St Patricks Elementary School

Hello parents,

It has recently been brought to the school’s attention that the dress code has been very relaxed lately. We are trying to tighten things up again. Please make sure that your child wears dress shoes with a soft sole or tennis shoes. Also, each child’s shirt needs to be tucked into their dress pants while at school. Please make sure their your child’s shirt is long enough to be tucked in.

Help St. Pat’s win $100,000! All you have to do is go to uscellular.com/callingallcommunities, click on Vote For Your School, type in the code B7VVKXF, and type in St. Patrick School 224 Center Avenue Weston, WV 26452. The school with the most votes wins the money. Be sure to tell everyone you know to follow these instructions to help us win.

Reading-In reading, we are going over the story Little Quack. We will be reviewing nouns and verbs along with the story. This week we will go over the Double Agent Letters W and Y. We will learn the sounds of the letters, words that begin with these letters, and also learn how to write the upper and lower case versions of each letter. Please continue to drill your children on the letters and words we’ve been going over. These letters are: B, D, J, K, P, T, F, S, V, Z, H, A, E, H, L, R, M, N, Q, X, I, O, C, G. Our sight words are: I, am, one, little, two, three, the, a, have, four, it, is, to, my, we, like, he, and for.

Math-This week in math we will go over the numbers 6-10. We will learn to write these numbers correctly, be able to count objects to match these numbers, and do many activities with them.

We will continue to go to the library every Thursday. It is important that you read your child’s book to them, and make sure it is returned to school by Thursday every week.

Important dates:
12/4/09-Liturgy and banking day

12/8/09-12/10/09-Santa’s Shop will be opened these three days. Everything available will cost between 50 cents and $1.

We are collecting canned goods for Christmas food baskets. Each grade is asked to bring in a specific canned food. Kindergarten has been asked to bring in boxed stuffing. We will continue collecting food through December 18.

The students may also bring in mittens, hats, or scarves for the mitten box, new or good used toys for the toy drive, or $1 to go toward the Angel Tree.

Also, we will continue selling Smencils in the classroom. They are $1 per pencil

Reading – This week we are reading the chapter book  Bridge to Terabithia.  The students will be taking the AR test on Friday.  They will be completing a book report over break.  This will be for a grade.

Spelling - This is review week.  Spelling words are:  although, ethnic, astonish, pharmacy, athlete, volunteer, pioneer, tornado, directory, impair, scissors, buffaloes, echoes, thieves, beliefs, chisel, scramble, obstacle, oxygen, abdomen, helicoptor, ancestor, alligator, solar, and dollar.  Test will be Friday.  There will be no pre-test this week.

Grammar - We are reviewing grammar lessons from the past month – regular and irregular plural nouns, possessive nouns, action and linking verbs, main and helping verbs.  The test will be Friday.

Writing - Students will be writing about the best Thanksgiving day ever.

Math - We are finishing up chapter 24 this week.  Chapter test will be Wednesday.

Science - We will finish chapter 4 Wednesday.  Thursday will be review and Friday is the chapter test.

Social Studies – We will discuss the Industrial Revolution.  Quiz on Thursday.

Religion -  Students are to have something started on their saint for Monday Nov. 9.  They either will have to have something copied from the internet or something written on paper that shows me they have started on their project.  Students began giving their talks last week and are doing a great job.  They are all learning from the information being presented.  At the end of the month of November we will invite Fr. Steve over to hear all the children repeat their information for him.  And we will play a game called ‘Saint Bingo’ where they will try to match the information that I give them with the correct saint on a bingo card.

If any parent has any questions please email me at dianathompson222@hotmail.com and I will be glad to respond.  Also, if any student can not find information please let me know and I will copy some information that I have and  they can write their paper using it.

Classroom News - We are collecting canned food until December 18.  Fifth & 6th  grades are to bring in peas and cranberry sauce.  The upstairs classes are competing for which class brings in the most cans.  A special reward will be given to the winning class.

We are running low on classroom supplies.  If you would like to send in loose-leaf paper, paper towels, or tissues, it would be greatly appreciated.

Fifth and Sixth grade students will be participating in the DAR writing competition again this year.  Information will be sent home this week.

Secret Phrase – Happy Thanksgiving!!

Reading:  We are reading  the story Hatchet. The selection test will be on Thursday.  Students will continue to work on their Anthology of Poetry which are due Friday, November 20.

Spelling: We are in Unit 3 Lesson 1 -Unusual Spellings.  The final test will be Friday.

