What's New in December?

It's unbelievable that December is already here! This month brings, happiness, joy and much excitement to the St. Catherine of Siena Community. Many festivities and fun things are planned leading up to that very special day of Jesus' birth.

 

A Season of Joy & Preparation

In class we will be discussing how we will prepare for the way of the Lord.  The students will create an Advent Faith folder including; how they will prepare for the coming of Christ, learn about Saints and their Feast Days, symbols of the Advent season and personal reflections based on Biblical scriptures.

Language: The Grade 4’s continue to work on spelling, summaries and personal narratives. This week’s spelling words are focused on contractions, why we use them and how they are properly used. Just a friendly reminder that Spelling duo-tangs are due every Friday before our weekly quiz.

Library Books: Please return Library books, weekly. :)

Math: For the next couple of weeks your child will be investigating linear and time measurement.

We will be choosing appropriate measurement units and relate measurement units to each other. The metric unit, decimeter, will be introduced. Students will explore the reasoning behind using more than one unit when measuring. They will also find the perimeter of rectangles and begin to explore the relationship between length, width and perimeter.

Social Studies: Oh the fun we have been having learning about Canada and its provinces. Canada and its Regions is well under way and we will be wrapping this unit up in the next week. Any unfinished work is sent home for homework nightly. Please encourage your child to tell you about Canada each night as review for the next test.

Science: Human Organ Systems. Does this unit really need an introduction?  Our fabulous fours are currently learning about the structures and functions of 7 major organ systems found in the human body:

1.      Skeletal System

2.      Muscular System

3.      Circulatory System

4.      Respiratory System

5.      Nervous System

6.      Digestive System

7.      Urinary System

The interest and excitement surrounding this unit is like a wondrous breath of fresh air. The students are enthusiastic and engaged in their learning. I am so proud of them. 

Shhh!!! It’s a Secret Santa Celebration. Please don’t tell, I haven’t told your children yet. 

I love Christmas simply because it reminds me of all the wonderful memories and traditions I had as a child. I still and will always cherish those moments with my family. However, because I have continuously told the Grade 4's we are a classroom family for the next year and I LOVE Christmas, why not do something special for one another? I would love to make some memories with your children. :)

Beginning next week (December 9^th) the Grade 4’s in our class, will participate in our class "Secret Santa" exchange. Students will be encouraged to perform acts of kindness to their chosen classmate. Secret Santas will be revealed on Wednesday, December 18^th.  I am asking that students bring in  a gift for their classmate of no more than $5.00 - $10.00. As we all know, Christmas is not about gifts, but the kindness that comes from the person who gives the gift.