Classroom News for the Week of January 7th

Field Trip to California Science Center on Thurs. 1/10/13:

Parents Attending:

Robin Moriarty

Parent of Kayla Alexander 

Kai-Ti Olsen

Harry Wong

Belinda Babel

David Moguel

* Please be on campus by 8:20. Remember to bring a sack lunch. There will be space for you to ride the bus.

What's Going On In Class:

Math:

Grade 4: Topic 10 Adding and Subtracting Like and Unlike Fractions; Topic 11: Decimals

Grade 5: Topic 10 Fractions continued... and Area of Polygons

Both Grades:  Review for Quarter 2 Math Assessment next week; Accelerated Math; Daily Fact Practice

Writing and Writing Homework:  

NEW! Starting this week, the students will have a weekly writing assignment for homework in place of the root word work they have been doing. 

For the next two weeks, their assignment will be to write a well-structured and clear paragraph. I will be providing detailed feedback on your child's work so s/he will understand how to improve his or her writing quality. The purpose of the first two weeks is to review and bring strong attention to what makes a solid, well-written paragraph before we jump into longer essays.

This week's topic: Write a paragraph about your favorite restaurant. I will be talking with the students on Tuesday about the best ways to approach this task and the criteria they will need to meet. Paragraphs may be typed or handwritten in very neat printing or cursive. Your child's work will be due on Thursday, January 10th.

In approximately two to three weeks, we will build up to a three paragraph and finally, a five paragraph essay.  When we begin to write essays, I will post the upcoming week's topic here on Fridays for those students who would like to get a head start over the weekend. In addition, you will be able to find the criteria chart for the writing, as well as some general tips about managing the task. Please make sure to check here for more information in the upcoming weeks.

In class, we will be evaluating each other's work and  using sample students' writing to focus on  the revision process.

Reading:

Grade 4: Treasures Selection: "When I Went to the Library"; Making Inferences

Grade 5: Treasures Selection: "Catch of the Day"; Characteristics of Trickster Tales

DBL (Design-Based Learning):

Challenge: Design an NBS Avatar to Represent Yourself on our Landform

Social Studies: 

Grade 4: Unit 2: Effect of Spanish Colonization and Mexican Independence

Grade 5: Unit 2: European Conflict in the New World.

Health:

Grades 4 &5: Personal Health and Physical Activities

Vocabulary/ Greek and Latin Roots: 

This week the students will be asked to study the meanings of the 15 roots they have learned so far this year. Students will be quizzed on the meaning of each root this Friday 1/11/13. For example, given the root "flect", students should write "bend". Students will be given a study sheet Monday 1/7. 

The roots to memorize are:

• ped
• man, manu
• spec
• ject
• sect
• port
• miss, mit
• graph
• scrib, script
• cred
• jur,jus,jud
• ben, bene, bon
• bio
• viv, vit
• flect, flex

Snack Shack

Parents, the following students have volunteered to work at Snack Shack after school:

Week of 1/7 Maddie and Hannah

Week of 1/14 Paulina and Isabella

Week of 1/21 Nicole L. and Alex

Week of 1/28 Sonia and Elijah

Please remind your child during his/her week. If there is a day your child is unable to work at Snack Shack, s/he is responsible for finding a replacement. If there are any problems, please let me know right away. Thank you!

Genre Blackout:

Here are the new reading categories for the 2nd trimester. To become well-rounded readers, students should try to read at least one book from each of the following categories:

• Biography or Autobigraphy
• Non-fiction Science
• Non-fiction Social Studies/History ( i.e. a book about the Gold Rush)
• Science Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Realistic Fiction
• Newbery Award winning book

Classroom News for the Week of December 10th

Genre Blackout:

Here are the new reading categories for the 2nd trimester. To become well-rounded readers, students should try to read at least one book from each of the following categories:

• Biography or Autobigraphy
• Non-fiction Science
• Non-fiction Social Studies/History ( i.e. a book about the Gold Rush)
• Science Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Realistic Fiction
• Newbery Award winning book

Holiday Performances and Parties:

Wednesday 12/12: Grades 4 and 5 Holiday Luncheon - Please sign-up to bring a favorite dish or help with set-up and clean-up . You can access the sign up sheet created by Sarah (Sonia's mom) here: SignupGenius. Thank you!

