Gold Dust or Bust: "Thank you!" to all the parents who were able to come to the play yesterday. The students loved having an audience! I was proud of their performance--their hard work and enthusiasm really showed! And, "Thanks!" to Abby for bringing all those mustaches. The students were very happy to feast on all the delicious food families so generously contributed--a great way to celebrate a wonderful performance. I also want to thank the parents who were able to stay and help serve the food, as well as my last minute technical assistant (music), Mrs. Obukhov. It was a wonderful day.
Classroom Books: I would love it if everyone would look at home for any books your child may have brought home that belong in my classroom library. I would really appreciate having them all back by Tuesday of next week Thanks.
Parent Science Survey: As I have mentioned previously, NUSD has been working with BaySci on a very generous grant related to science education in elementary schools. As part of the grant, parents are being asked to complete a short parent survey. The survey is in this week's Friday folder. We would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill the survey out and return it to school by Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Science Test: Yes, it is true. Students have been studying magnetism and electricity, and they will take the test on Wed., June 9. The test will cover magnetic poles and magnetic fields and how they interact with each other, circuits (open, closed; series and parallel), and electromagnets. Here's the good news: no tests on the last day of school!
Last day celebration: All the 4th grade classes will be having a joint end-of-the-year ice cream sundae celebration on the last day of school. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Amy Sullivan or Kristin Van Weele if you'd like to contribute something.
Summer: I suspect we are all looking forward to summer, but I encourage everyone to continue the good habits practiced during the school year. Please help your child continue reading on a regular basis. Summer is a great time for book clubs for kids (having someone to talk to about what you are both reading enhances comprehension and is usually fun, especially when accompanied by food). In addition, it is great to find ways to help them use what they have learned--estimating, measurement, fractions, money, etc. And don't forget, you have a fabulous tool available all summer long, Study Island (http://www.studyisland.com). Your child knows their username and password. This is available to all Rancho students for their use at home, paid for by the Rancho PTA. Not only is Study Island a great learning and review tool, it is fun! My parting thought on this subject: it really is true that practice is important!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
In my last newsletter, I announced that students would be doing MAP testing beginning on May 19. Since our time on May 19 conflicted with Career Day, we started MAP testing this week. Students took the Language Usage MAP test on Wednesday. The Reading MAP test and the Math MAP test will still be taken on May 21 and May 27, respectively.
We will begin our science unit on electricity next week. Should be fun. We will finish chapter 28 in the math book (solid figures, surface area, and volume) next week and take the test--the last math chapter test (but not the last math test)! We will continue to work on writing and grammar, and students will continue reading By the Great Horn Spoon. We spent time discussing Mexico's war for independence from Spain, Mexican-governed California (the time period of our read aloud book, Anita of Rancho del Mar, and are now focused on the Gold Rush. We had a wonderful presentation from an Oakland Museum docent today, and all the students got to see and hold a horn spoon, a pan like those used for finding gold in streams (link to geology: weathering, erosion, sediments, alluvial deposits...), a housewife (be sure to have your child tell you what that term would mean to a 49er), a poke, and so much more. If they didn't tell you all about it, be sure to ask!
We also had a wonderful presentation on Thursday by Mr. Wilcer. He brought rocks and minerals to share. Ask your child which rock floated in water and see if he/she can tell you why it did! We ended the day eating a replica of the earth--graham crackers on top representing the crust, with pudding below (the mantle and core). Yum!
We are continuing to work on the play--focusing now on learning all the songs. We'll start working on lines next week. As I mentioned last week, I would welcome some help. I am sending home a separate flier so please return the bottom portion if you are able to help. We now have a date: Thurs., June 3, in the morning, before the first recess. I will give you a firm time when I know. Please encourage your child to memorize the words to all the songs, as well as any lines he/she has.
It is wonderful weather and school is nearing an end, but it is not over yet! Students will continue to have lots of work each day and homework, so don't let them succumb to Spring Fever!
Have a great weekend!
We will begin our science unit on electricity next week. Should be fun. We will finish chapter 28 in the math book (solid figures, surface area, and volume) next week and take the test--the last math chapter test (but not the last math test)! We will continue to work on writing and grammar, and students will continue reading By the Great Horn Spoon. We spent time discussing Mexico's war for independence from Spain, Mexican-governed California (the time period of our read aloud book, Anita of Rancho del Mar, and are now focused on the Gold Rush. We had a wonderful presentation from an Oakland Museum docent today, and all the students got to see and hold a horn spoon, a pan like those used for finding gold in streams (link to geology: weathering, erosion, sediments, alluvial deposits...), a housewife (be sure to have your child tell you what that term would mean to a 49er), a poke, and so much more. If they didn't tell you all about it, be sure to ask!
