Dear Room 20 & 21 parents and students,
We hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family. This is such a great time of year; we can reflect on all the good things in our lives, and we can share generously with those less fortunate than ourselves. This philosophy works in the classroom, at our jobs, and throughout our community. Programs like One Warm Coat that our school is participating in allows us all to make a clear demonstration of our holiday spirit. We encourage all families to join in helping those around us who need real warmth during the upcoming winter season.
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Curriculum:
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we continuing to craft organized, multi-paragraph essays. Students are using their knowledge of basic paragraph structure to expand and create a longer, more detailed, multi-paragraph writing. Of course, we'll be practicing this craft on many occasions over the coming months! Students will be further introduced to the Accelerated Reader program, and we will be preparing to introduce our next segment of Literature Circles beginning next week.
*** Volunteer Opportunity! ***
Literature Circles begin next week! The dates will be Mondays and Thursdays, December 7, 10, 14, and 17th from 8:10- 9:00 am. If you were a volunteer last time and would like to join us again, we'd love to have you, and if you are someone who would like to try this for the first time, we welcome you! If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know right away!
Math
In 4th grade math, we will be wrapping up our initial study of division this week. We will be testing our understanding on Thursday, then we'll be moving into hands-on explorations of algebraic concepts- very fun and clearly enlightening!
In 5th grade math, we continue with the multiplication and division of fractions with both fractional parts and mixed numbers. Students are using area models and prime factorization as well as multiplication algorythms.
Social Studies
We continue our unit on explorers. Students are learning about events that are occurring in Europe and Asia that influenced the explorers to begin their voyages all over the world.
Science
Science is a mix of old and new this week. We will begin our first readings (and maybe even an initial investigation!) in our next unit, Living Systems. Also, this Wednesday we will have a wonderfully timed culmination to our Water Planet unit when we visit Chabot Space and Science Center. The Center offers a great mix of class time, interactive exhibits, and great history. Find out more from your student when they come home Wednesday afternoon!
Calendar of Events:
Wed., December 2: Chabot Space center field trip (leave Portal 8am, return to Portal approx. 3pm)
Thurs., December 3 4th Grade Math Test- Chapters 12/13
Fri., December 4: Report Cards go home
Mon. 12/7, Thur. 12/10, Mon. 12/14, Thur. 12/16 Literature Circles (8:10-9:00 am on each day listed)
Mon., December 7: Assembly - Ventriloquist Steve Chaney
Mon., December 14: Assembly - Rescheduled Lawrence Hall of Science
Mon., December 14: SSC 3:00
Tues., December 15: Math Olympiads 12:30
Tues., December 15: Barnes and Noble/Willow Street Pizza Night 4:00
Wed., December 16: PSCO 6:30
Fri., December 18: Spirit Day: Crazy Hair Day
Mon., December 21: Winter Recess Begins
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
The oldest public library in the United States can be found in this state.
The oldest U.S. newspaper still being published was founded in this state in 1764.
The USS Nautilus -- the world's first nuclear-powered submarine -- was built in this state in 1954.
This state is the birthplace of American Revolutionary War patriot Nathan Hale, who is quoted as saying, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
The "Constitution State" is this state's nickname.
Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
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