Our holiday party begins at 8:30 tomorrow.  Many thanks to all parents who have planned and contributed to this celebration.

Thank you too for the terrific support you have given your children this first half of the year.  It's been a pleasure getting to know you all.

Have a wonderful winter break. Enjoy time with family and friends, get some rest, and have lots of fun!

Best wishes to you all.

Mrs. Koue

***Remember to keep reading over the break.  I will be assigning a "book talk" activity when we return in January

Finish up your Middle Colonies brochure if necessary.  I know many of you have already completed it!  I will give you about a half hour in class tomorrow to add any final touches.

 I have some exciting news that I should have included in yesterday's blog.  Last Friday our own Nate Allen won the school-wide spelling bee and will be representing Rio del Mar at the Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee held at UCSC at the end of January.  Congratulations, Nate!

Homework

Read: 30 min.
National Park Report: Both written and oral due tomorrow.
Middle Colonies Brochure: Thursday

Hello and happy final week of 2014!  The only homework this week is reading, a little bit of math tonight and the National Park Report, both the written and oral, which is due on Wednesday.   We have also been working on a middle colonies brochure in class which is due on Thursday (some students have already completed this, and I will give ample time in class for everyone to finish over the next couple of days).

I sent home corrected work today.

Homework

Reading:  30  min.
Math:  In your Homework Packet do the following:
#9, problems 1 (c & d) and 3.
#10, problelms 1 (c & d) and 3.
#11, problems 1 (e & f) and 4.
 National Park Report and oral presentation:  Wednesday

Well, we survived the deluge today.  Fortunately, we didn't lose power, so we even had a very productive day!

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  Homework #8, problems 1 and 2.
Park Report: Final draft of "Conservation Efforts" and continue to work on your chart or graph. Tomorrow we will write the conclusion and the bibliography.  I'll also show you how to do the table of contents.
Vocabulary:  Finish homework and study for quiz.

I sent home the guidelines for the national park oral report today.  This short presentation is due along with the written report next Wednesday.  We will write the conclusion and the bibliography for the report in class on Friday.  I will also explain how to write the table of contents then as well.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: Homework #6, problems 1 (a-e) and 3.
Park Report:  Final drafts of "Activities" and "Other Interesting Facts" paragraphs.
Vocabulary:  Homework and quiz on Friday.  Be sure to know the meanings of all 10 roots and at least one word for each (you should have at least 3 words and meanings written down on each root worksheet).

Our Poetry Cafe was a huge success last Friday.  Everyone chose wonderful poems to recite and offered interesting comments about them and the poets who wrote them.  Thanks to all parents who sent in goodies.  We enjoyed the sweet feast!

I will continue to assign final draft paragraphs of the national park report this week. I'm encouraging everyone to stay on track!  Tomorrow I will send home the guidelines for a short oral presentation that will accompany the written report.  I have attached a copy of the guidelines below.  This presentation will be due on next Wednesday along with the written report.

Homework

Read:  30 min.
Math: Homework #4, problems 1 (a-c) and 3.
Park Report:  Final draft of the "Wildlife" paragraph.  Completed report is due on Wednesday, 12/17.
Social Studies:  Study for tomorrow's test.
Vocabulary:  Finish the "Roots" worksheets.  You should have at least 3 words with their definitions for each root.  Know the meanings of the 10 roots for a quiz this Friday.

National Park Report – Oral Presentation

Give a short (approx. 1 minute) persuasive speech in which you advertise your park.  Your speech must include at least 5 reasons why people should visit this park.  Think about including the following:

·      interesting places to see

·      fun activities

·      cool animals

·      beautiful landscapes and plant life

·      any other amazing facts about your park

Of course, you may use information from your written report.  You may refer to note cards, but you should be comfortable enough with your speech to maintain eye contact with your audience.  

Have fun and be creative.  Pretend you are a travel agent or a park employee!  Your oral presentation is due on Wednesday, 12/17.

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Language:  Finish "Possessive Nouns" packet.
Park Report:  Final draft of the "Statistics" and "Climate" paragraphs.  Remember that these deadlines are to keep you on track so the work doesn't pile up at the end.
Poetry Cafe:  Be ready for some cool happenings tomorrow.

**Social Studies test:  Next Tuesday
***National Park Report: Due Wednesday, 12/17.

 We were talking today about Friday's poetry cafe and thought it would be nice to have some treats to accompany our presentations.  If you would like to send in something (muffins, bagels, fruit, etc.), please have your child let me know tomorrow.  I will provide something to eat and apple cider.  Our cafe event will begin first thing at 8:00.  Please come join us for this groovy happening if you can!

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math:  Homework #3, problems 1 and 2.
Language: Finish Possessives worksheet.
Park Report:  Write the final draft of the "History" paragraph. Remember that I will be setting deadlines for small portions of your report over the next two weeks. Be sure to refer to the blue final draft requirements form I gave you today. The final report is due on Wednesday, 12/17.
Poetry Cafe:  Prepare for Friday. 
*Social Studies test:  Next Tuesday!

Homework

Read: 30 min.
Math: Homework #2, problems 1, 2, and 3.
Park Report:  Finish the rough drafts of your "History" and "Statistics" sections if necessary.  We will write the next two sections tomorrow.  I will begin assigning parts of the final draft tomorrow.  I will send home a final draft checklist tomorrow as well.  The completed report is due on Wednesday, December 17.
Poetry Cafe:  Prepare for Friday.
*Social Studies Chapter 5 Test:  Next Tuesday.  Study guides went home today!

 

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving and the nice long weekend!  We will begin writing the rough draft of the national part report tomorrow, and I will start assigning small sections of the final draft for homework later this week.  We will be participating in a two-week Grind Out Hunger drive starting this week, so please send in nonperishable items to donate to the cause.  Thank you.

Homework

Read:  30 min.  Bring signed second trimester AR goal sheet to class tomorrow.
Math:  Unit 3, Homework #1, problems 1-4.
National Park Report:  Review cards - make sure you have enough information.
Poetry Cafe:  Friday.  Remember to completely and neatly fill out the worksheet which is due on Friday as well.