Math & Science Hands-On Exploration!
Important Dates
5/18 Mr. Kimberlain is "Teacher for the Day"
5/19 Variety Show Costumes Due
5/23 Chapter 13 Science Test (it was postponed from 5/19)
5/26 Variety Show Performances
5/29 Memorial Day No School
6/1 Walk Through California Program
6/2 Noon Dismissal
6/2 Mysteries of the Rosary Test
6/5 Parent Appreciation Coffee
6/6 Book Report Due
6/7 iPads Turned in
6/9 Time Capsules Due (more info to come)
6/9 8th Grade Graduation
6/9 Celebrate Summer Birthdays
6/12 Beach Day
6/14 Last Day of School
Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of you amazing moms out there! Your love and support make such a big difference in your children's lives. Our school community is lucky to have such involved, amazing parents like you!
Thank You SO MUCH for the amazing Teacher Appreciation Week! I felt so loved and appreciated all week long. I feel honored to teach your children everyday. A huge thank you to Melissa Mahon, Del Mar Pizza and our 4th grade room mom for putting in so much time and effort to make the week so special.
Variety Show Costumes are due this week to be checked off. This counts as a test grade for music. Boys and girls will wear blue jeans with their choice of bright (not pastel), solid Boomwhacker colors red, orange, yellow, lime green, kelly green, purple, or pink shirt; add accessories in any of these same or rainbow colors (ok to mix and match)--such as socks or hair ribbons. They may wear sneakers in any bright Boomwhacker color or white.The show will take place next Friday 5/26.
The Final Book Report of the year is due on June 6th. The students checked out Newberry Award Winner/Honor novels before Easter Break. The book report is a "free choice" format and all students will present their report in front of the class. I went over the directions and expectations in class last week and gave the students a hand-out. There is also information posted on my website. The goal of this report is for the students to share their novel in a way that is creative and meaningful to them. I look forward to seeing their last big project of the year!
iPads are being collected during computer class on June 7th. iPads should be fully charged and the original (big) charger needs to be turned in with it. (Small iPhone chargers will not be accepted). Families need to repair damaged ipads well before the collection date. Students can make an appointment and take damaged ipads (cracked screens/broken home button) directly to their closest Apple store for repair. The cost is $50.00 for Apple care repairs.
Students will not receive report cards and yearbooks until they turn in their ipads with covers and chargers. Replacement chargers cost $20.00.
We are finishing up our Electricity & Magnetism Unit this week and the students will have a test on Tuesday. This is chapter 13 in the textbook. A study guide went home today.
Beach Day is coming up on Monday, June 12th. We need parent chaperones to drive and we also need a pop-up for the class and a cooler. Please use the volunteer sign-up genius above if you are available to help! Permission slips are going home today in the students' graded work file.
We read the novel The Ballad of Lucy Whipple as part of our study of the Gold Rush Period of California history. This week the students will be watching portions of the movie (starring Glenn Close) and will be comparing the novel & the film. There are a few scenes that are inappropriate and I fast forward through them.
May is the month of Mary. We have many special celebrations like our May Crowning Mass next Friday and a Living Rosary Prayer service on Monday, May 15th. The 4th grade studied how to pray The Rosary back in October. This month we will be studying the Mysteries of the Rosary. The Rosary is one of our 4th grade prayers that we memorize, so the students will be learning about a group of mysteries each week in May and will be tested on them at the end of the month. A study guide was handed out last week.
STEM CAMP! Miss Williams and I are so excited to be putting on a STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) CAMP this summer at SJA. This will be a fun and engaging, hands-on learning experience for our campers that requires critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. I would LOVE to see some of my awesome 4th graders there! :)
June 19-22 (session 1)
June 26-29 (session 2)
8:00am-12:00pm
Flier
Other SJA Summer Camps
Come join us & INVITE YOUR FRIENDS for camp right here at St. James this summer with our fabulous teachers!! More information coming soon!
2-Day SLAM (Sports, Learning, A Lot of Fun, Mission Outreach) Camp June 15-16 9:00am-3:00pm
Led by Coach Bohman ~ Cost $110
SLAM Camp June 19-23 8:30am-12:00pm
Led by Coach Bohman ~ Cost $160
Sports Camp June 26-30 9:00am-3:00pm
Led by Kelly Ramsay ~ Cost $195
ACE Camp (Academic Fun Camp) July 10-13 (session 1), July 17-20 (session 2), July 24-27 (session 3) 8:30am-12:30pm
Led by Ms. Mottles, Mr. Waldman & Mrs. Tavassoli ~ Cost $225
From Coach Bohman:
Fit to Lead Newsletter ~ Self-Defense
This is our 3rd year of specific self-defense training in PE using the "Play It Safe" curriculum. Students are learning the ABC's of self-defense, the 5 A's, the 3 major weapons we all possess and to go "Chihuahua Crazy!!" Students also learned the basic ways to respond to an attacker. The junior high students progressed to more advanced ways to respond to an attacker.
ABC's of Self-Defense ~ Awareness, Boundaries & Confidence
5 A's ~ Awareness, Avoidance, Assessment, Attitude & Action
3 Major Weapons:
Biggest Weapon = Voice
Strongest Weapon = Legs
Secret Weapon = Confidence
If you forget everything else, remember 1 thing... Go Chihuahua Crazy!!
Basic Ways to Respond to an Attacker:
For more information or training go to www.PlayItSafeDefense.com
Family Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss the importance of awareness & avoidance.
