We are the proud recipients of 4 Chromebooks and 6 colorful covers!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Our 3rd and final phase (3 Chromebooks, 1 more cover, and a storage compartment) of our project is up!
If you have any friends or family who would like to help, we were lucky enough to get the opportunity for matching funds again. By entering SPARK in the promo code section, the donation will be DOUBLED!!
In ELA: Continuing Who Was Steve Jobs, along with informative writing and text structure
In Science: Mrs. Dant continues instruction in Earth Science
In Social Studies: Finishing up Explorers and moving on to California Missions. There will be a quiz on Explorers this Wednesday. Use the link in the upper right hand corner to log on to your Pearson OLE Social Studies page (using the same username and password as Pearson Realize-Math) for assignments to help you study
In Art: Continue our study on creating texture using lines to create Power Hands!
Thank you for contributing to our Donors Choose project.
We have secured 4 Chromebooks and 6 iPearl covers!
You are the best!
We are SO grateful and appreciative!
The 3rd and final phase will include 2 more Chromebook and a storage center! That will be coming soon!
GLOBAL THINKING
Ethiopian Pen Pals
We are in the process of writing back our Ethiopian Pen Pals and creating a video to show our life in West Hills. We are even learning how to write some Amharic phrases in Fidel! Pretty impressive!
Students are brainstorming ideas and we may need your help in capturing photos and very short videos of your child engaged in their everyday activities like dance and sports.
A video they shared with us of their Wolitic traditional dance
We are in need of tissues, paper towels, and white copy paper in the classroom
We received letters from our pen pals in Bele, Ethiopia! My daughter, Hailey is serving in the Peace Corps since July, 2013 and will return in September, 2015.
The Third Goal of the Peace Corps is to promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans.
I made this video to introduce you to your pen pals from Bele, Ethiopia and to give you a glimpse into life in this rural town, including photos from our visit last summer!
Feel free to share it!
Click on the YouTube icon to view in regular size!!
It was fabulous to meet and talk with all of you last week during our student led conferences and I am thankful for our team! I enjoyed talking with parents and students together. I also learned a lot about my students and I hope the process was beneficial for you as well. When we get back from the Thanksgiving vacation we will continue to work on our goals. Thank you for your support and interest.
Why is this new math so different?
Many parents asked me about the common core math we are doing right now. Our classroom is using a combination of Pearson/Envision Math for CCCS and Engage NY. Both programs are aligned to the Common Core standards and will prepare your child for future learning in math, as well as the Smarter Balance testing. I think this video explains it well. If you have 10 minutes to spare and are interested in learning some reasons why the "new way" of doing math has many benefits, please check it out...
What can I do to help my child become a better reader?
Consistent daily reading helps increase your child's comprehension and builds confidence. Read with your child as often as possible. Or at the least, check in with he/she daily.
Ask questions about the story or non fiction book. Here is a document Mrs. Hauser gave to some parents at her conference last week to use as a guide. I liked it, so I wanted to share it! Click on this link to download it. Have a discussion using these questions.
Read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts. The Common Core Standards consist of a balance of the two types.
If you have any more questions please let me know. Thank you again for attending the conference and I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
This Week in:
Math,
we will be continuing multiplication, focusing on problem solving
There are some FABULOUS math games on Pearson Realize
You will need to use your Pearson Realize username and password
Language Arts,
we will be continuing to work on figurative language, preparing to create a resource book. We will have a test on Chapters 6-10, Winn Dixie on Wednesday. Vocabulary to focus can be accessed by clicking on the VOCABULARY tab above
Science,
we will learn about electricity conductors and insulators
THANK YOU to all of the wonderful parents who helped at the Fall Festival today! You are all what makes our school so amazing!
Field Trip News Thank you to everyone who turned in their permission slip for our trip and for volunteering to chaperone. There are many volunteers, so I will pick 3 volunteers at random on Monday and let you know. However, if you have not done so, please send in your donation by the end of this week.
Halloween Day
This Friday is Halloween. Our students will participate in the Halloween Parade in the morning at 8:15am. If you wish to attend the parade, please go straight to the yard in the morning. We will see you there. Students should come to school dressed in their costumes and must bring a change of clothes in their backpacks. After the parade, we will have centers with Mrs. Dant's class. An email went out today asking for a $5 donation and parents to help run the centers. Friday will be a regular day and dismissal will be at 2:30.
Curriculum News
Reading - Winn Dixie test on Chapters 1-5 on Tuesday. We will then continue to read and discuss the story,
Writing - Writing a lead and crafting our stories
Math - Concept: 2 Digit Multiplication
Science - Continue study of electric circuits
Social Studies - CA Regions
TEAMWORK
Last week, we participated in some team building activities! Having teamwork skills and being able to get along with others is so important, and can be SO much fun. Check out a little peek into how much fun Room 20 had together on Friday!
McTeacher Night at the McDonald's on Platt from 4:30-7:30!
I will be working there 6-7:30 (possible earlier)
My favorite thing to do is to make the desserts! Come by so I can make you a cone!
Reminders
Please donate $10 for our classroom theme basket
Remember sign up to work our classroom booth at the Fall Festival as well
Curriculum News
In English Language Arts:
We will continue to focus on Figurative Language, Non Fiction Close reading and realistic fiction narrative writing.
We will be beginning our novel, Winn Dixie this week! With this novel, we will cover many topics. Students will be analyzing characters, asking questions, making inferences, learning new vocabulary words, engaging in classroom discussions, and much more! On some nights, your child may bring home their Winn Dixie book to reread. Please feel free to read with your child, talk about the vocabulary, and ask them questions about the story.
In Math:
We will be starting an in-depth unit on multi digit multiplication and division.
Please click on the link below for a compressive, very helpful "Tips For Parents" guide!
We have begun the next investigation in Physical Sciences and are now learning about static electricity, moving on to creating circuits.
In Social Studies:
Mrs. Dant will continue to focus on California!
We will have our second Ballroom Dance lesson this Thursday!
I captured a few "moments" on the way into our VERY FIRST Ballroom Dance lesson!
Priceless, if you ask me!
Click on YouTube to watch on a larger screen. A purple form went home last week asking for donations for this wonderful program, please send in what you can!
