My name is Patrick Coons, and I am excited to be teaching 4th Grade at St. Frances Cabrini School. This is my second year at Cabrini, and I look forward to another wonderful year of learning and growing alongside my students.
I grew up in University Place and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. Before joining the Cabrini community, I taught in the Archdiocese of Seattle at Holy Family School in Auburn.
As a member and former student of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Tacoma, I believe in providing an education where faith and values are woven into every subject. One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching students grow academically, socially, spiritually, and emotionally throughout the year. Helping students set goals, build confidence, and discover the joy of learning is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
My Philosophy
I am an active Catholic, and I find it especially rewarding to take an active role in your fourth grader’s faith formation. I believe every child is created in the image of God and deserves to be challenged, encouraged, and supported in a learning environment rooted in faith, respect, and compassion. By integrating Catholic values into everyday learning, I strive to help students grow not only as successful learners but also as thoughtful, responsible, and faith-filled individuals.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy staying active through sports and coaching my bonus son’s baseball and basketball teams, as well as a local high school baseball team. I also love spending time outdoors with my dog, exploring new places, and finding ways to make a positive impact in my community and in the lives of future generations.
I am grateful to be part of the St. Frances Cabrini family and look forward to partnering with our students and families for a successful school year.
Religion: Integrates prayer and scripture with lessons on how to live Christ-like and be good stewards. We focus on:
• The Six Tasks of Catechesis: Knowledge of the Faith; Liturgical Education; Moral Education; Prayer; Life, Community, and History of the Church; and Missionary Spirit
• Morality and Social Justice guided by the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, and Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy
• Memorizing and Reciting Prayers, Praying the Rosary, Prayer Service Monday – Thursday mornings and Mass on Fridays
• Education in Virtue
Reading: Integrates with Language Arts (Writing, Spelling, Speaking, and Listening) following Common Core Standards, while giving students many opportunities to read a wide variety of genres and materials, apply different reading strategies, and demonstrate comprehension and fluency. The class uses a variety of materials for different purposes.
• Uses their Wonders Reading text and online access, Scholastic News, Library and Literature Circle Books, Resource and Reference Materials, Internet
• Experiences independent reading, choral reading, buddy reading, Reader’s Theater, reading groups
Small groups read together and with a teacher at their reading level
Language Arts: Students will use a variety of strategies to organize their ideas in many types of writing, while always practicing the steps in the writing process. There will be spelling, cursive, and grammar practice. Writing is integrated into every subject area. In fourth grade, students will be writing 3-5 paragraph descriptive, research, opinion, and compare and contrast essays, along with writing fictional and non-fictional narratives.
Mathematics: We will continue to practice basic math facts, computation, and problem-solving skills. Problem-solving strategies are integrated into every lesson to solve word problems that relate to everyday life. Technology will also be integrated: for example, the IXL website will be utilized. Concepts include:
• Place Value: Reading and writing numbers in the 100 million and decimals to the thousandths place
• Estimation, Algebraic Equations, Statistics, Graphing, Probability
• Double-Digit Multiplication and Long Division
• Adding and subtracting decimals and fractions (like and unlike denominators)
• Measurement
• Geometry
Social Studies: Students will learn about the geography, people, government, and regions of the United States. There will also be great emphasis on Washington State History.
Science: STEM Science experiments using the scientific method are used as we study Matter, Motion, Light and Sound; Weather, Rocks, Erosion, Soil, Planets and Oceans; Bones, Organs, Systems, and Health of the Human Body.
Technology: Skills practice and writing assignments will be integrated with our curriculum in the classroom.
• Keyboarding, research, word processing, making graphs and tables
• Internet Safety and Searches, safe use of the computer
Enrichment: Students attend weekly enrichment classes for library, music, PE, and Art.
Standardized Testing
Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade participate in NWEA MAP Growth assessments three times each school year. MAP Growth is a nationally recognized, computer-adaptive assessment that measures each student’s academic achievement and growth in reading, mathematics, and language usage. The results provide valuable information that helps teachers personalize instruction, monitor student progress, and ensure every child is challenged and supported throughout the year. Families receive detailed reports after each testing period to better understand their child’s progress and academic growth over time. Additional information about MAP Growth and how to interpret student reports can be found on the NWEA website.
