Happy Winter and Happy Holidays.

This week will be a relaxing time to wrap up more units as well as spend fun days together before we close 2009.  No spelling, wordly wise or homework packets this week!  We might find some closure work trinkling in, but it should be very small.

Highlights for the week:

Lifeksills award assembly on Monday

Happy Birds assembly on Thursday

Multi-cultural festival on Friday from 8:30-10:00 Featured booths will include St. Patrick’s Day, St. Valentines Day, Oktoberfest, St. Lucia Day, Star Festival (Japan), Diwali, and Christmas.  The groups will be working together each day in preparation for our event.  Please come if you can!

Friday  is a minimum day so we will close doors at 1:20.

I want to extend a special thanks to out parent drivers/chaperones for helping us at our last field trip- Black Holes at DeAnza.  I must say this field trip was amazing.   I know I learned a lot and the students really loved the presentation.  I would highly recommend you take your family to the Planetarium.

So the count down begins- 2 weeks or 10 days- which ever sounds better to you! We are winding down this week.  Most of the homework is very manageable.  I have eliminated Wordly Wise these last 2 weeks because we are already half way finished with the book.  A rest is in order, especially after seeing the beautiful book reports.  I am in awe of the dedication and quality of work these students have presented me last Thursday.  Please take the time to come in and see them for yourselves.  The projects are really quite entertaining- like a mini museum.

For the next two weeks, we will be working on small projects in the class.  The first project is a small research report on the Age of Exploration.  The focus of the lesson is to teach the students how to approach research with very specific purpose or “focus questions”.  I think many times students feel very overwhelmed with a topic and have no starting point.  So we are working on establishing focus questions that are designed to help them look for specifics in their research. The final write up should only be one to two paragraphs and include a cover page.  They can also draw a picture for extra credit.

The second project is one of my favorites of the year, the Mulit-Cultural Project.  When I intentionally put this together at my last school district, the goal was two fold.  1) to celebrate the diversity of our classroom- at the time I had a room full of 33 Fifth graders (no class size reduction) and 2) to have an activity to get us through that last day before a break! But now the Festival is really a “celebration of learning”.  We really have so much fun learning about other cultures and traditions.  Student form new groups based on interest and learn about the history, the customs, costumes as well as specialty foods. Then the groups decorate a booth and present to the class, parents and visitors.  In the past, student have danced, sang and played songs on their instruments to special music.  They have recited poetry and performed a tea ritual.  Other students simply share what they have learned.  Then we all “party” by sharing some of the specialty food they researched and brought as a booth item.  (NO Feast- just a simple desert).

For the next two weeks, we will be dedicating class time to research and plan the event.  The Multi- Cultural Festival is for everyone, so please mark it down on your calendar.  The presentations will begin at 8:30 on Friday, December 18th.  It should be finished by 9:30-10:00.

Students should be wrapping up the Science Unit, The Water Planet, this week.  Currently, we are studying the weather and how to read a weather map.  We have been looking at the National Weather Map online and predicting where there will be areas on rain, wind and calm. Together we have been making sense of High and Low Pressure Areas as well and wind patterns that develop from Cold Fronts and Warm Fronts.  This is the last lesson of study in this Science Unit.  This week, we will be reviewing and then the students will have an open science note test next week.

Our second Math Olympiads test will be given on Tuesday, December 8th.

December 10th is the De Anza Field Trip to the Planetarium.  We are going to be watching a presentation on Black Holes- a topic of great interest to all ages, especially 5th graders.

Thank you to all of the drivers who volunteered to take us to De ANza.

I have down to drive and the number you can take:

Suzie- 5

Nitay- 5

John R.- 5

Jenny M- 5

Anya T- 3 (is that correct?)

That is exactly enough for all the students, meaning Aneta and I need a ride.  Can you let me know if any of those numbers are not counting the front seat for adults?

I will email the parents on Tuesday to give them information regarding the trip.  Thank you again and please let me know if I missed anyone.

Have a great week and stay dry—-the class looked and the weather maps and predicted rain!

Hope you all had a restful and wonderful Thanksgiving.  I can hardly believe that we have only 3 weeks left to this school year- and of course, a very busy 3 weeks.

Upcoming field trip:  De Anza Planetarium “Black Holes” – December 10th- from 8:30-noon.  We need drivers and chaperones.  The permission slip will go home this Monday.

Book Report Due:  Thursday, December 3rd.  We worked hard in giving a manageable time frame for the students.  Hopefully, they are not feeling stressed by the upcoming due date.

Stanford Research Project notes will go home.  The Stanford psychology department working with Professor Carol Dweck has requested that the 5th grade students help them with their research  on different patterns of praise and how it  affects students’ motivation.   More information will go home once I meet with the department coordinator tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope during this busy time, you are able to find rest and enjoy the time with family.  At my house, we will enjoy our first Thanksgiving together as a small family before we head to my sister’s house- (the real cook in the family).  So, wish me luck- this is my first Turkey!!

