Room 14 Newsletter February 10, 2012
VALENTINES DAY
The class will be having a small , student-planned, Valentine's Day party on
Tuesday, February 14th. Students will have time to share Valentines and have
a small snack. If your child brings in Valentine cards, please make sure to
have one for EVERY child in the class. I will send home a class list with
your child this weekend. If you have any questions or concerns please let me
know.
8:15am MORNING SCHOOL BELL
This was the first full week of having a 3-minute warning bell before the 8:15
bells rings. The effort is to provide students a window of time to get
settled into their classroom, so they are ready for instruction at 8:15. In
Room 14 we have had numerous students frequently arrive tardy. The class and
I agreed to lock the door for 2 minutes after the 8:15 bell. I personally
close the door and allow anyone within sight to come in. After 8:15, students
know that the closed door means to get a pass from the office. When they
return, the door is unlocked and they can join the class.
SCIENCE
The class has been meeting with Mr. Lindner for our science rotations on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. Recently our class has been studying: force, Earth’s
magnetic field, compasses, and iron filings. The class is very excited to
have their science rotations with Mr. Lindner!
1st BEHAVIOR CHART
Today marks the end of the “first run” behavior chart. The goal for students
is to have no marks. During this time of year, the energy at school is a bit
higher and these charts are my effort at getting students to recognize their
own behaviors, and for us to recognize any patterns.
Today, I will have gone over the charts with the students. This weekend
please review the chart with your child, sign it, and have them returned to
school on the following Monday. Students know that they will owe recess until
their chart is returned.
MISSION WEBSITES
For the first time, each child in Room 14 has created a website to present
their Mission Project. The class did a great job incorporating their Mission
Report essay, A Day In The Mission paper, A Spectra Art piece, and Map into
their websites. I thought we could e-mail the student’s private Google Sites
to you, however the district prevents sharing these sites with public e-mails.
The solution is to have your child log-on at home using: mypausd.org and
entering their student number and password. I welcome your feedback, and
encourage you to review your child’s work.
NO SCHOOL NEXT THURSDAY & FRIDAY
Next week will be a 3-Day school week. Teachers have a staff development day
on Thursday. You most likely know, next Friday and Monday are Presidents’
Days. This means a 5-Day weekend for students at the end of next week.
Have a great 5-day weekend!
Trebor
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Room 14 Newsletter January 27, 2012
Mission San Juan Bautista Field Trip:
Thank you so much to our five parents who were able to drive for our field
trip to Mission San Juan Bautista! The class had a great time learning,
exploring, and making connections to our study of CA missions.
Technology:
During the past week weeks we have been learning how to better use digital
cameras, upload the images, and save them to iPhoto. From here we can edit
and import the images into a Comic Life storyboard. There are many steps in
this learning process and everyone is having fun. During yesterday’s field
trip we had groups of photographers who took great pictures. Look for student
pictures at the end of this newsletter.
Science – Magnates:
Students have continued their study of magnets and how iron is the element
attracted to the magnetic force, with Mr. Lindner.
The Mission Period:
Our social studies focus is on California’s Mission Period. The children are
engaged in activities that ask them to consider the historical situations from
various perspectives (natives, padres, soldiers). This tragic chapter in
California’s history is complex and fascinating, and we are striving to
present a balanced examination of the events. With a solid background in the
rationale and development of the mission movement, last week children were
picked one of the 21 missions on which to become our classroom expert. Each
student will research and write a report about the mission, write a creative
essay called “My Day at the Mission” in the voice of either a padre or
neophyte, label a map highlighting the mission and nearby points of interest,
and create two pieces of original art.
Spectra Art:
Students have really been enjoying their Spectra lessons with artist/teacher,
Erica. She visits our class every second Wednesday, and has really engaged
the children. Next week we will continue our work on our mission projects,
which will include an element of Spectra Art.
The Mission Pics:
These pictures from our field trip and others will be sent home at the end of
the year in our digital portfolio. If you’d like pictures sooner, send me a
flash drive and I’ll return it with the field trip pictures that our class took.
Homework Reminders:
Last week I told the class that I would be e-mailing you when homework was not
being turned in. This really seemed to pave the communication gap, as this is
the 1st week all the homework logs were turned in complete and on time. Thank
you for your continued support at home, helping your child manage his/her
time, materials, and practice with their skills.
Have a great weekend!