Grammar: We are working on principal parts of regular verbs.

Writing: We will write a thesis statement to give a clear focus to our writing

Math:  We will begin Chapter 19  - Measurements

Social Studies:  The student will present their finding for the regions of the United States.  Then we will begin a New Republic.

Science:  Chapter 4 test will be Friday.

Classroom News:  The sixth grade will be traveling to Morgantown on Monday Nov. 30th to hear the WVU Mountaineer Band.  This is a great experience and I am sure the students will enjoy the band.

We are collecting canned food until December 18.  The 5th and 6th grades are working together, and are to  bring in peas and cranberry sauce.  The upstairs classes are holding competition to see which class will bring in the most cans.  A special reward will be given to the winning class.

Fifth and Sixth grade students will be participating in the DAR writing competition again this year.  Information will be sent home this week.

Third grade will be presenting the Thanksgiving prayer service this Friday at 2:15 at the church. Family members are welcome to attend and celebrate in prayer as we prepare for the Thanksgiving season.   Please be sure to mark this on your calendar.

Language Arts- This week we are reading William’s House by Ginger Howard.  We will focus on the following spelling and vocabulary words in this story.  The words in italics are our challenge spelling words.  We will also continue to work on spelling high frequency words, especially in students’ writings.  These words will be listed in your child’s planner.

Spelling Words:  father, chapter, other, alphabet, watch, English, weather, catch, fashion, shrink, pitcher, flash, athlete, trophy, nephew, northern, establish, emphasis, hyphen, challenge

Vocabulary Words:  clearing, pegs, steep, cellar, barrels, spoil

Grammar- We will be reviewing singular possessive nouns and begin studying plural possessive nouns.

Writing- The students will be writing fun Thanksgiving Turkey Tales this week.

Frequency Reading-  Due to scheduling issues, the students have not been able to read the previously assigned books (When I was Young in the Mountains, Make Way for Ducklings, Happy Birthday Mr. Duck); therefore, the students will be reading these to younger classes this week.  They will be practicing their reading in class.

Math-We will continue studying multiplication facts this week.

Science- We will continue studying plants.  Be sure to ask your child about the “Plant Parts Tasting Party” we had last Friday.

Social Studies- Students will be finishing their patriotic unit. They will have a test on Thursday.

Religion-

Students are to have something started on their saint for Monday Nov. 9.  They either will have to have something copied from the internet or something written on paper that shows me they have started on their project.  Students began giving their talks last week and are doing a great job.  They are all learning from the information being presented.  At the end of the month of November we will invite Fr. Steve over to hear all the children repeat their information for him.  And we will play a game called ‘Saint Bingo’ where they will try to match the information that I give them with the correct saint on a bingo card.

If any parent has any questions please email me at dianathompson222@hotmail.com and I will be glad to respond.  Also, if any student can not find information please let me know and I will copy some information that I have and  they can write their paper using it.

Classroom News –

I will be sending home a chart for studying multiplication facts and flashcards.  Please be sure your child studies the facts and completes the chart over Thanksgiving break.  The students will also be completing a book report on an assigned book.  These will be graded assignments.  Thanks you for helping your child keep his/her math and reading skills  ”sharp” over break.

We are collecting canned goods for Christmas food baskets.  Each grade is asked to bring in a specific canned food.  Third grade has been asked to bring in canned corn.  We will continue collecting cans through December 18.  The upstairs classes ( 3rd, 4th, and the 5th and 6th combined) are competing to see which class brings in the most cans.

Secret Phrase:  Gobble! Gobble!

I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving Break.

Reading -Students will be reading the chapter book  Shiloh. Test will be on Friday. The students may also take an AR test on this.

Grammar -Students will be reviewing Common and Proper Nouns, Regular and Irregular Verbs, Singular and Plural Possessive Nouns.  Test will be on Friday.

Spelling – Review Test Friday-

Writing- Students will be writing and describing their Thanksgiving dinner.

Math -We will be working with graphs this week. We will be starting with Division after break. Please begin to review these facts over break.

Social Studies-Students will continue to study the Geography of our state.  There will be a test on Thursday. A study guide will be sent home Monday or Tuesday. The students will need to know the rivers, cities , and our neighbors.

Science-We will continue studying recycling this week.    The recycling project will be due this Thursday. Project guidelines are as follows:  Create a project from recycled materials. Students can make a cool art project or something useful.   Use at least two different recycled materials.  Write a paragraph about the materials you used and how you created your project.  Be creative and neat! Be prepared to share your project with our class.