We also had a wonderful presentation on Thursday by Mr. Wilcer. He brought rocks and minerals to share. Ask your child which rock floated in water and see if he/she can tell you why it did! We ended the day eating a replica of the earth--graham crackers on top representing the crust, with pudding below (the mantle and core). Yum!
We are continuing to work on the play--focusing now on learning all the songs. We'll start working on lines next week. As I mentioned last week, I would welcome some help. I am sending home a separate flier so please return the bottom portion if you are able to help. We now have a date: Thurs., June 3, in the morning, before the first recess. I will give you a firm time when I know. Please encourage your child to memorize the words to all the songs, as well as any lines he/she has.
It is wonderful weather and school is nearing an end, but it is not over yet! Students will continue to have lots of work each day and homework, so don't let them succumb to Spring Fever!
Have a great weekend!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thank you for all the wonderful Teacher Appreciation Day flowers, notes, and poems. The room still has that wonderful fragrance of fresh flowers!
STAR testing has been completed for another year. Students appeared to be working diligently and carefully, so what more can we ask? Our class will be doing MAP testing (reading, language, and math) on Wed., May 19; Friday, May 21; and Thursday, May 27. These are the tests they take using the computers in the computer lab.
We are just about done with our Solid Earth unit and students will be taking the science test for this unit on Friday, May 14. We'll finish up with our last investigation on Monday and do some review before we start the unit on electricity.
The Play! By now I hope you have heard about the play--Gold Dust or Bust. Most students have already memorized the first song. The play is part of our study of the California Gold Rush. The play, when performed, will take about 30-45 minutes. I still don't have a firm date for the performance, but it will most likely be a Monday or Thursday in June. We will perform for our kindergarten buddy class and for parents (and anyone else who is interested). I will let you know as soon as I can. I will also send home specific information about costumes--basically everyone needs to look like a pioneer. No one should have to buy anything. We should be just fine with what folks already have in their closets or perhaps can borrow. Sometimes all you need to feel the part is the right hat! Ways you can help:
Happy Mother's Day to everyone! Have a wonderful weekend.
STAR testing has been completed for another year. Students appeared to be working diligently and carefully, so what more can we ask? Our class will be doing MAP testing (reading, language, and math) on Wed., May 19; Friday, May 21; and Thursday, May 27. These are the tests they take using the computers in the computer lab.
We are just about done with our Solid Earth unit and students will be taking the science test for this unit on Friday, May 14. We'll finish up with our last investigation on Monday and do some review before we start the unit on electricity.
The Play! By now I hope you have heard about the play--Gold Dust or Bust. Most students have already memorized the first song. The play is part of our study of the California Gold Rush. The play, when performed, will take about 30-45 minutes. I still don't have a firm date for the performance, but it will most likely be a Monday or Thursday in June. We will perform for our kindergarten buddy class and for parents (and anyone else who is interested). I will let you know as soon as I can. I will also send home specific information about costumes--basically everyone needs to look like a pioneer. No one should have to buy anything. We should be just fine with what folks already have in their closets or perhaps can borrow. Sometimes all you need to feel the part is the right hat! Ways you can help:
- Create a program--I can copy it here at school.
- Sew some bonnets--I will provide the pattern.
- Collect some pioneer-type hats--felt hats, "beaver" hats, cowboy hats, bowlers, ...
- Help students create the scenery (paint on butcher paper) during school hours
- Help students practice (songs or lines) during school hours
- Help students create dances for some of the songs, during school hours
- Agree to be our "behind-the-scenes" music person (push the button at the right time)
- Help your child practice their dance, lines, and or songs at home
- Bake some treats for the after-party!
Happy Mother's Day to everyone! Have a wonderful weekend.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Students have completed the English-Language Arts section of the STAR tests. They will take the math portion next Thursday and Friday (May 6-7). It will be nice to have STAR testing done!
Eight families still need to return their science permission slips. I would really appreciate it of you all could return those as soon as possible. If you can't remember, please ask your child (they have been reminded). Mrs. Kawata (and everyone in the district, including me) appreciates families taking the time to complete the parent survey and return it. Although I don't know exactly how many have come back, clearly 29 have not, so if you could complete it and return it as soon as possible that would be great!
