Classroom News

Sunday, 03-17-24

Dear Parents, 
Hello! Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! We spent our week celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Thank you for the amazing leprechaun traps! Check out the photos in our webpage :) Unfortunately, we didn't get any leprechauns. Maybe you had more luck over the weekend!

Saturday-Hope you had fun at the Bunny Breakfast!

Sunday-Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Monday-Gym

Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library; Reconciliation; Spelling PRETEST

Wednesday-Gym; Music; Lockdown Drill
Thursday-Computers

Friday-8:30 Mass; Helping Verbs TEST


Religion- Lent- we will be creating a Lent quilt

Spelling-Unit 21- VW Unit 11- PRETEST will be on Tuesday, 03-19-24; TEST will not be until Wednesday, 03-27-24-there is no packet or Choice Board. However, I will be posting some activities on Google Classroom-stay posted!

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 11- TEST will be Tuesday, 03-26-24Students should continue practicing on Sadlier as well as their flash cards

Grammar-Helping Verbs; short TEST will be Friday, 03-22-24

Reading-We will continue practicing our text features in the latest Scholastic News; We will also check out StoryWorks

Math-Unit 7-Fractions-we will be doing several Easter fraction activities as well as some Easter Charts and Graphs

Science-Sun, Moon, Earth- we will be reading about the Mars Rover

Saturday, 03-09-24

Dear Parents, 
Hello! Another week down! Report cards  and i-Ready reports went home on Thursday. Please sign and return the envelope when you can. Any questions, please let me know!
The students and I conferenced about how to make the third trimester our best yet :)

With Dr. Seuss's birthday being last Saturday, we didn't get to celebrate READ ACROSS AMERICA last week, but we have several fun reading activities planned for the remainder of March, including a Reading March Madness. A Reading Bingo/Log went home on Thursday. It will be due Monday, 04-08-24, when classes resume from Easter Break. It is worth 50 points. I reminded students they will have access to EPIC over break :)

This Week:
Saturday, 03-09-24- 4:00 Irish Mass/St. Baldrick's/St. Patrick's Day party

Sunday- Daylight Savings Time-We'll be watching a Mystery Science about 

Monday-Leprechaun traps due; Gym; Spelling Pretest; 

Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library; Unit 6 Math TEST; Beyond the Books

Wednesday- 1:00 Dismissal; There IS After Care; Spirit Wear; Brown's Chicken Special Lunch; Gym; Music; Grammar TEST

Thursday-Computers; Living Stations 1:30-2:00; Beyond the Books

Friday-8:30 Mass hosted by 3rd grade- I will assign parts on Monday; Spelling TEST

Saturday, 03-16-24- Breakfast with the Easter Bunny; Daylight Savings Time-Clocks "spring" forward
Sunday- Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Religion-Lent

Spelling-Unit 20- r-controlled vowels-Words with the air and eer sound; Pretest is Monday; Packets due Thursday; TEST is Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 11

Grammar- We finish up Irregular Past Tense Verbs on Wednesday with a short TEST on Wednesday; Then, we begin Helping Verbs

Writing-We will be writing about our leprechaun traps :)

Reading- We will be reading about St. Patrick's Day and RAINBOWS

Math- We finish up Unit 6-Area with a short TEST on Tuesday; Then, we will be starting Unit 7- Fractions and sprinkling in some Easter graphs

Science-Sun, Moon and Earth





Saturday, 03-02-24

Dear Parents, 
Hello! Happy March! I hope you're enjoying the weekend. Like I said earlier in the week via email, we had a rough start of our week, but each day got a little better with behavior/focus  :) I'm blaming this crazy weather! Let's keep it up! Let's make the third trimester the best yet!!! As you know, the second trimester ended yesterday, so I will entering final grades into Power School. Report cards go home on Thursday, 03-07-24. 

The next several weeks we will have a couple SXU students visiting our classroom :) I know we will be very welcoming to them. 

This Week:
Friday, 03-01-24- No School! Fish Fry 4:30-7:30 PM

Monday-Gym; We will combine with Room 211 and  present our presidents to each other; i-Ready February raffle and celebration

Tuesday-Art; Spanish; LibraryBeyond the Books

Wednesday-McDonald's Special Lunch; Gym; Art; Unit 6 Math QUIZ

Thursday-Computers; Unit 10 Vocabulary Workshop TEST; Spelling Choice Boards dueBeyond the Books

Friday-8:30 All School Mass; Spelling TEST; Ruby Bridges movie

Saturday, 03-09-24- Irish Mass @ 4PM followed by the St. Baldrick's celebration @ 5PM in the gym. 

Monday, 03-11-24- Leprechaun traps due

Religion-Lent; We continue our Lenten journey andKindness Bingo and Kindness chains in our classroom

Spelling-Unit 19- Unit 10 Vocabulary Workshop words; March Choice Board-pick 3- is due ThursdayTEST is Friday

Reading-We will be celebrating Read Across America week with some fun activities; We will also be reading about Rosa Parks, and finishing up our lesson on Ruby Bridges by watching the Disney movie "Ruby Bridges". It is one of my favorites; It is available on Disney Plus if you'd like to preview. Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions.

Grammar- Irregular Past Tense Verbs

Writing-We continue some Narrative Writing about Ruby Bridges

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 10; TEST is Thursday

Math-We will finish up Unit 6 with a short QUIZ on Wednesday; Don't worry-composite area will not be tested

Science-We get back to  our Sun, Moon, Earth unit



Saturday, 02-24-24

Dear Parents, 
Hello! I hope everyone is doing well :) Yesterday, we enjoyed our Marble Party watching YES DAY!!! . We are working hard to fill up our jar again! I have some treats and a little surprise for the students who were absent. 

We've been sanitizing and opening up windows to keep nasty germs away! Another short week next week, including Leap Day, which we will be learning about :)

Some upcoming dates to think about...

*The end of the second trimester is Thursday, 02-29-24
*Second trimester report cards go home Thursday, 03-07-24

This Week:
Monday-Gym; Spelling Pretest
Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library
Wednesday-Gym; Music; Culvers or Canes; Grammar TEST on Verb Tenses; Stations of the Cross for K-4 @1:30-2:00
Thursday- Computers; Leap Day; Spelling TEST
Friday- Happy March!!! No School! Teacher PD

Religion-Lent

Spelling-Unit 18- r-controlled vowels ar/or; Pretest is Monday; packets are due Thursday; TEST will be on Thursday

Reading-We will be reading about Jackie Robinson and Ruby Bridges as well as Leap Day

Grammar-We finish up Verb Tenses with a short TEST on Wednesday

Writing-We will be doing some writing activities related to Ruby Bridges and Leap Day

Vocabulary Workshop- Unit 10

Math- Unit 6

Science-Sun, Moon, Earth

Social Studies-We will be finish our President Biographies and presenting them to Room 211; They will also be presenting theirs, so we can learn about all presidents


Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!


Saturday, 02-17-24

Dear Parents, 
Hello! I hope you're enjoying the start of the 4 day weekend! The SCA Faculty had a very nice day yesterday at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora. What a great way to begin our Lenten Journey!

We have a short week next week. They always seems to be the busiest!

This Week:
Monday- No School! Happy Presidents' Day!!!
Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library
Wednesday-Gym; Music; Great American Bagel Special Lunch
Thursday- ComputersUnit 5 Math TEST
Friday-8:30 Mass; Room 212 Marble Party

Religion-LENT; Chapter 6- The Sacraments of Healing
Spelling-NONE this week
Grammar-Verb Tenses
Vocabulary Workshop- Unit 10
Writing-We will be writing our Presidents' Biographies
Reading-Scholastic News; We will also be reading about Ruby Bridges and Jackie Robinson in honor of Black History Month
Math- Unit 5 TEST is Thursday- Study guide will come home on Tuesday
Science-Sun, Moon, and Earth
Social Studies-Presidents' Biography Project


Have a great weekend!


