Students did a wonderful job cleaning up the creek. It was a lot of fun working with Mrs. Dees' class. Many thanks to all the parents who helped out--could not have done it without them! Not only did students help the environment, they reinforced their sense of community. And since this effort was officially part of the Annual California Coastal Cleanup, students are invited to participate in the "thank you" BBQ at the Bay Model in Sausalito, from 12-3pm.
Don't forget that Tuesday, Sept. 23 is picture day--our time is 11:25am. Students have P.E. first thing in the morning, but will have plenty of time to primp at recess. Students who are buying pictures should bring in their payment envelopes ON picture day.
The next geography test is scheduled for Sept. 30. The chapter 4 math test will be Tues., Sept. 23, as will the Southeast States-Part 1 test.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
September 12, 2008
Our classroom still needs an art docent; anyone interested? Please let me know as soon as possible as there is a training meeting at the District offices next week for art docent volunteers. Students get a lot out of the program and projects, and I'd love to be able to have our class participate.
Our Coastal Cleanup day is Thursday, Sept. 18 (10:50-lunch). The Coastal Cleanup permission slips are in this week's Friday folder. The walking field trip permission slip everyone signed at the very beginning of the year satisfies District requirements, but we also need the forms from Coastal Cleanup to officially be part of the statewide effort (we also send in data about what kinds of trash we collected as well as an estimate of the total amount of trash collected, to be added in to totals from all other Coastal Cleanup sites). Please send these forms back by Tuesday, Sept. 16. Each year students enjoy this activity not only because they get to roam the creek and our campus with their friends during class time, but because they feel good about helping their community. And reinforcing their role in our community, including both Rancho and the greater Novato community is, I think, a great benefit for everyone.
**To find a site in Marin where you and your family can participate in the Coastal Cleanup on the official cleanup day (Sat., Sept. 20), go to www.coastforyou.org and click on "Join us for Coastal Cleanup Day." To continue to celebrate and learn about our coast and waterways, click on "This is the kickoff for COASTWEEKS" on the same site. This gives information about water and environmental activities throughout the state (from walks and kayaking to community service).
The first geography test is now behind us, and hopefully students feel more comfortable with what to expect in the future. These tests do require students to go back over the geography packets and study the concepts and skills presented, which is why students are reminded to keep each week's packets after we have completed them. Three students not only got perfect scores, but also answered the bonus question correctly! The next geography test will be Tues., Sept. 30.
The next math chapter test (ch. 3) will be on Tues., Sept. 16. While these beginning chapters are mostly review, they cover key foundation concepts. Please take the time to review any problems your child answered incorrectly and help them find their mistake. While we do this in class, the extra attention at home can really help.
Accelerated Reader is not yet up and running (very disappointing), but there is hope on the horizon! At this point, it appears the program may be available before the end of September. I have talked to the students about the delay, and let them know that there will be no specific AR goal for September for our classroom. I'm hoping that AR will be up soon enough for students to take at least 1 quiz this month, just to get used to the process again, but we may have to wait until October.
Thanks for all the glue sticks, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and facial tissues. We should be set for a while! I really appreciate your generosity.
See you at the Family Dinner!
Our classroom still needs an art docent; anyone interested? Please let me know as soon as possible as there is a training meeting at the District offices next week for art docent volunteers. Students get a lot out of the program and projects, and I'd love to be able to have our class participate.
Our Coastal Cleanup day is Thursday, Sept. 18 (10:50-lunch). The Coastal Cleanup permission slips are in this week's Friday folder. The walking field trip permission slip everyone signed at the very beginning of the year satisfies District requirements, but we also need the forms from Coastal Cleanup to officially be part of the statewide effort (we also send in data about what kinds of trash we collected as well as an estimate of the total amount of trash collected, to be added in to totals from all other Coastal Cleanup sites). Please send these forms back by Tuesday, Sept. 16. Each year students enjoy this activity not only because they get to roam the creek and our campus with their friends during class time, but because they feel good about helping their community. And reinforcing their role in our community, including both Rancho and the greater Novato community is, I think, a great benefit for everyone.
**To find a site in Marin where you and your family can participate in the Coastal Cleanup on the official cleanup day (Sat., Sept. 20), go to www.coastforyou.org and click on "Join us for Coastal Cleanup Day." To continue to celebrate and learn about our coast and waterways, click on "This is the kickoff for COASTWEEKS" on the same site. This gives information about water and environmental activities throughout the state (from walks and kayaking to community service).
The first geography test is now behind us, and hopefully students feel more comfortable with what to expect in the future. These tests do require students to go back over the geography packets and study the concepts and skills presented, which is why students are reminded to keep each week's packets after we have completed them. Three students not only got perfect scores, but also answered the bonus question correctly! The next geography test will be Tues., Sept. 30.
The next math chapter test (ch. 3) will be on Tues., Sept. 16. While these beginning chapters are mostly review, they cover key foundation concepts. Please take the time to review any problems your child answered incorrectly and help them find their mistake. While we do this in class, the extra attention at home can really help.
