NewsFlash

Dear Parents,
 
Robo Lab volunteers needed!!  Our class will be working with the robo lab materials and facilitators, Lavonna Gonzalez & Del Sukarto, during the week of December 7-11th from 1:25-2:25.  Thanks to those of you who have signed up to help out.  There is still time to sign up to help if you are interested. The optimum would be two volunteers per day.  Please let me know if you are available to assist in this wonderful opportunity!  No experience required!
 
  It's that time of year! Parents we wanted to let you know that childcare will be available for siblings (at least 1 year old) during the Holiday Party scheduled for Friday, December 18th in the Parent Resource Center located in the portables. You will be able to drop off your children at 1:30 pm and the center will be open until 2:45 pm. If you additional time before 1:30 pm please let us know to see if special arrangements can be made. Cost is $5 per child. To make a reservation please contact Mary Anne Hettenhaus, Parent Support Specialist at Canyon Creek. Please include the name and age of the children you will be dropping off. You can email her at maryanne_hettenhaus@roundrockisd.org.


Our lesson plans for this week are as follows:

Spelling:
Spelling pre-tests are given each Monday. The students are to
create their lists from words that they missed on their pretest and words of their own choosing. Lists are to be reviewed and the Super Speller sheet signed each Monday night. This ensures that their words are spelled correctly and that you feel their individualized lists are challenging.
Their Spelling Jobs (homework) for the week should be on that sheet as
well. All jobs are due on Friday when students take their Spelling Tests.


Language Arts:

 In the weeks before winter break students will be working on improving reading comprehension.  We will have mini-lessons on the following skills:
Main Idea               Cause & Effect
Summarization         Fact & Opinion
Sequencing             Context Clues
Inferencing
 
Our next Book Bingo due date is December 14th.
Students have received information to complete a Book Bingo.  These instructions are in their book bingo folder.  Each student will read and complete two book bingos per nine weeks. The goal is to encourage students to pick challenging books, utilize the skills they will learn during the literary elements unit, and produce a quality product! Remember to follow instructions carefully from the folders. A few areas that often need attention are writing about the main characters, including a thorough summary of the plot, and including a theme statement.  Please check your child's planner to ensure the book bingo due dates were recorded as they were instructed to do. 

Students are expected to read 15-20 minutes each night and complete their reading log. Reading logs should be brought home each night in their binders. Their reading logs not only improve comprehension skills, but show which book they are currently reading for their Book Bingo! Each student has a Book Bingo folder with SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS for successfully completing this project!


Math: Topic 8- 
 Equivalent Fractions:
Students are continuing to focus on fractions.  We will learn how to find equivalent fractons, simplest form, and to compare and order fractions. Students can now log onto the Pearson website for on line tutorials and extra problems from their math book on line. Topic 8 Test will be on Dec. 10th.

Science:
 Changes to the Earth's Surface
Earth science begins next week!  We will investigate processes that change the Earth.  Please look for a request on 12/4 for lab materials for this unit. Our test is scheduled for Dec. 17th.

Science is a fast 45min. daily. I strongly suggest students study vocabulary for each science unit nightly. We start each unit with vocabulary to allow for this. They should have it in their binders.

Social Studies: Please visit Mrs. Terry's teacher web by going to the 5th
grade page on the Canyon Creek web site and clicking on her name. You can
add your email address to her list from her teacher web page.


Planners - The students each have a planner in their binder and they are to fill out their homework during the day. Homework is posted in the classroom and available for the student to copy daily. **Always check your child's planner for testing dates. The students will know at least 4-5 days prior to testing.


Please check out the Canyon Creek PTA newsletter at:
www.canyoncreekpta.com/newsletter_oct07.pdf


Please contact me by email or phone if you have any questions or concerns.
I plan to be out of the classroom on Nov. 20th, 23rd. and 24th.  Virgina Blascke (former Canyon Creek Teacher) will be taking care of my class.
I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

Carol Montgomery
carol_montgomery@roundrockisd.org
428-2855