March 1, 2010

Dear Parents,
What a tremendous day we had in Sacramento! Although the weather was chilly and damp, the sites were spectacular, our docents were incredible, and your children were wonderful. Many thanks to all of our 21 parent volunteers! Thanks also to Mrs. Aritharan, Mrs. Troyan, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Poirier, Mrs. Nguyen, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Fujii who volunteered to provide drinks and snacks for our long drive.
In Math last week we learned about equivalent fractions and how to find fractional parts of a whole number. The chapter 17 Math test will be Wednesday. Please use pages 386 to 388 and the practice test to help your child study.
In Religion your children are continuing to grow closer to God by completing the kind deeds on their Lenten journey toward the celebration of Easter. We also learned about the sacrament of Confirmation and how we use the many gifts from the Holy Spirit to be good, loving, generous people of God. This week we will learn more about Then Lenten Season.
Your children worked very hard last week to prepare all the pieces for their display board. They are excited about putting them together at home. Remember, this is the last part of the Science Fair project to be completed at home. Last Tuesday, your children brought home their display board folders. In these folders is a paper that your children and I read together in class and discussed. It contains some simple instructions about how they should arrange things on their boards. Below are some highlights that might help you to help your children.
1. Your children will need to choose and make a catchy title for their project. This can be done on computers at home or by hand. The goal of this is to make people curious and want to know more.
2. The pieces should be arranged on the boards in the order that we completed them. The order is listed on the bright green sheet in their display board folders.
3. If you find errors that your children and I missed, send that piece to school with your child and we will correct it and she/he will bring it home again.
4. Add decorations that will make the display more interesting and will cause people to become curious and want to learn more.
5. Display boards are due this Wednesday, March 3.
6. Bring pieces that will be displayed on the table in front of the display board on Tuesday, March 9. If the display pieces on the table are valuable, we will store them in the classroom and bring them to the Parish Hall during our presentations.
7. I love child-generated graphs and charts, but if you would like your child to re-do them on the computer, that is ok.
On Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11 your children will be presenting their projects to all the classes in the parish hall. Today and tomorrow your children will prepare and practice the speech that they will give as children from the other grades walk through our projects. Your children will give this speech to our class this Wednesday, Thursday or next Monday. Below are the times that we will be in the Parish Hall presenting to the students from all the other grades. Try to make time in your schedule while we are in the hall so that your children and their friends can impress you by being academically prepared, confident and strong communicators.
Wednesday, March 10- 9:45 to 10:10, 10:50 to 11:35 and 1:15 to 1:35
Thursday, March 11- 9:00 to 10:10 and 1:15 to 1:35
In Social Studies we finished our unit on California’s government by learning about local governments. The Social Studies test is in this packet. Please review it with your child.
Thanks again for all of your support and help. Your children are learning so much more with all the help that you give them, and I am extremely grateful to be working with all of you. If you have any questions or concerns, drop by or email me at triciaheis@aol.com.
Sincerely,
Tricia Heissenbuttel

categories Monday Letter | | datetime February 28, 2010 12:13 pm | comments Comments (0)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

READING: read for 20 minutes and complete Thurs. log (skip Wed.)
LA: Thursday cursive (skip Wed. Cursive)
SPELLING: study for test
MATH: wkbk page 153
S.S.: study for test
SCIENCE: display board due next Wed.
RELIGION: use pages 129 to 137 to study for quiz
THINGS TO TAKE HOME:
THINGS TO BRING TO SCHOOL:
Tuesday Envelope
Binder clip
Snackless Friday donations

categories homework | | datetime February 25, 2010 7:37 am | comments Comments (0)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

***DUE ON THURSDAY
READING: read for 20 minutes and complete log (skip Wed. log)
LA: Tuesday cursive (skip Wed. Cursive)
SPELLING: complete page 114 and 115
MATH: wkbk page 151
S.S.: use pages 152 to 153 to complete worksheet
RELIGION: complete your cross and write a reflection for Wed and Thurs.
THINGS TO TAKE HOME:
Tuesday Envelope
Science Fair Display pieces
THINGS TO BRING TO SCHOOL:
Book orders due tomorrow
BRING YOUR LUNCH
Bring a raincoat
G rated DVDs

categories homework | | datetime February 23, 2010 10:34 am | comments Comments (0)

