Sunday, December 10, 2017

Classroom News for the Week of December 11th

News and Upcoming Events: 
12/11: Please make sure your child returns his/her (empty) Friday Folder. Orchestra students: Bring your instruments. 

12/11 Winter Program- K-2 Parents: 10:45 a.m.; 3-6 Parents 1 p.m., MPR. Students: Please dress up in a way that feels comfortable to you, and in a way that will allow you to participate in all the days' activities without changing clothes. Wear comfortable shoes. No words, logos, characters on clothing.

12/12 First Grade Buddies!

12/14 Grade 4 "At the Movies" Holiday Party. Students: please bring $3 cash by Friday, December 8 to pay for party supplies and goodies. PG permission slips will came home Monday 12/4. Please sign and return asap.

12/18 - 1/5 Winter break. School resumes Monday, January 8th.

1/11 - Mission Project due. Outline of project requirements can be found under "Class Handouts" in the Link tab at right.

1/15 - MLK Holiday. School closed.

1/19 Field Trip to Leonis Adobe Museum. http://www.leonisadobemuseum.org/ Our class can bring 3 adult chaperones. If you are willing and able to supervise a small group of students on the trip and at the park, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. Chaperones will be assigned on a first come/first serve basis. Please know, this trip will last the entire school day and involves lots of walking and standing. Thank you!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Dividing with larger dividends; Dividends with 0. 

Reading:

Scholastic News: Informational Reading Assessment

Poetry - Identifying rhythm, structure, meaning and theme.

Understanding Analogies

Students have started a new round of Genre Genius. Ask your child about which genres s/he has selected.

Writing:

Writing short opinion pieces - Text structure for opinion pieces.


Spelling & Vocabulary:

(quest, quer, quit, quis - ask. labor, oper - work)
  • cooperate
  • operable
  • laboratory
  • labored
  • operator
  • requirement
  • questionnaire
  • inquisitive
  • quest
  • request
Social Studies/Science -
No rotation this week

Arts:

Making origami mandalas- Bilateral and Radial Symmetry

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.

Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as his/her classmates are leaving the room.

Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!

Friday, December 1, 2017

Classroom News for the Week of December 4th

News and Upcoming Events: 
12/4: Please make sure your child returns his/her (empty) Friday Folder. Orchestra students: Bring your instruments. 

12/6: Class Play: Thor's Wedding, 8:30 and 2:00 MPR. Students: come to the MPR at 7:45 a.m. on this day. Please wear solid colored clothing - preferably all black, brown, white, or gray. Girls with long hair should wear their hair in a single braid or low pony tail. No words, logos, or characters on clothing.

12/7: Science Quiz. Study notes were sent home at the T-giving break and can be found under "Class Handouts" in the Link tab at right.

12/7 and 12/8: Our class will visit the Book Fair this week. On Thursday students will have time to browse the books and make selections, and on Friday they may make purchases. Students wishing to buy items from the Fair should bring money on Friday. Please discuss with your child how to keep his/her $ safe.

12/11 Winter Program- K-2 Parents: 10:45 a.m.; 3-6 Parents 1 p.m., MPR. Students: Please dress up in a way that feels comfortable to you, and in a way that will allow you to participate in all the days' activities without changing clothes. Wear comfortable shoes. No words, logos, characters on clothing.

12/14 Grade 4 "At the Movies" Holiday Party. Students: please bring $3 cash by Friday, December 8 to pay for party supplies and goodies. PG permission slips will come home Monday 12/4. Please sign and return asap.

12/18 - 1/5 Winter break. School resumes Monday, January 8th.

1/11 - Mission Project due. Outline of project requirements can be found under "Class Handouts" in the Link tab at right.

1/15 - MLK Holiday. School closed.

1/19 Field Trip to Leonis Adobe Museum. http://www.leonisadobemuseum.org/ Our class can bring 3 adult chaperones. If you are willing and able to supervise a small group of students on the trip and at the park, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. Chaperones will be assigned on a first come/first serve basis. Please know, this trip will last the entire school day and involves lots of walking and standing. Thank you!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Solving division problems with remainders using the standard algorithm.