Thursday 12/13: Winter Holiday Program 1:15 p.m. in the MPR.  Grade 4 will be reciting a choral poem and grade 5 will be singing an original song.

Field Trip to California Science Center on 1/10/13:

Parents Attending:

Parent of Alex Moriarty (Please email me to specify who is coming.)

Parent of Kayla Alexander (Please email me to specify who is coming.)

Kai-Ti Olsen

Harry Wong

Belinda Babel

David Moguel

* Please be on campus by 8:20. Remember to bring a sack lunch.

What's Going On In Class:

Math:

Grade 4: Topic 9 Fractions continued...(Simplest Form, Improper and Mixed Numbers, Comparing Fractions)

Grade 5: Topic 10 Fractions continued... (Equivalent Fractions, Compare and Order on a number line, Relating fractions to decimals)

Both Grades: Accelerated Math; Daily Fact Practice

Writing:  

Writing a summary and discussing theme.

Arts:

Arts:  Making our Holiday Gifts & Rehearsing for our performances on 12/13.

Social Studies: 

Grade 4: Unit 2: Effect of Spanish Colonization and Mexican Independence

Grade 5: Unit 2: European Conflict in the New World.

Vocabulary/ Greek and Latin roots: 

This is the last week for root work. When we return from winter break, students will begin working on weekly writing assignments. Please stay tuned for more details and tips for helping your child with these assignments

This week's root is flect, flex = bend

circumflex

deflect

flexible

flexor

inflection

inflexible

reflect

reflection

reflex angle

retroflex

Winter break begins December 17, 2012 and school resumes Monday,  January 7, 2013.

Have a wonderful and restful winter break! I wish you all the best in the new year! See you in January. 

-Best wishes,  Ms. Convey

Classroom News for the Week of December 3rd

Field Trip:

On Monday, December 3, we will be visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art  (MOCA) in Little Tokyo. The current exhibition is "Blues for Smoke" - an interdisciplinary look at contemporary art, music and literature through the lens of blues music.

Parents Attending:

Erin Brennan

Suzanne Stackle

Lisa McGuinness

Genre Blackout:

Here are the new reading categories for the 2nd trimester. To become well-rounded readers, students should try to read at least one book from each of the following categories:

• Biography or Autobigraphy
• Non-fiction Science
• Non-fiction Social Studies/History ( i.e. a book about the Gold Rush)
• Science Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Realistic Fiction
• Newbery Award winning book

Book Fair:

Our class will be visiting the school's book fair on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Students may bring money to school on these days if they would like to purchase items.

Pajama/Stuffed Animal Day: Friday 12/7

What's Going On In Class:

Math:

Grade 4: Topic 9 Fraction Meanings and Concepts

Grade 5: Topic 10 Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals

Both Grades: Accelerated Math; Daily Fact Practice

Reading: 

Finishing Bud, Not Buddy;  Comprehension and Vocabulary, Character Analysis of Bud Caldwell, and Uncovering Themes in Fiction.  On Friday, students will take the Accelerated Reader  Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Literary Analysis Quizzes for Bud. Your child will be assigned reading from the book each night this week.

Writing:  

Writing a personal narrative; Using showing instead of telling; Using the writing process continued...

Arts: 

Music: A Brief History of Jazz Music (integrated arts lesson with Bud, Not Buddy. Listening Focus: Jazz and Blues of the 1930's: Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Countie Basie, Fletcher Henderson

Visual Arts:  Making our Holiday Gifts
* We will be painting with a special paint on Thursday, it is non-toxic and safe for classroom use, but it may stain clothing. Hopefully there won't be any accidents, but your child should dress appropriately or bring an old t-shirt to use as a smock. Thank you!

Social Studies: 

Grade 4: Unit 2: Effect of Spanish Colonization and Mexican Independence

Grade 5: Unit 2: European Conflict in the New World.

Science:

Grade 4: Magnetism  - Quiz on Friday. Your child was given study notes Friday 11/30.