Sunday, 02-10-24

Dear Parents, 
Happy Super Bowl Sunday!!! Maybe your child has shared some Super Bowl facts we learned from our Super Bowl slides? I hope you had a good weekend! We have a short, but busy week ahead :)

We will be celebrating our i-Ready successes by asking some Magic 8 ball questions :) Students will be bringing their i-Ready folders home, so you can see their second trimester diagnostic score. Sorry-we pushed this back due to some students being out. We didn;t want them to miss the fun :)

This year, Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day, so we will be celebrating Valentine's Day on Tuesday, 02-13-24. We will be making Valentines for our classmates by recognizing each others' positive character traits. Students may bring Valentine/treats on Tuesday if they wish. If you do decide to send Valentines, please be sure to include one for each student. Please don't address envelopes. There are 23 students in our class.

We will also be playing a Classroom KINDNESS BINGO where we get to mark off boxes on our Bingo cards for doing acts of kindness for others throughout the rest of February. 

Multiplication Club is rolling along. When all students pass their 12's, we will have a little ice cream celebration! In the meantime, we continue to practice our fact fluency on XtraMath and online multiplication games. 

This Week:

Sunday-Let's see if our Super Bowl predictions came true
Monday- Gym
Tuesday-8:05 Burning of the Palms; Art; Spanish; Library; Valentine's Day Celebration
Wednesday-Gym; 10:00 Ash Wednesday Prayer; Barraco's/Brown's Chicken-meatless options Service; Music; Spelling Choice Boards are due; Unit 9 Vocabulary Workshop TEST
Thursday- Spelling TEST; 1:00 Dismissal; Optional PTC
Friday- No School! Religious Inservice for teachers-we ae heading to Aurora to Feed My Starving Children as a faculty to prepare meals :)
Monday-No School! Happy Presidents' Day!!!


Religion-We finish up Chapter 5- Jesus Loves and Heals; We discuss our Lenten promises and begin our Lenten journey
Spelling-Unit 17- VW Unit 9; Choice Board (pick 3) due Wednesday; TEST is Thursday
Grammar-We finish up Possessive Nouns with a short TEST on Tuesday
Writing-We'll be doing a little Presidents' Day writing
Vocabulary Workshop- Unit 9 TEST is Wednesday
Reading-We will be reading Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
Math-Unit 5; Multiplication Club continues; We will also be solving a Valentine mystery
Science- Sun, Moon, Earth
Social Studies-We begin our Presidents' Day Biographies



Sunday, 02-03-24

Dear Parents, 
Happy February! I hope you're having a nice weekend. We had a fun week last week celebrating our amazing catholic school :)

Thanks again for all the donations for the bagged lunches for the homeless. I was so humbled by the kid's amazing attitudes making the lunches and wanting to go above and beyond. Photos are posted in our photos section on our webpage. The smiles say it all :)

This week, we have a relatively "normal" week. We will be publishing (printing and binding) our Young Author Stories and getting them ready for the judges. Thanks for sending "Meet the Author" pics. They look so official!

We will also be celebrating our i-Ready successes by asking some Magic 8 ball questions :) Students will be bringing their i-Ready folders home, so you can see their second trimester diagnostic score. 

This year, Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day, so we will be celebrating Valentine's Day on Tuesday, 02-13-24. We will be making Valentines for our classmates by recognizing each others' positive character traits. Students may bring Valentine/treats on Tuesday if they wish. If you do decide to send Valentines, please be sure to include one for each student. Please don't address envelopes. There are 23 students in our class.

We will also be playing a Classroom KINDNESS BINGO where we get to mark off boxes on our Bingo cards for doing acts of kindness for others throughout the rest of February. 

Multiplication Club is rolling along. When all students pass their 12's, we will have a little ice cream celebration! In the meantime, we continue to practice our fact fluency on XtraMath and online multiplication games. 

Parent Teacher Conference forms went home on Friday along with White Envelopes. If you are interested in signing up for a conference, please return by Monday, 02-05-24. 

This Week:
Monday-Gym
Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library; Unit 16 Spelling Test
Wednesday- 1:00 Dismissal-There IS After Care; SCA Spirit Wear; Gym; Music;  Unit 17 Spelling Pretest
Thursday- Computers
Friday-8:30 All School Mass; Grammar TEST
Saturday- Chinese New Year


Religion-Chapter 5- Jesus Loves and Heals; LENT

Spelling-We never got around to our Spelling Test on Friday?! So, we will check our packets and play a review game on Monday and take the TEST on Tuesday; Then, we'll begin Unit 17 on Wednesday with a Pretest, which will be our  Unit 9 Vocabulary Workshop words

Vocabulary Workshop-
Unit 9

Grammar-
Possessive Nouns; Test will be Friday

Writing-
Young Author stories are due by Monday

Reading-We will be performing our penguin plays to several classrooms next week; We will also be reading a story celebrating Chinese New Year as well as learning about the Super Bowl

 Math-Unit 5- Using Properties to Multiply 3, 4, 6,7,8, and 9

Science-Sun, Moon, and Earth


Saturday, 01-27-24


Dear Parents, 
     Happy Saturday! I hope all the fathers and daughters had a wonderful time at the Father Daughter dance. The pictures I've seen are absolutely adorable!
     I am sitting here on this Saturday thinking about how lucky I am to be part of the St. Catherine community as we get ready to kick off Catholic Schools Week. First of all- I want to thank all the families who donated Kleenex to our classroom. Our noses should be set for a while.
     Also, thank you to the families who volunteered to bring in bagged lunch supplies for our service project. You can send in supplies Monday through Thursday. Items will be refrigerated until Friday, 02-02-24, when we will be working in small groups assesmbly-line style to pack 40 bagged lunches for the homeless. We will also be adding a valentine to each bag :) We will have another service project during Lent, so if you wanted to donate, but didn't get a chance this time, there will be another opportunity. 

     We are working hard on our second i-Ready Diagnostic. We will finish this week. We will celebrate our progress ;)

   We have a fun, but busy week ahead! We celebrate our catholic school with the theme- United in Faith and Community. Each day we celebrate the many important parts that make our Catholic school so very special. If you are able to come, we kick off our week with a 9:30 Family Mass followed by Open House, where you can visit your child's classroom and check out all the wonderful things that are happening here. I look forward to seeing you :)

This Week:
SUNDAY-9:30 Family Mass followed by Open House til 12

MONDAY-Our Community is United: We will be making Welcome cards for new SCA families; Gym; Spelling Pretest

TUESDAY-Our Students are United: Dress Down, Art; Spanish; Board Games with Friends, McAuley performance, Library- NO HW!!! Roller Skating Party 6-8 PM at the Tinley Roller Rink 

WEDNESDAY-Our Faculty and Staff are United:We will write letters to the teachers we appreciate! Gym; Culvers Special Lunch

THURSDAY-Our Families are United: THANK YOU TO OUR PARENTS WHO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE!!! Computers; Unit 4 Math TEST; ProKidsShow 5-8 12:30-1:15 K-4 1:45-2:30

FRIDAY-We are United in Faith and Community: SCA Spirit Wear Dress Down; 8:30 Mass; Principal for a Day Drawing; We will make our bagged lunches for the homeless; FSA Hot Dog lunch & Sweet Treat :) FUN FRIDAY- Bingo K, 5-7 @1:15-1:45 & 1-4 @ 1:55-2:25

***A Special Shout Out and Thanks to the FSA for sponsoring so many of our special events this week, both for the students and the teachers. It is much appreciated!!!***

Religion-Chapter 5- Jesus Forgives and Heals

Spelling- Unit 15- r-controlled vowels; Pretest is Monday; Test is Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 9

Grammar- Possessive Nouns

Writing-We will be writing a variety of notes and letters this weeks as well as finishing up our Young Author stories; Please see additional information below. 