Reading:

Scholastic News: Navajo Code Talkers; Media Literacy- Looking critically at ads.

Poetry - Identifying rhythm, structure, meaning and theme.

Understanding Analogies

Students have started a new round of Genre Genius. Ask your child about which genres s/he has selected.


Writing:

Writing short opinion pieces - Text structure for opinion pieces.


Spelling & Vocabulary:

(magn, maxi, magni - large,great. micro and min - small)
  • miniature
  • microbe
  • microscope
  • mince
  • minute (my-noot)
  • magnate
  • mafnification
  • magnificent
  • maximum
  • maximize
Social Studies/ Science:

The Birth of the Missions; Geology Quiz

Arts:

Complimentary colors quilt

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.

Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as his/her classmates are leaving the room.

Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Classroom News for the Week of November 27th

News and Upcoming Events: 
11/27: Please make sure your child returns his/her (empty) Friday Folder. Orchestra students: Bring your instruments. Mission Project selection slips due with parent signature.

12/1 Boundless Brilliance https://www.boundlessbrilliance.org/ - STEM presentation for all Rm. 12 students

12/6: Class Play: Thor's Wedding, 8:30 and 2:00 MPR

12/7: Science Quiz. Study notes were sent home at the T-giving break and can be found under "Class Handouts" in the Link tab at right.

12/11 Winter Program- K-2 Parents: 10:45 a.m.; 3-6 Parents 1 p.m., MPR

12/14 Grade 4 "At the Movies" Holiday Party. Students: please bring $3 cash by Friday, December 8 to pay for party supplies and goodies.

12/18 - 1/5 Winter break. School resumes Monday, January 8th.

1/11 - Mission Project due. Outline of project requirements can be found under "Class Handouts" in the Link tab at right.

1/15 - MLK Holiday. School closed.

1/19 Field Trip to Leonis Adobe Museum. http://www.leonisadobemuseum.org/ Our class can bring 3 adult chaperones. If you are willing and able to supervise a small group of students on the trip and at the park, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. Chaperones will be assigned on a first come/first serve basis. Please know, this trip will last the entire school day and involves lots of walking and standing. Thank you!

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Multiplication: 2 x 2 digit multiplication using the area model and partial products method, and standard algorithm. Solving division problems with remainders.


Reading:

Scholastic News: A Pilgrim Discovery. Identifying text structure

Students have started a new round of Genre Genius. Ask your child about which genres s/he has selected.


Writing:

Writing short opinion pieces - Text structure for opinion pieces.



Spelling & Vocabulary:

(gen - origin, birth. graph and gram - write, writing)
  • autograph
  • biography
  • grammar
  • graphic
  • graphite
  • generation
  • genuine
  • generic
  • generous
  • generate
Social Studies/ Science:

European Explorers in California; Geology Review

Arts:
Save the date: "Thor's Wedding" will be performed Wednesday, December 6th at 8:30 a.m. and 2 pm. Running time is approximately 30 minutes. Students will need to be at school at 7:45 on this day.


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.

Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as his/her classmates are leaving the room.

Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Classroom News for the Week of November 13th

News and Upcoming Events: 
11/13 
Orchestra students: Bring your instruments. Everyone: Make sure to return your (empty) Friday Folder.

11/13 

Parent Conferences- Early dismissal. School gets out at 12:54. Please send a large midday snack for your child.

11/16


  • First Grade Buddies
  • Mission project directions - Students will have a home project to complete about the California Missions. This project is not due until Thursday, January 11th, but students will be given assignment directions this Thursday for those families who may want to take advantage of the upcoming breaks. Students will have a choice of two project options.

11/20 - 11/24 
Thanksgiving Holiday - No School


What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Multiplication: 2 x 2 digit multiplication using the area model and partial products method, and standard algorithm. 


