St. Joseph Catholic School

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4th gr rocks
 
 
Hello! I'm Ms. Arnold, and I’m absolutely delighted to be starting my third year teaching 4th grade! My journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that my true calling is in the classroom, helping young minds grow.

Before I found my home in 4th grade, I spent four wonderful years as a Montessori Teacher's Assistant for grades 1-3.  I then had the privilege of working in the Special Education Department of Lake County for another four years, where I dedicated myself to helping students navigate their day. 

Teaching 4th grade has been an absolute joy, and I love every moment of it. There’s nothing quite like the excitement and curiosity that fills our classroom each day. I’m so excited to start this new school year and can’t wait to embark on another incredible journey of growth and learning with my students!
 
In addition to my passion for teaching, I’m also a proud mom of three amazing kids—a sophomore at Carmel Catholic High School, an 8th grader, and a 5th grader. Our family wouldn’t be complete without our white miniature schnauzer, Miko. We love spending time outdoors, whether we’re hiking, biking, swimming, or enjoying all kinds of watersports. Family adventures are a big part of our lives, and I bring that same sense of fun and exploration into my classroom!
 
I’m so lucky to have the support of two wonderful teacher's aides, Susan Broken and Andrea Graham. Their expertise and commitment are truly invaluable, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them as part of our classroom team. Together, we’re ready to make this year a fantastic one for our students!
 
If you would like to donate to  my classroom please visit our Classroom Wishlist Link on my homepage.  Cheers to an amazing year!!
 
Sincerely, Ms. Arnold 
 
 

Posts

I hope you all had an amazing spring break.  
Our family had a nice break as well.  We went on a trip to Minneapolis and Duluth Minnesota.  Miko enjoyed views at Jay Cooke State Park on our way home. 

Week at a Glance - April 1 - April 4

Welcome back from Spring Break! We had a great day today. 
 
Math: We are skipping ahead to Chapter 14 - Geometry. 
 
Tuesday: Chapter 14-1
Wednesday: Chapter 14-2
Thursday:     Check My Progress 
Friday:  Chapter 14 Lessons 1-2 Quiz 
 
Reading/LA: We continue our journey through Informational Text with a text about Volcanos. 
Reading Test on Friday. 
 
Book Report due April 11.  
 
Spelling:   Spell Words with -en, -ent, -ence
 
Tuesday - Spelling Choice
Wednesday - Write words 3 times each.
Thursday - Spelling Sheet
Friday - Test
 
Science:  We will be plotting volcanos located near the ring of fire on a grid.
 
In this lesson, students will investigate how differences in lava types explain differences in the shape and eruption patterns among volcanoes. In the activity, Bubble Trouble, students compare two different types of "lava" -- thin and thick. They use this information to figure out why volcanoes have different shapes and how the type of lava explains why some volcanoes explode.
 
Social Studies: See Mrs. Shreiner's page.

Happy April Fools Day!
 
The kids learned all about Google Nose Beta today.  Want to know how something smells?  Use Google Nose Beta where you can google smells. haha

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Homework: 
 
Math:  My Homework pages 877-878 (Most finished in class)
 
IXL - Chapter 14-1 Draw Points, Lines, and Rays. 
 
Spelling:  Spelling Choice
 
Reading:  Book report due April 11. 

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Math:  Study for Chapter 11 test on Thursday. 
 
Spelling: None
 
Reading: Book report due April 11. 

Monday, March 17, 2025

Notes: 
I will be at an IXL Professional Development training tomorrow.  The students will have a substitute teacher. 
 
Math: Check My Progress 741-742
Chapter 11 test on Thursday. 
 
Spelling: No spelling. 
 
Reading:  Book report due April 11. 

Week At A Glance - Monday, March 17 - Friday, March 21, 2025

Reminders:  

Monday:  Dress down for $1 

Wednesday: St. Joseph Day - students are encouraged to wear their red polos. 

Math:

Math: This week we will continue Chapter 11. 

Monday: Chapter 11 Check My Progress

Tuesday: Chapter 11 Lesson 8

Wednesday: Chapter 11 Review

Thursday:  Chapter 11 Test

Friday:  Math Games 

Please have your child practice these skills on IXL.

Reading/Language Arts: 

We will be taking a break from our SAAVAS My View Reading books. Instead we will focus on “fun reading’’ activities such as St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph, science magazines and independent reading time. 

Spelling:  We will be taking a break from spelling as well.  No homework and no spelling test this week. 

Science: Why don't the same trees grow everywhere?

In this lesson, students make observations of external and internal parts of trees in order to collect evidence that these structures work together as a system to help plants survive in a particular environment. In the activity, Tree Detective, students use models of roots and branches to explore their functions and then construct an argument about how these structures must work together in order to support the survival of trees in the unique environment of the frozen taiga.

Religion: Session 17: The Sacrament of the Eucharist 

  • Understand that Jesus is present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
  • Understand that in the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
  • Understand why we celebrate the Mass on Sundays and the holy days of obligation.
  • Understand the story of Jesus feeding the crowd.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Reminder:  Pizza will be served on Friday at lunch.  A generous 4th grade parent has decided to treat our class.  Please still pack a snack and some fresh fruit if possible to be eaten with the pizza. 
 
Math:  Chapter 11 Lesson 5 My Homework Pages 727-728.
IXL Teacher recommendations optional.  Most students finished those in class as well.  
 
Spelling:  Write your words 3 times each.  

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Thank you all for sending me thoughts and prayers during the time I was out. 
Your compassion and understanding really mean a lot to me.  xoxox
 
Homework: 
Math: None.  IXL can be done for extra practice. 
 
Spelling:  Spelling Choice

Week At a Glance 3/3-3/7

 It is Readathon week! We will be building in some extra reading time and students will be tracking their reading minutes on a reading log that will be going back and forth between home and school. Please see the important Readathon communication coming your way soon!
 
We have our Feed My Starving Children field trip with 3rd graders on Friday 3/7. Please make sure all permission forms have been turned in. We will be packing food from 8:45-11 and will return to school for lunch. 
 
Reading: We will begin our next Unit with the genre, myths! We will also be participating in some extra fun reading opportunities in honor of Read Across America week and our own Readathon. Reading "homework" for the week will be to curl up with a good book for a little while!
 
Math: We will begin our next Chapter - Customary Measurement. Where students will be able to identify and convert customary units of length, capacity and weight. 
 
Spelling: We will be spelling homophones, words that sound exactly the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. We will learn the different spellings and meaning of homophones so that we can spell them correctly in our everyday writing. Students will receive their words on Monday and we will take our test on Friday. 
 
Social Studies: Students will be working in groups to research and begin a Native American mini-project in class. 
 
Religion: Wednesday is Ash Wednesday! Please join us for Mass as we prepare for the holy season of Lent. 
 
Science: Students will take a closer look at plants with a reading comprehension activity 
"The Amazing World of Plants."

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Math: Chapter 10 Lesson 3 - Hundredths
 
Optional:  IXL AA.1 - Count Coins and bills - up to $20 bills. VAD - Understanding hundredths expressed in words. 
 
IXL is a great way to advance learning beyond the classroom.  
 
Reading:  U4W3 Reading Test tomorrow. 
Book report due tomorrow. 
 
Spelling: Spelling test tomorrow. Spelling sheet. 
Spelling notebook due.