February 22, 2010

Dear Parents,
What a fun and informative time your children had last week experiencing the “Adobe Days” of California history. Many thanks to Mr. Ventura, Mrs. Masri, Mrs. Patterson, Mr. Cincu, Mrs. Kimm, Mrs. Fujii, Mr. Troyan, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Ferrante, Mrs. Tanlimco and Mrs. Julian who all led wonderful activities from the past. Truly, this experience could not have happened without their help! Thanks, from all of us in fourth grade.
Last week, Lent began and on Ash Wednesday we discussed the fasting, prayer and almsgiving that we will perform during the next six weeks of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, each of your children chose something from which to “fast” during the Lenten Season and wrote it in their “Lenten Journey” journal. This might be something concrete, like TV or a type of food, or possibly unkind ways in which they may sometimes treat each other. This year your children can give alms through our snackless Fridays for Haiti. Your children are asked to forgo snacks on Friday and donate what they would spend on a snack to Catholic Relief Services Haitian Fund. It is important that these donations should come from your kids so that they can learn that giving alms requires sacrifice. It would wonderful if they could do chores around the house to earn their donations. (Adults are also most welcome to send a donation to school which we will forward to Catholic Relief Services. Make check payable to SJC and write Haitian Relief Fund in the memo line.)
Your children also received a Lenten Calendar that they should post in their rooms that instructs them to complete an action each day that will bring them closer to God. Their Lenten Journal should always stay in their homework folder, and they will use it as a place to write reflections on their journey toward Easter and building their relationship with God. Please put aside some time to discuss these items with your children so that you can support them at home. Your children will have a quiz on the Gift of the Holy Spirit on Friday.
This week in Math we will begin a new unit on fractions. There is a letter in this packet providing some ideas about how you can help your child at home. Your child’s chapter 16 Math test is in this packet. Please review it with him or her.
In Science last week, your children worked hard to write up their conclusions and to begin preparing all their display copies for their Science Fair Projects. All of the words that will go on your child’s display board will be sent home in a folder tomorrow, February 23 and display boards will be due in the classroom on Wednesday, March 3. That will give you a full week to help your children put these pieces on their display boards, make a title, and add decorations. If you find any errors in what your children wrote, please mark the error and send it to school with your child to be corrected. More details will be sent home in the folders with all of the Science Project pieces.
Last week in Social Studies, we learned a lot about local governments in California. We will be having a test on this unit about California’s government on Friday. Please use Unit 5, pages 133 to 154 from our Social Studies book to help your child study.
Today I am sending information to parent volunteers about our Sacramento fieldtrip. Your child should wear his or her uniform and should bring their lunches on Wednesday. Many thanks to Mrs. Aritharan, Mrs. Troyan, Mrs. Poirier and Mrs. Nguyen (our new student’s, Elizabeth, mom) who all volunteered to provide us with snacks for the bus ride. We could still use some small bags of chips. If you are willing to provide this snack for the kids, it would be wonderful. Please let me know tomorrow.
Below is the schedule for Wednesday’s Sacramento trip. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD IS ON TIME FOR SCHOOL since we will be leaving promptly at 8:30. You can meet us in the parking lot at 5:30ish when arrive home.
8:30- Board bus and drive to Sacramento.
11:00-12:00 Tour: From Horses to Horsepower: The Transcontinental Railroad
Followed by self guided tour in groups
12:00-12:30 Eat lunch on grass in front in Old Town on the picnic blankets.
12:30-1:30 Self-Guided Tour of Old Town Sacramento
1. Walk along the River Front Park
2. Check out the River Delta King
3. Tour Old Town (especially the hardware store)
1:30-1:45 Board bus and drive to the State Capitol.
1:45-2:00 Take class photo in front of Capitol Building.
2:00-3:00 Enter the Capitol for tours.
3:00 Tour ends, board bus and drive home.
5:30ish Arrive at St Joseph’s.
Many, many thanks to Mrs. Ventura (who brought along Miranda’s grandmother and great grandmother), Mrs. Kannathumadam, Mrs. Aritharan and Mrs. Louis who all turned out for BINGO to support the fourth grade class. Thanks, ladies, from all of us in fourth grade! Our next BINGO night is scheduled for March 21. We would love to see more of you next time!
Have you posted your child’s new 3rd quarter goal in a prominent place so that you can help track your child’s progress toward attaining this goal? They really need your help to keep focused on this for an entire quarter. Thanks for all help. If you have any questions or concerns, please drop by, or e-mail me at triciaheis@aol.com.
Sincerely,
Tricia Heissenbuttel

categories homework | | datetime February 22, 2010 1:26 pm | comments Comments (0)

Monday, February 22, 2010

READING: read for 20 minutes and complete log
LA: Monday cursive
SPELLING: complete page 113
MATH: wkbk page 149
S.S.: use pages 145 to 148 to finish worksheet
RELIGION: complete your cross and write a reflection
THINGS TO TAKE HOME:
Monday Packet
Chaperone letter
THINGS TO BRING TO SCHOOL:
Book orders due Wednesday, February 24

categories homework | | datetime 1:25 pm | comments Comments (0)

Thursday, February 18, 2010

READING: read for 20 minutes and complete log
SPELLING: study for test
MATH: worksheet
RELIGION: do your Lenten Cross and write in booklet
THINGS TO TAKE HOME:
THINGS TO BRING TO SCHOOL:
Donation for Snackless Friday
Permission slip
Tuesday Envelope
Book orders due next Wednesday

categories homework | | datetime February 18, 2010 7:51 am | comments Comments (0)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
READING: read for 20 minutes and complete log
LA: Wednesday cursive
SPELLING: complete page 120
MATH: use pages 358 to 360 and practice test to practice for test
THINGS TO TAKE HOME:
Tuesday Envelope
THINGS TO BRING TO SCHOOL:
Permission slip
Band instrument

categories homework | | datetime February 17, 2010 7:01 am | comments Comments (0)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

