Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Fifth and Final Day at St. Joseph School

Well, it was my last day at SJS, and it was bittersweet. I enjoyed having such a good time with my pals, but I also felt sad about having to leave. I did lots of activities in various subjects, and I went to gym class with my 5B buddies, too!





The students picked me to be the "Personality of the Week", and they wrote positive comments about me on "apples" and hung them on the tree behind me.



The really exciting thing about today was that I was able to attend the DARE Graduation Program with my friends and six other fifth grade classes from the area. I was even given a DARE T-shirt to wear...just like my buddies!









My favorite part of my time at St. Joseph School was being passed from student to student in 5B. I enjoyed sitting with them, learning with them, and feeling their hugs. I will never forget them and how nice they were to me. I wish them all the best! Thank you, and auf wiedersehen!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Weekend with Morpheus

Hi Everyone, Morpheus here.

I am here again at SJS after a very busy and fun weekend. Here is what
I did with one of my new friends from 5B.

On Friday, I went to soccer practice with friends from kindergarten and
1A. They had great fun learning to play soccer, and I even learned how
to kick a soccer ball.





While my friends were playing soccer, I had a
chance to lift some weights and run the obstacle course outside.







Finally, I got to meet Coach Dennis who is from Ireland.

On Saturday, I went to the 1st Communion of some of my SJS friends who
are in second grade.



Then we went back home and had a great cookout
with hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, baked beans, and so much
more. Yummy!

On Sunday, I went on a nice nature hike with some Girl Scouts from SJS.
We saw lots of birds, squirrels, rabbits, and a babbling brook. Here I am with some girls from the 5B class who also happen to be Girl Scouts.




After the hike, even though I was very tired, I learned how to make a pet journal
and homemade doggie treats. On Sunday night, I got to relax and hang
out with the red-eared slider turtles at my friend's house.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Day Four at St. Joseph School

I had another fine day today. I learned more about the U.S. Constitution by reading and discussing the play, "Shh! We're Writing the Constitution". The students also received their parts for the play. It's too bad I won't be here for the play... I would like to have the part of James Madison or George Washington.

I took a reading selection test as well as a spelling test on contractions. The tests were pretty easy. I had a science test today, too. Some of it was easy, but some of it really made me have to think hard. I read some more from the book, Hoot, and I learned more about the sacrament of Holy Orders. I did my very best in math class. A class I really enjoyed was keyboarding. The students in 5B were working on comments to eventually publish to my blog here.

Oh... I almost forgot to mention that I played kick ball at recess. The first picture shows me helping one of the fifth grade girls kick the ball. The second picture shows me helping her run to first base. We made it! Safe!






I have just one more school day with 5B. Then I'm off to Florida!

One-Act Plays and a Classroom Visitor

Soon I was off to the gymnasium where I sat in the bleachers to watch three one-act plays performed by the drama club. The plays were really entertaining, and the actors were very talented. Two thumbs up! Here I am waiting for the show to begin.



I practiced some reading skills, math, and science. Then it was time for recess and lunch. Today was Hot Lunch Day. Hmmm...rigatoni or a hot dog?



I continued learning more about early American history in social studies and then enjoyed a visit from one of the parish priests who spoke about Holy Orders and studying in Uganda and Kenya. Here I am with Father and my friends in 5B.




At the end of the day, I sat in on a session at which many of the teachers were learning extra features to use with Easy Grade Pro. Here I am giving the teachers some tips.



Tomorrow is Dress Down Day. The fifth graders look forward to that two times a month!

Day Three at St. Joseph School

Today I visited a third grade classroom to see the recently-hatched chicks. They were still under the warmth of a light and were chirping happily.



After that, I went back to the 5B classroom and read another chapter of Hoot.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

After lunch I had language arts class. I am learning how to spell and use contractions correctly. I am also watching and listening to my new friends as they share their family history (making a family tree) and write about their grandparents and great grandparents.

I then went to art class. My 5th grade friends are very talented when it comes to art!

I also visited the school office to wish the secretaries a happy day. Here I am with one of the girls in 5B and her mother. She is proud that her mom works in the office!

This picture shows me with just some of our administrative professionals. They even showed me how to make an announcement over the public address system. Happy Day!

Salad and Dessert Day

I went to science class where I learned about plants. Next I worked on some reading skills such as comparing and contrasting. Another skill I practiced was gathering information from "Help Wanted" ads. I wonder if anyone could use help from a bog turtle?

I read a chapter from the book Hoot, and then I had Math class followed by religion class. I learned about deacons, priests, bishops, and the pope. Mrs. Earnest talked a little more about being in New York City at the Papal Mass on Sunday.

Then it was time for lunch! I was invited to a celebration for Administrative Professionals Day. I had a healthy salad and some dessert. Here I am trying to decide which dessert to choose!

Day Two at St. Joseph School

Today I learned about the Confederation Period in social studies. I learned about the need for a stronger central government and the events that led to the writing of the Constitution. I also watched a video called "Shh! We're Writing the Constitution" which is based on the book of the same name by Jean Fritz. I learned that in May my friends in fifth grade will be performing the musical based on this book.

Next I visited the library to check out books and to listen to a story read by the school librarian.

Get Out the Vote!



It was Primary Day in Pennsylvania, and so I went to the polls with 5B's teacher, Mrs. Earnest.



The people at the polling place were very nice and even let me "vote". Here I am ready to insert my vote card in the machine. I think the new voting machines with the touch screens are really cool! I received an "I voted" sticker when I was finished. Don't ask me who I voted for...it's a secret!

Art Show



Some of the students in 5B belong to an after-school art enrichment club. They held an art show after school today at which they displayed some of the prints they made. Here is one of 5B's students with the art teacher.



I really think these pieces of art are wonderful!