Math-We have done so well on our Multiplication Club. Some are almost ready to put a cherry on top of their ice cream cone! We will also be wrapping up Unit 4 with a TEST on Thursday

Science-Sun, Moon, and Earth- Coming Soon!!!- Planet reports!!! The students will be working in school in small groups to teach their classmates about the 8 planets

Cursive- We will be working on our lower case letters,  upper case letters, and eventually be mastering our cursive autographs
      YOUNG AUTHOR WRITING CONTEST   

We have been  writing creative fictional stories :)
There is no minimum/maximum number of pages required.Stories should have an interesting beginning, middle,
and end.
Stories should include descriptive characters and
settings.
We are including a title page with title,
author first and last name, and a picture
Stories can also include illustrations throughout. 
Authors can bring a photograph of themself they'd
like to include :)

The Contest is sponsored through Trinity Christian
College in Palos Heights.
3 students will be chosen from each 3rd grade room.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 is the Festival, where
the top 6 third grade students will spend the morning
at Trinity Christian College,  with a teacher
chaperone (either Mrs. Loewe or Mrs. Bucko), 
meeting the featured author, working in small
groups with students from many different
Catholic/Christian schools from the Chicagoland area. Each small group is a writing workshop with education students from Trinity Christian College and the featured author.  Through activities during the writing workshop, students are continuing to  enhance their writing skills. 
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, anyone can go meet the featured author, Mr. Gary Schmidt at Trinity Christian College, where the books are for sale and can be autographed. 

I would like students to choose which story they'd
like to submit by the
end of the week (Friday, 02-02-24).
The following
week, I will print and bind the stories.
Then, they
will be read by a panel of teachers, who will be looking
for plot, descriptive language in setting and
characters.
HERE'S WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP!!!
Couls you please check in with your child and help
them decide which story they'd like to submit.
They might need help with
*If there are any details they nned to add or remove
*Capitalization
*Punctuation
*Sentence Structure
*Descriptive Language

I am conferencing with students, but a little
extra help would be appreciated!!! Thank you!!!



Sunday, 01-21-24

Dear Parents, 
     How did this weekend go so fast?! We have a full week ahead! We are in the process of completing our second i-Ready Diagnostics in Reading and Math. We work for about a half hour each day. We are also preparing for Catholic Schools Week as well as the Young Authors' Writing Contest. More info to follow. I will be conferencing with students this week to see where they're at with their stories.  We will want to choose a story they'd like to submit by the week of 02-05-24. We will have a good amount of class time to continue writing. Any questions, let me know!

Next Week:
Monday-Gym; Spelling Pretest
Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library; Grammar Test on Concrete/Abstract Nouns
Wednesday-Gym; Music; 
Thursday-Golden Ticket Dress Down Day; Computers; Spelling Choice Board are due; Unit 8 Vocabulary Workshop TEST
Friday- 8:30 Mass with Charger of the Month; Spelling TEST; Father Daughter Dance-Have fun!!!

Sunday- We kick off Catholic Schools Week with a 9:30 Family Mass followed by Open House until 12:00 noon


Religion- Chapter 5- Jesus Forgives and Heals
Spelling- Vocabulary Workshop Unit 8; Pretest is tomorrow tomorrow;  Choice Board (pick 3) is due Thursday; Test is Friday
Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 8- TEST will be Thursday
Grammar-There will be a short Test on Tuesday on Concrete and Abstract Nouns
Writing-Young Author Writing 
Reading- Penguin plays; StoryWorks
Math-We continue Multiplication Club, Xtra Math/Multiplication games each night; Unit 
Science- Sun, Moon, and Earth

Let's have a great week!

Monday, 01-15-24

Dear Parents and Students, 
     Tomorrow, Tuesday, 01-16-24, will be an e-learning day to the extremely cold temperatures. Below is our e-learning schedule.

Third Grade Remote Learning Schedule 

8:00- Get computer set up and materials for the morning. You will need: your Remote Learning folder, a pencil, glue stick, and scissors

8:15 - - Attendance taken (Go to the Stream in Google Classroom to get the Zoom invite)


8:30 -  Live instruction/morning meeting followed by independent work



10:30 - Live instruction followed by independent work, break for lunch/recess (Go back to the Google Classroom will have the Zoom or Google Meet invite)



1:30 - Live instruction/afternoon wrap up meeting, students who still need to complete tasks will complete independent work after meeting and check back with the teacher (Google Classroom will have the Zoom invite)



***** This schedule would assure several hours of live instruction and several hours of independent work. Students should have work completed for the day by 2:30.


Students access the zoom links through the Google Classroom stream. I will also post any additional information on the stream as well. I emailed a To-Do list for students in between our zooms. Any questions, please let me know! We have practiced! We are ready for e-learning, I hope?! It will be an easy, fun day. No stressing out-leave that to me :) Stay warm!
                                                            Mrs. Megan Loewe

Sunday, 01-14-24

Dear Parents, 
     I hope you're staying warm!!! Two more days of our long, but cold weekend. It turned out to be kind of a crazy end of our first week back from break?! However, the 3rd graders did a great job hosting today's 8:30 mass. We host one more in March.

    Stay tuned for information regarding possible remote learning on Tuesday, 01-16-24, due to the extreme cold temperatures. The students have their folders and materials (just in case). We are ready if the need for remote learning arises. 

    I know the students were excited to be back in school, but holy cow-were we chatty?! I know we'll be more aware of that next week. We have about 9 marbles in our Marble jar, I believe. We have to remember our actions affect our classmates! Let's continue to work as a team to earn those marbles and punches!!!

     We are planning on starting the 2nd i-Ready Diagnostic next week. A good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast always helps :) I will be giving each student a goal they want to try to reach this time. It will be halfway to their target goal for the year. There will be a reward for meeting that goal :) and for trying their best :)

Thank you SO much to everyone that was able to donate some Kleenex and supplies to our classroom. I really appreciate it! We have so many kind and generous families at St. Catherine. 

Next week:

Monday-NO SCHOOL- Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library; We will begin the second i-Ready diagnostic; 

Wednesday- Gym; Music; Brown's Chicken Special Lunch; Winter Break Reading Challenge Due; Math QUIZ

Thursday-Computers; TEST on Concrete/Abstract Nouns; Second Trimester Progress Reports-check Power School

Friday- 8:30 All School Mass

Religion-We continue Chapter 5- Jesus Forgives and Heals

Spelling- NONE

Grammar- We continue Concrete and Abstract Nouns; SHORT Test will be Thursday

Writing-We continue writing our fictional stories for the Young Author Writing Contest

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 8

Reading-We will continue to explore a variety of different genres in the latest StoryWorks

Math-We jump ahead to Unit 5; We also continue XtraMath and Multiplication Club-our Bravo board is looking amazing!

Science- Sun, Moon, Earth

Social Studies-We will wrap up our activities on Martin Luther King, Jr. 


Sunday, 01-07-24

Dear Parents, 
     Happy 2024!!!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a great break. As amazing as it was to relax and spend time with family and friends, I miss my students and am excited to see everyone tomorrow.  Classes resume TOMORROW on  Monday, 01-08-24!!! 

Some important reminders:

*Your child is probably in need of new pencils, crayons, markers!!!  Tomorrow,  I will give them the other half of their supplies I collected at the beginning of the year. (pencils, red pen, eraser, 2 glue sticks, and extra dry erase markers)

*The third grade is in desperate need of more Kleenex. We have had A LOT of runny noses!!! If you are willing and able, would you mind sending 1-2 boxes of Kleenex to help us replenish our supply. Thank you so much!


This Week:
Monday- Gym; Spelling Pretest- Digraphs

Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library

Wednesday- SCA Spirit Wear Dress Down; Gym; McDonald's Special Lunch;  Music; 1:00 Dismissal-There IS After Care

Thursday-Computers

Friday-8:30 Mass hosted by 3rd grade-join us if you can :) Reading parts will be going home tomorrow, so students can practice;  Spelling TEST

Religion- Chapter 5- Jesus Forgives and Heals

Spelling- Unit 14- Digraphs; Pretest is Monday; TEST will be Friday

Vocabulary Workshop- Unit 8

Grammar-Concrete and Abstract Nouns

Writing- We will be writing some goals for 2024! We continue writing stories for the Young Authors' Writing Contest

Reading- We will explore a variety of genres in StoryWorks; How is the Winter Break Reading Challenge coming along? Remember: It is due Wednesday, 01-17-24. Have fun with it!!!

Math-We continue Unit 3 where we will be relating multiplication and division; We will also begin MULTIPLICATION CLUB

Science- Mystery Science- Why is January the first month of the year? 

Social Studies-We'll start with a Current Events in Scholastic News focusing on 2023 in Review and also study the life and message of Martin Luther King, Jr. 