Religion-

Students are to have something started on their saint for Monday Nov. 9.  They either will have to have something copied from the internet or something written on paper that shows me they have started on their project.  Students began giving their talks last week and are doing a great job.  They are all learning from the information being presented.  At the end of the month of November we will invite Fr. Steve over to hear all the children repeat their information for him.  And we will play a game called ‘Saint Bingo’ where they will try to match the information that I give them with the correct saint on a bingo card.

If any parent has any questions please email me at dianathompson222@hotmail.com and I will be glad to respond.  Also, if any student can not find information please let me know and I will copy some information that I have and  they can write their paper using it.

Classroom News –

I will be sending home a small packet that I am asking the students to complete. Please help your child complete their packet. This will be a grade.

Third Grade Prayer Service will be held on Friday at 2:30.

If anyone would like to send in cleaning supplies for our classroom it would be greatly appreciated. (Clorox Wipes, Lysol Spray, etc.)

We are collecting canned goods for Christmas food baskets.  Each grade is asked to bring in a specific canned food.  Fourth grade has been asked to bring in canned green beans and pinto beans.  We will continue collecting cans through December 18.  The upstairs classes ( 3rd, 4th, and the 5th and 6th combined) are competing to see which class brings in the most cans.  The grade(s) which wins will receive a reward

Secret Phrase:  Marty and Shiloh

Hello parents,

It is very important that your child bring a coat or sweater with them to school every day. As long as the weather stays nice, we will be going outside to play at recess. We also put our jackets on to go to church on Fridays and to gym when it’s cold out. Because of this, it is very important that your child has something warm to put on when we go outside.

Reading-In reading, we are going over the story Little Panda. This week we will go over the Thief Letters C and G. We will learn the sounds of the letters, words that begin with these letters, and also learn how to write the upper and lower case versions of each letter. Please continue to drill your children on the letters and words we’ve been going over. These letters are: B, D, J, K, P, T, F, S, V, Z, H, A, E, H, L, R, M, N, Q, X, I and O. Our sight words are: I, am, one, little, two, three, the, a, have, four, it, is, to, my, we, like, he, and for.

Math-This week in math we will review writing the numbers 0-5, pairing them with groups of objects that have the amounts, and using a number line. At the end of the week, we will test on this topics.

We will continue to go to the library every Thursday. It is important that you read your child’s book to them, and make sure it is returned to school by Thursday every week.

Important dates:

11/17/09-Kindergarten will have a special Thanksgiving lunch in the classroom today. The students will be allowed to dress up for the lunch by wearing dresses, ties, or dress shirts to school. We would like to thank the parents that are contributing to the the lunch. You’ve really helped make this day extra special.

11/20/09-Liturgy and banking day

We are collecting canned goods for Christmas food baskets. Each grade is asked to bring in a specific canned food. Kindergarten has been asked to bring in boxed stuffing. We will continue collecting food through December 18.

The students may also bring in mittens for the mitten box and $1 to go toward the Angel Tree.

Also, we will continue selling Smencils in the classroom. They are $1 per pencil.

November is flying by. This will be a short week, as we are off on Wednesday for Veteran’s Day.

Reading/Language Arts: This week we will read the Thanksgiving story A Turkey for Thanksgiving. This is a fun story that you and your child will enjoy reading. The spelling words for this story have the long a sound produced by a, ai or ay. The words are: tail, main, say, play, paint, today, raise, wait, away, brain, stay, tray, holiday, raisin, daily, famous, explain, acorn, paper, okay.

Other language arts skills for this week are identifying verbs in sentences, and using possessive nouns.

Math: We have been telling time to the hour, half-hour, and quarter-hour. This week we will continue with telling time. We will learn to tell time to the minute and will practice telling how much time has passed (elapsed time).

Social Studies: We are learning about history, and will be learning about the first Thanksgiving.

Religion: We will learn that the people make the church. We will also learn about our connection to the Communion of Saints.

Classroom News: There will be no Mass this Friday.

Our class has been asked to bring jars of gravy for the Christmas food drive.

  First Grade will be participating in a service project with all the grades at St. Patrick School.  We will be supplying items for Christmas Baskets for those in our community with needs.  Our class will be supplying pasta for the meal.  Those items may include:  egg noodles, noodles, macaroni and cheese, pasta salad kits, or rice.  Please allow your child to shop with you and look for these items.  He/she will get to show and tell to the class about the items he/she brings for this service project.  This is an important part of our Christian walk–to give to others in need.  We will be collecting items through December 18.  Thank you for helping your child to grow in Christ as they participate in this mission.