***No homework this week. ** Enjoy family time and getting ahead on the upcoming book report- Due Thursday, December 3rd.  I gave choice for the book report this time.  Students can either choose to complete a diorama or trading cards.  The diorama is very artistic, but can be very time consuming, so I allowed for an alternate project, the Trading Cards.  It is not as time intensive for some students.  Please speak with your child.  I mentioned this to the class 2 weeks ago and have had the supplies ready for both since last Monday.

The class voted and unanimously agreed to have a small feast on Tuesday, November 24th. This culminates our two week focus centered around Thankfulness.  The students wrote a paper on being Thankful and then were encouraged to think about a favorite dish they love during this time of year.  Then, if they wanted, they could write out the recipe of the favored dish and bring it in on Tuesday to share.  I made this part extra credit to take pressure off of some families during this busy time.  The recipes will be copied and bound into a” 2009-2010 Class Recipe” book.  I invite you to join us in the feast on Tuesday from 11:00ish until recess.

UPCOMING DATES TO PUT ON CALENDAR—-DeAnza Planetarium Field Trip, Cupertino, on December 10th.  We will watch a presentation on Black Holes.  We do need drivers and chaperones!  The permission slip will be sent home this week.

Enjoy and rest!!!

P.S- bring back the signed Report card Envelope this week!!!

I am finding it very difficult to believe that we are already approaching Thanksgiving.  I know that my family and I have so much to be thankful for this year.  That will also be the theme of this weeks homework packet.  We are going  away from math in the packet and concentrating on thankfulness.  The students will be given directions and an outline on writing a Thankful paper.  I would hope that students will discuss this topic with you and give you opportunities to share all the reasons your family can be thankful for in your home.

In addition, we have discussed and voted overwhelmingly to have a “small” thanksgiving luncheon on Tuesday, November 24th.  This will be considered “EXTRA CREDIT” and not mandatory in order to release the pressure of some families who feel very busy this time of year.  Students, who wish to participate, are encouraged to bring their favorite holiday dish- from any holiday.  I would like the student to cook it themselves……with supervision.  Then on Tuesday, Nov. 24th, the students will share the story behind the dish, how they made and why it is special.  At the end of the presentations, we will EAT!  Parents are very much invited.  Please email me if you have questions.

Math- we are concentrating on division and new strategies to solve long division problems.  We should wrap up this week.  In addition, we will take our first Math Olympiad test on Tuesday from 10:30-11:00.

Literature- students are still working on reading and responding to questions and dialogue in “Sign of the Beaver” and “The Ransom of Mercy Carter”.  I love the discussions that result in the Tuesday book groups.  These books will be finished by the end of November and then all students will complete a culmination unit.

Have a great week!  Report cards will go home this Friday in a special envelope included in the Friday Folder.  Please sign the envelope and return it to school the following Monday.  You may keep the report card inside.

PS-  PiE donations are being matched 100%.  If you have not had a chance to donate- now is the time.  This PiE pays for art, aides, computer lab instructor and all specialists.  Thank you for supporting our schools!!!

Happy Fall.

It is a short week.  No school on Wednesday.  Enjoy the mid week break!

Second Harvest Food Bank Food drive begins Monday.

I hope everyone survived this weekend.  I know that the extra hour sleep helped me recover from a night of hitting the doors of our neighborhood.  I hope you all had a lovely Halloween.  Special thanks to all of the parents who aided in the celebration this last Friday in our classroom.  The students had a wonderful time!  Thank you Jen for organizing this event!

Bizworld will be wrapping up this week. We will continue on Monday with our Marketing day.  Students will be designing company logos and create a commercial to sell their bracelets. Finally, on Wednesday we will have our Sales Bazaar. Mrs. Rumwell and I will be having the our sales Bazaar together.  It will begin at 10:30 with the commercials and then the selling will begin!  We have invited and prepped 2 Fourth grade classes to be “smart” shoppers at the Bazaar.  They will be looking at the commercials, the product ,and compare the prices to get the best deal.  If parents come, I can also give you some BizBucks to shop the Bazaar as well.  Please email me if you plan to attend so I can give you more information.

In review, last Tuesday, Bizworld had the students form companies, secure funds from “pitching” their business plan to the Venture Capitalist, purchase supplies, and design a prototype.  The next day, on Friday, students had to visit the local bank for a loan, decide on the type of manufacturing styles, purchase additional supplies and begin making bracelets.  More importantly, the students must plan ahead in the expenses of rent and salaries at the end of the day- real life!

***The Mystery Book report Briefcases look amazing- please congratulate your son or daughter on a job well done!  I look forward to reading them this week.

Pet Essay final published draft is due on Wednesday.  Most students are in the final stages of publishing their final draft.

Parent Conferences on Tuesday.  Please find your name below to confirm the time.

