Classroom News

 
Curriculum
Reading
Students will be working in literature groups.  Each group will have a specific novel that they will be reading.  The focus will be on examining how the setting and characters affect the plot of a story.  We will also be looking at Author's message.  Students will also be creating projects that we will add to our KidsBookBlog. 
 
Writing
Writing will focus on responses to prompts connected to their Novels and to the History content.  We are really trying to improve in our attention to all aspects of the prompts and to writing clearly. 
 
Math
Our Fraction Unit is beginning.  Students will be focusing on Fraction Concepts so that they are ready for Fraction Computation in the next couple of months. 
 
Science
Earth Science is the topic with a focus on Weather and Water.  Students will explore convection and the uneven heating of the earth that causes it.  They will also be studying weather patterns and weather maps.
 
Social Studies
We are going to be learning about the original 13 colonies and the steps that led  these colonies to fight for Independence from England. 
Important Dates
 
Nov. 30 - Track On Day
Dec. 9 -  Family Life Parent
               Preview Night (7-8)    
               EGUSD Dist. Office
Jan. 21 - Family Life Parent
               Preview Night
               EGUSD Dist. Office
Dec. 23 - 1/2 day
Dec. 24 - Jan. 4 Break

Birthdays
TBA
Departmentalization
 
    As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, Miss Yee and I will be teaming together and creating a departmentalized program for your child for the rest of the year.  I will teach Language Arts (reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar) and History each day until 11:30.  Students will then go through the door to Miss Yee's room and she will teach Math and Science until dismissal. 
     Miss Yee and I did this last year and I really wanted to see what the results were based on our CST tests before I committed to doing it again this year.  When the results came in, we were extremely please with the jump in scores and decided to do this again, but to wait until the change of trimester. 
     Communication will stay the same, but if you have subject specific questions, you might want to contact Miss Yee first for Math and Science Questions.  I will be entering all grades and reviewing all work, so if there are clerical errors with grades, etc., you can contact me. 
      As always, please contact me if you have any concerns or questions about anything that is happening in the classroom or with your child.
Parent Hints
 
This month's topic: Departmentalization Organization
 
  Boy - That's a mouthful isn't it.  The basic idea is that you might have to take a more active role in helping your child keep their assignments organized now that they will be getting assignments from two different teachers.  Homework will still be posted on this site and they will still be keeping agendas.  Help you could give is to check the agenda and the homework each night, just to make sure it is done and back in their  file/binder for turn in the next day.