8 February 2012
Hello Everyone:
Just a quick note to keep you informed of all our activities.
In Language Arts we have started our Poetry Unit. The students are writing
different types of poetry that will be compiled into books for them and you!
They are having a lot of fun also reciting their original work in preparation
of Poetry Café which will be held on May 11th. Please leave open that morning
so you all can come and hear this wonderful work. I will be giving more
information out after Spring Break.
Math – we have started the 6th grade book! It begins with a review on decimals
(addition, subtraction and multiplication) and they will be learning how to
divide with decimals especially in the divisor! Tentative we will be finished
with this unit (and with lots of practice!) around the 24th of this month.
Social Studies – we are continuing our Colonial Museum Project. Students are
working hard on different aspects of the Southern Colonies and will be doing
write ups on their artifacts. Our museum will be opened on February 29th from
12:40 – 1:30, with students acting as docents to parents and to the fourth
graders who will also be touring the three different classrooms. Please come by!
We have our final art lesson this Friday with Janice. They have been doing
some wonderful work that will be on display at the Art Show during Open House.
Currently some of the art is at the District Office.
Students are reading for the Battle of the Books which will be either February
27th or 28th – depending on the time. The class is usually in the Morning
Battle and I do know that Mrs. Patterson is always looking for volunteers to
help. Please contact her at spatterson@djusd.net if you able to referee the
battle. No reading of the books is necessary and it is a lot of fun. (I’m
usually helping)
We are going to start learning about Japanese Internment during WWII this week
and next. This is in preparation for our Field Trip on Wednesday March 7th. We
need to get there at 9:15 for the start of our tour. This is a wonderful
experience where students will get to hear a lecture and talk with survivors
of these camps. They also get to tour the museum and see a replica of a
barracks. I do need drivers!!!! We will be returning by noon so it is just in
the morning. If you are interested, please email me so I can tell you what
paper work you need to turn in. For more information about the exhibit, please
look at the following website:
http://www.californiamuseum.org/exhibits/uprooted-japanese-americans-during-wwii
Finally, I will be sending out progress report in about a week. I will also be
telling parents if I need to have a conference with you and your child at that
time. The grading period will close on March 2nd because grades must be in on
the 5th. Conference week is the 12th through the 16th. If I do not conference
with you, your child will be getting a packet on the 12th for you to go over
with them. This conference round, students will be presenting their work to
you whether I’m there or not. I believe it is a good way for the students to
take ownership of their work and performance in the classroom.
NO SCHOOL for the next two Mondays……the students are happy about that!
If you have any concerns or would like to drive on the field trip, feel free
to email me.
Karen
PS
February 9, 2012
The students want to exchange some type of Valentines on Tuesday. They are
organizing the “party” and I will give them time and the supplies to make
envelopes for goodies…..
There are 30 students in the class. I will be giving out a list with
everyone’s names on it so they can do them this weekend. I do have someone who
is allergic to Wheat, and a Peanut allergy so if you are going to make baked
goods rice crispy treats are good.
A new student will be starting on Tuesday, so it will be extra special if
everyone adds a note to him to make him feel welcomed.