Saturday, 12-23-23

Dear Parents, 
     We made it!!! Happy Christmas Break! Thank you so much for all the thoughtful and generous gifts. I am truly blessed to be part of this amazing St. Catherine of Alexandria community. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy 2024!
     I will send another update closer to our classes resume date of Monday, 01-08-24, but here are a few things to consider over break :)

*Your child is probably in need of new pencils, crayons, markers!!! *Some other stocking stuffer ideas might include: books, flash cards, math games, etc. 

*After break, I will give them the other half of their supplies I collected at the beginning of the year. (pencils, red pen, eraser, 2 glue sticks, and extra dry erase markers)

*The third grade is in desperate need of more Kleenex. We have had A LOT of runny noses!!! If you are willing and able, would you mind sending 1-2 boxes of Kleenex to help us replenish our supply. Thank you so much!

*Mrs. Bucko and I sent home the Winter Break Reading Challenge on Thursday. It is due Wed, 01-17-24. We hope the kids have fun with reading over break! Any questions, let me know!


Have a wonderful break filled with family fun and relaxation!



December Choice Board

I've attached next week's Spelling Choice Board in case anyone would like to get started early. I apologize- I meant to send home yesterday. A hard copy will go home on Monday. The words are: 
Week of 12-18-23
Unit 13- VW-Uit 7

1. accuse
2. clever
3. coast
4. delicate
5. explore
6. imitate
7. pierce
8. rare
9. symbol
10. triumph


Saturday, 12-16-23

Dear Parents & Students, 
     Hello! Next week is our last week before Christmas break.That doesn't even seem possible! It will be a busy, but fun week, as we have lots of fun things planned. 
      If you haven't sent in a 4 x 6 vertical photo to Mrs. Hanrahan yet, please do ASAP! Your child will need it for an activity for our Classroom Christmas party on Thursday, 12-21-23 1:15-2:15 PM. You may send treats if you wish, but that is totally optional.
     Mrs. Bucko and I, as our Christmas gift to the 3rd graders, are planning a Hot Cocoa party on Monday, 12-18-23 1-2:30 PM. We will have hot cocoa with some assorted topping and a Christmas cookie while we watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Please let me know of any allergies. Students can dress down on Monday because we won the Golden ticket raffle with such good behavior in the hallway. So proud!
     This week, please check the Christmas Spirit Week schedule as there are a lot of special dress down daysThank you to our fabulous Student Council for planning some really nice activities this week :)
     On Wednesday, 12-20-23, we have the Christmas concert. There is a 1:15 PM show, as well as the 7:00 PM show. Students can wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters during the day.  Students should dress up for the 7:00 PM show. The students meet in the classroom around 6:30. You are invited to attend either or. both shows :)

This Week:
Sunday-3rd Week of Advent

Monday- Dress Down Day (just for 3rd grade); Gym; Spelling Pretest; Hot Cocoa/Movie Party 1:00-2:30 PM

Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library; Chocolate Fever TEST

Wednesday- Wear an Ugly Christmas Sweater; Gym; Music; Great American Bagel Special Lunch; Christmas Concert at 1:15 and at 7:00 PM

Thursday-Wear Christmas pajamas (no slippers)  Computers;Unit 7 Vocabulary Workshop TEST;  Our Classroom Christmas party 1:15-2:15 PM-thank you to Mrs. Hanrahan and her little elves

Friday- Dress Head to Toe Christmas (no onesies); 8:30 Mass; Spelling TEST; December i-Ready raffle; 11:30 Dismissal- NO Extended Care

Religion- We will finish up the year with some Advent/Christmas activities

Spelling- Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 7; Choice Board is due Thursday; TEST is Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 7- Test is Thursday; Practice online on Sadlier!

Grammar-Common/Proper Nouns

Reading-We wrap up Chocolate Fever with a TEST on Tuesday; We will also watch a short cartoon version of the novel and compare them; We also have an escape room type of activity we will do with partners

Math-We will be solving "The Case of the Selfish Elf"

Science-We will continue the life cycle of a conifer by decorating our very own Christmas tree

Social Studies-We continue Santa's Flight Path



Saturday, 12-09-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
     Hello! I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be back in school on Thursday and Friday! Just seeing those smiling faces and hearing the squeals of excitement made me feel 1000% better! Your children are the sweetest. They made the nicest get well cards and even a Welcome Back poster. They are always so helpful. They were the best medicine I had in over two weeks! We spent the last couple days just going over what they completed with the substitutes, so I could see how myself how they did. 

I finally caught up on grading and PowerSchool which has been updated. I apologize for the delay. The 2nd Trimester if off to a great start! Work Folders went home today instead of yesterday. Please review, sign, and return. Any questions, let me know!

Is it really only 2 weeks until Christmas? We have. lots of fun Christmas activities coming up! Speaking of, if you haven't sent in a labeled 4 x6 vertical picture to Mrs. Hanrahan, please
send it in as soon as possible. Our Classroom Christmas party is scheduled for Thursday, 12-21-23. 

This Week
:

Sunday-Second Week of Advent

Monday- Gym; Spelling Pretest; i-Ready Raffle!!!

Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library; Unit One Review Grammar TEST; Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe 

Wednesday- 1:00 Dismissal- NO AFTER CARE!!! Brown's Chicken Special Lunch; SCA School Spirit Dress Down (free) Gym; Music; VW Unit 6 TEST (they are ready!!!)

Thursday-Computers

Friday- 8:30 All School Mass; Spelling TEST

Religion-We will honor the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tuesday; We continue Advent and preparing for Christmas; We will also begn Chapter 5- Jesus Forgives and Heals

Reading- We will finish up Chocolate FeverThere will be a Final test NEXT week; Some kids accepted the Matilda challenge. Ask them about it :)

Spelling-Three Letter Blends; Pretest is Monday; Test is Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 6; TEST is Wednesday

Grammar-We will finish reviewing for the Unit One Review TEST on Wednesday; Students will need to identify parts of speech in a sentence-they had trouble wit this today; We will do a KaHoot on Monday; There are resources available under Grammar Practice in Google Classroom as well. Then, we will begin Common & Proper Nouns

Writing-A letter with more information will be coming home shortly, but the kids have started writing fictional stories for the Young Author Writing Contest hosted by Trinity College. 

Math-Unit 3- Multiplication & Division; We will also start Multiplication on XtraMath-keep practicing those facts!

Science-The Life Cycle of a Conifer (Christmas Tree)

Social Studies- We will continue our States practice while we are tracking Santa's flight path :)


Have a great weekend! It's the most wonderful time of the year, but definitely the BUSIEST!!!




Monday,  12-04-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
    Hello!  I apologize for another late update. I am still fighting this infection, so I more than likely will be out until Wednesday. I am missing you all so much!!! I have to tell you how many people have reached out and commented how well behaved and hard-working our class has been. Keep working hard! Hang in there. I'll be back soon. 
   We have a busy week! Today, the kids prepared for tomorrow's Reconciliation. It will be our turn around 11:00. On Wednesday, we will celebrate St. Nicholas Day, as well as visit Santa's Secret Shop from 10:10-10:40. We also have a slot on Thursday 9:35-10:05 for anyone who is absent.  December Beyond the Books starts this week. Since I will still be out tomorrow, any ELF students will have fun with Mrs. Bucko tomorrow.  On Friday, it is the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. We will celebrate with an all-school 10:00 Mass followed by Charger of the Month :)

In other news, we have been given a challenge by 6th grader, Kate Guardi. It is to read the story Matilda by Roald Dahl. Kate has created a Google Form Challenge. I have 6 books in our classroom library, but students are more than welcome to hit the SCA library tomorrow or the Oak Lawn Library. Excited for is to accept this challenge!

Just a reminder- at our Classroom Christmas party on Thursday, 12-21-23, the students will be making a Christmas ornament. They will need a vertical 4 x 6 picture. Please send in a sandwich bag or envelope and label ATTENTION: Mrs. Hanrahan/Mrs. Loewe's class. So fun!

