Dear Families,
As you know, this week, on Thursday we are taking a field trip to Julian. We will be taking a train ride and then exploring a mine. Please be sure to get your monies in to me prior to the field trip. The cost is $7.00 for students and $10.00 for adults. Additionally, please be sure to pack a lunch for your child for the day and keep in mind there will not be a way to heat up meals.
As often as possible, I would like to share some of your childrens' writing with you. To keep it fair, I pull sticks from a cup with all students' names on them. This week, Kaya and Isaiah's names were chosen. We have been working on learning how to write what we call "sandwich paragraphs". In other words, the paragraph pattern is a topic sentence, detail sentences, and finally a closing statement. I hope you all enjoy reading these entries!
KAYA:
I found a great treasure in the canyon behind my house! I was out trying to find my dog and then fell into a big ditch. I looked all around for my dog. As I was searching, I turned and saw a deep hole with a rope ladder. The next thing I knew, I was face-to-face with a treasure chest. I pulled it up to me and saw a note with a key. After climbing back to the surface, I read the note and it said, "Ye who opens this will have riches forever". I located a wonderous surprise right behind my house!
ISAIAH:
Have you ever found a box full of jewels? I have! I was exploring Egypt and the Egyptian tombs when I approached a surprising discovery! It was a box full of jewels! The container was buried deep inside the soil, so I had to dig it up with my shovel. I estimated it's worth at $10,000.00 and I was right! I went back to my home in California and had made my fortune. That was my Egyptian discovery!
The two entries above are primarily rough drafts and can still use a bit of work; however, both students followed the "sandwich paragraph" pattern and did a great job.
Progress reports went out this week. If you have any questions, please contact me by dropping by our room or emailing me!
Kim
Arriving at Smith Ranch
Arriving at Smith Ranch!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR FIELD TRIP!!!
Dear Families,
I am writing to let you know that the Julian field trip has been postponed for two days. In otherwords, we will be going on Thursday, February 4th instead of on Tuesday, February 2nd! I hope all of you that had planned to drive can still make it.
Also, I don't have time tonight, but please read my upcoming BLOG as I will be posting some of your children's writing. This first post will feature Kaya and Isaiah's "sandwich" paragraphs! Ask them what a "sandwhich" paragraph is.
Take Care,
Kim
I am writing to let you know that the Julian field trip has been postponed for two days. In otherwords, we will be going on Thursday, February 4th instead of on Tuesday, February 2nd! I hope all of you that had planned to drive can still make it.
Also, I don't have time tonight, but please read my upcoming BLOG as I will be posting some of your children's writing. This first post will feature Kaya and Isaiah's "sandwich" paragraphs! Ask them what a "sandwhich" paragraph is.
Take Care,
Kim
Saturday, January 23, 2010
EXCITING NEWS! January 23rd-31st
Dear families,
I want to apologize for my late BLOG. I usually try to have a new one written early each week; however, I've been waiting for a confirmation on an exciting field trip we will be taking on Tuesday, February 2nd. We have reservations for the "Julian Train & Gold Mine Tour". Yeah!! I am looking for approximately five drivers, so please let me know as soon as possible if you can volunteer. The cost is $7.00 for students and $10.00 for adults. I'm sorry, we cannot cover the cost of drivers, but I'm sure this field trip will be worth every penny. Please bring the $7.00/$10.00 fee as soon as possible. The train ride and tour starts at 11:30am, so we will leave IA at approximately 9:45am. As you know, we are reading a book about the goldrush in class, as well as learning about California's history, so this field trip will help the whole idea of mining for gold come to life! I can't wait!
We are on Lesson 10 in Wordly Wise for the upcoming week. Students practice learning the definitions of the words on the word list through a variety of in class activities. I have just discovered that your child can also go on-line to www.wordlywise.com and practice their words though various game activities. I would encourage all students to do this as I am still seeing some low scores on the weekly assessment for definitions. Additionally, for spelling, each week the word list is being entered on www.spellingcity.com. If you go to Kim's list, students can practice their spelling.
For writing, almost all students have started their "not so rough drafts" for their fictional narratives. Yes, this took a long time, but I believe the results will be worth it. Ask your child why I call them "not so rough"! We are also working on our informational reports on an important California figure. As soon as the reports are done, we will have one more session on dioramas and schedule the "Wax Museum" activity. You will all be invited to this event.
Once we have finished this writing, I will be focusing on science. In other words, the time we spent writing will be devoted to covering science standards we have not gotten to so far this year. I know your children are enthusiastic about moving on to this important academic area.
In math, we continue to practice multiplication and division facts. This week we will be looking at how to approach word problems. They will learn what to pay attention to, what certain words indicate, drawing as a strategy, etc.
I think that is it for now. If you have questions or concerns, please email or stop by.
