Can you believe it? The end of the year is here, and what a wonderful year it has been!  The children have grown in their prayer life, through meditation, Adoration, Mass, and traditional classroom prayer opportunities. I am so proud of them, as I am sure you are.  I am confident that if they believe in their abilities, and focus their efforts, they will be successful in their future academic endeavors.

In Social Studies we focused on American History, concentrating on the discovery of America through the
Western Expansion. We studied the World Wars, incorporating it with novel studies in reading about world wars. We will conclude with presentations focusing on all the decades since the early 1900s through the Space Age. Groups will be presenting information about what they feel was important about each time period. Along with the content, we will focus on what makes a good presentation. 

During writing exercises, we focused on organization of ideas and presenting sound arguments. Students are assuming the role of editor for each other, and learning to improve their own writing by discussing the writing of classmates. They are also learning to be a “coach" rather than a “critic,” when working on editing each other's work. They will be selecting writing to add to their school writing portfolios, as well as gathering up the things they have collected this year to share with you.

Our journey in Science included many observational experiments. We enjoyed discecting owl pellets, identifying rocks, and collecting air samples from around the school. Focus was on learning the Scientific Method.  Although many still struggle with articulating their results, and relating the results to the hypothesis, they should be prepared to begin the Science Fair investigations that they will be encountering in sixth and seventh grades. 

Math has been challenging as many were introduced to, and attempted to master, the inticacies of fractions, ratios and percents.  They have been successful, and should be adept at higher level math concepts.  Please remind the children to use ALEKS over the summer. Working 15 minutes for 3 times each week should prove invaluable next year. Although all have done well with fact mastery, practicing and refreshing will give them the extra boost they need going into the next level.  The program advances each child at their own rate, and is a wonderful gift for them to strengthen their skills. Any children meeting 5th grade mastery over the summer will be advanced to 6th grade level curriculum to help them get a good start in 6th grade. 

Again, I would like to thank you all for your cooperation and support throughout the year.  It has been challenging for me personally with the loss of my mother, and your prayer support has kept me strong and focused on all the postivie in my life.  Also, so many of you volunteered time or supplies for our parties, our field trips, the sports programs, the band program, and the last minute “projects” that went with the reading contracts. Your children will remain in my heart. I wish you all a safe, happy summer.

Peace,


Mrs. Carol J. Baker


           For Summer Reading Mrs. Baker Recommends:
                            The Percy Jackson series
                           The Boggart books ~ Susan Cooper
                           Sounder ~ Armstrong
                            Little Women~ Louisa May Alcott
                           Anne of Green Gables and the rest of the series ~ Montgomery
                           Books by Lois LowryAngels in the Dust~ Margot Raven
                            Dealing with Dragons~ Patricia C. Wrede
                            Freak the Mighty~ Philbrick or any of his books
                            Science Fiction books by Isaac Asimov or Ray Bradbury
                           Books by Avi
                            Books by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
                           Tom Swift books ~ Appleton
                            Tracker ~ Paulson or any of his books                                              
                           George’s Secret Key to the Universe– Steven Hawking
                            The Harry Potter series
                            Mrs.Piggle Wiggle series
                            Books by Jean Fritz ~ non-fiction, historical
                           Who is Baseball’s Greatest Hitter?~ Jeff Kisseloff
                            Thirteen Ways to Sink a Sub~ Jamie Gilson or any of her books
                            The Hobbit& TheLord of the Rings Trilogy ~ J. R. Tolkein
                            Indian in the Cupboard Series ~ Lynn Reid Banks
                            The Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mysteries. 
                            Homer Price - McClosky
                           Sports books by Matt Christopher or Mike Lupica

                                   STUDENTS + PARENTS + TEACHERS = SUCCESS!