Grade 5: Human Body Systems

Vocabulary/ Greek and Latin roots: 

There will be two more weeks of root work. When we return from winter break, students will begin working on weekly writing assignments. Please stay tuned for more details and tips for helping your child with these assignments

This week's root is vit, viv= live; life

revitalize
revive
survival
survivor
vital
vitality
vitamin
vivacious
vivid
vivisection

Classroom News for the Week of November 26th

Field Trip:

Next Monday, December 3, we will be visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art  (MOCA) in Little Tokyo. The current exhibition is "Blues for Smoke" - an interdisciplinary look at contemporary art, music and literature through the lens of blues music.

Your child will be bringing home his/her trip slip on Monday. Please fill out and sign the slip and return it on Tuesday. Thank you!

What's Going On In Class:

Math:

Grade 4: Topic 8 Geometry continued: Circles, Solids (characteristics of, using nets, 2D views)

Grade 5: Topic 9 Number Sense: Divisibility Rules; Prime Factorization, Finding Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and Least Common Multiple (LCM)

Both Grades: Accelerated Math; Daily Fact Practice

Reading: 

Chapters 8-13 of Bud, Not Buddy;  Comprehension and Vocabulary, Character Analysis of Bud Caldwell, and Uncovering the Themes in Fiction. 

Students will also be watching portions of the PBS documentary "Riding the Rails" to further understand events in the book.

Writing:  

Writing a personal narrative; Using showing instead of telling; Using the writing process continued...

Arts: 

Music: A Brief History of Jazz Music (integrated arts lesson with Bud, Not Buddy. Listening Focus: Jazz and Blues of the 1930's: Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Countie Basie, Fletcher Henderson

Voices Within Reflection/Post-Assessment: Amy will be visiting us on Thursday.

Visual Arts: Landscapes/Citiscapes: Drawing "Hoovervilles"

Social Studies: 

Grade 4: Unit 2: Effect of Spanish Colonization and Mexican Independence

Grade 5: Unit 2: European Conflict in the New World.

Physical Education:

"The NBS Dance". Students are working in small groups to create and perform a never-before-seen (NBS) dance. Groups are using a criteria chart to guide them through the process.

Vocabulary/ Greek and Latin roots:

This week's root is bio = life

The words are:

antibiotic

autobiography

biography

biologist

biology

biopsy

biosphere

macrobiotic diet

neurobiology

symbiosis

Classroom News for the Week of November 12th

Special Notes:

Voices Within Culmination:

November 15th at 9am is the culminating performance for the Voices Within program. The 9am performance has been reserved for parents. The 10:30 performance is geared to the student body and is slightly different. There is also very limited seating at the 10:30. Please try to come at 9am.

* WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ALL STUDENTS MEET IN THE MPR AT 8 AM ON THE DAY OF THE PERFORMANCE. STUDENTS SHOULD WEAR BLUE OR BLACK JEANS AND A PLAIN, LIGHT-COLORED SHIRT (WITHOUT ANY DESIGNS OR LOGOS). THANK YOU!

Parent Conferences:

Please scroll down to find the conference schedule.

Minimum and Shortened Days

Monday- No School for Veterans' Day Holiday

Tuesday - Early dismissal 1:30 p.m.

Wed., Thurs., Fri., - School gets out at 12:50 p.m. No lunch is served. Recess/Brunch is from 10:00- 10:30 a.m.

No Root/Vocabulary Words This Week

What's Going On In Class:

Math:

Grade 4: Topic 8 Geometry continued...

Grade 5: Topic 8 Geometry: Triangles and Quadrilaterals; Measuring angles using a protractor

Both Grades: Accelerated Math; Daily Fact Practice- We now have seven students who have completed the first 5 levels of Multiplication Madness and the 60 Second Sweep! 

Reading: 

Vocabulary and literary analysis comprehension questions for Bud, Not Buddy. We will be reading this Newbery Award winning book for the next few weeks in class. Students should make sure they have their book each day in class. This AR book is work 8 points.

Writing:  

Writing a fictional narrative- "My Dream Lunch with________"; Singular and Possessive Plural Nouns

Social Studies: 

Grade 4: Unit 2: The Birth of the Missions

  

Grade 5: Unit 2: European Settlers in the New World.

