Friday, April 10, 2015

Classroom News for the Week of April 13th


News and Upcoming Events: 

4/13 Ms. Convey to Math Training (on campus) - Ms. Simons will be teaching

4/14 Early Dismissal Tuesday 
From now until the end of the year, school lets out at 2:30 on Tuesdays.

4/15 Famous Californian Speeches Due
Students should turn in a typed copy of their speech and have it memorized by this date. Speeches should be written in first person and last 50 to 60 seconds long. Please practice A LOT, and time yourselves.

4/20 Costumes for Living History Museum Due
Your child should bring his or her costume in a bag. If it's appropriate for school, your child has the option to wear it to school on Tuesday instead.

4/21 The Living History Museum Opens 8:30 to 10:00 
Come to the MPR anytime this morning to hear directly from 56 famous Californians!

4/27 - 4/30 SBAC Testing

5/21 Open House

5/28 Field Trip to Natural History Museum

5/29 "Voices Within"Performance
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!



What's Going On This Week In Class:


Math: 
Perimeter and Area; Review of 4th grade skills for SBAC Testing

Multiplication Madness (Fact Practice) 

Accelerated Math (Individualized Practice)

Reading:

Review of 4th grade skills for SBAC Testing

Guided reading of By The Great Horn Spoon Chapters 3-6 

Close reading of a biography of John Muir in preparation of Earth Day



Writing:


Typing Persuasive Letters to the US Postmaster

BGHS: Response to Literature Journals


Social Studies/Science:

Gold Rush: Environmental Impact of Mining

Arts:

Music: Voices Within -We are starting to write lyrics!

Visual Arts: Painting and Portraiture

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!

Homework:
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. 

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.

Current Event 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:
Print - The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, La Opinion, LA Daily News

Online Sources - ReutersAssociated Press; web sites ending in .edu or .gov