The End is Near!

Good Morning Fourth Grade Families,

The end is approaching rather quickly! This will serve as our last formal blog post of the year. Should we need to inform you of something, we will communicate via email.

Your children have grown leaps and bounds this year and are ready to move up to Fifth Grade. We extend our deepest gratitude to each of you for all of your support this year. It truly is a partnership, teacher and parents. It has been such a blessing to be a part of your child's academic journey. Don't be a stranger, come by and say hello anytime!

SUMMER CAMP AT SFX

-Summer Camp runs from June 5th- June 23rd

-From 8am-12pm there will be academic camps for every incoming grade level from preschool-6th grade. From 12:30-3:00 there are enrichment programs for all grades as well!

-We can work with families on payment plans and will offer scholarships when they become available.

-After Care is available until 5 pm.

-This is a great way to beat the "summer slump," make new friends, have fun and stay cool! Students will also be working on their summer requirements. 

-To register visit: http://school.sfxphx.org/summer

Looking Ahead....

• Wednesday, May 24th - All School Mass and Awards Ceremony at 8:30 in the Church (NOTE THE TIME CHANGE)
• Wednesday, May 24th - End of the Year Party - Pizza will be served for lunch to the whole 4th grade
• Thursday, May 25th - Last Day of School - dismissal at 1:15

English Language Arts



Students will have their LAST test of the year this Thursday. The students will be assessed on basic grammar skills including ending punctuation, compound sentences, use of commas, and overall proper mechanics. 

We will read through our last story of the year and complete activities in class.

Students will NOT have a spelling test this week, but we will make spelling cards and play different games to help us practice the skill.

Social Studies

ALL Arizona projects are due tomorrow! We will have some time this week for students to show off their games, books, road trips, and videos.

We will continue to use our AZ Studies Weekly Newspapers as  needed.

Math

NO DREAMBOX this week or next! However, we will have a time test covering the facts through 12.

We will add and subtract fractions. All of the products and differences will expected to be in simplest form.

Science

We will continue our mini unit on the Human Body. Our focus this week will be on the circulatory system.

Religion

The students will make and play the Sacraments Game.

3 Weeks.....

Good Morning Families,

We hope you had a beautiful weekend and enjoyed the gorgeous weather on Sunday! We are just three weeks away from the end of the year! Be on the look out for information coming your way regarding the end of the year party.

Last week, students visited the 5th grade classrooms, took their final STAR Reading and STAR Math tests of the year, and lastly, the 2017-18 school supply list and summer requirements were released on the school website. Be sure to check it all out!

This week....

• Thursday, May 11th - School Performance of the Spring Concert at 9:00 AM at Xavier 
• Friday, May 12th - STAR Reports will be sent home

English Language Arts



This will be our last week of spelling words and a spelling test. 

There will be a reading comprehension test on Friday, May 12th.

Social Studies

The students have finished Chapter 5 and are ready to be tested on it. The test will be Wednesday, May 10th. Students will receive back their packets and review in class.

Please make sure your child is continuing to work on their final Arizona project. It is due next week on Tuesday, May 16th.

Math

We will be adding and subtracting fractions. The sums and differences will be put in simplest form.

Geometry

We will be focusing on quadrilaterals: square, rectangle, parallelogram, rhombus, trapezoid.

Religion 

The students will be learning and memorizing the Suscipe.

19 Days and Counting....

We have 19 school days left of the 16-17 school year. It's MAY and it is going to be busy! Be sure to check the weekly eblast and our blog to stay current on everything going on these last few weeks.  Try not to miss any school, please. 

This Week....

• Tuesday, May 2nd - Join Ms. Milano for Parent Move-Up Week in the Library immediately following Pledge and Prayer. This short, 30 minute, presentation will give you a look into what to expect next year. 
• Wednesday, May 3rd - May Crowing Mass at 10:30 in the Church
• Thursday, May 4th - Move-Up Day: 4th graders will visit their 5th grade teachers

English Language Arts



The students will have a spelling test Thursday, May 4th. 

In lieu of a formal comprehension assessment, students will have a performance task to complete. All directions will be reviewed in class prior to the task being assigned. Students will be creating a billboard advertisement showcasing the Ever-Living Tree. It will be due Friday, May 5th.

Social Studies

We will wrap up Chapter 5 this week, and the test will be next Tuesday, May 9th.

The students will also have another day this week to work on their projects in class.

Math

We will work on equivalent fractions by decomposing fractions into sums of smaller unit fractions using tape diagrams. For example, 2/3 = 4/6.

Geometry

Using a protractor, we will measure angles  and construct angles.

Religion 

We will be making a foldable describing the Parts of the Mass.

5 Weeks til Summer

The end of April is here and there is only 5 weeks left of the school year. Please continue to keep reading our blog and the weekly e-blast to keep up with what is going around SFX. This time of year can bring lots of events.

Looking Ahead...

• Thursday, April 27th - STAR Reading and STAR Math Tests 
• Tuesday, May 2nd - Move-Up Day for Parents with students entering grades 3-5: Join us in the Library after Pledge and Prayer to how you can best help your child as they get ready to enter 5th grade. 
• Wednesday, May 3rd - May Crowning in the Church @ 10:30
• Thursday, May 11th - Spring Music Concert (school performance) in the morning
• Tuesday, May 16th - Arizona S.S. Project Due 
• Wednesday, May 24th - All School Mass @ 10:00 in the Church (Last Mass of the Year)

English Language Arts

There will be a grammar test on Tuesday, April 25th on the skill of comparative and superlative adjectives. Students have a "study guide" to use in the form of a fortune teller game to review and practice. 

