Grade 4C Class Page - St. Patrick School

January 23-27

2012-01-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

Hello once again. We survived our very cold week and a full week of indoor recesses. It will be good to see the students head outside this week for some fresh air and exercise. The highlight of our week last week, if your child hasn't told you already, was the day Mr. Cronan got hit in the face with a ball in gym and then started to bleed down the side of his face. Don't worry, I'm OK and my glasses still fit. I must remember to keep my head up and start wearing goggles in class.

Another highlight last week was when we went to the gym to listen to a group of musicians who played music, and had the kids do some dancing as well. Everyone had a great time.

Our class continues to work hard each day. Here are some of the things we have been doing in class:

Religion: Students learned about Israel and Palestine. We read about and looked at pictures of these two places where Jesus lived.

English Language Arts: Students finished writing their pourquoi tale and are typing a good copy on the computer. This week we will start our guided reading again. I will be benchmarking students as well as we get closer to our next reporting period.

Math: We continue to learn our multiplication facts as well as different strategies we can use when we multiply. We have looked at doubling and skip counting. Remember to practice those facts at home.

Social: Students' letters have been written and sent to different communities in the province. Students are now researching their town or city for their powerpoint project.

Science: Ask your child how light travels. Get them to draw a light beam.

Health: This week we will discuss the assignment regarding the different foods they ate for four days last week. Thank you for sending a packaged item last week. We were able to look at these labels and learn how we can make good choices when selecting foods to eat.

Dates:
January 24: SCC Hot Luncheon Forms Due
January 27: SCC Hot Luncheon
January 27: Family Literacy Day
January 30: Gospel Assembly @ 9:25am

Your child's teacher,
Mr. Cronan

FIRST GRADE PROVERBS

A first grade teacher collected well-known proverbs and sayings.  
She gave each child in her class the first half of a proverb and asked them 
to come up with the remainder of the proverb.  Their insights may surprise you.

Better to be safe than... punch a 5th grader
Strike while the... bug is close
It's always darkest before... Daylight Savings Time
Never underestimate the power of... termites
You can lead a horse to water but... how?
Don't bite the hand that... looks dirty
No news is... impossible
A miss is as good as a... Mr.
You can't teach an old dog new... math
If you lie down with dogs, you'll... stink in the morning
Love all, trust... me
The pen is mightier than the...  pigs
An idle mind is... the best way to relax
Where there's smoke there's... pollution
Happy the bride who... gets all the presents
A penny saved is... not much
Two's company, three's... the Musketeers
Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and... you have to blow your nose
None are so blind as...  Stevie Wonder
If at first you don't succeed... get new batteries
You get out of something what you... see pictured on the box
When the blind lead the blind... get out of the way

January 16-20

2012-01-15T16:36:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. We're half way through January already. That long Christmas break has helped us get closer to spring. We really can't complain about our winter so far this year, however.

We had a very good week last week in class. It didn't take the class long to get back into routine.
The school is looking for a noon-hour supervisor to work from 11:40 - 12:40. If you or someone you know is interested in this part-time job, please contact the school. Thank you.

January 27 is Family Literacy Day. We are asking parents to submit pictures of families reading with their children. If you have a picture you would like to share, please send it to Mr. Froehlich at troy.froehlich@htcsd.ca.

We started some new and exciting units last week:

English Language Arts: The class began a unit on tales. We read two tales in class. Both of them were pourquoi tales. Ask your child what a pourquoi tale is. This week students will be writing their own pourquoi tale as we spend more time learning about the writing process.

Math: We started Unit 3: Multiplication and Division. We not only started our unit in the textbook, but we also started learning our multiplication facts. I introduced some fun games where we can learn our facts in class. However, I strongly recommend that your child practice his or her facts at home. If you need resources or ideas, please let me know.

Religion: The class learned about Epiphany and what the three wise men represented when they went to visit Jesus. We also looked at a map of Palestine at the time of Jesus. Students located specific places on the map. Ask your child to name a couple of the places they found.

Science: We continue to learn about light. On Thursday, we went out and used light sensors to measure ultra-violet light from the sun. The kids enjoyed using the instruments.

Social: Students wrote a letter to a town or city that was assigned to them. In the letter, they are asking for some information that will help them make a PowerPoint presentation.

Art: Students were introduced to another element of art: colour. We coloured a colour wheel using pencil crayons. This week we will use paints to colour another colour wheel. This element of art goes well with our "light" unit in science.

Health: The class started a unit on healthy living. This week, students will look at their own lives and see if they are making healthy choices.