This Week:
Monday-Gym; Spelling Pretest

Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Reconciliation; Library; Beyond the Books

Wednesday-Happy St. Nicholas Day!!! Gym; Santa's Secret Shop 10:10-10:40 Music; McDonald's Special Lunch

Thursday-Computers; Beyond the Books

Friday-Feast if the Immaculate Conception All-School Mass at 10:00 followed by the Charger of the Month; Spelling TEST

Religion-Reconciliation; St. Nicholas; Advent; Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Spelling-Words with Silent Letters; packet is due Thursday; TEST is FRIDAY

Grammar- Common/Proper Nouns

Writing-Students will be writing a variety of fictional narratives on Google Classroom; 

Vocabulary Workshop- We will continue to review Unit 6

Reading-We continue Chocolate Fever

Math-Unit 3- Multiplication & Division

Science-The Life Cycle of a Conifer/Germs & Staying Healthy :)

Social Studies- The Boston Tea Party

Tuesday, 11-28-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
     Hello! I apologize for the late update. I've been battling a fever since Saturday night. It kinda knocked me out on Sunday and Monday. I was out today at the doctor = Walking pneumonia : ( I'll be out the next couple days, but hope to be back on Friday! I miss all the kiddos!
     I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and break. Loved seeing those smiling faces at the Turkey Bowl. How fun!!!
     i-Ready News- Again, we are approaching the end of the month, so it's almost time for the Room 212 i-Ready Raffle. It is scheduled for Friday. In XtraMath news, almost everyone has passed subtraction. If you haven't, you should be practicing every day!  You can do it! We will start Multiplication on XtraMath shortly. Also coming soon: Array City and Multiplication Club!!!

This Week:

Monday-Gym; Report Cards go home :)
Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library
Wednesday- Gym; Music; Culvers
Thursday-Computers
Friday- 8:30 Mass; i-Ready Raffle; Spelling Test


Religion-Chapter 4- Jesus Teaches Us To Pray
Spelling- Unit 10-Long e; Test is Friday
Grammar-Unit One Review and DOL sentences
Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 6
Reading-We continue Chocolate Fever
Math-Unit 3- Multiplication and Division
Science- Mystery Science- Football; The Life Cycle of a Conifer
Social Studies-States and State Capitals


Friday, 11-17-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
     Happy End of the First Trimester! How are we feeling? How did it go? Am I the only pne who thinks it has flown by?! I look back at all the things we've learned?! We have worked so hard! I appreciate it! But..... let's keep it up for the second trimester!
Report cards go home on Monday, 11-27-23 (after Thanksgiving) 

     With the second trimester comes: Multiplication, Advent, Christmas Concert,  Christmas, service projects, the Young Author Writing Contest, and more.

     Here is our schedule the last couple days before Thanksgiving.

Friday, 11-17-23- No After Care; Holiday Wishes Vendor Night 6-10 PM

Sunday, 11-19-23- SCA Men's Club is sponsoring a Non-Perishable and Paper product Drive (ends today)

MondayGym

TuesdayArt; Spanish; Library; Thanksgiving Prayer Service at 10:00 am

Wednesday- NO SCHOOL

Thursday- Happy Thanksgiving! NO SCHOOL!!!

Friday- NO SCHOOL

Monday- Classes resume; Report Cards go home :)

Religion- We will be doing some GRATITUDE activities and begin Chapter 4- Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray

Spelling- NONE

Grammar/Writing-We will finish up Irregular Plural Nouns; TEST is Tuesday

Vocabulary Workshop-We begin Unit 6

Reading-We continue Chocolate FeverThanks for ALL the pictures of you reading together for our  Illinois Family Reading Night slides. I loved seeing them!!! You can still send pics via email if you'd like to :)

Math-We will be doing a Thanksgiving Escape room where we can show off our introductory Multiplication skills; If you have not completed XtraMath, please practice over the weekend and over Thanksgiving break as well!

Science-We'll be doing a 3rd grade switch with Mrs. Bucko's class; Mrs. Bucko has a Thanksgiving STEM project for you

Social Studies-We wil focus on the first Thanksgiving






Sunday, 11-12-23

Dear 3rd grade Parents and Students, 
     It was so nice seeing so many of you at 9:30 mass today. You did a great job on the song! I hope you had a good weekend! They go so fast!!! We have a pretty quiet week ahead. Friday, 11-17-23 marks the end of the first trimester. That's hard to believe?!

Monday-Gym; Spelling Pretest
Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library
Wednesday-Gym; Music; short Math Quiz on 2.9 & 2.10
Thursday- Computers; Vocabulary Workshop Unit 5 TEST
Friday-8:30 Mass; Spelling Test; Scholastic Book Fair 1:00-1:25; Vendor Fair

Religion-We begin Chapter 4- Jesus Teaches Us To Pray

Spelling-VW Unit 5; Choice Board-pick 3-is due Thursday; Test is Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-Unit 5; Test will be Thursday

Grammar/Writing-Irregular Plural Nouns

Reading-We begin our novel study on Chocolate Fever by
Robert Kimmel Smith

Math-We'll be finishing uo Unit 2; There will be a short quiz on 2.9 & 2.10 on Wednesday

Science-We continue the Life Cycle of a Pumpkin

Social Studies-The First Thanksgiving


Saturday, 11-04-23

Dear Parents  Students, 
     Hello! I hope you're having a great weekend. I think I'm still recovering from how busy last week was?!? We had a fun marble party watching Coco and snacking on our Dia de los Muertos marshmallows :) Pictures are posted. 
We hosted the All Saints Day Mass beautifully. The students did such a great job. We received numerous compliments on the reverence and respectful ways we read, participated, and sang. Looking ahead: The 3rd grade Family Mass is Sunday, 11-12-23 at 9:30 AM. Please join us :) There are refreshments after Mass!
We continue XtraMath with a goal of passing addition and subtraction by the end of next week because we have started MULTIPLICATION. I have asked students to do at least one lesson every day and over the weekend. Ask your child about multiplying by 0, 1, or 2? Next week, we will learn the 5's, 10's, and 11's. 
Unfortunately, we had some students sit out of half of recess due to missing homework. Please try to initial assignment books to make sure homework assignments are completed and back in their backpacks. Please remind students the responsibility is theirs. 

Sunday- Daylight Savings Time-Clocks go back an hour; Attend Mass with your family

Monday- Gym 
Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library
Wednesday- 1:00 Dismissal-Dress Spirit Wear; There is AfterCare available; Gym; Music; Short Math Quiz on 2.7 & 2.8- Study workbook pages 
Thursday- Computers; Grammar Test on Plural Nouns
Friday-NO SCHOOL- Archdiocesan Professional Development

Religion-We continue Chapter 3- We Show Love for Others

Spelling- NONE

Reading-We will read through the play "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" one more time on Monday; We will also be starting a novel study on the book Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith

Vocabulary Workshop-We continue Unit 5

Grammar/Writing-We will finish up Plural Nouns with a short TEST on Thursday

Math-As mentioned earlier, we will learn how to multiply by 5, 10, and 11. We also continue Unit 2; We will have a short QUIZ on 2.7 &2.8 on Wednesday

Science-We continue The Life Cycle of a Pumpkin

Social Studies-We will read about Veterans' Day; We will also begin our first Thanksgiving Pilgrim project-more details to come!

Sunday, 10-29-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
     Hello! I hope you had a great weekend! Man-do they go fast?! It was so fun to see so many of you at Trunk or Treat. It was a fun night despite the rain :) Thank you to the Heidemann's and all the volunteers! We have a fun week ahead!
     One of our goals for the next week or so it to pass both addition and subtraction in XtraMath as we will be starting MULTIPLICATION!!! I am going to ask students who need to pass to work on XtraMath every day. 
    In addition to our Halloween activities, we also are celebrating the end of Red Ribbon Week. Our classroom theme was "Say BOO to Drugs". We talked about what we wanted to be when we grow up, bad habits vs. good habits, and staying healthy :)

MondayGym; Spelling Pretest; Our classroom Halloween party is 1:15-2:15-you may send in treats if you wish-thank you to Mrs. Hanrahan and helpers for organizing

TuesdayHappy Halloween! Students may wear school appropriate costumes; Mrs. Bucko and I will be doing separate Halloween activities with the boys and girls :)Art; Spanish; Halloween parade at 1:00 followed by Red Ribbon Week games in the gym. So fun! Thanks, Student Council!