Reading:

Scholastic News: Thanksgiving

Students will be starting a new round of Genre Genius. Ask your child about which genres s/he has selected.

Check-in meeting with any students who want to be part of the Newbery Club: Read 10 books that have won the Newbery Award for Children's Literature.


Writing:

Students will learn about the real-life Karana. They'll use higher level thinking skills (synthesis and evaluation) and their knowledge of the book, to write obituaries for Karana. In small group, they will discuss the following questions to deepen their understanding: Who was Karana? How would you describe her? What did she accomplish in her life? How did she change? How should she be remembered? Is her life significant? Why?


Engineering/Design Challenge: Can You Canoe?

Canoes were very important to Karana's survival. As an extension to the book, students will work in teams to build an NBS canoe that meets criteria. Students will use the design process including testing and revising to make sure their canoes work.

Spelling & Vocabulary:

  • structure
  • destructive
  • instructor
  • obstruct
  • construction
  • inscribe
  • inscription
  • prescription
  • transcribe
  • scribe
Social Studies/ Science:

Due to the PBL presentations, there will not be Science/SS rotations this week.

Project-Based Learning (PBL): What Makes Our State Special?

Mark your calendars! Students will be presenting their projects on the following days. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend as you make up our audience of potential travelers. All presentations will be held in the library from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30. Thank you!

Tuesday 11/14, 8:30 a.m. Cordy, Mari, Xia, Nicholas; Weston, Shiogo, Ru; Darin, Gabriel, Juan; Zhen, Josie, Elsa; Chloe, Abbey, Sadie

Friday 11/17, 8:30 a.m. Luka, Jonah, Elvis; Valentina, Mya, Camille, Sarah; Jake, Elliot, Angelo; Nayelli, Frances, Ainsley, Alice.

Arts:
Save the date: "Thor's Wedding" will be performed Wednesday, December 6th at 8:30 a.m. and 2 pm. Running time is approximately 30 minutes. Students will need to be at school at 7:45 on this day.

Visual arts: Origami-Making gifts for first grade buddies 

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.

Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as their classmates are leaving the room.

Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!

Friday, November 3, 2017

Classroom News for the Week of November 6th

News and Upcoming Events: 

Parent conferences begin this week. Please use the link below to check your appointment time. Thank you!
Parent Conference Sign-up

11/6 - Orchestra students: Bring your instruments. Everyone: Make sure to return your (empty) Friday Folder.

11/6 - 11/9 & 11/13- Parent Conferences- Early dismissal. School gets out at 12:54 each day except Tuesday which is the regular time of 1:34. Please send a large midday snack for your child.

11/10 - Veterans' Day Holiday - No School


What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Multiplication: Multiplying 1 digit x 2,3, and 4 digit factors; Solving word problems with multiplication. 2 x 2 digit multiplication using the area model and partial products method. Interim assessments on number operations in base 10.


Reading:

Scholastic News: Veterans' Day; Island of the Blue Dolphins AR test and culminating project.

Interim assessments on reading literature.

Writing:

Students will learn about the real-life Karana. They'll use higher level thinking skills (synthesis and evaluation) and their knowledge of the book, to write obituaries for Karana. In small group, they will discuss the following questions to deepen their understanding: Who was Karana? How would you describe her? What did she accomplish in her life? How did she change? How should she be remembered? Is her life significant? Why?


Engineering/Design Challenge: Can You Canoe?

Canoes were very important to Karana's survival. As an extension to the book, students will work in teams to build an NBS canoe that meets criteria. Students will use the design process including testing and revising to make sure their canoes work.

Spelling & Vocabulary:

Due to the short days and short week, there will be no vocabulary this week.


Social Studies/ Science:

No rotations this week.

Project-Based Learning (PBL): What Makes Our State Special?

Mark your calendars! Students will be presenting their projects on the following days. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend as you make up our audience of potential travelers. All presentations will be held in the library from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30. Thank you!

