12-14-09
Encourage your child to explore Study Island (see link on this website) to review important 4th grade
concepts and skills. Earn at least 5 blue ribbons between Dec 14 and Jan 3 to be entered into a
drawing to win a $10 Target gift card (one winner per grade level).
Have a wonderful holiday break with your family!
11-4-09
GUIDELINES FOR COSTUMES AND OTHER INFO ABOUT NEXT WEEK'S ADOBE TRIP:
Students are to wear costumes that reflect the clothing styles found at the ranchos. This is not as
time-consuming as it sounds. All students are weaving belts in class that they will wear over an
over-shirt or blouse. Let's start with girls. Girls should wear long or 3/4 length skirts (moms should
look in their closets for some old skirt that might do), a blouse (peasant style, if you have one) that
will be worn outside the skirt and tied with the belt, a shawl or poncho, and shoes that are not
athletic shoes if possible. Boots would be ok, or flat leather shoes. Do not buy new shoes. You have
something that will do. Girls and women often wore their hair in braids. If it is cold, tights can be
worn under the skirt.
Boys are actually easier than girls. They can just wear solid colored sweat pants, a solid colored shirt,
maybe one of dad's old ones, over the pants with the belt wrapped around on top. Wear a poncho
over the top. Shoes or boots are preferable to athletic shoes, but as I said above, don't buy new
shoes just for this. Boys and men often tied a band of woven fabric around their heads with the ends
hanging down the back.
If you want to look for a shirt or skirt, you might check the thrift stores. They often have something
that will do nicely. Ponchos can be easily made from a cheap fleece blanket or a piece of fleece
from the fabric store. Just cut a hole for the head to go through and you have a poncho. Fleece is
nice because you don't even have to hem it, as it doesn't ravel. Do not wear clothes that have
modern designs, sports logos, Nike symbols, etc. Accompanying moms and dads should wear the
same costumes as the students. We all want to be in character to make the experience as realistic as
possible.
If it is very cold or raining, bring appropriate coats or raincoats that can be worn over the costume.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather.
Other information:
1. Lunch and morning and afternoon snacks will be prepared at the rancho. We are also requesting
that all students bring a small snack to eat as soon as we arrive, since it will take awhile to prepare
our first rancho food.
2. Please have all students here on time or a little early. We will be leaving at 8:45. Our return will
be about 5:00 or so. Students will all take the bus. We will take as many parents on the bus as we
can, but some will have to drive to transport supplies.
3. Accompanying parents should turn off all cell phones and pagers. We want to approximate the
conditions in 1830 as closely as possible. Students may not bring electronic games, CD players, etc.
even for the bus. The only exception is a camera.
THANK YOUs go to...all the loom parents...Kelly Rasmussen, Danielle and Dave B.C., Alice Parker,
Patty Reed, and JoAnn Rapp. Also, thank you to Lisa DiMare, Dee Hickey, Kelly Rasmussen, and Barb
Curtice for helping with leather nametag-making. Mrs. Ramirez made "delicioso" spiced pumpkin
and venison jerky for students to sample...yum! Mrs. Rasmussen and Mrs. Reed took care of the
pinata for the trip, and Mrs. Hartnett and Mrs. Anderson will be shopping for our grocery items this
weekend. Muchas gracias para todo!
10-28-09
Our preparations for the Petaluma Adobe visit are well underway. Students are weaving their belts;
creating leather, beaded nametags; and designing a banner representing their five groups: Los
Carpinteros, Los Jardineros, Los Tejedores, Los Vaqueros, y Los Cocineros. All this while gearing up
for fun Halloween festivities.
A few reminders...please be sure that if your child is wearing a Halloween mask to the parade, that it
is appropriate (no blood or gore). Our Halloween celebration will be simple, low-key and directly
after the parade (approx. 9:30-10:20). Parents are welcome to come lend a hand, but siblings are
not allowed to attend per NUSD board policy.
We will be doing some educational and fun activities for the remainder of the day and, of course, we
also have P.E. and Music. Please be sure to send your child to school with appropriate clothing and
shoes for P.E. that day.
Don't forget that the PTA is hosting the Halloween Happening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday night.
Tickets may be purchased at the event for 25 cents each.
A big thank you to all the parents who have been helping prepare looms, punching holes in leather,
buying last-minute beads, agreeing to bake bizcochitos/cookies (after having me send the recipe
home with a "please make these..." note!), and more. Your help makes this wonderful experience
possible, and I appreciate your flexibility and willingness to pitch in as needed.
In the meantime, our regular curriculum continues. In math, we are working hard to write and
evaluate algebraic expressions (with variables!). This is usually a pretty tough concept for fourth
graders, so your help at home may be needed. In L.A., we are working on spelling and vocabulary,
learning about singular and plural possessives, and continuing to write, write, write! In Social
Studies, the Mexican government has gained independence from Spain and closed the missions.
Land grants are being offered, and ranchos are cropping up in Alta California. We will be finalizing
Chapter 4 with life at the ranchos. In Science, students just finished Solid Earth Investigation 2 with
Mrs. Fellers. We will complete the textbook reading and discussions in class. Please plan for Math,
S.S., and Science tests next week! See the Calendar on this site.
Parent conferences will be the week of Nov 16-20. Mrs. Rodgers is working hard to finalize dates
and times for those of you who did not sign up at Back to School Night. I will send out a
confirmation note in one of the upcoming Friday folders.
Thank you for supporting your child's learning!
10-13-09
Thank you to Mrs. Gonzalez for coming in to teach students how to create beautiful papel picado
today!
10-1-09
Just a quick reminder about our spelling program. We focus on the high frequency words for fourth
grade. Tests are given approximately once a week but on no specific day. Words that are missed by
students are recorded in a notebook kept in their desks and on a "WORDS TO STUDY" list that is sent
home in Friday folders. Please keep these lists and help your child study these words. If you'd like to
give your child a "leg up," please review the words on the Core List I included in your Back to School
Night folder. The whole purpose of this program is for students to learn the proper spellings of high
frequency words...for life...not just for a test. Words will reappear randomly throughout the year.
Also...speaking of Friday folders...it is so important that you check your child's folder at the start of
each weekend. I sometimes include study material for upcoming tests, notes about homework turn-
in,
notes about behavior, and more. This is the best way for you to stay apprised of your child's
academic
progress. Thank you!
9-20-09
I just created the class distribution list and sent out a test email. If you did not receive the test
email,
please send me a quick email to provide me with your email address. Thank you!
Next week, students will be divided into their small groups for the Native Californian Project that
we're
doing in class. If you have materials, realia, books, or any other items that you think may be helpful
to
our reports, please feel free to send them in (labeled with your name for safe return). Please ask
your
child which tribe he/she is researching!
9-9-09
Hello, students and parents! I have missed everyone this week as I battle a virulent virus. My fever
just
crept back up again, so unfortunately I will be out on Thursday. Think good thoughts so that I can
make it back in on Friday. Thank you for being patient...I understand Mrs. Mansergh is doing a great
job of keeping things running for me.
8-20-2009
Welcome to fourth grade! We had a terrific first day of school. I can tell we're going to have a
wonderful, exciting time this year. Please bookmark and check this website often for important news
and updates, not to mention homework assignments.