Kim
I want to apologize for my late BLOG. I usually try to have a new one written early each week; however, I've been waiting for a confirmation on an exciting field trip we will be taking on Tuesday, February 2nd. We have reservations for the "Julian Train & Gold Mine Tour". Yeah!! I am looking for approximately five drivers, so please let me know as soon as possible if you can volunteer. The cost is $7.00 for students and $10.00 for adults. I'm sorry, we cannot cover the cost of drivers, but I'm sure this field trip will be worth every penny. Please bring the $7.00/$10.00 fee as soon as possible. The train ride and tour starts at 11:30am, so we will leave IA at approximately 9:45am. As you know, we are reading a book about the goldrush in class, as well as learning about California's history, so this field trip will help the whole idea of mining for gold come to life! I can't wait!
We are on Lesson 10 in Wordly Wise for the upcoming week. Students practice learning the definitions of the words on the word list through a variety of in class activities. I have just discovered that your child can also go on-line to www.wordlywise.com and practice their words though various game activities. I would encourage all students to do this as I am still seeing some low scores on the weekly assessment for definitions. Additionally, for spelling, each week the word list is being entered on www.spellingcity.com. If you go to Kim's list, students can practice their spelling.
For writing, almost all students have started their "not so rough drafts" for their fictional narratives. Yes, this took a long time, but I believe the results will be worth it. Ask your child why I call them "not so rough"! We are also working on our informational reports on an important California figure. As soon as the reports are done, we will have one more session on dioramas and schedule the "Wax Museum" activity. You will all be invited to this event.
Once we have finished this writing, I will be focusing on science. In other words, the time we spent writing will be devoted to covering science standards we have not gotten to so far this year. I know your children are enthusiastic about moving on to this important academic area.
In math, we continue to practice multiplication and division facts. This week we will be looking at how to approach word problems. They will learn what to pay attention to, what certain words indicate, drawing as a strategy, etc.
I think that is it for now. If you have questions or concerns, please email or stop by.
Kim
Monday, January 11, 2010
Calling All Parents! January 11th-18th
Dear Families,
It looks like I am going to need some assistance this year, so I am looking for help in the following areas:
1. Lunch support from 12:15-1:00pm M,T,TH, & F. Our fourth grade class is now having lunch with the kindergarten class. Students eat from 12:15-12:30pm and then move to the playground. When students move to the playground, DeeDee and I have a chance to eat our lunches. I would like to have supervision on the playground I can count on - can you help?
2. I need some help in the classroom with reviewing student work and recording, filing, posting vocabulary words, etc...can you help?
3. A parent of a fourth grade student is interested in starting a student used book store. She is looking for help! Let me know if I can give her your name.
4. I am still looking for art supplies for the oil-painting classes I would like to have for the fourth graders. Michaels has 50% off coupons if you go to their site. I will print some so that they are available in my classroom. Oil paints are $8.99 per tube. I need Ultramarine Blue, Titanium White, and Cadmium Red. We need something to clean brushes and last year I purchased a product that was safer than turpentine, so if someone could check into the options for this and donate it, that would be great. Finally, 11x14 canvasses cost $7.99-10.99 depending on the type you want. If each parent could supply one canvas we will be able to get started. If possible, I would like these supplies by the end of January!
5. Bookbags have been graciously donated by Leisa Mitchell (Landon's mom). They are the perfect size; however, I need the handles changed, so they can hang on the back of the chairs. Is there anyone who can possibly work on this job? Please let me know.
6. I am starting to plan a field trip to the Julian mines for a tour. This will be an all-day field trip and I would like to go the last week of January, perhaps on Thursday, January 28th. Please check your calendar as we will need drivers. I will update you by next Monday on details such as cost, the time we will be leaving and get back, and the specifics of the field trip.
There is a parent meeting this Thursday which includes a Spaghetti Dinner starting at 5pm. The dinner is sponsored by the 5th grade class. I hope you are able to attend.
Sincerely,
Kim
It looks like I am going to need some assistance this year, so I am looking for help in the following areas:
1. Lunch support from 12:15-1:00pm M,T,TH, & F. Our fourth grade class is now having lunch with the kindergarten class. Students eat from 12:15-12:30pm and then move to the playground. When students move to the playground, DeeDee and I have a chance to eat our lunches. I would like to have supervision on the playground I can count on - can you help?
2. I need some help in the classroom with reviewing student work and recording, filing, posting vocabulary words, etc...can you help?
3. A parent of a fourth grade student is interested in starting a student used book store. She is looking for help! Let me know if I can give her your name.
4. I am still looking for art supplies for the oil-painting classes I would like to have for the fourth graders. Michaels has 50% off coupons if you go to their site. I will print some so that they are available in my classroom. Oil paints are $8.99 per tube. I need Ultramarine Blue, Titanium White, and Cadmium Red. We need something to clean brushes and last year I purchased a product that was safer than turpentine, so if someone could check into the options for this and donate it, that would be great. Finally, 11x14 canvasses cost $7.99-10.99 depending on the type you want. If each parent could supply one canvas we will be able to get started. If possible, I would like these supplies by the end of January!
5. Bookbags have been graciously donated by Leisa Mitchell (Landon's mom). They are the perfect size; however, I need the handles changed, so they can hang on the back of the chairs. Is there anyone who can possibly work on this job? Please let me know.
6. I am starting to plan a field trip to the Julian mines for a tour. This will be an all-day field trip and I would like to go the last week of January, perhaps on Thursday, January 28th. Please check your calendar as we will need drivers. I will update you by next Monday on details such as cost, the time we will be leaving and get back, and the specifics of the field trip.