Events:
January 16: Gospel Assembly @ 2:40
January 18: Book orders due
January 27: Family Literacy Day

Funny Technology Related New Year's Resolutions

I will...
1. Watch more cute and cuddly kitten videos on YouTube
2. Check my work e-mail account at least once this year
3. Switch my username to “password” and my password to “username” to make each a lot harder for hackers to figure out
4. Watch less T.V…. in standard definition
5. Stop buying worthless junk on Ebay, because QVC has better specials
6. Start using Facebook for something other than Farmville

7. Avoid fingertip soreness by learning to play “Rock Band,” instead of a real guitar
8. Start a blog about how I would write more often if I had something important to write. Only make one blog entry and leave it published for years
9. Talk with a robot voice all the time

Have a great week!!

Your child's teacher,
Mr. Cronan

JANUARY 9-13

2012-01-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Welcome to 2012. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It was a long break, and now we're ready to begin the new year. I'm looking forward to the next six months. Our first four months went by so quickly. I know that the next six should go by just as fast as long as everyone keeps doing his or her "job".

The class will be beginning a few new units, and projects starting this week.

Language Arts: The class will begin a Tales unit using the Collections resource. Students will also be spending more time developing their writing skills.

Math: We will begin Unit 3 this week. Your child will learn multiplication and division concepts. I strongly encourage everyone to practice his or her multiplication facts at home as often as possible.

Social: Students will begin working on a project where they will be given a town or city of Saskatchewan and they will then find information about their place and present it using PowerPoint.

Health: The class will look at healthy eating and living habits.

Have a first great week everyone.
Mr. Cronan

Dates:
January 11: Early dismissal - 2:15pm

December 19-22

2011-12-18T17:44:00.000-08:00

Fourth week of Advent: Love

Well, we've finally made it to the last week of school for 2011. I'm sure the kids are very excited and looking forward to the Christmas holidays.

Two things to be aware of for this week.
1. Students have a math quiz on Unit 2: Whole Numbers on Wednesday. We've been reviewing in class, but I've also given students a review booklet that they can take home and work on to prepare for the quiz.
2. Students need to hand in their reading assignment on Wednesday.

I would like to wish Mr. Siemens all the best as he leaves us and completes his degree in the new year. We were fortunate to have the extra help in the class for this first part of the year. The kids are going to miss him. I'm looking forward to the new year and coming back to teach your wonderful kids full time. I am blessed to have such a great class this year. I hope everyone has a great Christmas. Safe travels and Happy New Year. We'll see you in 2012.

A Car For Christmas
Danny had recently passed his driving test and decided to ask his clergyman father if there was any chance of him getting a car for Christmas, which was yet some months away. 'Okay.' said his father 'I tell you what I'll do. If you can get your 'A' level grades up to 'A's and 'B's, study your bible and get your hair cut, I'll consider the matter very seriously.'A couple of months later

Danny went back to his father who said 'I'm really impressed by your commitment to your studies. Your grades are excellent and the work you have put into your bible studies is very encouraging. However, I have to say I'm very disappointed that you haven't had your hair cut yet.
Danny was a smart young man who was never lost for an answer. 'Look dad. In the course of my bible studies I've noticed in the illustrations that Moses, John the Baptist, Samson and even Jesus had long hair.' 'Yes. I'm aware of that...' replied his father '... but did you also notice they walked wherever they went?'

Merry Christmas

Mr. Cronan

December 12-16

2011-12-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

Week Three of Advent: Joy

Here we are on the last two weeks of school. The days are flying by. I know I keep saying this, but they really are. I continue to take on more teaching subjects, and I am enjoying the feeling of having my own classroom again. We had a great week last week, and I'm looking forward to a "joyful" week this week.

Some of the things we have been doing in class include
ELA: Students have started working on their Christmas Around the World PowerPoint project. They have researched some information, and then they should begin making their slide show.

Religion: Students made a banner after talking about John the Baptist and how he helped people "prepare" for the coming of Jesus. We will hang them in our classroom.

Math: We are almost done Unit 2 on Whole Numbers. This week we will learn how to subtract four-digit numbers using regrouping. Homework went home today.

Science: The class started a new unit on Light. We will take a look at how light works, and how we use light. In addition, we will integrate this unit with religion as we talk about Jesus and how he is the "light" of the world.

Phys-Ed: Students are learning basketball skills with Mr. Siemens. They have been working on their dribbling and shooting skills.

Events:
December 7: Early Dismissal @ 2:15pm
December 9: Festive Friday
December 22: Last Day of School - Christmas Vacation
December 22: Movie in the morning - students need to bring $1 to school

En"joy" the week everyone.

