Read our May 7 newsletter.
Specials & Activities Pages
Preschool: May 14, 2010
The end of the year is here!! It hardly seems possible. This has been a great year for all our children. They have learned so many new things and have grown in so many way. It has been our pleasure to teach our preschoolers this year.
We have been learning new songs for our program and practicing our various parts. You will be so proud of your chidren.
As we finish the year, we are reviewing the letters, numbers, and writing that we have been learning all year. We hope that you continue reinforcing these skills with your children over the summer.
We will continue to explore the story of NOAH AND THE ARK using a variety of media and a variety of Bible story books. Some of the children are bringing their own Bible books to school to share.
We will be having SHOW and TELL on the last two Thursdays and Fridays of May.
We have sent home information about your child’s part in our Preschool Program. Please practice songs and/or lines if requested. Please dress your child in blue jeans and white t-shirt for the program. As we have indicated, most costumes will be provided.
The program is on Wednesday, June 2, at 10:00 in Morrissey Hall.
ALL CHILDREN SHOULD COME TO SCHOOL AT REGULAR ARRIVAL TIME ON THAT DAY. PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR CHILD WILL BE DISMISSED TO YOU AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, IS THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ALL PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.
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First Grade: May 21. 2010
The final days of school have arrived. Unbelievable! We have learned many things this year that have helped us grow into furture second graders. This year we became published authors, illustrators and biographers. We prepared two all school Masses and one Holy Thursday prayer service. We participated in many fund raisers that benefited several different charities such as the sarcoma foundation. We bid Mrs. Hillgoth a fond farewell and prepare to welcome a new principal at the beginning of our Second Grade year.
We celebrated Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Dr. Seuss’s birthdays. Each of us have been featured as the student of the week. We all celebrated our bitrthdays and received birthday letters from our friends in class.
We marked the 100th day of school as we created projects with 100 items. We brought in our favorite stuffed bear or moose to celebrate the end of our bear unit. Our guest had a wonderful time and did not cause much confusion through the day.
Reading: This week we will be reading in small literature groups. Each group will be assigned a different story to read, and they are responsible for completeing a a corresponding project. All skills learned this year will be strenthened next year. PLEASE remember to READ with you child throughout the summer so that these skills are not rusty when the children return as second graders. Encourage your child to continue with their story writing as well. Ms. Delaney is always looking to add student written stories to our library.
Grammar: In first grade we covered many aspects of grammar through out the year. The students learned about nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, antonyms and synonyms. We have also reviewed all letter sounds and have learned actions that help us to rememebr these sounds.
Spelling: This year the first grade class hit the floor running with spelling. In the past we started spelling tests in November but with the new curriculum in place we were encouraged to begin in September. Along with the ten words the students were also given three dictation sentences that they had to write, spell all words correctly, and use proper punctuation to get all points. Both classes did fantastically on this part as well.
Writing: Imaginations were set on fire as the students wrote their original stories. Topics of stories ranged from pets, best friends, vacations, to retelling of movies. Thanks to all the parents for attending the Author’s Tea; we are so glad you were able to join us. Keep your child writing this summer. Their story writing ability can only get stronger!
Religion: We became more aware of our Catholic faith this year. We took a closer look at the Church year and the different seasons within it, our faith families, saints, Stations of the Cross and many other topics. In the coming week we will review the lessons that we learned during “Second Steps.” Some lessons include learning to wait our turn while another person is talking. We learned some techniques to help us stay calm instead of getting mad and into a fight. These along with other lessons, will be reviewed.
Math: Many skills were reviewed, or introduced this year. Skills covered this year were; adding and subtracting one and two digit numbers with this skill we learned to carry and barrow when necessary. To strengthen their addition skills the first graders began taking timed math test. These timed tests will follow them to second grade so please take time over the summer to practice the facts. A great website to use is www.mathfactcafe.com.
Science: During the year we covered many topics in Physical, life, and earth sciences. Mrs. Pauly helped us with many experiments and we did a few in our classrooms as well.
Social Studies: Our Social Studies curriculum was new to us this year. We covered many topics with this new series. Some topics were School, Community, Work, Earth and it’s resources, Our Country, and finally this week we will be learning about the different states and their capitals.
Mrs. Schaefer and I would like to thank all of you for your support this year as we have grown to know and love your children. We’ve had many enjoyable experiences throughout the year and hope that all of our students and their families have a safe and exciting summer.