We have been working on perimeter, area, congruent figures, and line and rotational symmetry in math. Some of these concepts are challenging, and extra practice will really help. Remember, your child can use Study Island at home to work on these concepts. We will be learning about volume and how to calculate the volume of rectangular prisms next week and many students will need extra practice. Sometimes when students realize how these concepts are used in everyday life, it makes the concepts less intimidating.
THANK YOU!! Several families brought in tissues, and, barring some major respiratory epidemic, I think we should have enough to last through the rest of the school year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend!
Eight families still need to return their science permission slips. I would really appreciate it of you all could return those as soon as possible. If you can't remember, please ask your child (they have been reminded). Mrs. Kawata (and everyone in the district, including me) appreciates families taking the time to complete the parent survey and return it. Although I don't know exactly how many have come back, clearly 29 have not, so if you could complete it and return it as soon as possible that would be great!
We have been working on perimeter, area, congruent figures, and line and rotational symmetry in math. Some of these concepts are challenging, and extra practice will really help. Remember, your child can use Study Island at home to work on these concepts. We will be learning about volume and how to calculate the volume of rectangular prisms next week and many students will need extra practice. Sometimes when students realize how these concepts are used in everyday life, it makes the concepts less intimidating.
THANK YOU!! Several families brought in tissues, and, barring some major respiratory epidemic, I think we should have enough to last through the rest of the school year. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Students have now turned in their 4th grade California History essays, for the essay contest, and their pioneer projects...time to move forward in California history!
We have been working in math on data analysis. Students should know about mode, median, outliers, and mean and how to find or calculate each. Additionally, they have been looking at ways to display data (and why to choose a particular way to display the data): line plots, bar graphs, double bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs (pie charts). Each time we discuss graphs, we also discuss everything needed to make a graph: title, labels, scale, interval, and keys (where needed). If you happen to find any kind of graph in the newspaper, or elsewhere, take a few minutes to share it with your child--what kind of graph is it, how effective is it in helping us understand the information, and what can we learn by carefully reading the graph?
Students have been doing a lot of writing, across the curriculum. In addition, we have been reviewing complete and simple subjects, complete and simple predicates, nouns, verbs (don't forget those "to be" verbs!), prepositions and prepositional phrases, adjectives, articles, and conjunctions. We are not ignoring adverbs...we will look at how they are used as well. Students have also been learning about compound sentences and how to punctuate them. We regularly review punctuating dialogue, as well as the 4 basic types of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.
Be sure to check out Study Island! Our very generous PTA has paid for a wonderful standards-based, web-based software program that allows students to review grade level standards through lessons, tests, and games. You and your child can access this at home, at no cost. Each student knows their own username and password (username is the same as their AR username with @nusd added at the end, and the password is the same as their AR password). Students got to try the site yesterday in the computer lab. They seemed to enjoy it. It is a great supplement to the curriculum!
Just a reminder: 4th grade will be testing (State STAR testing) beginning Thursday, April 29 (4/29, 4/30, 5/6, and 5/7). Please help your child do his/her best by not stressing about the tests, by encouraging him/her to always do their best, and by making sure that your student is well-rested.
Special Surprise! Every student has been given a free ticket to the Aquarium of the Bay, by The Bay Institute and the STRAW Project. The tickets expire Dec. 30, 2010. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful vacation! Hopefully everyone will come back healthy and rested, although I would still love to have donations of tissues just in case!
We have been working in math on data analysis. Students should know about mode, median, outliers, and mean and how to find or calculate each. Additionally, they have been looking at ways to display data (and why to choose a particular way to display the data): line plots, bar graphs, double bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs (pie charts). Each time we discuss graphs, we also discuss everything needed to make a graph: title, labels, scale, interval, and keys (where needed). If you happen to find any kind of graph in the newspaper, or elsewhere, take a few minutes to share it with your child--what kind of graph is it, how effective is it in helping us understand the information, and what can we learn by carefully reading the graph?
Students have been doing a lot of writing, across the curriculum. In addition, we have been reviewing complete and simple subjects, complete and simple predicates, nouns, verbs (don't forget those "to be" verbs!), prepositions and prepositional phrases, adjectives, articles, and conjunctions. We are not ignoring adverbs...we will look at how they are used as well. Students have also been learning about compound sentences and how to punctuate them. We regularly review punctuating dialogue, as well as the 4 basic types of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.
Be sure to check out Study Island! Our very generous PTA has paid for a wonderful standards-based, web-based software program that allows students to review grade level standards through lessons, tests, and games. You and your child can access this at home, at no cost. Each student knows their own username and password (username is the same as their AR username with @nusd added at the end, and the password is the same as their AR password). Students got to try the site yesterday in the computer lab. They seemed to enjoy it. It is a great supplement to the curriculum!