Tuesday, November 3rd

8:00-8:30- G. Candes

8:30-9:00- M. Lincoln

9:00-9:30- A. Tsalenko

9:30-10:00- R. Kamb

10:30-11:00- G. Blum

11:00-11:30- S. Otani

12:30-1:00- L. Levi

2:00-2:30-  J.Pleasants

Thank you to Patty for volunteering to be a chaperone and to Annie for being willing to drive our lunches back and forth!

We are all set for the Museum now.

Nikole

Hello B-2 families,

This will be  a short update.

Homework will be very light this week in order to help the students prepare for the Mystery Book Report due on Friday, October 30th.  According to our class calendar, the students should have completed the book (last Monday), found the 6 clues or hints that helped them solve the mystery (due last Wednesday- and I did check), and grabbed the file folder to begin making the briefcase. Most students who are keeping up with the time management goals are having an easy weekend resting and playing, knowing that they are almost done!

FIELD TRIP THIS THURSDAY!!! We are walking to the Cantor Museum for a docent led tour.  We will be eating a bag lunch in the garden.  Here are some of the needs—

I have 3 parents signed up to chaperone- I need 1 more.  Thank you Liz F, Suzie L. and Gioia A. for coming with us. Please let me know if I missed you and you sent in the form to attend this field trip.  Anyone else interested?  It is a great day.  Please email me if you have questions. **** I also need one parent willing to drive the lunches over to the Museum.  If you are unable to attend for the entire time, this might be for you.  We need the lunches dropped off by 10:00 and we can store them in the museum.  Then we need a pick-up by 12 to take back to Nixon.  The bins can be dropped off by my room.

Finally- no Wordly WIse or Math packet this week- yes, for some that is a big sigh of relief.  For other students, they will be itching to find work.  We do have an enrichment file bin they can check out.  The homework is to be ready for BizWorld this week as well as the beginning of Galleons.  Both are simulations for learning.  Bizworld requires the students to become entrepreneurs and start a company.  They will start from ground up by learning how to take loans from banks or “sell” their idea to a Venture Capitalist.  More importantly, they learn to work and function as a company and share in the daily expenses of business and life.  More information will come at the end of the week when our first student reporters will write in the weblog.

We will also begin Galleons, a Social Studies simulation, where students become crew members on Galleon Explorer ships.  This a an incredible activity and we have weeks of fun.

Lastly,  Halloween.  By now you should have received an email from Jen Pleasants, the classes party coordinator.  With your help, we can provide a memorable day.  Please email me or Jen for questions or to sign up to help us.

The party will be after lunch, following the school parade from 1:20-end of the day.  Please send your student with his/her costume in a bag.  We will have a regular morning, and change at lunchtime.  I will be around to help.

Have a great week!

I hope everyone had a restful weekend.  I know I did as my family and I worked around the house and then celebrated our hard work by going to the movies this weekend.  We all watched “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”. Wow! 3-D pictures have really improved since I saw one last-  I think that might have been 20 years ago–aahh!

The most important event occurring this weekend is Parent Fall Conferences.  This Thursday, October 22nd, I will be out seeing most of you!  Please think about some goals you would like to discuss for the year. I will be sending out a reminder email this weekend that will also include you time and where the meeting will be held.

This week the class will begin the new Literature Group Novels- “Sign of the Beaver” and “The Ransom of Mercy Carter”.  These books are both historical fiction and center around the early encounters of Colonists and Native  Americans.  The district core book, “The Sign of the Beaver” is a just right reading level- 5th grade.  There will be weekly questions, activities and discussions.  This a fabulous book by Elizabeth George Speare with an exciting culminating activity.  The second novel, “The Ransom of Mercy Carter ” is a challenging reading level.  This book will also have weekly questions, activities, and discussions following each reading assignment.  The culmination activity is a written essay regarding personal choice.  I encourage students who enjoy a challenging read with higher level vocabulary to read this book.I am going to go over each book on Monday and let the students choose which book is of interest to them.  Please look for this book to come home this weekend.

Book Report News: According to the student class calendar, the Mystery book should be completely read by Monday, October 19th.  I will be checking to make sure each student is keeping up with the mini goals.  They should be looking and thinking about events or clues that led them of the main character to solve the mystery.

NEEDS!!!  The upcoming field trip to the Cantor Museum.  I need to have 3 more chaperones.  Gioia A.  has responded and will be joining our class.  Please email me if you can also take the day to walk the beautiful campus, look a the bright colorful trees, enjoy amazing art and picnic in the garden- yes,  that is the day! I also need some back-up drivers in case rain is in the forecast.  Please email me if you might be able to drop us off and then pick us up- or stay and join us.  The Museum does not limit the number of parents.

I will be out on Tuesday and Thursday of this week.  Katie Bramlett will be subbing for me on both days.

Have a wonderful week!