Cheap Christmas present

After being away on business for a week before Christmas, Tom thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift. "How about some perfume?" he asked the cosmetics clerk.

She showed him a bottle costing $50. "That's a bit much," said Tom, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30. "Thats still quite a bit," Tom groused.

Growing disgusted, the clerk brought out a tiny $15 bottle. Tom grew agitated, "What I mean," he said, "is I'd like to see something real cheap."

So the clerk handed him a mirror.

December 5-9

2011-12-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

Week Two of Advent: Peace

"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."

Hi everyone. December is here and pretty soon we'll be on Christmas holidays. We have a very busy week. First of all, we have an Advent Assembly tomorrow afternoon at 2:40. The Grade 4 classes are in charge. On Wednesday night, St. Pat's will hold its Christmas Concert. It is at the Comprehensive High School and it begins at 7pm. We are busy learning our two songs. Kids seem to be having fun. On Friday, it is "Fake an Injury Day".

In addition to all of these fun activities, we also have many fun activities happening in the classroom.

Language Arts: The class finished the novel Stone Fox. They watched the movie last week and were able to compare and contrast the book to the movie. This week we will use a new literacy program called Nelson Literacy. The class will take a look at Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion. This unit will fit nicely with Mr. Siemens's science unit. As well, the class will be looking at Christmas Around the world and see how other countries celebrate Christmas.

Math: We continue to work our way through Unit 2: Whole Numbers. Last week we learned how to use mental math to subtract. This week students will learn different strategies that they can use to subtract four-digit numbers.

Religion: Our discussion last week was about Jesus and how he is the "light" that will bring us out of "darkness". This week, we will look at John the Baptist and how he can help us "prepare" for Jesus' birth.

Arts-ed: The class will begin our Christmas craft this week. If you haven't been able to find a jar, I should have extras so that everyone has one.

Christmas Humour:
Did you hear about the St Michael's Primary School nativity play? Two children are dressed as Mary and Joseph, and they are on their way to the inn at Bethlehem.

Meanwhile on the other side of the stage, a lad in a shepherd's outfit is on a mobile phone. He is calling the inn to make a reservation.

Have a great second week of Advent!!

Your child's teacher,
Mr. Cronan

Novemeber 28-December 2

2011-11-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first week of Advent. We begin the week with an Advent assembly and then on Thursday, we have our Advent Mass at the school. I enjoyed meeting all parents last week during our parent-teacher interviews. Remember you never have to wait for interviews if there is something you need to discuss regarding your child's education.

This is the last week of full-time teaching for Mr. Siemens. I will be back in the class on Thursday. I hope I remember student names.

For our Christmas project this year, students need to bring a glass jar to school. I've suggested that a spaghetti jar would work the best. Please try to have these jars to school by Monday of next week. Thank you.

Dates to Remember:
December 1: Advent Mass @ 1:20pm @ St. Pat's
December 2: Fashion Disaster Day
December 5: Advent Assembly @ 2:40
December 7: Christmas Concert @ 7pm @ Comp School
December 9: Fake Injury Day
December 16: Festive Friday

Have a great week everyone!!

November 14-18

2011-11-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Only 33 more days until Christmas! Isn't that hard to believe? It' true though. I still need to get my Christmas lights up before it gets too cold. Students have been busy in school learning new things each day. Mr. Siemens is now full-time teaching, and the kids have shown wonderful respect to him.

Report cards will be going home next Monday. I look forward to meeting with you next week regarding your child's education.

Here are some things we have been doing in class:
Language Arts: Students started a novel study: Stone Fox. We continue to work in our guided reading groups as well.

Math: The class is working on Whole Numbers. Specifically, they are learning how to estimate numbers - not always an easy thing to do.

Religion: Students talked about Pentecost and how the message of Jesus was spread by the apostles of Christ.

Health: Students are talking about bullying.

Social: Government - three levels of government. We also had a discussion regarding the provincial election.

Science: Students will present their land form projects this week. The kids did a great job.

Upcoming Events:
November 21: Report Cards go home
November 22: Interviews
November 24: Interviews
November 25: No School

More Humour

Teacher: I hope I didn't see you looking at Fred's test paper.
Pupil: I hope you didn't see me either !

Teacher: You copied from Fred's exam paper didn't you ?
Pupil: How did you know ?
Teacher: Fred's paper says "I don't know" and you have put "Me, neither"!

If you had one dollar and you asked your father for another, how many dollars would you have?
One dollar.
You don't know your arithmetic.
You don't know my father !

Have a great week everyone!

