SJF English: Grades 5 and 6

This Sunday starts Catholic Schools Week; hope to see you at the Open House following 10:00 Mass.

5^th Grade

Go fifth grade! The fifth graders are in a reading competition for the next five weeks. Students should be counting the total number of pages read per day. At the end of the week, we will add up the total number of pages read by the class.

In Social Studies, the students will be reviewing for the American Revolution Test next Tuesday, January 31^st. Study guides were distributed today (Monday, 1/23).  Good luck!

6^th Grade

The sixth graders are hard at work on their Historical Event Research Papers. Topics were selected last week. By Wednesday, 1/25, students need to have at least three resources, including (a minimum of) one book.

This week, students are working on organizing their information on note cards. Completed note cards are due next Tuesday, 1/31. A complete list of due dates are listed below.

If you have any questions, feel free to send an email.

Enjoy your week,

Mrs. Alfultis

I hope you enjoyed the three-day weekend as much as I did!

Progress reports go home on Wednesday. This is a great time to review the reports with your student. These are not final grades; this is only the half-way point. Most students are doing so well!

This week, the fifth graders will finish the American Revolution Unit. We will cover the turning point, final battles, and the end of the war. Study Guides will go out on Monday (1/23). The final test on this unit will Tuesday, January 31^st.

The sixth graders will chose topics for their research papers on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday of this week, we will begin research and collection of data. By next Wednesday, January 25^th, students will need at least one book on their topic. I’m encouraging students to visit both the school and local libraries for resources. If you have any questions, please send me an email.

Enjoy your week,

Mrs. Alfultis

A few reminders: Wednesday is Special Lunch, and Monday is a holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The fifth graders this week will cover early battles of the Revolutionary War, Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill. We will also examine the purpose, writing, and details of the Declaration of Independence, and the strengths and weaknesses of the British and Continental (American) armies. I encourage the students, many aspiring history buffs, to watch programs and read additional books about the leaders and battles during that time.

This is a big week for the sixth graders, as they will be introduced to the components of the research paper (Thursday and Friday). By Friday, students should bring to class a two pocket folder which will hold all portions (due dates, instructions, topic suggestions, outlines, etc.) for the research paper.

Have a good week, and enjoy the three-day weekend,

Mrs. Alfultis

Welcome back! Happy 2012!

Many sleepy students entered the building this morning. To ease back into the schedule, we will review concepts from the last week in December.

The fifth graders will review important people (Ben Franklin, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and King George III) and events during the American Revolution. Next week, students will work on a timeline of the Revolutionary War.

The sixth graders will review subjects, verbs, subject verb agreement, and comma usage. By the end of next week (January 13^th), the students will need a two pocket folder.

It’s good to be back. Enjoy your week,

Mrs. Alfultis

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old, familiar carols play, and wild and
sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, goodwill to men!”
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 This is such a special time of year. I’m especially grateful for the students I teach every day. It’s a blessing to be able to say “Merry Christmas”, and talk about the birth of Jesus with them.

Thank you, Parents, for all that you do to support your children. They are terrific, and all of your effort with them shows.

Merry Christmas to you all,

Mrs. Alfultis

This is a busy week for students! So much to do in just 8 school days!

5^th

In social studies, students will continue to write and create projects related to the American Revolution. Presentations are scheduled for Friday (16^th), Monday (19^th), and Tuesday (20^th).  I’ve been so impressed with the students’ dedication to the project.

6^th

In English, students are focused on finding the subject in the sentence and subject verb agreement. The quiz originally scheduled for Wednesday, has been changed to THURSDAY, DEC. 15^th. Students have been also working on varying their sentence starters, beginning with verbs, adverbs, prepositional phrases, and/or conjunctions for complex sentences. They are working hard!

Reminders:

Tuesday at 1:30, is the Christmas Band Concert.

Friday, the Mother McAuley Choir will come to perform. Time TBA.   

Enjoy your week,

Mrs. Alfultis

Brrr…It’s time for gloves and a hat!

This week, the fifth graders start their research on the American Revolution project. Since we have such different types of learners, I’ve tried to incorporate several ways to present. Through papers, oration, instruments, and videos, my hope is that students enjoy both the research and presentation components of the project.

We will spend two days this week in the computer lab to research, and two days next week to type papers and scripts, and create maps, PowerPoint, or glogsters. Unless they are recording a video or practicing a song , students will complete this project almost entirely in class.

Here are some dates to keep students on track:

December 5-9: Research project topics, organize data, and write papers/scripts, create videos, practice music

December 12-14: Type papers/scripts, and create maps, PowerPoint, and glogsters; continue with videos

December 15: Practice presentations; make sure all videos are complete

December 16: Final projects are due

December 16, 19, 20: Presentations

 The sixth graders will continue with paragraph writing and begin subject verb agreement. Our next major writing assignment will not be until we return from Christmas break; however, students will have shorter writing assignments until then.

Reminders

*Mass on Thursday at 10 for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. All are welcome.

*Springfield letters are due on Friday. No money is needed at this time.

*Sacks for Santa is this week; any toy or book contribution would be appreciated.

Enjoy your week,

Mrs. Alfultis

Just a few reminders about Thursday’s trip to Navy Pier. Please wear a clean SJF gym uniform. We are hoping to leave by 8:45 (or as soon as the buses arrive).  The movie begins at 10:00.

Please bring a lunch or money to buy lunch. We will have some time to walk the Pier after lunch.

At 1:15, we will leave to return to SJF.

Let’s hope the weather cooperates! Any questions, feel free to send me an email. Thanks so much.

Welcome back! I hope your mini-break was a time to “recharge the batteries” and be in the presence of family and friends.

This week, the fifth graders will receive their Colonial America chapter tests back. It is evident that students studied hard; grades were fantastic. We will begin our study of the American Revolution this week.

The sixth grade will focus their attention to writing with choosing a strong idea and eliminating sentences that do not support main idea.

On Thursday, we will depart for Navy Pier. I hope the weather cooperates! Thanks in advance to those parents who volunteered to chaperone.

Friday there is no school due to a faculty in-service.

Enjoy your week,

Mrs. Alfultis

This week, the fifth graders are hosting the Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday at 11:00 and Thursday at 9:00. All are welcome.

I’ve been blessed with the 140+ students I see every day. They are a terrific and prayerful group; I am grateful.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.  

Enjoy,

Mrs. Alfultis