Trebor
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Room 14 Newsletter January 6, 2012
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a restful and fun winter break.
Spectra Art:
Students have really been enjoying their Spectra lessons with artist/teacher
Erica. She visits our class every second Wednesday, and has really engaged
the children. Erica’s next art lesson will focus on our mission art project.
I’d like to thank Rachel’s dad who has volunteered to assist us for every art
lesson. If you’d also like to join us, our next lesson is on Wednesday,
January 18, at 10:30a.
Math Facts Test:
I have returned this week’s math facts tests to class. Please find your
child’s most current score on its way home today.
Mission Field Trip on Jan. 19th
Thank you to everyone who turned in the permission forms. We have about half
the class’ forms in, however only four drivers. We will need a few more to
accommodate ten more students.
The Mission Period:
Our social studies focus is on California’s Mission Period. The children are
engaged in activities that ask them to consider the historical situations from
various perspectives (natives, padres, soldiers). This week we worked on the
report about the mission, as a class and individually. We will also crate a
map, a piece of art, and a paper titled, “A Day In The Life Of A Neophyte”.
Those are the Indians trained to learn the Spanish ways of life at the
missions.
Students will not be required to make Mission Models (collective sigh of
relief ☺), but are welcome to share models if they/you are interested in
putting one together at home (kits, I believe, are available from Michael’s
craft store and on-line).
Literacy
This week we began the book, Trumpet of the Swan, by E.B. White. We are
experiencing this book as a read aloud and answering questions together.
Have a great weekend!
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Room 14 Newsletter December 16, 2011
Happy Holidays
As the calendar draws to an end, I would like to wish you all a joyful,
restful Winter Break! Today we celebrated with a student led Winter Party
that will included some treats and a video about the Wright Brother’s first
flight 109 year ago, tomorrow.
Happy Holidays to all, and healthy, safe travels to those hitting the road.
Thank You!
Thank you all very much for the fantastic holiday class gift! You are all
very kind and I am sure I will be able to find something exciting at the Apple
store!
Multiplication
As you know from reviewing your child’s Study Links, we are currently working
on larger number multiplication strategies. Students are also gaining
confidence in rounding and estimating, skills that are essential to math
literacy. You can support your child’s learning by offering real life math
challenges. The next time you’re at the gas station, ask you child to figure
how many miles you’ll be able to go on the fuel you purchase by telling them
approximately how many miles you get to the gallon. (Say you get about 21
miles to the gallon, gas costs $3.19, and you purchase 13 gallons. Round down
to 20 miles, and 10 gallons (the cost is unnecessary information). Use the
mental number model of 20 times 10 and get an answer of about 200 miles. An
alternative number model would be 20 times 13, for a more exact answer of 260
miles. In the coming weeks, as we begin to explore division, students will
also be able to calculate the approximate cost per mile. The grocery store
will also give you lots of real life opportunities for multiplication
practice. Students still struggling to internalize multiplication facts are
now facing a serious obstacle. Please contact me if your child has been
diligent about daily fact practice, but has still not reached mastery. (Look
for your child’s most recent timed facts tests in this week’s Friday Folder.
A mark of “NP” – not pass – indicates more work needs to be done)
Missions
Our focus in social studies is now the California Mission Period. We began by
looking at the romanticized image granted to the 21 missions over the years,
and heard the story of El Camino Real. Each student has been assigned one of
the 21 missions on which to become our class expert. This will continue to
involve researching the history and structure of the place, mapping its
location, making a painting of the façade, producing a written report and
presenting all of their report information on a website. Students will also
write a story, “My Day At The Mission,” based on their studies, and their
visit to Mission San Juan Bautista.
FIELD TRIP DRIVERS NEEDED
Our first 4th grade trip of the school year will be on Thursday, January 19th.
We will visit Mission San Juan Bautista, about an hour’s drive south of Palo
Alto. Parent volunteers are needed to transport and chaperone students on
this wonderful adventure. We will be gone from campus all day. If you are
available to drive on that day, please let me know. In January, each family
will be asked for a donation to make this trip possible. Also, thank you in
advance for making this experience possible by volunteering to drive! I will
have additional information for you when we return in 2012.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
We recently completed our work with this great piece of literature. We kept a
personal journal in the form of a personal diary.
Many of the students in Room 14 have now been assigned to a “Guided Reading”
group. The focus in each group is slightly different, however more groups
will be formed when we return.
