Weekly Reminders 3/4/13

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders
March 4-March 8


Mark Your Calendars:
Tuesday, March 5th: 4th Grade STAR Writing Test, and 5th Grade District Persuasive Writing Test
Tuesday, March 5th: Cupertino Middle School Parent Info. Night from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6th: 5th grade math test on multiplication and division of fractions
Thursday, March 7th: Science Final test in Electricity and Magnetism
Friday, March 8th: Reading Contract Due!
Friday, March 8th: End of 2nd Trimester
Thursday, March 14th: CA Missions Test



Writing Test Reminder: Please have students come tomorrow with a reading book in case they finish testing early. (No e-books of any kind allowed during this time. Thank you.)

Portal Enrichment Program (PEP): The date for enrollment in our fabulous enrichment program is once again approaching. During the April break, students enrolled in our PEP program are offered a wide variety of interesting and fun classes to help “enrich” their lives. If your family will not be traveling during the April break, you may want to consider this opportunity. The complete information and registration form are attached. The firm deadline for registration is March 11.

A School Volunteer Request:

Dear Parents,

Is there anyone who is available who could help our school with the morning duty in front of the office from 7:45-8:00 every morning? We have been staffing the area with parent helpers and Rockhopper student carhops recently. We are looking for one or two parents who can share this job during the week. We need parents for this week, the week of March 11, and the week of March 18. It’s a very easy job; please take a look at the requirements below:

· Arrive at 7:45
· Wear a vest
· Direct cars to move all the way forward before stopping
· Help students exit their cars
· Enjoy the smiles and good morning greetings

Please let us know by e-mail if you would be willing to perform this valuable service for our student community. You will receive a follow-up e-mail from our office reminding you of your volunteer duty for the week you request. Thank you in advance for your consideration!

Curriculum Flash!
Language Arts:
This week the language arts periods are shortened for two reasons: the two different Writing Tests and the Middle School Counselor’s visit to our school. Despite the shortened time, the fourth grade students will have a chance to review expository writing versus narrative writing, while the fifth grade students will practice their art of persuasive writing. Please know that the persuasive writing test is a formative test, and is meant to guide our teaching. We will conclude the book By the Great Horn Spoon with the remaining two chapters and choose some interesting vocabulary to study. Although we will finish reading the book, there are numerous activities that we will pursue in the following week/s.

Math:
4th grade: As we wrap up our conceptual exploration of algebraic functions using “Red Fences and Green Gates,” we begin studying Chapter 8 with an emphasis on algebraic vocabulary and showing specific steps to isolate and solve for the unknown variable.

5th grade:
Students had a blast using pattern blocks to demonstrate division of fractions and videotaping examples of these on ipads. Next week, they will practice more word problems and will be prepared for the unit test on multiplication and division of fractions. We will also start the decimals unit and teach a lesson on scale drawing in order to prepare them for the upcoming “Designing a Bedroom” project.

5th Grade Math Placement Test: The Level 1 placement test for the fifth graders will be administered on Thursday, March 21st. Students should feel confident with their skills in the strands we have learned. They may review the 4th grade geometry concepts learned last year to re-familiarize themselves with the vocabulary. It is important that students are not stressed over this test since this is a placement test, and will be used only to place students in the appropriate math classes. Students will be given more placement tests throughout middle school. The Level 2 placement test is generally given to those students who pass the Level 1 test. At Portal, all students take the second placement test, which will be given on Thursday, April 4th. This test generally tests students’ proficiency in the sixth grade math standards.

The placement of students in math classes is determined and communicated to you by the middle schools. It is the responsibility of the middle schools to share the testing information and students will learn about their placement in August when the sixth grade students receive their middle school schedules. Per the District rules, there will be no challenge test for incoming sixth grade students. The middle school counselors and teachers will work with students and parents concerning all placement issues in the fall.

Social Studies:
We continue our exploration this week of the establishment of California missions. Students are wrapping up various stages of activities that deepen and enrich their learning that include character poetry, mission watercolors, and California mission “trading cards” created by using a new and exciting app on our iPads! Towards the end of the week, we will be beginning to prepare for a social studies assessment of the information children have retained throughout this unit.

Science:
Our investigatory work with electricity and magnetism draws to a close in the next couple of weeks. This week, we will finish working with the telegraphs we’ve created by sending messages to one another over long distance lines! We’ll get a real taste of high technology communication circa 1861! Our classes will forego the Performance Assessment in Investigation 5 in favor of the unit’s Post Test. Teachers will review the unit content on Wednesday, students will have their final chance to reread unit materials and study guides Wednesday night, and on Thursday, we’ll take the closed book/note Electricity & Magnetism Post Test.

CA Trivia:
The grizzly bear, now extinct in CA, shares its space on the state seal with whom?