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Science and IXL update

Oct29

IXL:

I have not assigned any new IXL homework this week.  With the activities for Red-Ribbon Week (assemblies, essays and door decorating contests), along with our field trip and book reports (DUE TOMORROW), I felt it would be prudent to bypass any additional homework.   Regularly scheduled assignments will continue next week.

Science Updates:

Level 4: Mr John’s science students began a new weather unit.  Students  made some weather vanes and anemometers.  They will also make barometers and move onto recording and forecasting.

Level 5: We have just started our heredity unit.  In this unit we will study traits (inherited and acquired) as well as adaptations.  We have already had a fantastic conversation about they types of traits that are inherited as opposed to those that are acquired.  Please continue this conversation at home when the opportunity arises.

Level 6: Ms. Kirsten’s science students started their new unit of study on Tuesday.  They are now learning about heat, light and sound.   Stay tuned for more information about their unit of study.

As a reminder, there are no costumes allowed at school on Friday.   Have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Class Business Week of October 27

Oct27

I want to apologize in advance for the amount of information I’m about to deliver in this blog post.

Firstly, our class will be joining Ms. Holly’s lower elementary class on a field trip to the Ben Lomond Cemetery this Thursday, October 30.  This walking field trip will allow students to explore our local history by participating in grave rubbings as well as an historical scavenger hunt.  We took this field trip last year and the children really enjoyed it.  If you are interested in joining us on this field trip, even though it is short notice, please let me know by Wednesday,October 29.  We will be leaving the school at 9:00 am,  and returning by lunch at 12:00.  This is a great trip for parents who can’t take an entire day off work (been there, done that).  Because the field trip will take place in the morning on Thursday, we will be holding reading groups on Friday.   If you are a Thursday reading group volunteer, we will plan on seeing you again on Thursday, November 6.

Our October book reports are due this Thursday.  As previously stated, these book reports are student choice.  From the genre to the presentation method, these reports are in the hands of your children.  They can turn in a simple written report, they can do a power point, they can create a display board or even a diorama.   If your student is planning on doing a power point presentation, they will need to turn in a print copy of their power point on Thursday October 30.  We will do the actual presentations on Wednesday, November 5.

This week is Red Ribbon Week.  We have several different activities happening this week.  Our class is participating in a door decorating contest in which the winning class will receive a pizza party.  Our class has a great concept that we will be working on tomorrow.  Tomorrow we also have an assembly featuring Dorian Willes.  Dorian is a recovering drug addict from Idaho who has dedicated his life to educating others about the dangers of addiction.   Please take time this week to speak to your children about making healthy choices.  We have spoken a bit about what it means to be healthy and why it is important to be drug free.  The theme for Red Ribbon week is “Love Yourself.  Be Drug Free”.

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Thank you to those who are helping their children with homework!   Whether it is science fair, book reports or weekly IXL assignments, your support is vitally important to your child’s success.   I like to think of your child’s education as a team effort.  I am with your children for such a small percentage of time during the day that I count on your support when it comes to your child’s academic, social and emotional progress.  If you ever have a concern about your child’s development, whether academic, social or emotional, I am happy to schedule a time to meet with you.   If you are curious about how our classroom runs, you are welcome to schedule a time to come and observe in our classroom.   We welcome observations in 30 minute blocks.  Please contact the front office to schedule observation times.

Lastly, we have a 6th grade student and parent meeting on Thursday, October 30 at 4:30 pm.   Upper elementary teachers will be discussing the 6th grade student council, committees, expectations and fundraisers.  We will also be discussing the 6th grade Alliance Redwoods field trip.  We are so proud of the 6th grade students and who they are becoming.  We want you to be well informed about what is going on this year.  Please plan on attending, we hope to see you there.

The Leonardo: Body Worlds Field Trip

Oct15

Good Morning.

Our class has an amazing field trip planned to the Leonardo Museum Wednesday, October 22.   We will be touring The Body Worlds exhibit.   Your children will be able to see amazing body anatomy in a way not seen anywhere else.  I have been to several Body Worlds installations and they never disappoint.  It is fascinating!  We will be taking the Frontrunner to SLC.   Your children are brought home permission slips yesterday.  Please fill them out and return them no later than Monday, October 20.

We are in need of two additional parent chaperones.  If you would like to join us, please let me know by Monday, October 20 and I will verify with you Monday evening whether or not we will be able to ask you to join us.    As a chaperone you will be responsible for a small group of children (approx. 7) on the train and at the museum.  It is a fun experience, but you will be there to “work”.

Have a wonderful holiday break!

 

 

This entry was posted on October 15, 2014, in Fieldtrip.

Level 4 Field Trip: AWHC

Sep29

If you have a child in 4th grade, we are going on a field trip to the American West Heritage Center Thursday, October 9.  They should have brought home their permission slip today. The due date for the permission slip is Monday, October 6.

The fee for the field trip is $7.00 (actual cost is $14.00 per student, the difference will come out of our field trip funds).  You can pay by check, made payable to MMA with your child’s name and mine in the memo line, or online at the following link.

 

 

 

This entry was posted on September 29, 2014, in Fieldtrip.

Homework Update and October Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up

Sep24

Good Morning!

Thanks to all of our parents who volunteered for our field trip to the NHMU.  It was a great success and the kids had a great time.  The level 4 and 5 workshops were really fantastic!  I will definitely plan this field trip again next year.

Because your children have a book report and their science fair question due next Tuesday, September 30, there will be no new IXL homework this week.  They should continue working on the previous IXL homework if they have not already completed it.

We have been learning about what makes a complete sentence, and this week we are focusing on all the parts of the sentence that make a Great sentence.  As such, we have studied strong verbs and how and when parts (aka prepositions).  Your children will have homework tonight that will help them understand  Dead Verbs (weak verbs and “be” verbs).

Our first Parent Teacher Conference is coming up October 13-15.  Please sign up for a 30 minutes slot.  The sign-up is available on the right-hand sidebar.

~Cheers