Posted in 1st Grade, 1st Newsletter Comments closed
Grade 6-119-Mrs. Bialas: May21, 2010
RELIGION: Having completed the stories of the prophets, we are concentrating on the Israelites exile in Babylon and their return home. A solid concentration on the Blessed Virgin and her role as the mother of Jesus will also be examined. We will also study additional information on angels and the part they played in God’s work. Additional topics and work:
- Bible work on angels
- illustrating various stories of wisdom and their importance to today
- role playing selected New Testament stories of Our Lady
BE AWARE: RELIGION TEST-CHAPTERS 17-18 tentatively- Week of May 24th
ENGLISH: Concentrating on all aspects of prepositions, including:
- identifying
- prepositional phrases
- correct use of pronouns with prepositions
- prepositional phrases as adjectives/adverbs
- diagramming prepositional phrases
BE AWARE: PREPOSITION TEST- tentatively the last week of May
We also will incorporate the use of conjunctions and interjections in our studies, and finalize the year with capitalization, a variety of punctuation instruction and the use of reference sources and skills
WRITING: limericks and story writing using animal finger puppets
READING: Students have completed Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, and have worked and finished their powerpoint presentations. Nice jobs! They have begun and will conclude reading Where the Red Fern Grows in lit groups. In conjunction with writing, they will create and demonstrate an animal story with a similar theme as shown in Fern book.
VOCABULARY: Have completed and tested the 15 units this year. It has been amazing how they have used some of the words in their speaking and writing. It is also to my amazement how delighted and proud they are when they use it in class.
END OF YEAR: At the end of the year I always like to take the time to thank the parents of my students for the opportunity of having met and taught them. The enjoyable, happy, and fun-filled days will always be a part of me. Thank you too, for letting me have them for part of the day. It has been a joy! I hope both you and your children have a relaxing and safe summer. See you in the fall or at Jewel,
As always,
Mrs. Bialas
Posted in 6th Newsletter Comments closed
Spanish: May 2010
Spanish Newsletter Spring May 2010
¡Hola! ¿Qué tal? (Hello. How are you?) The school year is coming to a close, and summer is fast approaching. I would like to invite you to sign your child up for an intensive and fun Spanish language summer camp with me at St. Cletus Parish, which will run from June 7-June 11 for children in grades PreK through 4. All of the students have enhanced their Spanish vocabulary and honed their grammar over the past several months. In the upcoming weeks, I will continue to work with them on building their Spanish language skills.
PreK and Kindergarten
In the last class, we reviewed parts of the body in Spanish and students colored in the different parts of the body on a worksheet of a little boy. Furthermore, we’ll sing about being happy or sad in class and learn the song, “¡Si estás feliz y lo sabes a aplaudir!” (If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.)
Grades 1-2
The students in these grades also reviewed parts of the body by playing the game, build a person, and having a relay race between two teams to see which team could complete coloring a Caillou picture first. We’ll also sing the song, “¡Si estás feliz y lo sabes a aplaudir!” (If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.)
Grades 3-4
Just as the students in first and second grade reviewed vocabulary, the third graders played the game, build a person, to go over the parts of the body, and did the worksheet. They’ll also learn the song, “¡Si estás feliz y lo sabes a aplaudir!” (If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.) Fourth graders continue to build their Spanish vocabulary and grammar by playing the game, Señor Lobo, Qué hora es? (Mr. Wolf, What time is it?)
Grades 5-6
Students reviewed the vocabulary in Spanish for the family. They also played the game, how do you like your neighbor? and practiced saying “Me gusta…” (I like…) Additionally, they read about and discussed Puerto Rico, which is a commonwealth of the United States.
Grades 7-8
These students celebrated Cinco de mayo with a fiesta. Furthermore, in preparation for an oral quiz, which is on May 20 and May 21, the students are preparing flashcards with vocabulary from the textbook, ¿Qué Tal? The students in grade 8 will use vocabulary and grammar from Unit 8, which is about setting a table, and create a make-believe table for a fiesta. Moreover, the students in grade 7 will use the vocabulary and grammar from Unit 1 and draw and label the different parts of the body on a poster.
Now that the school year is almost over, I would like to wish all families a wonderful and safe summer. In June, I look forward to seeing several children in the Spanish language camp, and hope that all of the students keep up with their español. ¡Hasta luego!
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Library: May 21, 2010
Calling All Books
This is the last week that I am allowing books to be checked out of the library. Please have your children return ALL of your St. Cletus library books next time they come to the library. I will be sending out final notices about missing books in the next 2 weeks but please save me that work & return them. Thank you for your help!
Six Flags Tickets
Six Flags tickets were earned by over 100 St. Cletus students in Kindergarten through 6th grades this year. Congratulations to them for their dedication to reading 6 hours this winter! The tickets will be sent home this week in your child’s Wednesday envelope, or if they are not the oldest/only, in their take home folders this Wednesday. If you have any questions about these tickets, please e-mail me at mdelaney@stcletusparish.com.
