Weekly Reminders 12/5/11

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders
December 5-December 9

Mark Your Calendars:
Tuesday, 12/6: Rooms 20/21 literature circle session #1 @8:00am
Thursday, 12/8: Rooms 20/21 literature circle session #2 @8:00am
Friday, 12/9: Report cards go home!
Tuesday, 12/13: Rooms 20/21 literature circle session #3 @8:00am
Thursday, 12/15: Rooms 20/21 literature circle session #1 @8:00am



Second Harvest Food Bank:
We will be having a Second Harvest Food Bank Drive from Monday, December 5 through Friday, December 9. The SHFB will be delivering 3 bins to our school on Monday morning.
Here are a few facts to support SHFB:
1 in every 10 people in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties depend on the support of SHFB
SHFB serves over 240,000 people per month...that's a 4% increase from 2010
The majority of people served are seniors and low-income families with children
SHFB needs meals in a can (soups), low-sugar cereals, tuna and canned meat, 100% juices, peanut butter, canned fruit packed in juice, canned foods with pop-top lids, canned vegetables



“U.S. Presidents” Performance:
Well, our performance of “U.S. Presidents: Washington to LIncoln” is now history! Congratulations to all of the students. It was a huge success! We had a great time performing for our school audiences and our families! A great big thank you to all of the parents who helped with backdrops, costumes, videotaping and food! We couldn’t have done it without you.


Curriculum Flash!

Language Arts:
This week, students will continue to work on the craft of summary writing. Also, students are participating in our first literature circle session on Tuesday, December 6. Reading and written preparation is necessary for each session. Literature circle session #2 is Thursday for students and parent volunteers at 8:15am, so be prepared and mark your calendars!

Math
4th grade: Students will delve deeper into fractions this week. We’ll be working with improper fractions, mixed numbers, finding common denominators, and comparing and ordering fractions.

5th grade: Students are now working with integers in linear equations. They will use equations to create function tables, and use function tables to create equations. From these equations and tables, students will plots lines on coordinate planes. We will continue to reinforce our integer skills with card and logic games, and interactive web sites. The students were introduced to the hoodamath site where they played integer games. http://hoodamath.com/games/integer.php


Science:

In Rooms 20 & 21, we have begun our next unit, “Mixtures and Solutions.” Our class is working on “Investigation 1: Part 2- Separating a Salt Solution”, and we will be doing some observation and analysis on Wednesday and Thursday of this week before moving on to “Investigation 1: Part 3- Separating a Dry Mixture.” When we have enough experience with these laboratory procedures, we will check our understanding of these topics with a Response Question (Wed.) and I-Check (Fri.) As always, we will allow the use of our notes and text materials to support our responses. Knowing how to use information is a key 21st century standard for learning!

Social Studies:
Students will be taking their unit test on Native American tribes today. Everyone is doing a wonderful job on their wampum belts. Our next unit will focus on European explorers!

Name that State!
The world's first parking meter was installed in this state in 1935.
More human-made lakes can be found in this state than in any other state.
Only two states have capital cities that include the state name; this state is one of them.
This state is home to the largest Native American population in the nation.
The National Cowboy Hall of Fame can be found in this state.
Which state is it?