Tuesday 11/14, 8:30 a.m. Cordy, Mari, Xia, Nicholas; Weston, Shiogo, Ru; Darin, Gabriel, Juan; Zhen, Josie, Elsa; Chloe, Abbey, Sadie

Friday 11/17, 8:30 a.m. Luka, Jonah, Elvis; Valentina, Mya, Camille, Sarah; Jake, Elliot, Angelo; Nayelli, Frances, Ainsley, Alice.

Arts:
Drama with Ms. Beret on Wednesday- Rehearsal for "Thor's Wedding". Performance date TBA next week on the blog. Please check back.

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.

Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as their classmates are leaving the room.

Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Classroom News for the Week of October 23rd

News and Upcoming Events: 
Parent conferences begin the week of November 6th. Please click on the the link below to choose a slot for your child's conference. Please make note of your selected time. An email reminder will be sent a few days prior. No paper notice will be sent home.
Parent Conference Sign-up


10/23 - Return empty Friday Folders; Orchestra students: Bring your instruments.
10/26 - Science Quiz - Study notes sent home 10/20
10/27 - First grade buddies
10/31 - Halloween parade
11/6 - 11/9 &11/13- Parent Conferences
11/10 - Veterans' Day Holiday - No School

Items Needed: Do you have any of the following to donate to the class for an upcoming design/engineering challenge? If so, please send the item with your child by asap. Thank you!
  • balsa wood scraps
  • crafting or florist wire
  • masking tape 
  • aluminum foil
What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Multiplication: Multiplying 1 digit x 2,3, and 4 digit factors.

Fluency with Math Facts

Reading:

Chapters 17-22 of Scott O'Dell's Newbery-Award winning book, Island of the Blue Dolphins. We will be using Depth and Complexity icons to help us dig deeper into the text.

Genre Blackout: Students are challenged to read books from 9 different genres in the first reporting period. Ask your child about his or her progress.

Accelerated Reader: Students have reflected on their AR points and habits from grade 3 and have made a new, individualized goals. Ask your child about his/her yearlong goal.

Looking for great books to read with your child? Check out the list of Newbery winners from 2006 on:
Newbery Winners

(Cladecott's are awarded for illustration)

Writing:

Scripts for the "What Makes Our State Special?" project.


Spelling & Vocabulary:
This week's words are -
  • multipurpose
  • multimedia
  • multitude
  • polygon
  • polyhedron
  • embellish
  • engulf
  • immigrate
  • influence
  • inhibit
        Tip: Spend 10 minutes verbally studying the words each day. Research suggests that studying for small periods regularly is more effective than cramming. In addition to having your child spell the word aloud, ask your child to use the word in an imaginative sentence. You can pick a "theme" for the sentences, such as Halloween or the Desert…"Give me a sentence with 'collide' that has to do with Halloween." This can provide some challenge and novelty to a routine task.


        Social Studies/ Science:

        California regions; Science review in preparation of quiz

        Project-Based Learning:

        Presentations will likely happen the week of November 13, or after the Thanksgiving break-the week of November 27. Please check this blog in the upcoming weeks. I will publish it here, once Mrs. Paz and I determine the students are near-ready. Thank you.

        Lesson Focus:  Drafting of presentation script; Finding info for unanswered questions; Getting Feedback

        Arts:
        Drama with Ms. Beret on Wednesday- Workshopping ideas for our class play.

        Dance: Rehearsing the Giant's dance

        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.

        Birthday Celebrations: If you would like to send treats to celebrate your child's birthday, please email me a day or 2 in advance so that I can make time in our schedule for it. Treats must be something small and easy to pass out. Donuts, cookies, muffins, and mini cupcakes all work great. We currently have 30 students in our class. Your child will distribute them at the end of the day as their classmates are leaving the room.

        Donations: If you would like to make a donation to our class (this allows me to turn in receipts for purchases I have made for the students), you can write a check to "Mt. Washington El." In the subject line write, "Donation to Room 12". Any amount is appreciated! Thank you!