Battle of the Books
This year was the 1st time that St Cletus competed against St. Francis in the Battle of the Books. We did this at St. Francis on May 4th. Both St. Cletus’ 5th & 6th grade teams did an admirable job but were defeated by well prepared St. Francis’ teams. We plan to make this an annual event. Congratulations to all of our 5th & 6th grade students but especially to Sean Burke, Thomas Cirrinicione , Lauren Engels, Neomi Mireles & Cailey Muldoon who represented our 5th grade well & Marissa DeLaurentis, Andrew Hubona, Chase Nacker & Karoline Orloff, our 6th grade team. Thank you to the many parents & students who came to show their support. We’ll get them next year!
Summer Reading!
What better way to spend a warm summer afternoon than reading on a blanket in the backyard or up in the tree house with a cool breeze blowing? None! So please “back away from the screen” & pick up a good book! It will fill your summer with great joy & great adventure without leaving your home. It is also a great way to retain all that the students have worked so hard to learn this school year.
Representatives from La Grange Library have been speaking to many of our students in the last few weeks talking to them about their summer reading program which includes games, prizes, movie nights, pen pals & craft projects & reading. You do not have to have to have a La Grange library card or even be a La Grange resident to participate or sign up for these many fun activities. Your own local library also will have summer programs. Sign up for their summer programs begin June 7th.
Noel Zethmayr, the Young Adult Librarian from La Grange Library & a St. Cletus graduate was here this week. She talked to all of our Junior High students about the summer reading program aimed at young adults & she book talked a few books. Her recommendations in the past have always been popular & many of the Junior High students have already asked me if I have them in the library. If your student is looking for a good book for their summer reading requirement, head to the library & check out her newest recommendations. One that I’m sure will be popular is “After Ever After” by Jordan Sonnenblick. It is a sequel to “Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie” which was a wildly popular book here at St. Cletus.
The La Grange Library is also looking for students in 7th through 12th grades to serve as volunteers to help run their summer reading program for the younger children. This would be a great opportunity if your child is looking to stay busy this summer & earn service hours in the process. You can sign up online at the library’s web site, at the library or call them. A meeting for these teen volunteers is June 3rd at the library. Check out the library’s web site or call them for additional information.
Listed below are some of the many web sites which will help you & your student find some great & entertaining things to read this summer:
www.lagrangelibrary.org information about their summer reading program, new books at the library & a calendar of many fun events.
www.islma.org/monarch.htm Monarch Award nominated books for K-3 students.
www.islma.org/bluestem.htm The Bluestem Award is designed for books for students in grades 3-5.
www.rcyrba.org 2011 nominees for the Illinois Caudill can be found on this site with books designed for students in 4th through 8th grades. We will be choosing books from this list for our annual Battle of the Books.
www.ala.org find a list of Newbery Book Award winners & other great books on this site.
www.guysread.com this is an interactive web site for boys of all ages & is designed to help even reluctant readers find books that they will enjoy.
I hope all of you have a safe & happy summer. Remember to “pop open a good book”!
Posted in General News, Library Comments closed
Art: May 21, 2010
Kindergarten
The kindergarten students used their creativity when working on hidden line drawings. Each student was given a paper with a line already drawn. They had to incorporate that line into their drawing so it almost completely disappeared. They also looked at the work of Wassily Kandinsky. Using construction paper scraps, they cut out shapes and glued them to create an interesting composition. They also drew crazy cacti using crayons for outlines and details, and filled them in with watercolors.
1st Grade
The first grade looked at hieroglyphics and created their own cartouche. A cartouche is an oval that encloses hieroglyphics which spell out a name. Most recently students created a non-objective artwork focusing only on line, shape, and color. Starting with a planned scribble, students filled each space made with different lines, shapes, and colors. Most recently students created an artwork inspired by the work of Alma Thomas. Students tore construction paper scraps into small pieces and glued them down to create a repeated shape of their choice.
2nd Grade
The second graders made their own Kente cloth weavings. Students cut slits in a large paper to create a base. They then used paper strips to weave under and over the base. Their weavings turned out great. They also looked at the illustrations of Eric Carle and created a collaged animal using construction paper scraps, newspaper, and tissue paper. They are currently looking closely at sea shells and drawing what they see.
3rd Grade
The third graders learned about the history of Faberge eggs. They were asked to draw their own idea for a Faberge egg. Each had to be unique and show the hidden prize that sat inside the egg. Most recently students learned about complimentary colors. Students choose a color for their background and then could only add its complimentary color. Using only those two colors creates a very vibrant reaction when looked at closely. Most recently students cut out large butterflies and used watercolors to paint them symmetrically.
