We Are One: Growing in Christ

FCS Academic

Dear Families,

Happy New Year and welcome back! I’m looking forward to a fun and productive 3rd quarter with my awesome students. Thank you so much for the many Christmas gifts I received. You truly blessed my family and me with your thoughtfulness and generosity.

ORAL INTERPRETATION POEMS: 

This week students will select poems to memorize for the class oral interpretation speech meet. Students may select poems from a variety of sources. There are many poetry books at school in our classroom and in the library and poems are also available on-line. Students should submit a copy of their poem for approval by this Friday, January 10. Once selected, students should begin to memorize their poems on a daily basis at home with parental guidance. Thank you for your cooperation in helping your children learn their poems.

All students are expected to memorize a poem as part of their oral language grade for third quarter in language. Grades will be based on rubric scores and advancements made by outside judges based on presentations and scoring. The top three students will advance to our school oral presentation chapel at the end of January and, if chosen, will then represent our school at the Peach Blossom Festival in early spring.

Requirements include:

1 1/2 to 2 minutes in length

Choose selections that allow children to “bring to life” their pieces through their voice and and gestures

Poem of integrity and value

Humorous or serious

Appropriate selection for age

Identify the title and author at the beginning of the selection

Vocal variety in volume, rate, pitch

Expression of voice and face

Hand and/or Body Movements

Eye Contact

Creativity Utilized

Meaning and Emotion

Naturalness and Sincerity

WRITING:

Students will write fictional narratives during the third quarter, focusing on story elements such as characters, setting, villain, conflict, rising action, climax and resolution. We will begin with reviewing and practicing writing dialogue.

READING:

The required reading for January will be a genre of the student’s choice. Students will write a Response to Literature which is due on Friday, January 31. Class time will be given every day for silent reading and students are expected to read a minimum  of 10 pages a day. If they are unable to complete this in class, then reading becomes homework.

MATH:

The 5th grade will begin Chapter 5: Measurement and Integers.  The 6th grade will begin Chapter 4: Operations with Fractions.

SCIENCE:

We begin studying nutrition and the digestive system this week. Students are asked to cut out magazine pictures of food or coupons with food pictures and bring them to class this Friday.

BIBLE: We continue Unit 4 which focuses on Gospel Writings: Jesus’ Birth and Early Ministry.

BIBLE MEMORY VERSE:

The memory verse for this week is Matthew 7: 7-8 and the test will be this Friday, January 10. Students will be graded on writing the verse accurately, including correct wording, spelling, grammar, punctuation and the scripture reference.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7: 7-8

SPELLING: Lesson 16 test will be on Friday, January 10.

Lesson 16

Words with Suffixes –ant, -ent, -ist

All Students

  1. diligent
  2. contestant
  3. immigrant
  4. informant
  5. inhabitant
  6. significant
  7. irritant
  8. observant
  9. resident
  10. panelist
  11. participant
  12. scientist
  13. biologist
  14. columnist
  15. medalist

6th Grade Only

  1. cartoonist
  2. efficient
  3. pollutant
  4. obedient
  5. confident

Challenge Words for All

  1. idealist
  2. sufficient
  3. lieutenant
  4. persistent
  5. complainant

DATES TO REMEMBER:

  • School Resumes: Monday, January 6
  • Chapel: Tuesday, January 7, 8-8:45
  • Half Day: Wednesday, January 15 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
  • Happy Birthday Angelique Camacho: January 20
  • No School: Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 20
  • Happy Birthday Toryn Triplitt: January 22
  • Superintendent’s State of the School Address: January 27, 7:00-8:30 PM – G.L. Johnson Chapel
  • Chapel: Tuesday, January 28, 8-8:45
  • Parent Teacher Conferences: February 3-7 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
  • No School: Lincoln’s Birthday – Monday, February 10
  • Chapel: Tuesday, February 11, 8-8:45
  • No School: President’s Day – Monday, February 17
  • Happy Birthday Vijay Stephen: February 24
  • Chapel: Tuesday, February 25, 8-8:45
  • Half Day: Wednesday, February 26 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
  • Happy Birthday Mitchell Mar: March 1
  • Elementary Spring Pictures: Tuesday, March 4
  • End of 2nd Semester: Friday, March 14
  • FCS Auction: Saturday, March 15
  • Half Day: Wednesday, March 19 – Dismissal at 12:00 noon