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Primary School (Kindergarten - Grade 2)

Teachers post blogs for current parents on the secure internal section of our Web site called: Holy Cross Connect. We update these excerpts from their blogs monthly so that you might learn about curriculum and everyday life at Holy Cross School.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is just buzzing with activity these days! We celebrated our 100th day of school on Monday, and the theme of counting to and thinking about the number 100 continues this week. The children continue to learn new sight words each week—they have mastered 15 words so far (many children know quite a few more), and their reading and writing is improving by the day! We are also working on word families (e.g., reading all c-v-c words that end in “at”—bat, cat, hat, etc.) this week. In math, we are working on finding “partner” numbers of the numbers 2-6, showing the ten in teen numbers, solving addition and subtraction story problems using fingers and objects, and creating and extending patterns that repeat in threes. Our religion lessons are centered around the theme of love, using the symbols of hearts and hands to explain how we feel love, and show love to others through our actions.

Grade 1

* Today the class worked on writing stories.  Below I’ve outlined the process I use called Step Up to Writing:

  • Pick a topic Create a planner that uses an oval shape for the topic, two boxes for “star ideas”, and a closing.
  • Fill in the planner and “tell” the story from the planner.
  • Write each sentence on a colored sheet that follows the outline of the planner.
  • Write the paragraph and illustrate it on a story paper.

*Please check your child’s folder for his or her first story about winter!  They should be able to read it to you using their hands to emphasize capitalization and punctuation:        

  • Waving hands to show a capitol letter        
  • Pounded fist to show a period

*I had Mr. Wolverton, our computer teacher, let the class explore the Santa Cruz Public Library website today in their computer class.  There is a link called kids that has some great activities and resources on it. 

Here’s the link:  http://www.santacruzpl.org/kids/read/

Grade 2

A Whale of a Job

Our Grade 7 Big Buddies and the second grade students have created a 45 foot life size rendition of a baby blue whale!  For the past two weeks, with the incredible guidance and leadership of Grade 7 teacher Cathy Novak, the students have been learning about many different aspects about the life of whales.  Together we have explored their habitat, locomotion, life cycle, diet, necessary adaptations to survive, and many other interesting facts. 

I have provided you the link to the website created by Ms. Novak. http://web.me.com/cathynov/Site_2/Welcome.html The students and their buddies have explored these sites in depth and I am sure they would enjoy sharing their knowledge with you! Also, in January, during Catholic Schools Week, you too will have the opportunity to see this wonderful creation, walk INSIDE the whale, and be a part of your child’s learning experience here at Holy Cross.

May I end this letter in gratitude to theSeventh Grade class.  Their compassion, patience, and sense of humor have made this project most enjoyable.  My hat goes off especially to Cathy Novak.  How fortunate Holy Cross School and our Community are to have such an outstanding, energetic, and positive teacher to educate and guide our children.