Book Orders:

You may now order Scholastic books online using the link below. Our class activation code is LN6CP. You may order books each month. Orders will be submitted by me on the 16th of each month, so please order prior to the 16th if you are interested. Your online orders generate points for our class which can be redeemed to add books to our classroom library. Thank you!

Scholastic Book Orders

Conference Schedule

Dear Families,

Due to the shortened week and the number of conferences, our schedule is fairly tight.  Conferences will be limited to 15 minutes. Please make every effort to be on time. I look forward to meeting with each of you.

Friday 11/9

• 2:30 Elijah 
• 3:00 Grace 

Tuesday 11/13

• 7:30 Paulina
• 7:45 Malia
• 2:45 Etta
• 3:00 Eamonn
• 3:15 Vinca
• 3:30 Nicole Lee

Wednesday 11/14

• 1:30 Sameer
• 1:45 Max
• 2:15 Devin
• 2:45 Madeline
• 3:15 Thomas
• 3:30 Janna

Thursday 11/15 

• 7:40 Mason
• 1:30 Maya
• 2:15 Marco
• 2:30 Rafael
• 2:45 Kayla
• 3:00 Carpenter
• 3:15 Isabella
• 3:30 Ethan

Friday 11/16

• 1:30 Nicole Moguel
• 1:45 Emilie
• 2:00 Alex
• 2:15 Judah
• 2:30 Sonia
• 2:45 Imani
• 3:15 Ryan
• 3:30 Matthew

News for the Week of November 5th

Special Notes:

Voices Within Culmination:

November 15th at 9am is the culminating performance for the Voices Within program. The 9am performance has been reserved for parents. The 10:30 performance is geared to the student body and is slightly different. There is also very limited seating at the 10:30. Please try to come at 9am.

Accelerated Reader:

The students are making good progress towards the goal of 100 points achieved through 90% or greater accuracy on comprehension quizzes. Many of the students have completed or are nearly finished with their "Genre Blackout" squares! Please ask your child about his or her progress so far. 

Parent Conferences:

Parent conferences will be held the week of 11/12 (although none will be held on Monday 11/12, Veterans Day). Appointment sheets were sent home last Thursday. If you haven't done so already, please return your salmon-colored tear-off as soon as possible. I will post the conference schedule once I have received all of the tear-offs. Thank you!

Election Day:
On Tuesday, November 6, to celebrate election day the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade will have an election day celebration. Students will be organized into small group and rotate through six different learning stations. Topics include: the electoral college, the art of persuasion, the design of campaign posters, ballots and propositions, and more. Be sure to ask your child about his or her experience on this day.

What's Going on in the Class:

Math:

Grade 4: Topic 8 Geometry; Review of prime and composite numbers

Grade 5: Topic 8 Geometry; Review of multiplying decimals

Both Grades: Accelerated Math; Daily Fact Practice- We now have three students who have completed the first 5 levels of Multiplication Madness and the 60 Second Sweep! Congratulations to Rafael, Janna, and Ryan! 

Reading: 

We will begin Language Arts Unit 3. 

Writing:  

Writing a fictional narrative; Using showing instead of telling; Using the writing process continued...

Arts: 

Voices Within- Students should be practicing the songs daily with their CDs. Our dress rehearsal is this Friday.

Social Studies: 

Grade 4: Unit 2: Early People of California

  

Grade 5: Unit 2: European Settlers in the New World.

Vocabulary/ Greek and Latin roots:

This week's roots are ben, bene, bon = good, well

The words are:

benediction
benefactor
beneficial
beneficiary
benefit
benevolent
benign
bonafide
bonus
bon voyage

Book Orders:

You may now order Scholastic books online using the link below. Our class activation code is LN6CP. You may order books each month. Orders will be submitted by me on the 16th of each month, so please order prior to the 16th if you are interested. Your online orders generate points for our class which can be redeemed to add books to our classroom library. Thank you!

Scholastic Book Orders

And, Finally...

We are well-stocked on paper towels, tape, and copy paper. Thank you! 

We are in need of the following items for our class:

glue sticks

pencils

tissue

Thank you in advance for your donations!