Wednesday-All Saints' Day! 3rd grade will be hosting the 10:00 Mass-join us if you can; Just a quick note- We have another grade level mass in March and a Family mass in November, so all students who want to volunteer for a mass part will get a turn between the three masses; Picture Retakes; Gym; Music; Coco Marble party- we will watch the movie Coco and have a Coco inspired treat; El Dia de los Muertos Skull Coloring contest winners will be announced :)

Thursday-All Souls' Day- we will offer prayers to our ofrenda and remember our loved ones who have passed away. Thank you for sharing your pics. They will be returned next week. Computers

Friday- 8:30 Mass; Spelling Test

Religion- We celebrate All Saints' Day & All Souls' Day; Chapter 3- We Show Love for Others

Spelling- Unit 8- long i &u; Pretest is Monday; Test will be Friday

Vocabulary Workshop- We continue Unit 5

Grammar/Writing-We continue Plural Nouns

Reading-We finish up "Don't Ask Me Why"; We'll read a Halloween story and a nonfiction text about pumpkins

Math-We will do a Halloween Math Scoot and continue Unit 2; We will also be starting MULTIPLICATION

Science- We will be doing a Halloween STEM activity as well as continue the life cycle of a pumpkin

Social Studies-Communities

Sunday, 10-22-23

Dear Parents and  Students, 
     Hello! I hope you had a great weekend! Sorry this is coming out so late. It was a busy weekend! I want to apologize for being absent a couple days over the last couple weeks. My sciatica has been  acting up :( I have a procedure scheduled for Wednesday. Hopefully, it does the trick. Fingers crossed! I hate missing days! However, the students have been so helpful.  have received so many compliments on their respectful behavior and how well they followed established classroom routines :)

It was so nice to meet so many grand friends on Wednesday. I hope they enjoyed the visit. I know the kids did. Photos will be posted soon. 

Red Ribbon Week begins on Wednesday, 10-25-23 and runs through Tuesday, 10-31-23. Please note any special events this week. Thank you Student Council :)

MondayGym; Mystery Reader; Spelling Pretest; Eat & Earn at Canes from 4-8

TuesdayRosary; Art; Spanish, Library; Short Pronoun Test; Beyond the Books

WednesdayI will be out today- Happy Red Ribbon Week- It's Wacky Wednesday- Students may wear wacky hair and/or wacky socks with your gym uniform; Gym; Music; Culver's; Unit 4 Vocabulary Workshop Test

Thursday- Take a Vacation from Bad Habits- students can wear sunglasses, leis, Hawaiian/tropical/summer shirts, beach hats, shorts, huls skirt; Computers; short Math Quiz on 2.7 & 2.8; Beyond the Books

Friday- USA Away the Drugs; Show off your best red, white, and Blue; Red Ribbon Week raffles throughout the day; 8:30 Mass; Spelling TEST; Baby Bottles are due; TRUNK OR TREAT

Religion- Chapter 3- We Show Love for Others

Spelling- Unit 7- long o; Pretest is Monday; packet is due Thursday; Test is Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-We finish up Unit 4 with a
Test on Wednesday

Grammar/Writing- We finish up Pronouns with a short Test on TuesdayNext, we begin Plural Nouns

Reading-We continue StoryWorks

Math- We continue Chapter 2; We'll be working on 2.7- Decomposing Numbers to subtract and 2.8-Adjusting Numbers to Add & Subtract

Science-We will be doing some Halloween Mystery Science and continue the Life Cycle of a Pumpkin

Social Studies-Communities
                          Looking Ahead:
*We will be having our Classroom Halloween party on Monday, 10-30-23. Students can bring treats to pass out if they wish

*Students may wear school appropriate costumes to school. Weather permitting, we will have a Halloween parade on Tuesday, 10-31-23  at 1:00 PM-you are more than welcome to join us :)

*The 3rd graders are hosting the All Saints' Day 8:30 Mass on Wednesday, 11-01-23. More details to come! 

*Picture Retakes are Wednesday, 11-01-23

Sunday, 10-15-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
     I hope everyone had a fun Walk-a-Thon day. I was sad to miss it :( Thank you to the Walk-a-Thon committee and School Advisory Board for a fun day, the hot dogs lunch, and popsicles. We have the best parent volunteers around! 
     Please sign and return Progress Reports, White Envelopes, and Work Folders if you haven't done so already. In Thursday's White Envelope, students brought home an Oak Lawn Fire Safety Coloring/Activity Book. If they are interested in participating in the Coloring Contest,  entries must be submitted by Monday, 12-04-23 . 
     Our class will be creating an "ofrenda" to celebrate El Dia de Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). Please send a photo by Friday, 10-27-23 of a loved one who has passed in a freezer bag that you would like to add to our altar board. Please make sure your name is on it. Also, 3rd grade will be busy next week creating a hallway bulletin board dedicated to the Rosary :)

Time sure is flying! We have another busy week ahead!

Monday-Gym; Chapter 2 Religion TEST
Tuesday-Art; Spanish; LibraryBeyond the Books
Wednesday- Gym; Music;Great American Bagel; Short Math QUIZ GRANDFRIENDS DAY 1:30-2:30-Session 1-1:30-1:50 & Session 2- 2:00-2:20
Thursday-Computers; Beyond the Books
Friday-8:30 MassSpelling TEST

Religion-We finish us Chapter 2-The Church Welcomes Us  with a TEST tomorrow; Use pages 47 & 48 as a Study guide; We'll also be creating a Rosary Booklet as we begin Chapter 3- We Show Love for Others
Spelling-Long a words; Pretest is Monday; packets are due Thursday; TEST is Friday
Grammar/Writing-We focus on Pronouns and building descriptive sentences
Vocabulary Workshop-We continue Unit 4
Reading-We continue StoryWorks
Math-We continue Unit 2; There will be a short quiz on 2.5 & 2.6 on Wednesday
Science-We move on to the Life Cycle of a Pumpkin
Social Studies-The Titantic



Friday, 10-06-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
     I hope you're enjoying the day off! Thanks to all who came to our "Halfway through the first Trimester" Parent Teacher Conferences. It was so nice chatting with you about how well your children have transitioned into 3rd grade. Please sign and return those white Progress Reports and return on Tuesday along with White Envelopes and Work Folders. If you have any follow-up questions, please let me know! Try to fill those baby bottles! We're rolling along :)

Reminder: There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, 10-09-23!!! On Saturday, there is a "Blessing of the Pets" at 9:30 AM in the East Parking lot. The Pet slideshow can be seen on your child's Google Classroom stream! 

Next week, the kids will begin tracking their daily progress on Math and Reading i-Ready. We will complete 10 minutes each morning in Math and 15 minutes each afternoon in Reading. Our goal each week is to pass 2 lessons in Math and 2 lessons in Reading. Every lesson passed  earns your child an i-Ready raflle ticket! Lessons passed with a 100% will earn bonus tickets! I will pull tickets each month!

FYI-the photo section of our web page has been uploaded!
On Tuesday, we continue saying the rosary as a hallway and school. I have plenty to share if your child needs to borrow one. They did a great job last Tuesday!

Friday-NO SCHOOL!
Saturday-Pet Blessing 9:30 AM in the East Parking lot
Sunday- Attend Mass with your family
Monday- NO SCHOOL!
Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library; Spelling Pretest; Beyond the Books
Wednesday- Gym; Music; Adverb TEST; Special Lunch- Brown's Chicken; Choir; 1:00 Dismissal-Spirit Wear-there IS Extended Care
Thursday- Computers; Beyond the Books
Friday- 8:30 Mass; Spelling TEST; Hot Dog & Chips for lunch! Walk-a-Thon (Students may wear Walk-a-Thon t-shirts, SCA t-shirts/bottoms; Students may wear shorts; Students should wear gym shoes.  We walk from 1:00-1:30 . Then at 2:00, we will wrap up with a popsicle treat and DJ. Unfortunately, I will be out that day getting an MRI :(

Have a great weekend! Thanks for ALL you do!

Mrs. Megan Loewe

Friday, 09-29-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
     TGIF!!! We had a fun week with all things APPLES!!! Thank you for sending in apples to share. I am attaching the applesauce recipe we made today :) First, we washed the apples, peeled them, cored them, and diced them into small chunks. The crockpot worked awesome and made our room smell amazing! More photos of our apple activities to be posted shortly. 

