Friday, March 13, 2015

Classroom News for the Week of March 16th

News and Upcoming Events: 

"Voices Within"Save the date: Our performance (one time only!) is going to be on May 29th at 10:30 a.m. in the MPR. Don't miss it!

Supplies Needed -
Thank you for your donations! We are in need the following supplies for an upcoming project. Please send any donations to room 17 prior to the Spring Break. Thank you!!!!

  • rolls of wax paper
  • aluminum foil
  • disposable cups (any size, any material)
  • rubber bands
  • paper clips
  • toothpicks
  • twist ties
  • q-tips
  • straws
  • cotton balls
  • ballons (any size)

Smarter Balance Testing: 

* Your child can take the Smarter Balanced Practice (SBAC) test at home.  This is a preview of the test your child will be taking later in the spring. For the real SBAC your child will take the test on an iPad with an external keyboard. At home you may use a tablet or a computer, although the tablet will allow the student to manipulate the screen in a manner closer to the actual test.

Log on using "guest" (Confirmation Code and State SSID) at SBAC Practice Test. No score is given for the practice test.

New Weekly Assignment:
Each week your child will have a current events assignment. Students should turn in a copy of the article they have chosen stapled behind the current event worksheet. If your child would like to start the assignment over the weekend, the worksheet is available under "Links", in the class handout section, titled "Current Event Worksheet".

  • Students MUST attach the article. If your child does not have access to a printer, please use a paper resource.
  • Students may turn in a maximum of two sports related articles
  • Students may not use celebrity news
  • Students may not use editorials
  • All answers should be in complete sentences.
  • Students may choose print or online articles from the following sites only:

The Los Angeles TimesThe New York TimesLa OpinionLA Daily NewsOnline Sources: ReutersAssociated Press; web sites ending in .edu or .gov

4/7 Field Trip to the Gene Autry Museum. Students will be learning more about the California Gold Rush. We can take 3 parent chaperones. Please email me if you are able to come. Chaperones will be assigned on a first come/first serve basis.

Reminders:
* Tardies - Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

* Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily. 

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Health/PE:

Students are working in pairs and using a criteria chart to create an NBS Challenge: Design an NBS Dance

Active Listening Practice

Math: 

Measurement: U.S. Customary Weight/ Unit Conversions

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Reading the Newspaper and Understanding Current Events; Identifying Different Text Structures 

Reading longer articles for main idea and details: The Life of an Ant  (Treasures)

Smarter Balance Practice Test continued (ELA)

Students are researching the life of a famous Californian


Writing:


Identifying and Using Conjunctions

Creative Writing Using Cause and Effect Signal Words

Planning and Drafting Persuasive Letters 


Social Studies/Science:

Physical Science Circuits

Social Studies: The Gold Rush and California Statehood

Arts:

This week we will be illustrating our Student Authored books.


Music: Voices Within - Identifying verse and melody



Sunday, March 8, 2015

Classroom News for the Week of March 9th

News and Upcoming Events: 

"VOICES WITHIN"- I am very pleased that this year our class, along with Ms. Lowery's fifth grade, will be working with a lyricist, composer, and vocalist from the Los Angeles Master Chorale. This 12 week artist-in-residency culminates in a concert where the students will sing songs they have written and composed with members of the Chorale. Please stay tuned for a performance date at the end of May. The artists will be working with our class every Friday for the next 12 weeks.



SUPPLIES NEEDED
Room 17 is in need of the following supplies:
  • No. 2 Pencils
  • Baby Wipes
Thank you for your donations! 

Smarter Balance Testing: 
* Your child can take the Smarter Balanced Practice (SBAC) test at home.  This is a preview of the test your child will be taking later in the spring. For the real SBAC your child will take the test on an iPad with an external keyboard. At home you may use a tablet or a computer, although the tablet will allow the student to manipulate the screen in a manner closer to the actual test.

Log on using "guest" (Confirmation Code and State SSID) at SBAC Practice Test. No score is given for the practice test.

Reminders:
* Tardies - Please make sure your child is at school and in line by the 8:06 bell. We try to start the school day at 8:11 promptly. Thank you for your help!

* Please check your child's Homework Log nightly and sign or initial after the work has been completed. Remind your child that completed homework and the HW log are due in class daily. 

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Health/PE:

Students are working in pairs and using a criteria chart to create an NBS Challenge: Design an NBS Dance

Math: 
Money and Decimals; Decimal Quiz

New Math Topic- Measurement: U.S. Customary Length and Capacity

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Reading the newspaper and Understanding Current Events; Identifying Different Text Structures 

Writing and Using Analogies

Students are researching the life of a famous Californian


Writing:


Identifying and Using Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

Creative Writing Using Cause and Effect Signal Words

Students are also working with partners to write instructions for their NBS dance.


Social Studies/Science:

Physical Science Circuits

Social Studies: The Gold Rush and California Statehood

Arts:

This week we will be illustrating our Student Authored books.