There is a parent meeting this Thursday which includes a Spaghetti Dinner starting at 5pm. The dinner is sponsored by the 5th grade class. I hope you are able to attend.
Sincerely,
Kim
Sunday, January 3, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!
D ear Families,
What a great break I had this year and I hope you did too! I want to thank everyone for their generosity as I received many cards, gift cards, and gifts for the Christmas celebration. I was and am touched by all of your thoughtfullness and caring! I am grateful for all of your support.
We start back tomorrow morning with the addition of another new student. Welcome Sarah! That leaves me with just one seat open in my classroom! Wow, how we have grown! This week your children will be identifying the four regions in California and creating posters that identify the positive aspects of those regions and what would draw people to live in them. They will also be making murals of those regions. The posters, along with the murals will be posted outside our classroom. By the way, if you haven't, please take the time to read some of the wonderful poetry written by fourth graders about the mountains and deserts that is currently posted on the bulletin board closest to the exploratorium.
By next Tuesday, we will finally be finishing Patty Reed's Doll. As a final celebration, I am looking for a volunteer parent to donate and make a "Calico Bean" recipe (trail food) for 20 that the class can eat for lunch that day. That said, we will also need paper bowels, spoons, napkins, and drinks if possible. I have the recipe in my classroom, so if you like this type of thing please let me know soon, so we can plan. As soon as we finish, we will begin reading a book on the goldrush - By the Great Horn Spoon!
I am also still looking for canvases and paints for our oil painting adventure! I have the artist all lined up and just need the supplies to make this exciting art experience possible. Please see my previous BLOGS for the canvas dimensions and oil paint colors. We will be painting the CALIFORNIA POPPY, transferring those images onto fabric, and creating a quilt to be sold! If it ends up like last year's quilt, it will be beautiful!
In math, we are starting a unit on multiplication and division. Please work on skip-counting with your children so their facts become automatic sooner than later. We will be moving a little quicker in math now as we have so much to cover by the end of the year! I may be sending home some practice sheets for those students needing a little extra help!
In science (finally), we will beginning to look at animal adaptation. Some students will be asked to bring information into class on animals within the four California regions. We will be looking at why those animals survive well in those places.
We are also continuing on our fictional narratives and reports on important California people in writing with the later a part of our project. The project dioramas are almost finished, so I expect we should be ready for our "Wax Museum", no later than the last week in January. I will keep you posted.
Our next parent meeting, is next Thursday, January 14th. Please stay tuned for details regarding this meeting via our out-going phone blast or flyers coming home! Progress reports will also be coming out this month.
That's it for now. Stop by the classroom anytime!
sincerely,
Kim
What a great break I had this year and I hope you did too! I want to thank everyone for their generosity as I received many cards, gift cards, and gifts for the Christmas celebration. I was and am touched by all of your thoughtfullness and caring! I am grateful for all of your support.
We start back tomorrow morning with the addition of another new student. Welcome Sarah! That leaves me with just one seat open in my classroom! Wow, how we have grown! This week your children will be identifying the four regions in California and creating posters that identify the positive aspects of those regions and what would draw people to live in them. They will also be making murals of those regions. The posters, along with the murals will be posted outside our classroom. By the way, if you haven't, please take the time to read some of the wonderful poetry written by fourth graders about the mountains and deserts that is currently posted on the bulletin board closest to the exploratorium.
By next Tuesday, we will finally be finishing Patty Reed's Doll. As a final celebration, I am looking for a volunteer parent to donate and make a "Calico Bean" recipe (trail food) for 20 that the class can eat for lunch that day. That said, we will also need paper bowels, spoons, napkins, and drinks if possible. I have the recipe in my classroom, so if you like this type of thing please let me know soon, so we can plan. As soon as we finish, we will begin reading a book on the goldrush - By the Great Horn Spoon!
I am also still looking for canvases and paints for our oil painting adventure! I have the artist all lined up and just need the supplies to make this exciting art experience possible. Please see my previous BLOGS for the canvas dimensions and oil paint colors. We will be painting the CALIFORNIA POPPY, transferring those images onto fabric, and creating a quilt to be sold! If it ends up like last year's quilt, it will be beautiful!
In math, we are starting a unit on multiplication and division. Please work on skip-counting with your children so their facts become automatic sooner than later. We will be moving a little quicker in math now as we have so much to cover by the end of the year! I may be sending home some practice sheets for those students needing a little extra help!
In science (finally), we will beginning to look at animal adaptation. Some students will be asked to bring information into class on animals within the four California regions. We will be looking at why those animals survive well in those places.
We are also continuing on our fictional narratives and reports on important California people in writing with the later a part of our project. The project dioramas are almost finished, so I expect we should be ready for our "Wax Museum", no later than the last week in January. I will keep you posted.
Our next parent meeting, is next Thursday, January 14th. Please stay tuned for details regarding this meeting via our out-going phone blast or flyers coming home! Progress reports will also be coming out this month.
That's it for now. Stop by the classroom anytime!
sincerely,
Kim
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