"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step..." Lao-tzu

What an exciting and busy year this will be in fourth grade! Our experiences will be like a journey across a very special bridge...one step at time! We are going from primary grades to upper grades! For the first time, students will receive  letter grades, go to Science class, and have Spanish class with Senora Funk. Fourth graders are invited into the School Choir and have many other new opportunities for sharing and growing together.

We will study about the history of California in Social Studies.  The missions and the gold rush era will be an intriquing focus of our studies.  Fourth grade will add Spanish class to the curriculum this year, as well as venturing into the Science lab with our new teacher, Ms. Moran. Religion class will center on the Ten Commandments, and we will prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation in class and church. Our language arts curriculum includes the formal study of the English language, spelling, grammar and writing. The awesome "Step Up to Writing" program will be implemented school-wide this year! Reading also has a new perspective,  as we "read to learn" and move on from "learning to read." Our days will be rounded out with PE with Mrs. Freschi, computer with Mr. Willoughby and music with Mr. McKeever. We are fortunate to have Mrs. Galvin as our instructional aide and Mrs. Joske as our librarian.

Every day, we will practice the choices that help us have good manners and that let us be loving, caring citizens. We incorporate the values of respect, patience, kindness and tolerance into our work and play. We try to live as Jesus taught us in all we do.

This website will include several postings each week and they can be accessed by the links to the left. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns throughout our journey this year. I am looking forward to working with you and helping each student in this class become the best he or she can be.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Smith

csmith@stapollinaris.com

carolynsmith@myway.com