Just a reminder: 4th grade will be testing (State STAR testing) beginning Thursday, April 29 (4/29, 4/30, 5/6, and 5/7). Please help your child do his/her best by not stressing about the tests, by encouraging him/her to always do their best, and by making sure that your student is well-rested.
Special Surprise! Every student has been given a free ticket to the Aquarium of the Bay, by The Bay Institute and the STRAW Project. The tickets expire Dec. 30, 2010. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful vacation! Hopefully everyone will come back healthy and rested, although I would still love to have donations of tissues just in case!
Friday, April 2, 2010
It was great to see so many families at Open House, despite the rain. Your children work very hard. Thank you for taking the time to honor their efforts.
Now that we have finished The Pioneers Go West, ...If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon, and Patty Reed's Doll, students will finish the unit with the Pioneer Project. We spent a lot of time talking about it and going over the requirements yesterday in class. The project is due no later than Friday, April 9. This is a project that students should be working on every day. Please do not let your child wait until Thursday night to try to put everything together. They have already done the brainstorming part, making key decisions about what to include in their writing. Students are allowed to type the project (emphasis on student--let them do it), but they do not have to. The requirement is that the final copy must be neat and legible. Students are encouraged to include pictures, but the pictures must be created by them (no photographs or downloaded images). If you have any questions, please contact me.
A big "Thank you!" to all the families who donated books to our classroom. The classroom books get a lot of use, so it is wonderful to add to the collection and to replace some of the most worn-out copies of favorites. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. (Note: Not to appear greedy but for those families who don't have younger children, if you ever want to donate your child's already read books to the classroom, I am happy to take them!)
Between allergies, colds, and the flu, the class has completely wiped out our supply of tissues. If you are interested in donating tissues to the classroom, I would be grateful to have them. I still have plenty of hand sanitizer and paper towels. Thanks.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Now that we have finished The Pioneers Go West, ...If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon, and Patty Reed's Doll, students will finish the unit with the Pioneer Project. We spent a lot of time talking about it and going over the requirements yesterday in class. The project is due no later than Friday, April 9. This is a project that students should be working on every day. Please do not let your child wait until Thursday night to try to put everything together. They have already done the brainstorming part, making key decisions about what to include in their writing. Students are allowed to type the project (emphasis on student--let them do it), but they do not have to. The requirement is that the final copy must be neat and legible. Students are encouraged to include pictures, but the pictures must be created by them (no photographs or downloaded images). If you have any questions, please contact me.
A big "Thank you!" to all the families who donated books to our classroom. The classroom books get a lot of use, so it is wonderful to add to the collection and to replace some of the most worn-out copies of favorites. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. (Note: Not to appear greedy but for those families who don't have younger children, if you ever want to donate your child's already read books to the classroom, I am happy to take them!)
Between allergies, colds, and the flu, the class has completely wiped out our supply of tissues. If you are interested in donating tissues to the classroom, I would be grateful to have them. I still have plenty of hand sanitizer and paper towels. Thanks.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
A big "Thank you!" to the parents who helped on the Sacramento field trip: Cal Dalrymple, Cris Daugbjerg, Lisa Gala, Sue Leonard, Amy Sullivan, and Kristin Van Weele. We could not have managed without you! Once in Sacramento students started out at the California State Capitol, where they got to tour the building and then listen to lobbyist (and former Novato resident) Chris Tjernell talk about his job. Then it was on to the California Museum of History, Women, and the Arts where students got to see many different things related to people in California, including Native American baskets and one of General Chuck Yeager's flight suits. We got back on the buses and headed to Sutter's Fort to eat lunch and then look around the fort. All in all a fun and productive day.
Open House: Wed., March 31, 6-7 P.M. I hope to see everyone! Don't forget to visit the Book Fair during Open House. The Book Fair opens on Monday, Mar. 29. Our class visit is Monday, Mar. 29, from 2:30-2:45 P.M.
Room 11's Music Performance (with Ms. DeBenedict): May 25, 11:20-12:20, in the multi-use room.
Have a great weekend.
Open House: Wed., March 31, 6-7 P.M. I hope to see everyone! Don't forget to visit the Book Fair during Open House. The Book Fair opens on Monday, Mar. 29. Our class visit is Monday, Mar. 29, from 2:30-2:45 P.M.
Room 11's Music Performance (with Ms. DeBenedict): May 25, 11:20-12:20, in the multi-use room.
Have a great weekend.
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