Friday, November 30, 2012

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