Valentine's Day.  Lots of math and reading, and writing on these topics! 

One last note- we celebrated 75 CLASS COMPLIMENTS this week!

Nuts and Bolts:

Information needed a parent response is highlighted.

* Homework- Posted for family planning.

* Healthy Snack info from the dining hall

* Valentine's Day is around the corner. Time to decorate a collection box for all the valentines you will receive. 

* Special Week Girl-Stella 

* Carpool Helpers-Lucy

Class Leadership Week of 2/5

Ambassadors- Eliza and Sarah

Photographer-Ali

Girls-Your blog question is....... What is an example of a healthy snack? Post your answer here. 

From the PE Department:

*Tuesday, 2/6  is basketball GAME DAY vs. Collegiate. There will be Chick-fil-a for concessions and half time contests. Please come and cheer on the Saints!

*In addition, Friday, 2/9 we play perennial power house, St. Anne'e Belfield, and Tuesday 2/13 we play Trinity, the number one team in the area. 

*These games are all a ton of fun - just ask anyone who has been! We appreciate your support. 

From the Dance Department:

The recital will be during their class time next Thursday (8:30-9:10). The girls are welcome to wear costumes they bring from home, but they are not required. We will film all the dances to send to parents, so they do not have to come. We will give them some stage lights, so it feels a little more like a show, but it’s very causal.