      Congrats to Brady Kelleher as our first Charger of the Month, which focussed on the trait of being CONSIDERATE. We are all always striving to show our Charger traits of: being considerate,  helpful, accepting, responsible, generous, and encouraging.  

How is next week October? In the month of October, we will be saying the rosary together. If students have a rosary they'd like to bring next week, they may do so. Otherwise, I do have plenty to share. On October 4, we will celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi by watching a slideshow of our pets (past and present). If interested, please send a picture via email by Monday, 10-02-23. 

Also, school uniforms begin on Tuesday, 10-03-23 for us since we have Gym on Monday. l look forward to chatting with you on Thursday, 10-05-23 at Parent Teacher Conferences. If there's anything special you'd like to discuss, please include it on your Pre-Conference Survey sent home yesterday. It is also the day to check into Power School to check averages in each subject. Please sign up for a conference if you haven't done so :) There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, 10-06-23 or Monday, 10-09-23.

I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for your continued support and cooperation. It is appreciated!!!


Monday-Gym
Tuesday-School Uniforms begin; Art; Spanish; Library
Wednesday-Gym; Music;Math Quiz on 2.3 &2.4;  Special Lunch-McDonalds
Thursday-Computers; Vocabulary Workshop Unit 3 TEST; Progress Reports; 11:30 Dismissal; Parent Teacher Conferences 12-7 PM
Friday- NO SCHOOL

Saturday, 10-07-23- Annual Pet Blessing in the East parking lot @ 9:30 AM
Monday, 10-09-23- 
 NO SCHOOL- Happy Columbus Day!


Religion-We continue Chapter 2- The Church Welcomes Us; Bring a rosary(if you have one)

Spelling-None

Vocabulary Workshop-We continue Unit 3; TEST will be Thursday, 10-05-23

Grammar/Writing-We will focus on Adverbs and creating descriptive sentences using all of the parts of speech we have been learning about. 

Reading-We will finish up our Johnny Appleseed booklets. A few students left their books at home. Please bring on Monday; We will also explore some different genres in StoryWorks

Science-We continue the Life Cycle of Plants, more specifically, the apple. 

Social Studies-Growth Mindset activities


Dear Parents and Students, 
     I hope everyone enjoyed the day off yesterday! We had a fun Pep Rally on Thursday. Thanks, SCA Student Council!!! It is St. Catherine's Homecoming on Sunday, 09-24-23. Come cheer on the Chargers!!!
     We have a fun week ahead celebrating Johnny Appleseed's birthday across the curriculum! I am asking every student to bring in an apple by Wednesday. It can be any color. kind, or size. We will be using them for some activities, but we will turn them into applesauce on Friday! I don't see any food allergies listed, but please let me know if your child has any food allergies. 
     The sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences went out in the last Charger Check In. I look forward to chatting with you on Thursday, 10-05-23! One more week of gym uniforms. Regular school uniforms begin on Monday, 10-02-23. However, we have gym on Mondays and Wednesdays, so it will be Tuesday, 10-03-23 for us!

This Week:
Saturday (today)- 4:00 Mass for Football & Poms
Sunday-SCA Homecoming : Flag- 9:30 10:45 Parade;  4th-12:00 5/6th-1:30 7/8th-3:00 all at PIE; Homecoming Party at Lawn Manor
Monday-Dress Down in yellow/gold/orange for $1 to support Pediatric Cancer Research; Math Quiz on 2.1 & 2.2 (Different Ways to Represent Numbers & Rounding to the Nearest ten and hundred) Gym; Eat & Earn at Andy's Custard 4-8 PM

Tuesday-Happy Birthday, Johnny Appleseed!!! Art; Spanish; Library; Unit 2 Vocabulary Workshop TEST; Beyond the Books

Wednesday-Culver's Special Lunch; Liam's Last Day- we will have a little going away party with both rooms and give him a good send off; Gym; Music

Thursday-Computers; short Adjective TEST; Beyond the Books

Friday-8:30 Mass; Spelling TEST; Applesauce!!!


Religion-We continue Chapter 2- The Church Welcomes Us

Spelling-This week's words are Vocabulary Workshop Unit 3 words; Choice Board is due Thursday; TEST will be Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-We will take a  TEST on Unit 2 on Tuesday; Then, we begin Unit 3 (which are our Spelling words for the week)

Grammar/Writing-We continue Adjectives; short TEST will be Thursday
 

Reading-We will be reading about Apples and Johnny Appleseed

Math-QUIZ on 2.1 (Ways to represent numbers: standard, expanded, word, place value blocks, and place value chart) &2.2 (rounding to the nearest ten and hundred) on Monday; Students have workbook pages in their Home folders to study. The Quiz is very similar to those types of questions; We continue Unit 2

Science-We will explore the life cycle of apples, and create an apple trapper

Social Studies-We continue to sharpen our geography and map skills as we follow Johnny Appleseed's journey across the United States. 

I look forward to a fun week!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Sunday, 09-17-23

Dear Parents and Students, 
Hello! The weekends go by so fast?! Hope everyone had a nice one! Thank you for all the lovely birthday cards and messages. They made my day :) The kids solve a subtraction problem to figure out my age. That was fun?!

This week, we have NO SCHOOL on Friday, 09-22-23, so we have a short week. Due to the short week, I sent the "Math in Spelling" List home on Friday along with a Choice Board, which is due Wednesday, 09-20-23.  Please attach any activities to the cover page. Have fun with it! . 

Most students have completed both Reading and Math i-Ready Diagnostic. For any that haven't, they will be finishing up this week. I will be discussing those results at Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, 10-05-23. Save the date!!! The sign will be coming out at the end of this week. Please note- Regular school uniforms (on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays) begin on Monday, 10-02-23. 

This week, I will be emailing a quick summary of missing/late homework. How is homework going on your end? Don't hesitate to let me know if it's taking a long time or seems too difficult. Also, I know we have a lot of tests scheduled for this week This is not the norm.  They are not huge tests. I have every confidence that the students are prepared ;)

The students have been busy earning punches on their punch cards. Let's keep it up! 

This Week:
Monday- Gym; Spelling Pretest
Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library; short Verbs Test; Beyond the Books
Wednesday- Gym; SCHOOL PICTURES; Wolf! Reading Test; Special Lunch- Great American Bagel
Thursday-Computers; Spelling Test; 1:30 Homecoming Pep Rally in the gym- SCA Spirit Wear!! Show your School Spirit! ; Beyond the Books
Friday- No SCHOOL! Teacher PD Day

Religion-Chapter 2- The Church Welcomes Us
Spelling- "Math in Spelling" List; Pretest will be tomorrow; Choice Board (Pick 3) is due Wednesday; Test will be Thursday (due to the short week)
Vocabulary Workshop- Unit 2

Reading-We continue the skill of visualizing and describing a character by their wants/needs, feelings, actions, and words as we continue The BFG read-aloud as well as the story "Wolf"; There will be a short Vocabulary/Comprehension Test on Wednesday on "Wolf!".
Grammar/Writing-We wrap up Verbs with a short test on Tuesday; Then, we move on to Adjectives
Math-We continue "Use Place Value to Fluently Add & Subtract within 1000". We will work on:rounding mult-digit numbers, estimating sums, and using addition properties to add
Sscience-We continue "The Life Cycle of Plants" I am kindly asking that each student bring in an apple of any kind by Wednesday, 09-27-23 please :)
Social Studies- We will be reading about Hurricane Helpers as well as focusing on map skills, especially the 7 Continents and Oceans


Sunday, 09-10-23

Hello! I apologize for the late update/email. Busy weekend?! I hope you had a nice one enjoying the beautiful Fall weather. It's hard to believe we've been back in school almost a month. We've been busy getting acclimated to our classroom procedures, textbooks, workbooks, Google Classroom, games, and websites. We've been earning punches and marbles for being kind and best behavior as well as having line and table competitions. 

Last week, we continued our Reading/Math i-Ready Diagnostic tests. We'll continue this week as well. We also jumped into our subjects ;) We continue this week. How are things going? Like homework? Any concerns or questions, let me know!

