* This week we are starting Golden Gulch, a gold rush simulation activity that will last several weeks. The kids will get a chance to work in teams to experience life during the gold rush. It will require a lot of team work and cooperation!

* Mark you calendars for May 17th for the next choir performance!

This week we will...
...begin our next novel, By the Great Horn Spoon! This historical fiction novel ties in perfectly with our social studies unit.

...check out the science fair projects from the 6th graders on Friday.

...begin our next unit in math: Measurement! You can help at home by having your child measure different objects and help with recipes in the kitchen.
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This week we will...
...begin Golden Gulch, a fun, interactive Gold Rush simulation game in which groups will compete to earn the most gold through trivia questions and other activities!

...finish reading City of Ember by the end of the week.

...see a performance by one of Cabrillo's choirs on Friday morning.

...complete our long-division unit (test Tuesday for chapters 12 and 13), and begin a measurement unit in math.
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* Talent Show try-outs are Wednesday after school. If you have any questions, Mr. Sweet is the teacher running the talent show.

* Tuesday we will have an in-class Spelling Bee. The top 2 spellers will move on to the school Spelling Bee next week, competing against the top 2 spellers from all 4th-6th grade classes. The top 2 spellers from the school will move on to the county-wide competition in February.

This week we will...
...resume our choir rehearsals Thursday.

...continue learning about the Gold Rush in our Social Studies curriculum.

...practice writing a 5-paragraph essay. 
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Welcome back! It's hard to believe with this weather that it is January, but Happy New Year to you all! I hope you all enjoyed the Winter Break.

* Reminder: Wednesday, January 11th, is NOT a short day!
* Reminder: Monday, January 16th, is a holiday!

* Talent Show Try-outs are next Wednesday the 18th. Be sure to turn in permission slips!

This week we will...
...begin working on chapter 12 in our math curriculum: long-division! This is where those multiplication facts will come in handy, so please help your child memorize the facts!

...write to our pen pals in Illinois, and we will be focusing on adding details to our writing!

...begin chapter 6 in our social studies curriculum: The Gold Rush!


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*Check out the previous post to see photos of the mission models!

* Reminder: This Wednesday is NOT a short day! Friday is the last day before Winter Break. Students return on Wednesday, January 11th.

* Book Swap this Wednesday! Students can bring in gently used books from home to trade for "new-to-them" books brought in by their classmates. They need to bring the books in by tomorrow (Tuesday).

* This Friday we will be having a holiday party - keep an eye out for more information from Julie Cory and Carole-Anne Kessler. It will also be a Pajama Day!

* In math we are working on double-digit multiplication... check out Mr. McMillan's blog for a helpful video covering the steps for this new concept!

* It was great to see so many students and families at the Winter Choir Concert last Wednesday! I'm working on posting some videos from the evening

This week we will...
...finish our Super Hero picture books for our reading buddies.

...complete chapter 5 in social studies - there will be a test on Thursday.
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Mission Models 12/06/2011
 
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The Wax Museum has been rescheduled for this Wednesday the 7th from 9:00 - 10:00 in the Cafeteria. I hope you can make it if you were unable to attend last Thursday. The kids did a great job last week and I know they'll be even more prepared this week.

*  Grind Out Hunger ends this Friday!

* Choir Concert: This Wednesday the 7th at the Aptos High Performing Arts Center. 4th graders will perform at 7:00, and need to be there by 6:45. They need to wear a white top and dark pants/skirts.  I hope you all can make it!

This week we will...
...begin learning how to do double-digit multiplication!! Please help your child practice their multiplication facts so that this new concept/skill isn't more difficult than it needs to be!

...continue writing our Super Hero stories for our reading buddies.

...go to the Big Spin Thursday afternoon!

...see a Rock Band concert Friday!
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Welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed some much-needed time off. We have a busy few weeks coming up, so please be sure to check here often for updates!

* Artist Reports should be completed at home and are due this Friday, December 2nd. Homework will be light this week so students can focus on their projects. The 5-paragraph report (typed or hand-written), timeline, and portrait are all due together. They can be attached to a posterboard, or compiled in a folder. Only final drafts should be turned in, not the rough drafts. The speeches (5-6 sentences in 1st person) do not need to be turned in.
  Our Wax Museum will be taking place this Thursday and Friday, December 1st and 2nd, from 9:00 - 10:00 in the cafeteria. This is where I will be grading students' speeches. Students need to come prepared both days with their costumes! I hope you are all able to attend one of our performances! If you have any questions about the project, please send me an email.

* Today students are bringing home paper bags and information about our food drive!


This week we will...
...continue our latest Writer's Workshop project. Students will be creating Super Hero picture books for their reading buddies!

...continue with our Magnetism and Electricity unit in Science. There will be a brief, open-book test Thursday! The first 2 links in the Science section of our Student Links are very helpful study guides! (Thank you Mr. McMillan for sharing!)

...go to the Big Spin on Friday afternoon! This is an upper-grade assembly in which students can win prizes, and are honored for various achievements.
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Happy Thanksgiving!! We have a very short week this week, and I hope you all enjoy a few days off to spend time with your families! 

* Reminder: There is NO HOMEWORK CLUB tomorrow (Tuesday)

* Last week I sent home an optional extra-credit assignment for students to raise their writing grades (due to the less-than-stellar results on the last grammar assessment). The writing assignment is due tomorrow for those who choose to complete it.

* Artist Reports should be completed at home and are due Friday, December 2nd (5-paragraph report, timeline, and portrait). Today students are bringing home an invitation to our Wax Museum, taking place December 1st and 2nd, from 9:00 - 10:00 in the cafeteria. I hope you are all able to attend one of our performances! If you have any questions about the project, please send me an email. 

This week we will...
...begin our next Writer's Workshop project. Students will be creating Super Hero picture books for their reading buddies!

...continue writing our land grant letters and drawing disenos.

...continue with our Magnetism and Electricity unit in Science. The first 2 links in the Science section of our Student Links are very helpful study guides! (Thank you Mr. McMillan for sharing!)
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* Last week we began working on Artist Biographies. This week we will write the rough drafts of the 5-paragraph report, the timeline, and the speech . At home, students will work on a portrait of their artist and the final drafts of the components mentioned above. The project is due December 2nd. I'll be sending more information about the day/time for the "Wax Museum" presentation.

* Scholastic Book Orders are due this Friday, November 18th. This will be the last order before Winter Break.

* Report cards will be sent home Monday! Please sign and return the envelope (you keep the report card). If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email.

This week we will...
...continue learning about the Mexican rule in California.  There will be a test covering chapter 4 on Thursday.
...take a district-wide writing assessment on Wednesday.
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