Buddy Class Project
We had a fun time meeting with our 1st Grade Buddies on Thursday. Your $2
donation made a huge difference in the selection of candies and goodies used
to make this a thrilling activity for all the 1st and 4th graders. Thank you
again to Roni’s mom for volunteering.
Technology and Rotations
We are currently working on creating our own website based on one of the 21
California Missions. Every student has been assigned a mission, and for the
first time will create a digital report rather than a poster. We are working
through the growing pains, however most students are very enthusiastic about
this work.
Beginning in mid-January, 4th Grade Rotations will begin. For an hour on
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, students will go to Room 18 where Mr. Lindner
will teach them a hands-on science unit about Electricity and Magnetism.
(Mrs. Watson’s students will come to Room 14 for technology lessons.) Later
in the spring, students will go to Mrs. Watson’s room for a unit on Earth
Materials. The rotations give the students a chance to work with all the 4th
grade teachers, to avail themselves of our expertise, and to get a taste for
moving from one classroom to another.
Happy Holidays, and see you in the New Year!
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Room 14 Newsletter November 22, 2011
MUSIC and PE
Students in General Music will receive their recorders after the Thanksgiving
Break. The budding musicians are encouraged to add frequent practice sessions
to their at home study schedule. Last Wednesday in PE, children ran the mile.
There was a lot of huffing and puffing, but this was followed by a real sense
of accomplishment!
THANK YOU
Thank you to the many families who bought books for Room 14 from our
outstanding Books Inc. Book Fair, here at Palo Verde. Kids are so funny, in
that they can have many outstanding books in the classroom, however the “New
Book” is always the most coveted object in the room. Thank you again for
feeding the enthusiasm for reading in Room 14.
MATHEMATICS
Your child may have told you that we have been studying Unit 4 in EDM which
is: Decimals and How They Are Used. We will continue our work with this
chapter for the next two weeks.
WRITING
This week we worked on creating a list of people, places, and things that we
are thankful for. From this list we categorized all of their ideas. Next, we
worked on a craft project related to this writing (you will see this in your
child’s backpack today).
LITERACY
Currently we are reading and investigating the novel, Island of the Blue
Dolphins which is a 1960 American children's novel written by Scott O'Dell.
This is the story of a young girl stranded for years on an island off the
California coast, it is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño
Indian left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island in the 19th century. The
story’s events, the connections made to California’s history, and
understanding the writer’s voice have all led to strong whole class discussions.
“EXPLORERS”
Our study of California history has moved into the period of exploration by
the Europeans. We learned about the first non-natives to set foot along
coastal California. In the next weeks we’ll study about the exploits of Sir
Francis Drake, Vizcaino, and the mostly forgotten Cermeno. Students, like the
explorers, have been fruitlessly working to find the Strait of Anian, a
shortcut from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ask your child to keep you posted
on these adventures, discoveries, and our explorer trading cards.
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Have a great rest of the week. There will be school as usual on Monday and
Tuesday.
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Room 14 Newsletter October 22, 2011
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
I thank all of you, very much, for your generosity and kindness. The
monogrammed, baby blanket is just perfect and it’s being used everyday. Of
course the Babies R Us gift card will also be put to great use. Carter is
already two weeks old and we are doing pretty well. Thank you again for all
of your support, kindness, and generosity.
SUBSTITUTE DAYS
During the several days I have been out of the classroom, Lauren has been my
substitute. She knows the children in Room 14 very well and I have
pre-planned each day with her so the class would have consistent curriculum
and a familiar structure to their days.
STUDENT PARTIES
As I stated at Back to School Night, Room 14 students will plan and run their
own parties this year. The class decided to ask for $5 to $10 from each
family. That cash has been divided among each of the 4 party groups, to buy
snacks, decorations, and game supplies. I will make sure the party planners
stick to a budget and govern themselves well. Thank you for supporting their
efforts.
HALLOWEEN
As we get closer to Halloween, I wanted to give you a few notes:
• The parade will be on Monday, October 31st after recess at 10:30am
• Our classroom party will be from the end of the parade to lunch.
• No weapons or over- grotesque (bloody) costumes.
• There will be on opportunity for children to change into their
costumes at recess from 10:10 to 10:30, during recess.