4th Grade
The fourth graders learned how a little curve in a straight line and show the illusion of space. Students traced their arm and hand onto a large paper. They then added straight lines to the background and curved lines over the hand and arm. They finished by coloring to stress the illusion of space. They are currently working on a radial design using small folded triangle. These designs pop off the page to create an interesting play with light.
5th Grade
The fifth grade has been working hard on their watercolor school of fish project. Students drew a fish on tag board, cut out, and traced it to cover their paper. They added small details with pencil to help ensure all fish were similar. They finished by painting the school of fish with watercolors using different techniques, such as wet on wet, wet on dry, and a wash. They have just finished an oil pastel drawing of either a flower or night sky in Vincent Van Gogh’s style.
6th Grade
The sixth graders are almost finished with their animal sculptures. Students started with a wire armature to help form their animal. They stuffed it with newspaper and covered with foil to shape their animal. Next they paper mached to create a hard outer body to paint on. Each sculpture turned out very unique. Recently students created a scene using emphasis and having the most important parts popping out.
7th Grade
The seventh graders have been working hard on the plaques for eighth grade. They have spent the last few weeks looking through magazines and online finding the perfect images to fit the eighth graders personality and interests. The plaques have been painted and collaged. Most recently they created a small still life using markers, pencils, and scissors. They then draw what they see large to fill the page.
8th Grade
The eighth graders spent some time brainstorming ideas for decorating a rain barrel that will be displayed in downtown LaGrange. The Chicago skyline was decided and looks great wrapped around the barrel. Currently students are working on a plaster mask. The masks have been formed from plaster strips placed on molds. They are then painted and decorated with glitter, yarn, and ribbons.
Be sure to check out the St. Cletus artwork hung in the basement art gallery at the LaGrange Library. It will be on display until May 27th. If you have any questions feel free to email me at mbrazee@stcletusparish.com.
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Grade 6-118, Mrs. Dalsin May 21, 2010
It’s hard to believe that the end of the school year is almost here. It has gone by so fast! The sixth grade has had a very good year, and I have enjoyed getting to know each one of them. They are going to be an excellent seventh grade, and I will enjoy watching them grow.
MATHEMATICS
- We recently worked with ratios and proportions and we are now learning about integers in preparation for our math work in seventh grade.
- A coming special treat: Before the end of the year, Mrs. Rotunno will invite the sixth grade into her room for a class so they can begin to get to know each other. Thank you, Mrs. Rotunno!
SCIENCE
- The sixth grade had a great trip to the Adler Planetarium on May 11, and the rain did not dampen the enthusiumm for all the amazing exhibits. Seeing Chicago’s “Night Sky Live” in the Sky Theater was a big hit. Thank you again to all the parents who volunteered to share their time with us.
SOCIAL STUDIES
- Students recently completed their study of some of the early civilizations in the Americas, such as the Maya, the Inca, and the Aztecs. Also included were the “mound builders” of North America, some of whom lived right here in Illinois (Cahokia).
- We have now moved back across the Atlantic to visit the Middle Ages, the period of knights, lords, ladies and castles.
WORTH NOTING…..
- Tues., May 25 Eighth Grade Awards
- Wed., May 26 Room 118 to 8:00 Mass
- NO HOT LUNCH
- Science Test – Chapter 4
- Thurs., May 27 6th Grade Scoliosis Screening
- 8th Grade Graduation 7 P.M.
- Wed., June 2 Dress Down Day
- Thurs., June 3 Picnic Day
- Fri., June 4 Dress-up Day
- Mass 9:00 A.M.
- Dismissal 10:30 A.M.
Posted in 6th Grade, 6th Newsletter, General News Comments closed
7th Grade: May 21, 2010
Language
We will finish the year reviewing our “must-spell” words and subject/verb agreement. The students have worked hard improving their language skills and trying to incoporate impressive words in their writing. Try to keep them sharp by asking them to define tough words over the summer. After nine months of prodding, they’re getting very good with a dictionary.
Literature
Most of the class seems to be enjoying Lit Circles. This group of seventh graders read without much encouragement. They will receive information from Mrs. Murphy on summer reading requirements. Given their performance in my class, I predict they’ll be done with their three books in June.
Students should be well on their way to completing their game book reports which are due Tuesday, May 25th.
Social Studies
We are finishing our study of the Civil War with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. We will have our final exam next Thursday. I hope we’ve given the students a good foundation for their study of the Constitution next year.
Posted in 7th Grade, 7th Newsletters Comments closed
5th Grade: May 17, 2010
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