Classroom News for Week of March 4th

Updates and Notices:

* 4th graders need two 9 volt batteries to complete their circuit boards. Please have batteries here at school (apply masking tape and write your child's name on them) no later than Monday, March 11.

* Report cards will be sent home Friday, March 8th.

* Grade 4 students will be taking the Writing portion of CST this Tuesday. Make-up tests will be given on Wednesday. There is no special preparation to make, but please make sure your child is well rested and has had a nutritious breakfast. Thank you!

* On Thursday, grade 5 students will begin Fitnessgram testing. Please make sure your child has had a nutritious breakfast and is well rested. Thank you!

* This week (likely on Thursday), students will be bringing home revised drafts of the story they have selected to publish for the annual book project, and a flash drive.  Your child should type his or her story at home, save it on the flashdrive, and return the flashdrive to school by Tuesday, March 19th. Specific instructions with regards to format will be attached to your child's draft. Books will be printed in our computer lab using the special paper the publisher requires. Illustrations will be completed in class.  If you have further questions about this assignment after receiving the details on Thursday, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you!

* Selected Students: Math Club continues Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 2:30-3:15

* Yearbook Committee Students: We will be gin working on class pages Friday 2:45-3:30

What's Going On In Class:

Math:

Grade 4: Topic 18 -Formulas and Graphing Equations

Grade 5: Topic 16 - Patterns and Equations with Integers

Both Grades: Surface Area; Accelerated Math; Daily Fact Practice

Writing:

Workshop: Each student will be reading his or her story aloud in front of the class this week to receive feedback from his/her classmates. Students will continue revising their work.

Writing Homework:  

Last week's three-paragraph essays will be revised. Next week, these will be expanded into 5 paragraph essays. For those students typing, be sure to save your work.

Reading:

This week we will be finishing, and taking AR Reading practice and Literacy Skills quizzes for :

Grade 4: By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischmann

Grade 5: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Art:

Thank you to Kai-ti Olsen for coming into our class and conducting an art class with room17's students! The finished products will be up for bid at this year's silent auction.

Science:

Grade 4: Life Science: Habitats and Ecosystems

Grade 5:  Review for Grade 5 Science CST

Social Studies: 

Grade 4: Unit 4: The Growth of California from 1850.

Grade 5: No Social Studies this week