Your child's teacher,

Mr. Cronan

November 6-9

2011-11-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hello again. I am back, kind of. Mr. Siemens has now started his three-week block where he will be teaching full time in the classroom. I will be in the school for support, as well, I will be helping him with guided reading and any other thing he may need help with. Your children have shown wonderful respect to Mr. Siemens. You should be proud of their behaviour.

Here are some of the things your child will be involved with in class:
Language Arts: Students will begin a novel study called Stone Fox. The class will also work in guided reading groups.

Math: Unit 2: Whole Numbers

Science: Rocks and Minerals

Social: Decision Making - government. The class went to the gym today and looked at the polling station.

Religion: Pentecost - Students wrote about the ways that they will be faithful to Jesus.

Events:
November 8: Luncheon Forms Due
November 8: Gospel Assembly @ 9:25
November 9: Early Dismissal @ 2:15
November 10: Remembrance Day Service @ 9am
November 11: Remembrance Day - No School

Have a great week everyone!!
Mr. Cronan

October 24-28

2011-10-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

We are now entering the last week of October already. I can't believe how fast this year is going. I can honestly say that I've had a great start to the year. The kids continue to help make it a great year for me to teach grade 4 again.

We made it through Education Week all in one piece. We had a very busy week, but everything went very well, and the kids enjoyed all the activities and guest speakers. They especially liked the pedometers on Tuesday.
The class continues to work through many fun-filled activities in class as well.

English Language Arts: Students are still working though their guided reading activities. I've enjoyed listening to them read to me in small groups. Students are now writing letters to me about the reading they are doing independently. I will be sending home a reading log assignment this week that students will start working on in November.

Math: Mr. Siemens is now reviewing the concepts learned in Unit 1: Patterns and Equations. The class will have a quiz on Friday, October 28. A review sheet will be sent home.

Religion: Students wrote an autobiography for the stump that is on our religion table. Once they make some corrections, they will type it out on the computer. As well, students will be receiving their own New Testament this Thursday at 12:50. This celebration will take place in our classroom. Parents are invited to come celebrate this event with us.

Science: The class is learning more about fossils. Students made their own "mould" fossil. Ask your child how this was done and about petroleum jelly. LOL

Social: I have been helping the kids understand Saskatchewan better by learning about places and symbols of Saskatchewan. I will be handing over the social class to Mr. Siemens next week and he will be teaching your child about government and the election process.

Events:
1. October 24: Picture Retakes
2. October 25: Luncheon Forms Due
3. October 27: New Testament Celebration @ 12:50 in classroom (All parents are invited)
3. October 28: KFC Luncheon
4. October 28: Math Quiz

Funny Stuff (I hope)

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

October 17

2011-10-17T13:36:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Education Week. This year's theme is "Technology for Life". We have some exciting activities planned for the week. On Tuesday, the grade 4s of the school will be wearing pedometers to track their steps. On Tuesday, we will have two guest speakers from the Health Region talk about how they use technology in their workplace.

In class, we continue to work through our units:

Language Arts: Collections - Within My Circle. We have also started guided reading. I'm looking forward to hearing your child read in a small group situation.

Math: Unit 1: Patterns and Equations

Science: Rocks and Minerals - quiz tomorrow

Social: Saskatchewan - identity (places, symbols, people)

Religion: New Testament. Students will be receiving their own New Testament next week. Date and time will be put in agendas.

Phys-ed: Volleyball skills - passing, setting

Health: Last week we looked at Fire Prevention.

Friday, October 21 is "Wear a Jersey Day".

Funny Stuff:

A nursery school teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing Christmas scenes. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
As she got to little Sarah who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. Sarah replied, 'I'm drawing God.' The teacher paused and said, 'But no one knows what God looks like.'

Sarah replied, 'They will in a minute'

Have a great week.
Mr.Cronan

October 10

2011-10-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you all had a good long weekend. As for me, everything was great except for the Rider game. Maybe we'll get a touchdown next week.

This week is Fire Prevention Week. We also have two school events happening this week.
1. Drive Away Hunger (October 14) - If you wish to donate, a brown paper bag was sent home last week that your child can use to bring food items to school.
2. Children's Wish Foundation Barbecue (October 14) - Lunch forms are due tomorrow, October 11.

Students in our class continue to work hard and have fun. Mr. Siemens is now teaching the following subjects: Science, Math and Phys-ed. By the end of the month, he will be teaching 50 percent and then in November he will be teaching full time for 15 days.

Reminder: Early dismissal for this month is on Thursday, October 13 at 2:15pm.

