Our class patron is St. John Bosco, the patron saint of schoolchildren. He stressed a system of education based on reason, religion, and kindness. Through his inspiration, many people became saints, including St. Dominic Savio and St. Maria Mazzarello. His life was filled with works of love and miracles from God.
Summer Suggestions for Incoming 5th Graders:
Please have your child work on their times tables in math as well as reviewing and practicing their basic function skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Times tables should be mastered at least through 9 x 9 and possibly all the way through 12 X 12. Regular reading and composition (in cursive) is an excellent idea as well. Cursive handwriting should be reviewed and developed as we use cursive for all work of one sentence or more. We have quarterly writing contests and participate in the Zaner Bloser National Handwriting Contest. For religion, please encourage your child to review or learn the basic prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen, Angelus, Prayer to St. Michael, and the act of contrition. Review of the basic catechism is also a good idea. Have a great summer. Mr. Bacidore
Trinity Catholic Academy's Hanna Waszkowiak won the the Illinois State 5th Grade Handwriting championship for the 2020-2021 academic year.
*** State Champion ***
Congratulations to Hanna W, who was chosen as the Illinois State Handwriting Champion in the 2021 Zaner Bloser contest! Hanna will now compete for the Grand National Championship. Hanna received a medallion and writing journal. Our whole class is very proud of Hanna and wish her the best in the national championship. Although cursive handwriting is no longer stressed in many U.S. schools, at TCA, proper cursive penmanship is taught and encouraged in all writing assignments.
Poem of the Week: Each week we study a classic poem and discuss its significance.
Thought of the week: We discuss a pertinent thought each week. These quotations may be religious, patriotic, motivational, etc.
Saints of the Week are studied each week. We discuss their particular path to holiness as well as their impact on the Church and the world.
Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."- Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary
The Month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost. In addition to the liturgical celebration, many devotional exercises are connected with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Of all devotions, devotion to the Sacred Heart was, and remains, one of the most widespread and popular in the Church.
Understood in the light of the Scriptures, the term "Sacred Heart of Jesus" denotes the entire mystery of Christ, the totality of his being, and his person considered in its most intimate essential: Son of God, uncreated wisdom; infinite charity, principal of the salvation and sanctification of mankind. The "Sacred Heart" is Christ, the Word Incarnate, Savior, intrinsically containing, in the Spirit, an infinite divine-human love for the Father and for his brothers.
Excerpted from the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy
"Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."- Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary
Each day, go to Franciscan Meditation of the Day to read about and view a video about the main saint of that day. The link is:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/source/saint-of-the-day/
At TCA, we believe that no person can be considered educated if they are ignorant or neglectful of their duties toward God. "For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his soul?" Mark 8:36 We attend Holy Mass weekly and learn about basic Catholic Doctrine, the Sacraments, the 10 Commandments, Bible History, the Holy Rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet along with other Catholic beliefs and practices. We ask that parents model and encourage regular prayer, Mass attendance, and the reception of the sacraments by their children.
Our school provides solid, orthodox teaching and practice of the Catholic faith as well as rigorous coverage of all the other academic disciplines. New students that are up to the challenge are always welcome to apply at TCA.
Coursework Information:
Spelling: Each week we study 25 new spelling words as well as phonics and word attack skills in the Journeys Notebook Workbook. Please make sure your child is studying their words and properly completing the workbook pages. There is a test over the words every Friday.
Reading: A new story and vocabulary words are introduced each week along with relevant skills. We utilize comprehension drills along with ample silent reading at each student's proper level each day.Please encourage your child to read books at their reading level as often as possible at home. We have a reading test every Friday.
Religion: Each week new concepts are introduced from our series and from supplementary doctrinal sources that should be reviewed at home. In addition, we practice and test the ability to recite a growing list of prayers and relevant Catholic information. Please encourage your child to study, master, and use these prayers daily. We also practice locating and interpreting scripture passages daily. Bible reading at home is to be encouraged. Please be sure to have an official Catholic Bible in your home. There is a religion test each Friday.
Handwriting: Cursive handwriting is continued in 5th grade. We use the Zaner-Blosser Handwriting series and have quarterly contests based on the standards of the National Handwriting Contest, which we enter each year. Students are required to use cursive in all work that is a sentence or longer. Please encourage your child to practice their handwriting and to truly take pride in it.
Math: Math instruction is progressive. We have regular quizzes, so please encourage your child to regularly review their skills. Tests are given at the completion of every five (5) lessons. Mastery of the times tables through 12s should be accomplished as soon as possible if students don't already possess this ability.
English: We study grammar regularly as we work on compositions, poetry, and fluid writing. Please encourage free writing at home when time allows.
Science & History: Our class studies various topics in these subjects as well as taking notes over relevant information. Quizzes are given regularly to encourage and assess learning mastery. Encourage your student to regularly review their lessons and take additional notes from the text.
Study: Children often do not take textbooks home unless they have written work to complete. Please encourage your child to bring their books home to study the current content. Studying should be considered part of students' usual homework and not something to be done only the night before exams.
Note: Any missing homework assignments or "D" or "F" grades on tests will result in you receiving a sheet to sign in order to ensure that you are kept aware of your child's progress and academic needs. Please be sure to check your monthly calendar for important information, menus, etc. If something specific for our class is upcoming, you will receive a note via your child. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need to discuss anything regarding your son or daughter's academic progress.
We encourage love of God and Country through teaching respect for our Holy Father and all the teachings of Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church as well as the high ideals of morality, freedom, patriotism, and civic responsibility that our country was founded upon.
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night.”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
.Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."- Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary