What's on deck for this week.

This week will be a busy one for the fifth graders.They have a quiz in science on seeds tomorrow.  Two math exercises - one on Tuesday and one on Friday.  Vocabulary exercise on Thursday.  We will have a pre-exercise on Wednesday.  Encourage your children to start studying NOW.  Social Studies this unit is all about England.  We will read, discuss, and take notes in class as well as complete review questions and learning masters.  These are all tool designed to help you child understand and retain the information presented.  PLEASE help them by asking questions on what they have read, what they understandand where they might be confused.  Have them bring in their questions and we will discuss.  They will not be the only one with questions.  Please reinforce this mind set.

I will begin showing "Jesus Christ Superstar" this week.  It should take about three showings to complete.  I plan on having a mini Socratic Seminar with them discussing some of the issues presented and the questions that are always raised.

Auditions for Shakespeare are going well.  We have a huge talent pool this year.  We have lots of budding actors that far exceed our ability to cast.  We will do our best to include all who want to participate.  Please reinforce the idea that not everyone can be Caesar!  Also, that selection of actors is purely based on who exhibits the best skills during the auditions and nothing more.  It is not a popularity contest or favoritism.  Mrs. Valenti-Turskey and I are having a difficult time culling through all the talent this year.  Pray for us.

Sixth and Seventh:  Sixth grade has just begun "The French Revolution."  I am searching for some videos on the revolution as a help in reviewing the material.  If anyone has or knows of some good videos out there, please let me know.  Seventh grade we will be covering the Great Depression and then entering into World War II.  Oh what fun!

I look forward to a wonderful week.

It's been a while.

Sorry.

Here we go again!  No sense covering the past, so lets look ahead.  In the Fifth grade we are taking our Unit Assessment on The Reformation tomorrow.  England and the Glorious Revolution is up next.  A new queen, a new night, and a new government are unveiled for the whole world to see. Sherlock Holmes' mysteries will baffle the class for the next couple weeks.  We will delve deeply into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle twisted web of hidden clues.  English is progressing well with Mrs. Valenti-Turskey.  Ms. McQuade has planted seeds of curiosity in the fifth grade as well.  Also, remember to encourage your child to read twenty minutes a day!  What ever book they want!

Lets turn the focus onto the sixth grade.  We have just completed the Age of Enlightenment and are taking up arms with the French in the French Revolution!  Viva Liberte! (I that how you spell it?)

As for the Seventh Grade, we are plodding through changes in the American psyche and trying to understand how we go from "Roaring" to starving then on to war.  A lot can happen in thirty years.

That is all for now.   Check in later for more information.