2. Discuss the importance of being confident... with your voice, body & attitude.
3. Students teach parents the self-defense techniques... since the techniques are important for all people of all ages!
5/18 Mr. Kimberlain is "Teacher for the Day"
5/19 Variety Show Costumes Due
5/23 Chapter 13 Science Test (it was postponed from 5/19)
5/26 Variety Show Performances
5/29 Memorial Day No School
6/1 Walk Through California Program
6/2 Noon Dismissal
6/2 Mysteries of the Rosary Test
6/5 Parent Appreciation Coffee
6/6 Book Report Due
6/7 iPads Turned in
6/9 Time Capsules Due (more info to come)
6/9 8th Grade Graduation
6/9 Celebrate Summer Birthdays
6/12 Beach Day
6/14 Last Day of School
Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of you amazing moms out there! Your love and support make such a big difference in your children's lives. Our school community is lucky to have such involved, amazing parents like you!
Thank You SO MUCH for the amazing Teacher Appreciation Week! I felt so loved and appreciated all week long. I feel honored to teach your children everyday. A huge thank you to Melissa Mahon, Del Mar Pizza and our 4th grade room mom for putting in so much time and effort to make the week so special.
Variety Show Costumes are due this week to be checked off. This counts as a test grade for music. Boys and girls will wear blue jeans with their choice of bright (not pastel), solid Boomwhacker colors red, orange, yellow, lime green, kelly green, purple, or pink shirt; add accessories in any of these same or rainbow colors (ok to mix and match)--such as socks or hair ribbons. They may wear sneakers in any bright Boomwhacker color or white.The show will take place next Friday 5/26.
The Final Book Report of the year is due on June 6th. The students checked out Newberry Award Winner/Honor novels before Easter Break. The book report is a "free choice" format and all students will present their report in front of the class. I went over the directions and expectations in class last week and gave the students a hand-out. There is also information posted on my website. The goal of this report is for the students to share their novel in a way that is creative and meaningful to them. I look forward to seeing their last big project of the year!
iPads are being collected during computer class on June 7th. iPads should be fully charged and the original (big) charger needs to be turned in with it. (Small iPhone chargers will not be accepted). Families need to repair damaged ipads well before the collection date. Students can make an appointment and take damaged ipads (cracked screens/broken home button) directly to their closest Apple store for repair. The cost is $50.00 for Apple care repairs.
Students will not receive report cards and yearbooks until they turn in their ipads with covers and chargers. Replacement chargers cost $20.00.
We are finishing up our Electricity & Magnetism Unit this week and the students will have a test on Tuesday. This is chapter 13 in the textbook. A study guide went home today.
Beach Day is coming up on Monday, June 12th. We need parent chaperones to drive and we also need a pop-up for the class and a cooler. Please use the volunteer sign-up genius above if you are available to help! Permission slips are going home today in the students' graded work file.
We read the novel The Ballad of Lucy Whipple as part of our study of the Gold Rush Period of California history. This week the students will be watching portions of the movie (starring Glenn Close) and will be comparing the novel & the film. There are a few scenes that are inappropriate and I fast forward through them.
May is the month of Mary. We have many special celebrations like our May Crowning Mass next Friday and a Living Rosary Prayer service on Monday, May 15th. The 4th grade studied how to pray The Rosary back in October. This month we will be studying the Mysteries of the Rosary. The Rosary is one of our 4th grade prayers that we memorize, so the students will be learning about a group of mysteries each week in May and will be tested on them at the end of the month. A study guide was handed out last week.
STEM CAMP! Miss Williams and I are so excited to be putting on a STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) CAMP this summer at SJA. This will be a fun and engaging, hands-on learning experience for our campers that requires critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. I would LOVE to see some of my awesome 4th graders there! :)
June 19-22 (session 1)
June 26-29 (session 2)
8:00am-12:00pm
Flier
Other SJA Summer Camps
Come join us & INVITE YOUR FRIENDS for camp right here at St. James this summer with our fabulous teachers!! More information coming soon!
2-Day SLAM (Sports, Learning, A Lot of Fun, Mission Outreach) Camp June 15-16 9:00am-3:00pm
Led by Coach Bohman ~ Cost $110
SLAM Camp June 19-23 8:30am-12:00pm
Led by Coach Bohman ~ Cost $160
Sports Camp June 26-30 9:00am-3:00pm
Led by Kelly Ramsay ~ Cost $195
ACE Camp (Academic Fun Camp) July 10-13 (session 1), July 17-20 (session 2), July 24-27 (session 3) 8:30am-12:30pm
Led by Ms. Mottles, Mr. Waldman & Mrs. Tavassoli ~ Cost $225
From Coach Bohman:
Fit to Lead Newsletter ~ Self-Defense
This is our 3rd year of specific self-defense training in PE using the "Play It Safe" curriculum. Students are learning the ABC's of self-defense, the 5 A's, the 3 major weapons we all possess and to go "Chihuahua Crazy!!" Students also learned the basic ways to respond to an attacker. The junior high students progressed to more advanced ways to respond to an attacker.
ABC's of Self-Defense ~ Awareness, Boundaries & Confidence
5 A's ~ Awareness, Avoidance, Assessment, Attitude & Action
3 Major Weapons:
Biggest Weapon = Voice
Strongest Weapon = Legs
Secret Weapon = Confidence
If you forget everything else, remember 1 thing... Go Chihuahua Crazy!!
Basic Ways to Respond to an Attacker:
- "Back off!!"
- Windmill & run yelling
- Kick shin, windmill & run yelling
- Palm strike & run yelling
- Throat strike & run yelling
- Eye gouge & run yelling
- Go Chihuahua Crazy, quickly get up & run yelling
For more information or training go to www.PlayItSafeDefense.com
Family Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss the importance of awareness & avoidance.
2. Discuss the importance of being confident... with your voice, body & attitude.
3. Students teach parents the self-defense techniques... since the techniques are important for all people of all ages!