Reading Language Arts

Our story this week is about Dinosaurs.  We will be researching some facts about these creatures using wikipedia online.  After research, your child will be writing a nonfiction piece about dinosaurs.  If your child has any books, toys, or etc about dinosaurs he/she may bring them to class to share.  Our focus this week will be plot.    You can practice this by asking your child to tell you about the sequence of event in his/her library book.   In First Grade we learn to restate the question when answering a short answer type question.  We practice this orally in class.  You can help your child by asking him/her a question and having him/her restate the question in his/her answer.

We will continue to practice the definition of nouns and proper nouns. 

                             A proper noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or animal.

  FORMULA THREE 

We will be spelling words with long o this week.  Remember to have your child practice the silent e rule.    We will also continue to spell frequently used sight words.  Remember to practice and drill with these words in your child’s white reading folder.  Our story this week is about Dinosaurs.  We will be researching some facts about these creatures using wikipedia online.  After research, your child will be writing a nonfiction piece about dinosaurs.  If your child has any books, toys, or etc about dinosaurs, he/she can bring them to class to share.

 Math

We will be using place value this week to write and discuss numbers.  We will do hundreds, tens, and ones.  You can help your child by asking them to write a number and tell you about the place value of the digits in that number.  We will continue to use our mental math strategies to answer addition problems as a drill exercise. 

Social Studies

We will begin a unit on Government and Citizenship.  The students will be completing a Government Booklet with important information from this unit.   

Important Dates

No school on Wednesday, November 11

Choir will be Thursday at 3:15

There will not be Mass on Friday.

Secret Word – Veteran

Football players, ninjas, kitty cats, and skeletons were just a few of the Halloween characters who showed up on Friday at Third Grade’s second party.  The students had a great time playing games, eating snacks, and visiting the playground.  They looked great in their costumes.  Thanks to those parents who donated party supplies and snacks to help with this “make-up” party!

All third grade students earned the October Behavior Reward for great classroom behavior!  They watched a brief Veggie Tales movie and enjoyed a snack!

Language Arts- This week we are reading Tops and Bottoms adapted and illustrated by Janet Stevens.  Spelling and vocabulary words for this selection are listed below.  Reading  and Spelling tests on Friday.

Spelling Words:  splash, throw, three, square, throat, strike, street, split, splurge, thrill, strength, squeak, throne, strawberry, squeeze, squid, squander, arthritis, instrument, strategy   The students will also be focusing on the following high frequency words:  there, their, with when

Vocabulary Words:  lazy, bottom, crops, clever, cheated, partners, wealth

Writing-  This week we will be writing Thanksgiving prayers.

Grammar-  We will be focusing on possessive plural nouns.

Math- We will continue focusing on multiplication facts this week.  The students have done a wonderful job with zeroes, ones, twos, fives, nines, and sixes (6 x 4, 6 x 6, 6 x 8).  Please continue studying with your child.  The students will be learning three new facts through the following chants:

6 x 7 = 42   Seven beetles, six legs walking to the zoo.  How many legs?  42!

3 x 4 = 12   1, 2, 3, 4,Twelve is three times four!

7 x 8 = 56  5, 6, 7, 8, Fifty six is seven times eight!

Science- We will begin a unit on Plants.

Social Studies- The students will be learning about Veteran’s Day and then learning about the White House.

Religion News from Mrs. Thompson- Students are to have something started on their saint for Monday Nov. 9.  They either will have to have something copied from the internet or something written on paper that shows me they have started on their project.  Students began giving their talks last week and are doing a great job.  They are all learning from the information being presented.  At the end of the month of November we will invite Fr. Steve over to hear all the children repeat their information for him.  And we will play a game called ‘Saint Bingo’ where they will try to match the information that I give them with the correct saint on a bingo card.

If any parent has any questions please email me at dianathompson222@hotmail.com and I will be glad to respond.  Also, if any student can not find information please let me know and I will copy some information that I have and  they can write their paper using it.

Classroom News –

We are collecting canned goods for Christmas food baskets.  Each grade is asked to bring in a specific canned food.  Third grade is asked to bring in canned corn.   We will continue collecting cans through December 18.  The upstairs classes are competing to see which class brings in the most cans.

No School on Wednesday- Veteran’s Day

Secret Phrase:  Jehovah Jireh