Classroom News for the Week of October 2nd

News and Upcoming Events: 

Monday 10/2: 

• Please make sure your child return's his/her (empty) Friday Folder.
• Orchestra students: Bring your instruments

Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Do you (or does someone you know) work in the travel/tourism industry? I am looking for people to come in and speak to the 4th grade students as part of an upcoming multidisciplinary project. If you, or anyone you know is willing, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net. We can discuss specifics and potential dates. Thank you!

2. Do you sew? Ms. Beret and I are looking for someone who would be willing to help sew very basic costumes for our upcoming play based on a Norse myth. This would involve very basic sewing skills (making long tunics/caftans out of muslin). If your are interested, please email me at slc5001@lausd.net.

What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

It's metric week! We will be reviewing metric measurement (length, mass, and capacity). Students will be converting units and solving multiple step addition/subtraction word problems with metric measurement.

Fluency with Math Facts

Reading:

This week students will begin reading Scott O'Dell's Newbery-Award winning book, Island of the Blue Dolphins. This work of historical fiction ties in with our current social studies unit on the geography of California. We will be using Depth and Complexity icons to help us dig deeper into the text.

Students will also read from this week's Scholastic News. They will work in partners to summarize an article and practice using text evidence to answer comprehension questions.

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.

Writing:

Writer's Workshop: The Arc of A Story. This week we will continue drafting our original stories and begin the revision process. Students will work with their writing partner and use a checklist to look critically at their work, and make improvements to the content of their stories.

Quick writes: writing summaries.

Spelling & Vocabulary:

This week's prefixes are mono, uni (one); bi, du (two); co, col (with together) 

Our words are:

1. condense
2. companion
3. confer
4. collide
5. conspire
6. monopoly
7. unicorn
8. unify
9. dual
10. bisect

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.

P.E. & Leadership
On Friday, the students will have the opportunity to lead and encourage others as they become play buddies to first grade schoolmates. Talk with your child about the positive impact s/he can have on a younger student.

Social Studies/ Science:

California regions; Rock Formation and Layers 

On Friday students will be introduced to a new in-class project titled, "What Makes Our State Special?" Look for more information  here (including presentation dates) in the upcoming weeks.

Arts:

Drama with Ms. Beret on Wednesday- Workshopping ideas for our class play; Tableau. 

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!