• We will have regular classroom lessons after lunch
TECHNOLOGY
This week we worked on:
Type To Learn – A typing program
Raz-Kids – A reading comprehension program
MS Word – Use to publish writing
5 iPads – Used to support English Language Learners during Social Science
MATH FACTS
At the start of 4th grade, students are expected to know their math facts:
addition, subtraction, multiplication & division.
I am happy with the progress we are making with our Everyday Mathematics
curriculum, however I need to spend extra time helping many students master
their math facts.
This week we took the 4 basic math facts assessments. Please look for these
graded tests to come home next week. These current scores are the data I will
use in our fall report cards.
PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES
Our Room 14 parent/teacher conferences have concluded, however if you’d like
to meet with me for any reason, please don’t hesitate to contact me with the
earliest time and date that will work for you. The sooner I learn about a
concern, the sooner I can clarify or address the issue.
LITERACY
This week we concluded working through story, In The Year Of The Boar & Jackie
Robinson. We have had great conversations and reflections about this story.
I strongly encourage you to ask your child about the highlights and personal
connections they made from this story.
Thank you again!
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A Quick Note September 23, 2011
This is a quick note to let you know that our 3 tests today went pretty well.
Everyone passed the math test, however I'd like to try something new this year:
In the past, I kept all the Math Unit Test, because I needed the data to
inform instruction and to use for report cards.
This year I'd like to send the tests home and ask for them to be returned.
This way, parents can see the test, discuss concerns, and understand in detail
what we are covering in class.
Please sign the bottom, front, test Page 1, AND have your child return the
test to class on Monday.
I also want to take this opportunity to welcome Back Zina C. to Palo Verde,
and Room 14.
Have a great weekend,
Trebor
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Room 14 Newsletter September 16, 2011
WALK-A-THON
This morning we had a fun time walking and raising money for Palo Verde! Palo
Verde’s 7th annual Walk-A-Thon was organized by our own Room 14 Super-Aide,
Lauren, and was raising money for student lunchtime activities such as noon
art, games, YMCA and walking club. We had a great time, got some exercise,
and made some money. Thank you for your support and contributions!
BOOK ORDERS
Thank you very much to Pallavi’s dad for facilitating Room 14’s Scholastic
Book orders this year. This week he sent home the first book order catalog,
and included was a slip of paper with directions to order online if you’d
like. By ordering online you also donate a free book to the class.
We also want to request the ordering deadline be sooner: The new deadline for
the current catalog will not be next Friday, September 23rd! Thank you.
To sign-up online go to: www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
Click on “register”
Our class activation code is: DWQ2B
Then select your book, submit your order, and the books will be shipped to
Room 14.
PROJECT CORNERSTONE
Thank you very much to Ellie’s mom for presenting the first of three lessons
involved with Project Cornerstone. This week we had a read aloud and a good
discussion about “filling a person’s bucket”. Ask your child what filling
what the term means and you may be pleasantly surprised.
ERB WRITING TEST
Next Wednesday morning and Thursday morning, all 4th grade students will be
taking the ERB Writing Assessment.
You may ask, “What are the basic elements of the ERB Writing Assessment Program?”
The ERB Writing Assessment Program provides a direct measure of writing
ability by asking for a writing sample from each student. Schools may test
their students at five levels: Elementary (grades 3-4); Intermediate (grades
5-6); Middle (grades 7-8); Secondary (grades 9-10), and College Preparatory
(grades 11-12). Within each level, students write on the same prompt
regardless of grade. The same scoring criteria are employed for each level.
Modes of discourse and scoring standards change over the five levels of the
Program, keeping pace with the progressively more sophisticated writing skills
acquired by students as they move through the grades.
HOMEWORK
Just a reminder that we have a nightly homework assignment that will be posted
online and written down by your child each day. I do not give homework on
Friday night or over the weekend. However, if your child has a busy week
ahead, the weekend may be a good time to work on the Wordly Wise definitions,
graphic organizer, rough draft, and final draft. One WW lesson spans over two
weeks. If you have questions or concerns, please let me know. I have been
talking with parents during our conferences about Wordly Wise. If this task
has been a challenge, I will provide more clarification during our parent/
teacher meeting. Meanwhile just send your child to me for clarification. The
first WW journals are due next Friday.
SPELLING & WORDLY WISE
Wordly Wise Story #1: This week students should have began a creative a
story, using three (3) or more of their Wordly Wise words. The story must be
original and not a copy of the example in the book. I provided a new
Composition Book that will be sent home on every-other Monday. This first
story is due next Friday, and every-other Friday after that. On the same day
that the story is due, we will take the Wordly Wise test.