READING: read for 20 minutes and complete log (skip Monday)
LA: Tuesday cursive (skip Monday)
SPELLING: complete page 119
MATH: use pages 358 to 360 to practice for Thursday’s math test
THINGS TO TAKE HOME:
Monday Packet
permission slip
book orders
goal card
THINGS TO BRING TO SCHOOL:
PE clothes
$3 for hot lunch
Tuesday Envelope
permission slip

categories homework | | datetime February 16, 2010 7:21 am | comments Comments (0)

February 16, 2010

Dear Parents,
What a fun Valentine’s Day we had in fourth grade! Mrs. Fujii and Mrs. Cincu brought in cupcakes that your children joyfully decorated with all of the goodies that you sent in to school. We had a wonderful and YUMMY party thanks to their dedication and enthusiasm.
We also had a fabulous time today experiencing what it would have been like to live in California when we belonged to Mexico in the early 1800s. Your children dipped candles, made tortillas, roped a “steer”, make adobe bricks, designed brands, created cornhusk dolls and carded wool. They were wonderful participants, learned a lot and had a ton of fun. Many thanks to Mr. Ventura, Mrs. Kimm, Mrs. Masri, Mrs. Fujii, Mrs. Patterson, Mr. Cincu, Mr. Troyan, Mrs. Tanlimco, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Ferrante and Mrs. Julian for teaching the different activities and leading us in a whole lot of fun!
In Religion your children learned about how Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us after his Ascension into Heaven. The Holy Spirit helps us to grow more in love and holiness.
In Math last week we learned about positive and negative integers and temperature. The chapter 16 Math test will be on Thursday. Please use the practice test and pages 358 to 359 to help your child study.
In Science last week, your children began writing up their results for their display boards. This week we will finish our results, write our conclusions and begin preparing all our display copies for our Science Fair Projects. All of the words that will go on your child’s display board will be sent home in a folder sometime next week and display boards will be due in the classroom on Wednesday, March 3. That will give you close to a week to help your children put these pieces on their display boards, make a title, and add decorations. If you find any errors in what your children wrote, please mark the error and send it to school with your child to be corrected. More details will be sent home in the folders with all of the Science Project pieces.
If you ordered a display board from Mrs. Wicht, it will be coming home this week with your child. If you did not, you can find them at Office Depot, Joanne’s, and in many stationery stores. Remember, you don’t need to do anything with them until your child brings home all the pieces that he/she will glue onto the board.
In Social Studies your children learned about how checks and balances work in California’s government. Each branch of government can set checks, or limits, on the power of the other two branches. This helps keep a balance of power between the three branches. Your children will be well prepared for our upcoming trip to our State Capitol.
Our fieldtrip to Sacramento is quickly approaching, Wednesday, Feburary 24. I want to extend a big thank you to the Gonzalezes, who are the parents of SJC alumni, for volunteering to drive us on their bus at a much reduced price. This is a fieldtrip that we would not have if they were not so very generous. Thanks also goes to our room moms, Mrs. Renee Fujii and Mrs. Sally Cincu, who organized this very special day, especially Sally who called weekly for three months to secure this date.
We will be visiting the Railroad Museum, Sacramento’s Old Town, and the State Capitol. We will be leaving school promptly at 8:30 and returning about 5:30. Upon returning we will meet you at approximately 5:30 in front of school.
Your children should wear their uniforms and bring their lunches with a bottle of water since it will be a long day. In order to manage garbage on the bus, snacks will be provided on our drive up and back. If anyone would like to volunteer to provide a snack (juice boxes, chips, fruit, cookies, small water bottles, ect.), please contact me. It would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to a very memorable day.
Today your children have Scholastic Book orders in their homework folders. All orders will be due by next Tuesday. Remember, you can use the form and send a check made out to Scholastic Books to school, or you can order on line using the following information:
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
User Name: sjcgrade4
Password: grade4
Your children have their new 3rd quarter goal card today. Please post this in a prominent place so that you can help track your child’s progress toward attaining this goal. A quarter is a long time for a fourth grader to stay focused on anything so your children really need your help with this. Thanks for all your concern and help. I truly feel as if your child’s education is a team effort, and I am very grateful for how hard you work with them at home. If you have any questions or concerns please drop by, or e-mail me at triciaheis@aol.com.
Sincerely,
Tricia Heissenbuttel

categories Monday Letter | | datetime 7:14 am | comments Comments (0)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

READING: read for 20 minutes and complete log
SPELLING: complete page 118
MATH: wkbk page 145
RELIGION: use pages 117 to 126 to complete chapter review and to study for quiz
THINGS TO TAKE HOME:
Tuesday Envelope
THINGS TO BRING TO SCHOOL:
just bring tennis shoe for PE
no PE clothes
Valentines
cupcake decorations

categories homework | | datetime February 9, 2010 6:50 am | comments Comments (0)

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