Classroom News for the Week of October 21st

News and Upcoming Events: 

10/21 - Return empty Friday folders; Orchestra students - bring your instruments.

10/25 - Science Quiz - Study notes came home 10/18; Festival of the Howlin' Wolves 

10/31 - Halloween Parade - New time: 8:30 a.m. Details will be posted on next week's blog.

11/11 - Veteran's Day- no school

11/18 Parent Conference Week. Please be sure to check next week's blog. There will be a  link to sign up for a conference appointment time.

11/21 - Save the Date: PBL Presentations 8:45 in the MPR. All parents invited.


What's Going On This Week In Class:

Math: 

Perimeter and area

Reading:

Chapters 15-20 of Island of the Blue Dolphins: Identifying types of conflict in the novel.

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.

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

(Caldecott's are awarded for illustration)

Writing:

The Arc of A Story: Inventing believable characters; Plotting stories on a story arc.

Spelling & Vocabulary:

This week's words are -

• interior

• intersection

• international

• interval

• intermediate

• telemarket

• telescope

• telephoto

• televise

• telethon

Social Studies/ Science:
Native Californians; Science quiz on Friday

Project-Based Learning:
Student teams will be working on a weeks-long project in class. Our driving question is: What makes our state special? Students have received a letter from the California Director of Tourism asking them to research a particular region of California and create a 2 to 3 minute presentation designed to encourage visitors to visit that region. This interdisciplinary project addresses state standards for research and inquiry, speaking, reading, writing, visual literacy, social studies, and science.

Lesson Focus: Note-taking, citing sources, developing focused research questions; writing scripts

Arts:

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

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.