Tuesday

How wonderful that it's getting warmer, not hot!
Students began learning about the Corporal Works of Mercy. We also read the story of the Good Samaritan and discussed being kind to others. We also discussed how love can be a sacrifice, like the way the Samaritan gave up his time and money to help the man that had been hurt.
In language students did the weekly assessment, spelling test, and the dictation test. They are also finishing up their president reports. They are looking awesome. They will present when they are all done. I hope to video them with the i pad and email their presentations to you.
In math we are busy learning division. We will begin division by 3's tomorrow.
In science we labeled the parts of a tooth today and they finished up their tooth packet.
I also read them a book called, "Sweet Clara, and the Freedom Quilt". Now the students are creating a freedom quilt like the one in the story.

We still need a couple of parents for art tomorrow from 10:35- 11:10.

Monday

Today we finished up our religion chapter on Jesus and His Good News about God's Kingdom in Heaven.
Tomorrow we will begin learning about the Corporal Works of Mercy.
In language arts students are wrapping up their writing about our new playground as a news article. They are also wrapping up their research on a president and working on final copies. These reports are really quite excellent and full of information. Students also learned about quotation marks and linking/helping verbs.
In math students are beginning learning division by 2's and how multiplication and division are alike.
In science we are learning about teeth this week. Mrs. Santucci, a dental hygienist and a former parent at Pope John XXIII, will be in on Thursday morning to teach the students about good dental hygiene.

Thursday

Students were very inquisitive today. They asked very deep questions during religion class today. We were reviewing the symbols of the Holy Spirit which led to a lot of "I wonder" and "I don't understand" questions. We discussed them and then most of the questions were answered.
In reading we read the story called, "Goose's Story" about a goose with only one leg. We talked about how this was one of God's creatures with a little imperfection. The story is about how this goose learned how to survive with one leg. It has a happy ending.
Students are writing a news story about our new primary playground. They are also working on antonyms, synonyms and homophones.
In math we worked on word problems today.

Mrs. Strong is still in need of parent help in art class on Wed., Feb. 27 from 10:35-11:10.

Tuesday

I hope everyone had a great weekend.
We have a new student named Reece join our class today. Welcome, Reece!
Thank you to Mrs. Stafford for donating some playground balls and a jumprope. Students are able to use the new beautiful playground. There seems to be so much more room for students to run around. It is so much safer.
In religion we talked about the disciples of Jesus and how we can spread the word of Jesus the way mustard seeds spread.
In language students were given their spelling tests, dictation test, and CLOSE test, along the the weekly assessment.
In math we are working on 3 times tables.
In social studies we are working on quilt patterns.

Mrs. Strong is looking for 2 or 3 parent helpers for Wednesday, February 27 to help with an art project. If you are available, please email her. Thank you.

Thursday

Happy Valentine's Day
Students were read a book about St. Valentine and they made a card for St. Valentine's Day.
In reading students were given the weekly reading fluency check and they answered the questions following the passage. I do grade these by giving each answer 3 points. One for a capital letter at the beginning of the sentence, one point for a period at the end, and one point for the right answer.
Students reviewed plural nouns and long a words. They also did some work on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
In the afternoon students had a great party. They were able to pass out their valentines. Then while they read
their valentines the got to eat some on their candy and have a delicious Krispy Kreme donut. One student said it was the best day ever!
Tomorrow at 12:45 there are Stations of the Cross in the courtyard.
The playground blessing was postponed until next week.
No homework tonight except to read.
Happy Night!

Tuesday

Today in religion we discussed the season of Lent. Students made a Lenten Calendar for the next 40 days. They wrote down their Lenten sacrifice as a reminder. I also sent home some other Reconciliation practice pages.
In language we started a new story all about how animals take care of themselves. It's called Splish, Splash Animals take a Bath. It is a very fun photographic essay about animals.
We also will be comparing and contrasting the different animals in the story. Students also worked on r-controlled vowels in phonics.
In social studies we finished up Chinese New Year by reading a Chinese folk tale and students made good luck dragons.
In math we worked on story problems and students took a quiz on the 2's times tables.

Remember to send in a snack tomorrow. We will have snack before we go to Mass at 10:00. Students will be receiving ashes.

Monday

This is another very busy week.
We are finishing up our unit on Reconciliation.Students will be bringing home review sheets for the First Reconciliation which is coming up shortly.
In language arts students are doing research on a president. They are putting research on index cards, which they will put into a written report. They are using the new online World Book Encyclopedia for Kids and the one for Students.
In social studies students are learning about Chinese New Year. It is fun to learn about a different culture.
In math students are learning their 2 times tables. Tomorrow we will be working on word problems,

Wednesday, Mass is at 10:00 for Ash Wednesday.
Thursday is Valentines Day. It is also red and white accessories day.
We will have a very low key Valentines Day party after lunch. Students will pass out their valentines, read their valentines and have a snack. This will be from about 12:30-1:10.
Friday at 12:45 are the Stations of the Cross in the courtyard. Then there will be a blessing of the new primary playground.
Remember no school on Monday, Feb. 18.

We are in need of Kleenex and recess equipment, like footballs, soccer balls, and hula hoops.

Friday

This week we have been finishing up our science and reading units. In reading students finished up Unit 3. They took their Weekly Assessment and completed a Theme Assessment. This also included a writing component. We reviewed antonyms, synonyms and homophones. They also reviewed past tense and present tense.
In addition students are beginning to work on a president's report using the new online World Book Encyclopedia. They find answers to questions and write them on index cards. Once this is done they will write a report on their president.This incorporates writing, research, and technology skills.
In math this week students worked on multiples of 2 and division.
In science students studied the phases of the moon and took the weather quizzes.
We will finish up a short unit on the water cycle next week.
Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Mass will be at 10:00.
Thursday is Valentine's Day. I sent home a class list so valentines can be addressed.They will be passed out after lunch.

Reminder no school on Monday, February 18.

Monday

All this week we will be working on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I will be sending home some reflection pages for students to review before their first Reconciliation.
The 2nd grade did an awesome job with the School Supplies Drive. The supplies were taken to St. Matthew's School in South Phoenix.
In science students worked on the weather cycle. I read them a book on the weather cycle. This works in well with the weather unit we are wrapping up this week.
In math students are learning their 2 times table.

Book Talks are due this Thursday, Feb. 7 or earlier.

Friday is buck a jeans day and PRIDE day.