Class Four News

Class Four Announcements

List of 11 items.

  • April Bridge Book Discussion Questions

    We are excited to continue our Community and Inclusion initiative in Lower School, Building Bridges with Books, with our third and final selection for this school year. This program fosters a sense of unity and understanding among our students by exploring diverse perspectives through literature. Every Lower School faculty member will receive a copy of the featured Bridge Book for their classroom, creating a shared reading experience within our community.

    Our April Bridge Book is We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang, a hilarious alien invasion story with a feel-good message about what it means to be human. Here are some talking points you might use to engage your child with We Are Definitely Human:
    • What do the Lis learn about acceptance and kindness from their visitors?
    • Have you ever felt alone or "alien"? How did you handle it?
    • How can you make others feel welcome?
    We hope this book sparks meaningful conversations in our Lower School community!

  • Books and Breakfast

    All Class Four and Five students are invited to join Books and Breakfast, which meets before school on Day 7. Watch for a permission slip and more information to come home soon!

  • Class 4 Chapel Leaders

    After Spring Break, Class Four students will take over as leaders during our Chapel services. Students who are chosen to be a reader or an acolyte will be notified 24-48 hours in advance. Parents are always welcome to join us for Chapel and find a seat in the balcony.

  • Class 4 Music Performance (4/11/25)

    Please come and support your children at this year's Class 4 Grade Level Performance on Friday, April 11th. The program will include performances using recorders, percussion instruments, and folk songs. Please plan to park in Taub and be seated by 8:25 am in the balcony of Lowe Theater. We can't wait to see you there!

  • Healthy Decision Making & Puberty Parent Coffee (4/29/25)

    Class 4 and Class 5 students will engage in our annual Healthy Sexuality lesson on May 1st and 2nd. The primary goal is to inform them about the changes that occur during puberty. In advance of these talks, we invite all Lower School parents to a coffee on April 29th from 8:30-9:30 in the Tradition Room. We will discuss healthy decision making and helping students navigate the social and emotional journey of their development in healthy ways. 

  • Important Dates

    Important dates for Class Four will be listed here for you to mark your calendar.
    We kindly request that the events marked with an asterisk * are only attended by those parents who have signed up.
    • 3/6/25: Class 4/5 Red & Black Track Meet
    • 3/6/25: LS Field Day*
    • 4/11/25: Class 4 Grade Level Performance
    • 5/8/25: St. John's Singers Spring Show
    • 5/21/25: LS Closing Celebration @ 8:45am in Lowe Theater

  • Kids Tennis Day @ SJS (4/13/25)

    Come join the fun at a FREE tennis event for students in grades K-5 on Sunday, April 13th at the Blanton Tennis Center.

    Students in Kindergarten - Class 3 will meet from 2-3pm, and students in Classes 4 and 5 will meet from 3-4pm.

    Click HERE for a flyer and to RSVP!

  • LS Night at the Softball Game (4/4/25)

    All students and families are invited to join us for Lower School Night at the Varsity Softball game on Friday, April 4th. Meet under Big Red anytime between 3:15 and 4:15 to make spirit posters and have a popsicle, then we’ll all walk over to the new softball fields around 4:30. Pre-game events will begin at 4:45, and the game will start at 5:00.

  • Maverick Madness Spirit Day (4/4/25)

    Our next Maverick Madness Spirit Day will be on Friday, April 4th. Students may wear as much red, black, and SJS gear as possible, or they may wear their normal uniform. Please see page 31 of the Lower School Handbook for specific guidelines for out-of-uniform dress.

  • Social-Emotional Learning

    During the month of April, our Sharing Circle topics will revolve around communication and creation with self and others. We will discuss being a friend, being mindful, finding mindful coping strategies, and empathy. 
     
    Books:
    • A Little Spot Makes Friends by Diane Alber
    • I Am Peace by Susan Verde
    • You, Me, and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders
     
    Table Talk Discussions: 
    • Why is it important to treat others as we wish to be treated? What does that look and sound like?
    • What is the difference between being mindful and having a mind full? 
    • How can you show empathy for others? 
     
    Upcoming Wellness Events:
     
    When: April 9, 2025
    Where: Online - Click to register
    Topic: ISACS Parent Webinar Series: Planning for Summers of Growth & Joy 
    Speaker: Michael Thompson
     
    When: April 23, 2025 @ 8:45-10:00
    Where: Chao Assembly Hall
    Topic: K-12 Parent Wellness Event: The Teen Brain

  • Young Advocates Presentations (4/16/25)

    Save the date! All Class 4 parents are invited to view the students’ Young Advocates presentations on Wednesday, April 16th, in the Chao Assembly Hall. Students in the Simpson and Matter advisories will present from 8:30-9:15; students in the Villarreal and Hayes advisories will present from 2:15-3:00. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Marie Matter or Susan Simpson with any questions.

    As you enter, please take a moment to view Class 4's natural disaster projects, which will be on display in the Glassell Gallery!

Class Four Curriculum Snapshots

List of 11 items.

  • Math

    • Reading, writing, and comparing decimals to the hundredths using numerals, number names, and expanded form
    • Adding and subtracting multi-digit decimal numbers
    • Generating and solving multi-step word problems using addition and subtraction with decimal numbers 
    • Solving word problems involving money 
    • Converting Decimals to Fractions and Fractions to Decimals
    • Multiplying a Whole Number by Tenths and Hundredths

  • Language Arts

    • Creating powerful public service messages in support of local nonprofit organizations
    • Organizing informative text in our Young Advocates websites
    • Understanding how real events impact fiction as we begin our historical fiction reading unit

  • Social Studies

    • Demonstrating our roles as student advocates in supporting local causes
    • Explaining the civic responsibilities of U.S. citizens
    • Understanding how the Constitution influences our economic system

  • Science

    • Exploring the difference between natural resources and how they shape our daily lives
    • Discovering the importance of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and their impact on the environment
    • Analyzing non-fiction texts to build critical thinking skills and deepen understanding

  • Skills

    • Creating water bottle stickers to support and raise awareness for the nonprofit organization that students are advocating for
    • Practicing delivering a persuasive Young Advocate presentation with confidence and clarity
    • Developing foundational coding skills by creating interactive projects in Scratch

  • Spanish

    • Developing independent reading comprehension and critical thinking skills through the study of our class novel, Llama en Lima
    • Finishing our locura de marzo while acquiring a deeper understanding of Spanish vocabulary and deepening our classroom community

  • Art

    • Collaborative Mixed Media Posters: Working in groups to create large posters with a theme of celebration
    • Drawing from imagination, memory and observation
    • Understanding foreground, middle ground and background

  • Music

    • Preparing for our Grade Level performance
    • Perfecting how to play low D and high D on the recorder
    • Practicing melodies that contain low so

  • Library

    • Creating student book recommendations
    • Exploring the library’s digital book collection using Sora

  • Tech Lab

    • Utilizing Google Sites to design a compelling website in support of local nonprofit organizations
    • Developing and organizing media to enhance the Young Advocates websites

  • P.E.

    • Reviewing striking and fielding skills, rules, and strategies in base games
    • Exploring golf skills through striking and putting to targets
    • Celebrating the year with a Cosmic Bowling event

Key Contacts

List of 10 items.

Resources

Links

  • Common Sense Media
    If in doubt, check it out! A great resource to check the age appropriateness of books, movies, apps, games  and other media is Common Sense Media. In addition to reviews they address issues associated with the use of all kinds of media.
     

St. John's School

|   2401 Claremont Lane Houston, TX 77019   |   713-850-0222
© 2018 St. John’s School. All Rights Reserved.