• Spelling Test - Thursday, April 27th 
• Reading and Vocabulary Test - Friday, April 28th 

We will begin working with the grammar skill of negatives later on in the week, but no formal test will be given. 

Social Studies

Last week, all students were given directions and explanations on their final project of the year. Students will have one day this week and one day next week to work in class, ask any questions, and brainstorm ideas with myself or their peers. 

We will finish up Chapter 5 this week, so be on the look out for a packet that students will need to complete. Students will be given some class time to work on the packet. 

Math 

The students will construct tape diagrams to represent fractions.  They will also make equivalent fractions using tape diagrams.

Science/Geometry

The students will identify and construct angles based on the size of the angle.

They will identify and construct perpendicular lines and parallel lines.

Religion 

This week we will study the Order of Mass:  

Introductory Rites

Liturgy of the Word

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Communion Rite

Concluding Rites

HE is Risen!

Easter blessings to each of you and your families! We hope you had a lovely Easter break! We are just 6 weeks away from summer vacation! Please make sure to continue reading the weekly blog and eblast to know about what is happening here at school and in our rooms. 

Looking Ahead...

• Wednesday, April 19th - 3rd-5th Mass in Brophy Chapel @ 10:30 AM 

English Language Arts

Even though we only have a 4-day school week, the students will still have a spelling test this week. . The test will be Friday, April 21st. 

Students will have an in-class writing assignment on Friday that connects to our story for the week. 

Social Studies

Students will continue reading through Chapter 5: Spanish Missionaries and Explorers. We will be looking at our AZ Studies Weekly Newspaper for additional information. 

As the year comes to a close, the students will be given information on their final project of the year. Students will be taking all their knowledge of Arizona and will choose one of the following projects to complete. 

1. Driving Tour of Arizona where a map will be needed to show direction as well as landmarks

2. Brochure for Tourist 

3. Arizona Board Game

4. A 5 to 7 minutes video all about Arizona
5. Write a 6 page children's book with illustrations about places in Arizona 

All directions will be reviewed in class and students will be given some class time where they can work together, ask me questions, and overall plan out their project. 

Math 

We are beginning the Fractions Module. The students will focus on equivalent fractions. 

Science

During our regular Science period, we will be working on Geometry this month. The focus this week is points, lines, line segments, and angles. 

Religion 

We are studying the Liturgical Calendar and making comparisons to our standard calendar. The Easter season includes the Ascension and Pentecost. 

Happy 'almost' Spring Break!

Good Morning Families, 

We are days away from Spring Break....yippee! We wish you all a joyous and peaceful Easter holiday. 

Please make sure your child is present for Stations of the Cross practice tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00. 

On Friday for Stations, please plan to be seated well before 9:30. There will not be any admittance into the Church once the Stations have started as the first Station is begins at the back of the Church. Please plan to sit on the Mary or Joseph sides of the Church. Parents are asked to not sit with their child. There is no videography or photography permitted as that would take away from the sacredness of the prayer. 

English Language Arts

We will continue working with lesson 20, and the students will have  reading comprehension assessment on Thursday, April 6th.

We have also begun talking about the vocabulary strategy known as shades of meaning. There will NOT  be a vocabulary test on this skill. We will work on it in class.

Social Studies

We will continue reading through Chapter 5: Spanish Explorers and Missionaries.

Math 

We are finishing the third module and will be working on double-digit by single-digit multiplication, larger division problems, and using a tape diagram to solve word problems.

Science

We finished Chapter 12, and we are making the Circuit Quiz Board. This will be a 100 point project the students will be completing in class. They will use the information learned in Chapter 12 to create the project.

Religion 

The students are preparing for The Living Stations of the Cross.

Happy Spring !

Good Morning Fourth Grade Families,

Spring is here! We have so much to be grateful for this time of year. There is much excitement in the air between Spring Break getting closer, preparing for Stations of the Cross, and March Madness Basketball!

Looking Ahead...

• Wednesday, March 29th - Adoration @ 10:30 AM in the Church
• Friday, March 31st - 8th Grade Performance of Hairspay
• Friday, April 7th - The Living Stations of the Cross @ 9:30 AM Please make plans to attend. This is one of the most beautiful experiences of the Fourth grade. 

Let's cheer on the Gonzaga Bulldogs! Mrs. Grucky is so excited about her team making it to the FINAL FOUR! 

English Language Arts



Students will have a spelling and grammar test on Thursday, March 30th. 

We will work on lesson 20 through next week. Plan for a reading comprehension assessment on Thursday, April 6th. 

Social Studies 

The students are ready to present their Google Slides Presentations. We will also begin to look at Chapter 5: Spanish Explorers in the Discovering Arizona textbook. 

Math 

We will continue with division, but forge ahead and multiply two-digit multiples of ten by two-digit numbers using a place value chart. Ex. 20 X 34

Science

We are finishing Chapter 12 and going to culminate by creating an electricity activity. 

Religion 

We are still preparing for The Stations of the Cross. This week, the students will also have a test on the last 4 Commandments.