Don't forget to visit the school website (link on the right of this page). You will find a monthly calendar, SCC information as well as information for parents under the Weekly Asset link.

Have a great week.

Thanksgiving Humour
What sound does a space turkey make?
Hubble, hubble, hubble

What happened when the turkey got into a fight?
He got the stuffing knocked out of him.

October 3

2011-10-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome to October everyone. I'm not surprised that September went by so quickly. Your children have continued to work hard each day in all that we do in class. We continue to review daily our class beliefs so that everyone understands what kind of classroom we want this year.

Here are some of the things we are doing or will be doing and that your child may or may not be telling you about:

Language Arts: This month we will begin our guiding reading program. I will meet with small groups of students and listen to them read. Students will then answer comprehension questions and do some reading responses as well.

Math: We completed our first unit last week. Students wrote a quiz to assess their understanding of the content. Mr. Siemens will now begin teaching Unit 1: Patterns and Equations.

Science: Mr. Siemens continues to teach his rock unit. Ask your child the three types of rocks he or she is learning about in class (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic).

Religion: Last week we learning about the Dead Sea Scrolls and their importance in telling about God's word.

Phys-ed: The class will begin learning some basic volleyball skills in the next few weeks.

Have a wonderful first week of October.

Your child's teacher,
Mr. Cronan

Day at the Beach
A little boy walked down the beach, and as he did, he spied a woman sitting under a beach umbrella on the sand. He walked up to her and asked, "Are you a Christian?"
She said, "Yes."
"Do you read your Bible every day?"
She nodded her head, "Yes."
"Do you pray often?" the boy asked next.
And again she answered, "Yes."
With that he asked his final question, "Will you hold my quarter while I go swimming?"

September 26

2011-09-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the last week of September. It's hard to believe that we've been in school for one month already. Time really does go by fast when you're having fun and working hard. I want to thank everyone for coming out to our parent night last Wednesday. The kids did a great job on our class video. If you were unable to make it, don't worry. I will be contacting you soon to touch base with you regarding how things are going with your child.

Our class continues to keep busy with many different activities in and out of class. Here are some of the exciting things your child has been doing in class:

Language Arts: Students started a writing journal. This journal will be used to help your child with his or her writing skills.

Math: We are almost done Unit 7: Data Analysis. Your child should now be able to read, analyze, and draw pictographs and bar graphs. We will have a test on this concept on Thursday. I will send home a review for your child to study from.

Religion: Students made beginning of the year pendants, and they wrote a secret code on them. We have them on our religion table.

Science: Mr. Siemens continues to teach the students about rocks and minerals.

Social: Students learned how to find places on a map of Saskatchewan and then write the direction you would have to travel from one place to another.

Health: Our class completed our belief statement. It is hanging on our bulletin board in the class.

Dates:
September 26: Gospel Assembly @ 2:40pm in the gym
September 27: Joint school mass with St. Joe's @ 10am @ Christ the Redeemer Church
September 28: Terry Fox Walk
September 29: Math Test - Unit 7 Data Analysis
September 30: Pizza Luncheon

Have a fantastic week!!

Church Bulletin Blooper
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 pm - prayer and medication to follow.(lol)

September 17

2011-09-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. We have had a great start to our school year. The students are learning the class routines and understanding the expectations required in our classroom. I am looking forward to meeting with you next week at our Parent Connection Night.

Some of the things the class has been busy working on include

ELA - Students have read different stories from the Collections program. Students have written a poem about "The Me" they are.
Math - We are working on Unit 7 - Data Analysis. Students have learned how to draw pictographs and bar graphs. A homework sheet has been sent home. Students only have to make one bar graph.
Health - Our classroom beliefs have been put together and we discussed what our "jobs" are in the classroom.
Science - Mr. Siemens has been busy teaching the class all about rocks. Be sure to ask your child some of the things he or she has learned.
Phys-ed - The class has been learning flag football skills.

Coming Events:
September 19: Math Homework Due
September 21: Picture Day
September 21: Parent Connection Night @ 7 pm
September 23: No School

Have a wonderful weekend.

Mr. Cronan

Welcome to Grade 4 - August 29

2010-08-30T12:09:00.001-07:00

Welcome back everyone!!

Welcome to the beginning of another school year. I wish all of you a great year as your child enters his or her grade 4 year at St. Pat's. We have many fun and exciting activities to look forward to this year.

This blog page is where you can visit to see what's been happening or what will be happening in our class this year. I will try my best to keep it updated each week. Remember to check student agendas daily for class information.

I am looking forward to a great year, and please feel free to contact me regarding your child's education.

Mr. Cronan