Accelerated Reader is not yet up and running (very disappointing), but there is hope on the horizon! At this point, it appears the program may be available before the end of September. I have talked to the students about the delay, and let them know that there will be no specific AR goal for September for our classroom. I'm hoping that AR will be up soon enough for students to take at least 1 quiz this month, just to get used to the process again, but we may have to wait until October.
Thanks for all the glue sticks, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and facial tissues. We should be set for a while! I really appreciate your generosity.
See you at the Family Dinner!
Friday, September 5, 2008
September 5, 2008
When making up the volunteer lists for Back to School Night I forgot one very important job, Art Docent. Yikes! If you'd be willing to take on the job (I very much hope that someone will!), please let me know. Thanks!
This first Scholastic book order is in today's Friday folder. Orders are due back to me by Thurs., Sept. 11. This is a great opportunity to buy books at very reasonable prices AND each purchase earns points for the classroom. I use those points to buy books for the classroom library. I hope you'll consider participating.
The class is settling into useful routines; we'll be ready for our first full week of school next week. Students were scheduled to take the first geography test today but it has been rescheduled for Tuesday. Students will take the chapter 2 math test on Monday. The first of the states tests will be given on Tuesday (Northeastern States-Part 1: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut). The next test, the following week, will be on the rest of the Northeast (Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland). Don't forget to check out http://sheppardsoftware.com/ web_games.htm for fun ways to learn the 50 states and capitals.
Students have been investigating mixtures and solutions, and using balances to discover that adding salt to a specific amount of water, to make a saltwater solution, increases the mass of the liquid even though the solution still looks like pure water. Things to ask your child: how is a solution different from a mixture and how can mixtures be separated?
Mark the date: Thursday, Sept. 18, Coastal Cleanup Day at Rancho.
This year's class will be participating in the California Coastal Cleanup, along with Mrs. Dees' class. Students clean up the school campus and Arroyo Avichi Creek. Although the official statewide date for the Coastal Cleanup is Saturday, Sept. 20 (and you can check online for places around Marin to clean up on Sat. as well), we'll be conducting our cleanup on Thursday, Sept. 18. Parent volunteers are needed to help supervise the groups--it is much more effective to work in groups of 4-6 than whole class. We'll begin after the first recess (10:50 A.M.), and will be back in the classroom to clean ourselves up before lunch (by noon). Please let me know if you can help. Mrs. Dees will be soliciting volunteers as well. All participants must sign the Coastal Cleanup waiver and permission slip, which will go home next Friday.
Don't forget that next Friday, Sept. 12, is Rancho's Family Dinner. I hope everyone will be able to join in the evening's activities as it is always a fun night. And please consider joining the PTA if you haven't done so already. The PTA makes so much possible at Rancho!
When making up the volunteer lists for Back to School Night I forgot one very important job, Art Docent. Yikes! If you'd be willing to take on the job (I very much hope that someone will!), please let me know. Thanks!
This first Scholastic book order is in today's Friday folder. Orders are due back to me by Thurs., Sept. 11. This is a great opportunity to buy books at very reasonable prices AND each purchase earns points for the classroom. I use those points to buy books for the classroom library. I hope you'll consider participating.
The class is settling into useful routines; we'll be ready for our first full week of school next week. Students were scheduled to take the first geography test today but it has been rescheduled for Tuesday. Students will take the chapter 2 math test on Monday. The first of the states tests will be given on Tuesday (Northeastern States-Part 1: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut). The next test, the following week, will be on the rest of the Northeast (Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland). Don't forget to check out http://sheppardsoftware.com/ web_games.htm for fun ways to learn the 50 states and capitals.
Students have been investigating mixtures and solutions, and using balances to discover that adding salt to a specific amount of water, to make a saltwater solution, increases the mass of the liquid even though the solution still looks like pure water. Things to ask your child: how is a solution different from a mixture and how can mixtures be separated?
Mark the date: Thursday, Sept. 18, Coastal Cleanup Day at Rancho.
This year's class will be participating in the California Coastal Cleanup, along with Mrs. Dees' class. Students clean up the school campus and Arroyo Avichi Creek. Although the official statewide date for the Coastal Cleanup is Saturday, Sept. 20 (and you can check online for places around Marin to clean up on Sat. as well), we'll be conducting our cleanup on Thursday, Sept. 18. Parent volunteers are needed to help supervise the groups--it is much more effective to work in groups of 4-6 than whole class. We'll begin after the first recess (10:50 A.M.), and will be back in the classroom to clean ourselves up before lunch (by noon). Please let me know if you can help. Mrs. Dees will be soliciting volunteers as well. All participants must sign the Coastal Cleanup waiver and permission slip, which will go home next Friday.
Don't forget that next Friday, Sept. 12, is Rancho's Family Dinner. I hope everyone will be able to join in the evening's activities as it is always a fun night. And please consider joining the PTA if you haven't done so already. The PTA makes so much possible at Rancho!
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