I have been talking with parents during our conferences about Wordly Wise. If
this task has been a challenge, I will provide more clarification during our
parent/ teacher meeting. Meanwhile just send your child to me for
clarification. Again, the first WW journals, and graphic organizers, are due
next Friday.
TECHNOLOGY
This week students continued working with MS Word and Type To Learn 4.
Have a great weekend!
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No Newsletter this week. Sept. 9, 2011
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Room 14 Newsletter September 2, 2011
E-MAIL
This is our 1st e-mailed Newsletter, so if you are aware of a problem please
let me know. I will be using this group list frequently during the year.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Palo Verde Back to School
Night last Tuesday evening!
2nd WEEK REVIEW
This week students continued to exercise their strengths at building a
classroom community.
WARMUP
We literally start our days with a 20-minute academic warm-up in class, and
then move outside for a 10-minute physical warm-up activity.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
California State History has been our main focus in social science with
emphasis on CA’s symbols.
MATH
In math we have been working with our math curriculum: Everyday Mathematics.
Our first few lessons have been on line, rays, line segments, angles, and
polygons.
PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES
Those of you who returned your forms should have the same form returned to you
this evening via your child.
I have highlighted the date and time that will work best.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me and we can work
together to find a better time.
The openings we have left are:
9/14 at 1:40, 2:50, 3:25
9/15 at 4:10
9/19 at 3:00, 4:10
9/21 at 2:50
9/22 at 3:35
If you have not returned a parent conference form yet, please let me know what
day/time would work for you. Thank you.
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
- Thank you in advance for your time! Your help makes a big difference in the
classroom.
I will contact each of you next week to further discuss your volunteer duties.
ROOM PARENT – Mrs. Yaron
PiE REP FOR ROOM 14 – Ms. McKenzie
LIBRARY – Mrs. Eustaquio & Mrs. Hiroshima
SPECTRA ART – Mrs. Yaron & Ms. Gaudet
BOOK ORDERS – Mr. Chigurupati
PROJECT CORNERSTONE CLASSROOM READER – Mrs. Pierce
PARTIES – No Volunteers Needed
PERSONAL INTERESTS/SPECIALTIES - Any time you are willing to share your
occupation, hobbies, interests, skills, and/or cultural knowledge with the
students, just let me know.
NO SCHOOL NEXT MONDAY!
Have a great 3-Day Weekend
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Room 14 Newsletter August 26th, 2011
Welcome to 4th Grade!
Welcome to an exciting new year at Palo Verde, which will be full of learning,
new experiences and fun. We are off to a great start in Room 14. All the
students in our class seem eager to be back in school, excited to see their
friends, and prepared to learn: especially tech and social science.
Mr. Winslow
This marks my tenth year at Palo Verde and I am very excited to be teaching
4th grade again. This year I plan to expand on my previous experiences and
build new, healthy challenges to support our curriculum. The warm welcomes
from students and parents have been fantastic and I can already see that we
have an exciting year ahead of us.
Back to School Night
Please join us for Back to School Night on Tuesday 8/30 from 6:00pm to 6:45pm.
I will discuss 4th grade curriculum, my homework policy, and behavior
expectations, and so much more. I look forward to seeing you all.
Afterwards, from 6:45 to 7:00, Principal Brown will introduce staff, PTA, and
PiE members in the MP Room.
First Week Review
This week students were introduced to classroom “norms”, procedures and
practiced emergency drills. Additionally,
we discussed conflict resolution skills and safety around our campus. We
practiced several team-building activities, which allowed us a chance to get
reacquainted with others we missed during the summer. Students also took
several beginning-of-the-year assessments: math assessments, a writing
prompt, a Wordly Wise placement quiz, and two 4th grade spelling tests.
4th Grade Rotations
At Palo Verde, 4th grade students are very lucky to have the opportunity to
have a science and technology ratotaions with different 4th grade teachers.
Thanks to our Palo Verde PTA funding, Site Council support, and your parent
contributions we have enough laptops that all our 4th graders will have access
to technology to better support their learning and study habbits. These 4th
grade rotations have been successful in the past, however recently we have
adopted a new plan that I will explain on Tuesday night.
Trebor L.Winslow
*This is the last hard-copy newsletter that I will be sending home. Let me
know if you have a concern, or need a paper copy for future news.
