Conference week is almost over as I write this Friday morning, and it has been a great week. Students enjoy the early days, and I enjoy the opportunity to speak with parents and students about student progress. The support that parents at Rancho provide to their children, as well as to teachers, is a big part of what makes Rancho a wonderful and successful learning community. Parents, thank you for all you do for your child and our classroom.

Students have been working on their state note-taking guides, in preparation for the State Fair. They have specific assignment sheets, to remind them when particular parts of the state note-taking guide must be completed. Once students are done, they will begin working with their partner on their State Fair presentation. The State Fair itself will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18. Parents and other interested adults are encouraged to attend. Students will be displaying their work and discussing their state all morning, beginning at about 9:00am. There will be more information as the date approaches.

We spent this week on multiple digit multiplication and are beginning the unit on multiplying decimal numbers. Most students did well on yesterday's math chapter test, but the test yesterday was a wake-up call for a few students who either have not yet mastered their math facts or are not paying enough attention to detail (not only must you multiply correctly, but you must also add and regroup correctly). These skills, along with similar, related skills in division, will be necessary for the remainder of the school year (and beyond!) as we work with fractions, decimals, ratios, and percents. Please help your child practice the necessary skills.

Even though students return from Thanksgiving break on Dec. 1, any student may take an AR test on Monday and have points earned apply to their November goal--all they have to do is tell me. Of course for students who have already met their November goal, any AR tests they take on Dec. 1 will apply to their December total.

We are continuing to read The Sign of the Beaver. We are using the book to work not only on reading strategies, but also to enhance our writing skills as we study the wonderful use of language by the author. It is difficult to not read ahead, but this is one book I want students to savor, and read together. We may not finish the book until after the December break.

As I look forward to a week with my family, I think of all the things I have to be thankful for, and without a doubt being part of the Rancho family is one of them. Have a great break!

Students enjoyed the Halloween party--a big "Thank you!" to room parents Lorena Garbarino and Marianne Hill, as well as all the other parent helpers. I love it when Halloween is on a Friday! It was a great way to end the week.

Parent-teacher conferences begin on Monday, Nov. 17. If you need a reminder about our agreed upon time and date, please email me (sspry@nusd.org), call, or send in a note, and I'll provide the information. Please remember that your child is invited to join us for the conference (or we could have one with your child and one with just parents--let me know), so even if you did not check the box to confirm that your child will be attending, please feel free to bring him or her. Contact me if you have any questions.

The 50 states test has been taken, and work on the State Fair projects has begun. Our class's State Fair date is Thursday, Dec. 18. Students are collecting information about their individual states, completing a note-taking guide, and will then work with their partner to create a presentation, including a presentation board, as the experts on that particular state. They have received the specific requirements for the project. We also spent some time talking about the day of the State Fair. Students are encouraged to dress in a way that somehow connects to their state. For instance, a student working on California might choose to come dressed as John Muir, a Gold Rush miner, Gov. Schwartzenegger, a farmer, a surfer, or some other character associated with the state. Students are also encouraged to bring appropriate artifacts that represent important products, inventions, activities, industries, or historical events for their state. Again, if the student's state is California, they might bring in an example of an important agricultural product (cotton, garlic, etc.); a backpack, snowboard, or replica of the Golden Gate Bridge to represent the importance of tourism in the state; a book by John Steinbeck to represent literary contributions from Californians; and so on. While students are working with a partner on their particular state, they will have individual responsibilities, and their grade will reflect their own effort (including the ability to work collaboratively) and the product they create (in other words, partners may not receive the same grade). Judging by their enthusiasm so far, I know they'll do a great job.

If you are able to help out on our 2 December field trips, Mon. Dec. 8 to decorate and ride the Larkspur Ferry and Friday, Dec. 12 to Chabot Space and Science Center, please contact Marianne Hill (marianne@nhainc.net). As I mentioned in a previous blog, Mrs. Dees and I would love to have a potluck back at school after the trip on the ferry (Dec. 8). I know there has been a fair amount of interest from the parents in Mrs. Dees' class, but so far I haven't heard anything from our class. I understand if it seems to be too much. Please contact me or one of our room parents (Lorena Garbarino, at lorenagsellshomes@yahoo.com or MarianneHill, at marianne@nhainc.net) if you are interested in helping.

Reminder: student dismissal is at 12:30 every day next week, Nov. 17-21. Thanksgiving break is Nov. 24-28.

Have a great weekend.