As we wind down the last week of school before our winter break, here is an update to what we did last week in Room 17:
* We watched the video "Island of the Blue Dolphins" in order to compare and contrast it to the novel we just read. Students enjoyed the movie very much, but now they understand why many scenes from a book must be "cut" for a movie!
* We completed our algebra unit with the Ch. 8 and 9 tests - if your child had any difficulty on either test, please review the chapter with them. We have now started Unit 5 - Multiplication and Division with Longer Numbers. It is essential that your child know their basic multiplication facts in order to keep pace with this unit.
* We have finished up our study of magnetism - students are fascinated by the concept and are eager to learn more about how magnetism and electricity are related. We are conducting many "hands-on" experiments and will visit Intel Museum for a field trip on January 24 - field trip permission slips will be send home after our break.
* Students are learning more about the role that Spanish missions played in helping to establish many modern day cities in California. They are currently designing their own "missions" and drawing a blueprint and sketch of the different areas within the mission.
* We are having our holiday party on Friday (12/17) from 1:00 to 2:25 - I have placed sign-up sheets in the windows of the classroom - they are duplicate sign-up sheets, so check the other window before signing up for a treat. Parent volunteers are also needed to help set up and serve the students.
* Finally, with the waning daylight hours, many students are arriving late to school each day. Please ensure your child gets at least 9-10 hours of sleep each night, and is ready for school in plenty of time to reach our classroom no later than 8:25! Thank you!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Update for Week Starting Dec. 6
Just a quick update:
* I will post signs on BOTH windows of the classroom for healthy treat donations for our holiday party on Friday, Dec. 17. Remember - these are DUPLICATE signs, so check first at the other window to make sure another parent isn't already donating that item. Also, feel free to bring any ethnic specialties that you enjoy making or eating at this time of year! We also still need a few parent volunteers in our classroom for the party - let me know by e-mail if you can volunteer!
* If you child "loses" their lunch bag frequently, please check it to ensure that their full name AND Room # (Rm 17) are on the bag - missing lunches are a very frequent occurrence in this school, and adding that information would make it easier to find your child's bag.
* I have noticed that students are arriving "late" to school more frequently as our daylight hours diminish until the holidays. Please make sure your child wakes up early enough to eat breakfast, get dressed, and make sure everything is in their backpack! Try to drop them off at school NO LATER than 8:25 - as you know, traffic in both driveways gets really backed up starting at 8:20!
Have a good week!
* I will post signs on BOTH windows of the classroom for healthy treat donations for our holiday party on Friday, Dec. 17. Remember - these are DUPLICATE signs, so check first at the other window to make sure another parent isn't already donating that item. Also, feel free to bring any ethnic specialties that you enjoy making or eating at this time of year! We also still need a few parent volunteers in our classroom for the party - let me know by e-mail if you can volunteer!
* If you child "loses" their lunch bag frequently, please check it to ensure that their full name AND Room # (Rm 17) are on the bag - missing lunches are a very frequent occurrence in this school, and adding that information would make it easier to find your child's bag.
* I have noticed that students are arriving "late" to school more frequently as our daylight hours diminish until the holidays. Please make sure your child wakes up early enough to eat breakfast, get dressed, and make sure everything is in their backpack! Try to drop them off at school NO LATER than 8:25 - as you know, traffic in both driveways gets really backed up starting at 8:20!
Have a good week!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Update for Week Ending Dec. 3!
It has been a crazy, but fun week in Room 17! Students are getting into the holiday spirit, but still working hard in class as well! Just a few important reminders:
* Report Cards are coming home today (Dec. 3). Please take time to review the report card with your child, discuss the goals we set at conference time, and ask them what they can to to continue to work toward their goals! You may keep the report card, but please sign the manila envelope and send it back in your child's Friday folder on Monday.
* The Scholastic Holiday Book Faire is almost here! Your child will bring home a flyer with just a few of the selections available at the book faire - it will be open tomorrow (Sat.) and all next week (including Thursday evening with a holiday sing-a-long!) Also consider buying a book and donating it to Mrs. Erikson's annual "Gift of Reading" program!
* Our holiday party will be held on Friday, Dec. 17 from 1:00 to 2:30 - we are looking for donations of healthy food, drinks, and paper goods - as well as a few "jolly" parent volunteers who can help out at the party! I will post duplicate lists in front of each classroom door, so check the opposite door before you sign up to donate something!
* Holiday gifts - in the past, Dilworth parents have been EXTREMELY generous to me at the holidays, and I've been very appreciative of your good will! This year, in light of our continuing recession, I would ask you to instead consider donating something to a worthwhile charity (in my name, if you like). Some of my favorite charities include:
UnicefUsa.org
DoctorsWithoutBorders.org
San Jose Family Shelter - http://www.sjfamilyshelter.org/
Cupertino Education Foundation - www.ceef.org
There are so many children and families in need of just basic goods and services that we take for granted in our more affluent area. Making a donation to a charity is also tax-deductible, and teaches your child that holidays are more about giving than receiving! Have a great weekend!
* Report Cards are coming home today (Dec. 3). Please take time to review the report card with your child, discuss the goals we set at conference time, and ask them what they can to to continue to work toward their goals! You may keep the report card, but please sign the manila envelope and send it back in your child's Friday folder on Monday.
* The Scholastic Holiday Book Faire is almost here! Your child will bring home a flyer with just a few of the selections available at the book faire - it will be open tomorrow (Sat.) and all next week (including Thursday evening with a holiday sing-a-long!) Also consider buying a book and donating it to Mrs. Erikson's annual "Gift of Reading" program!
* Our holiday party will be held on Friday, Dec. 17 from 1:00 to 2:30 - we are looking for donations of healthy food, drinks, and paper goods - as well as a few "jolly" parent volunteers who can help out at the party! I will post duplicate lists in front of each classroom door, so check the opposite door before you sign up to donate something!
* Holiday gifts - in the past, Dilworth parents have been EXTREMELY generous to me at the holidays, and I've been very appreciative of your good will! This year, in light of our continuing recession, I would ask you to instead consider donating something to a worthwhile charity (in my name, if you like). Some of my favorite charities include:
UnicefUsa.org
DoctorsWithoutBorders.org
San Jose Family Shelter - http://www.sjfamilyshelter.org/
Cupertino Education Foundation - www.ceef.org
There are so many children and families in need of just basic goods and services that we take for granted in our more affluent area. Making a donation to a charity is also tax-deductible, and teaches your child that holidays are more about giving than receiving! Have a great weekend!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)