There are grades added to Power School. If you're having trouble accessing that, please let me know. We'll try to get that figured out. Looking ahead: Progress Reports go home on Thursday, 10-05-23. That is also the day of the first Parent Teacher Conferences. 

This Week:
Monday-Gym; Patriot Day- we remember 09-11; Spelling Unit 2 Pretest
Tuesday-Art; Spanish; Library; Beyond the Books
Wednesday-Gym; Music; Special Lunch- 1:00 Dismissal (There is After Care); Spirit Wear
Thursday-Computers; Beyond the Books; Chapter 1 Religion Test
Friday- 8:30 Mass; Unit 2 Spelling Test

Religion-We finish up Chapter 1- The Holy Spirit Guides Us with a TEST on Thursday, 09-14-23; Use pages 35-36 as a Study Guide

Spelling-Unit 2- Short e, o, and u; Pretest is tomorrow; Packet will be due Thursday; TEST is Friday

Vocabulary Workshop-We did great on our Unit 1 Tests; they will be coming home in Thursday's Work Folders; This week, we begin Unit 2

Grammar/Writing- Verbs

Reading-Lots of fun Reading activities this week! We explore our first Wonders stories and practice the skill pf visulaizing; On Wednesday, 09-13-23, we will celebrate Roald Dahl's birthday by starting out next read-aloud The BFG. On Friday, 09-15-23, we celebrate Dot Day by reading The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds and continue our visualization skills. 

Math- Use Place Value to Fluently Add & Subtract Within 1,000; we also continue practice our Fact Fluency on XtraMath each night for homework; We'll also continue some math centers practicing facts and place value

Science-We begin exploring The Life Cycles of Plants

Social Studies-Patriot Day


I look forward to another great week!


Friday, 09-01-23

T.G.I.F.!!!! I hope you have a great holiday weekend. Happy Labor Day!!! Thanks again to all that were able to attend Back to School Night. If you haven't done so, please return the signature form from the second page of the  Back to School packet. How did you do on your kid quizzes??? If you have any questions regarding the slide show or packet or anything I forgot to mention, please let me know, 

I know one thing I didn't talk a lot about was Power School. If you are not able to log in or are having technical difficulties, let me or Mrs. O in the office know. I try to update Power School at least once a week. 

Next week, we'll continue our Reading i-Ready Diagnostic and then venture onto our Math i-Ready Diagnostic! We'll continue to try our very best each day! The initial scores are one way Math & Reading Resource students are determined.

We struggled a little the end of the week with: bringing key rings home and then back to school, completing XtraMath practice each day; bringing a snack, and returning Spelling corrections 3x each on Friday :( I know we'll get the hang on homework!. Please continue to initial the assignment book each night. I appreciate your help!

Next Week:
Monday- Happy Labor Day! No School! Enjoy the day off
Tuesday- Art, Spanish, Library
Wednesday- Gym; Music; Short TEST on NOUNS (We'll do together)
Thursday-Computers; Unit 1 Vocabulary Workshop TEST
Friday- 8:30 Mass; Unit 1 Spelling TEST

Religion- We continue Chapter 1- The Holy Spirit Guides Us

Spelling-We finish up Unit 1- Short a & i with a review game; Packets are due Thursday; TEST is FRIDAY

Vocabulary Workshop-We wrap up Unit 1 with a TEST on Thursday, 09-07-23; the Sadlier website has great practice games. It would be a great way to review and study.

Grammar/Writing-We finish up NOUNS; We will have a very short TEST on Wednesday

Reading- We will continue our read-aloud How to Be Cool in the Third Grade as well as starting our Wonders story "

Math-We start our new series by discussing how we use Math in our everyday lives and begin with Unit 2- Use Place Value to Fluently Add and Subtract within 1,000

Science-Some more STEM activities and a new Scholastic News

Social Studies- We continue The Fantastic Elastic Brain as well as a couple more Growth Mindest activities


Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!


Sunday, 08-27-23

Hello again! Each weekend, I update our class web page and send out a group email of what's in store for us the next week. If you happen to be checking out the web page, but did NOT
receive an email, please let me know at: [email protected]

The temperatures look much better next week as we dive into our subjects. We will also have all of our specials. Our special classes are also listed in the Special Schedule tab.  Like I said in an earlier email, we will also begin our i-Ready Diagnostic testing. Students will need a fully charged Chrome book and charger, as well as headphones. We will test a little each day, beginning with Reading. Students are encouraged to just do the best they can :)



Next Week:
Monday- Gym; Math Resource begins

Tuesday- Art; Spanish; Library

Wednesday-Gym; MusicBack to School Night 6:30-8:00 PM- Hope to see you then :)

Thursday-Computers; Uni1 1 Spelling Pretest (Final TEST will be Friday, 09-08-23)

Friday-8:30 Mass

Monday, 09-04-23- Happy Labor Day! NO SCHOOL!


Religion- The Holy Spirit Guides Us

SpellingUnit 1-Short a & i; Pretest is Thursday, 08-31-23; TEST will be Friday, 09-08-23

Vocabulary WorkshopUnit 1- there are practice games available on www.sadlierconnect.com. There is a link with direction on our Google Classroom.

Grammar/Writing-Nouns; TEST will be FRIDAY, 09-01-23

Reading-We continue our read-aloud How to be Cool in the Third Grade

Math-We will be introducing Place Value through lessons and some Math Centers/Games while we are transitioning to a new book.

Social Studies-We will be reading the The Fantastic Elastic Brain 

Science-We continue some STEM activities while also investigating scientific questions through Mystery Science (also linked on our Google Classroom)


Any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me via email or note. Have a great week!

Friday, 08-25-23

Dear Parents, 
T.G.I.F.!!! We survived our first week of 3rd grade!!! The kids did a great job adjusting to new classroom procedures, labeling supplies and books, and working as a class team :) Last week, we did some getting to know you activities and had some back to school fun! Check out our Photos tab!

The students received their Chromebook and their charger today. They also received their gmail address and practiced entering their new passwords. Please charge fully to 100% over the weekend and return on Monday fully charged. Chargers stay at home. Ms. Soch said they could use their Chrome books for school related activities. I suggested they practice logging in and exploring our class webpage through www.scaoaklawn.org. You click Academics> Classroom pages>Mrs. Megan Loewe. If you haven't yet, please be sure to return the Chromebook agreement from Packet Pick Up. Students should charge their Chrome books every evening, so they are ar 100% Next week, we will be joining our Google Classroom. 

We will also be starting the i-Ready Diagnostic. Students will need their headphones for this. It will last from the week of 08-28-23 to the end of the week of 09-03-23. We will be testing in Reading first followed by Math. We test  in small increments, about 20-30 minutes a day. Students are encouraged not to stress, just do their best :)

I will be starting my weekly newsletter/emails this weekend. This information will include our weekly schedule and what is being covered in each subject. It is also posted on this page of our class web page. In my first group email, I am asking you to write a quick reply, so I know I have your correct email address. Thank you so much for filling out the information about your child. It is appreciated!!! 

I look forward to a fantastic year! Have a great weekend!

                                                       Mrs. Megan Loewe
August 2023

Hello, 3rd grade Parents and Students,
My name is Megan Loewe. I am so excited to be back at St. Catherine of Alexandria a second year to teach third grade as I begin my 26th year of teaching in Catholic education. As a student, I attended St. Bede the Venerable, Mother McAuley High School, and graduated from Saint Xavier University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. St. Catherine is where my teaching career began way back in 1998. I also taught third grade at St. Bede the Venerable for 16 years. I taught K-5 Title I Reading in Worth for 1 year. Before returning to St. Catherine of Alexandria, my last 5 years were spent at St. Christina. For two of those years, I taught second grade. The last three, I had a fifth grade homeroom, and taught ELA (Grammar & Writing) to 5th &6th grade.

Through my years in education, my philosophy of teaching has been to create a mutually respect between myself and my students while engaging them in their learning through fun and meaningful work.

My husband. Michael, and I have been married for over 15 years. Our 10 year old son, Colin, attends 5h grade at St. Catherine. We are now completely a Charger family!!!


I look forward to a great year ahead!!!

Mrs. Megan Loewe