Fire Fighter Visitor

Our class loves visitors, and we were excited to have a fire fighter (parent of a pre-K student) come to talk with us about fire safety on Monday. He told us three main tips in case of a fire:

1. Get up!

2. Get low!

3. Get out!

He reminded the students about the importance of having a safety plan for getting out, as well as making sure their homes have smoke detectors. He let me try on his fire fighter outfit, and he promised the students that if they all memorize their addresses and phone numbers (another safety issue) and check with their parents about smoke detectors and safety plans, he would come back and let them try on the outfit. How cool! (I will send home a letter about this in Thursday folders this week!)

In other news, we are learning about perpendicular lines in Math. These lines come together to form right angles- see the photos below. Usually they are a horizontal and a vertical line intersecting (or meeting), but they can also be two oblique lines intersecting to form a right angle.

We also made our favorite book titles into cookies as we compared the joy of reading to the joy of following a good recipe. We put all of our key ingredients together for reading success!

Mmm! Cookies and reading!

First Communion photos

First Communion pictures

Click on the link above to see photos from First Communion! Thank you for supporting your children through such an important sacrament in our faith. Please continue to take them to mass each week.

Art and the Art Institute

Unfortunately, this year we were not able to attend the Art Institute of Chicago for a field trip, however, we brought the Art museum to us today with a video (courtesy of the First Grade teacher):

After the video, the students spent some time coloring Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night":

They used a template, and I projected the picture up on the Promethean Board.

Here's how they turned out:

Reminder - Permission Slips

Reminder:

Please send in your child's Field Trip permission slip and $3 for the Zoo trip on May 8th.

Thank you!


On another note, the students have really enjoyed watching the "Liberty's Kids" videos to help us learn about the American Revolution. I own the DVDs, but if they want to watch the videos at home, you can find most of the episodes on YouTube.

"The First Fourth of July" (The Declaration of Independence)

First Communion reminders

Reminder: First Communion Meeting Thursday, April 24th 7:15pm

We are working hard, reading about Jesus and his miracles, and preparing our hearts and minds for our special day on Saturday.

While this will be their First Communion, please help your child grow in his/her faith by bringing him/her to church every Sunday to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

First Communion Practice

*Important Reminder*

First Communion Practice - Thursday, April 24th - 7:15pm in the church

Please attend. (The students and at least one parent- or godparent- should be present. We will be rehearsing for Saturday, and there will be an opportunity to ask Fr. Felipe any questions you may have.)

Three Trees and God's plans

As we near Easter- and also First Communion- we have been focusing on many stories about Jesus' life. Today's story was The Tale of Three Trees.

We started off watching a video that tells a story of three trees with great plans to hold the world's greatest treasure, become a mighty sailing ship, and grow to be the tallest tree to point up to God. Each tree is chopped down... and it is not used for what it originally wanted... God had greater plans in mind. Watch the video to see what happens:

During the video, we stopped it a few times to have pair share discussions about the three trees, their dreams, and what happened. Afterwards, the students completed a graphic organizer with pictures and written responses. (There was even a word search for early finishers!)

Finally, we ended with a stand-up cross activity. They decorated their crosses to explain how they can show others the way to God.

Have a blessed remainder of Holy Week and a lovely Easter!

Reminders:

*No school Friday or Monday - Easter weekend
*First Communion - Saturday, April 26th - 10:00am (still waiting on news about practice!)