Dear Room 20 & 21 parents and students,
The wet weather will continue this week, although we anticipate less of a deluge than we experienced last week. Please make sure that your family is prepared for this rainy period with appropriate rain gear, including jackets, hats, gloves, and sturdy shoes/boots if possible!
One super exciting development this week is our lunchtime auditions for Room 20 & 21's fine arts performance, "U.S. Presidents." Remind your student that good preparation is the key to a confident and relaxed audition. We can't wait to see the amazing talents that emerge during this week and our upcoming rehearsals!
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Curriculum:
Language Arts
We continue our study of Dear Mr. Henshaw as literature. In conjunction with our book, students have learned business letter format, and are working on completing timelines in addition to their comprehension and literary analysis activities. Also, in language arts, students have been working through the writing process to complete personal multiparagraph essays, and we will soon be revisiting summary writing. We continue to work on grammar, including correct and more complex sentence structure.
Math
In 4th grade math, we're moving into our study of fractions and decimals this week. We first will focus on fractions. Many of our initial activities will be designed to give our students a clear understanding that fractions are portions of a whole "thing"- whether that whole "thing" is a pizza, a pocketful of change, or a group of people. In-class work will involve hands-on work creating parts of a whole in several ways.
In 5th grade math, we are beginning our study of data collection and graphing. Students will be reviewing concepts learned in prior grades and then applying this knowledge to double graphs, circle graphs, line plots and analysis of various types of graphs and when it's appropriate to use a particular type of graph as opposed to another.
Social Studies
Our unit of study on explorers is coming to a close and the test is scheduled for Thursday, February 4. A study guide will be provided as well as study tips and hints for reviewing. This week students will be given the expectations for creating a Keynote presentation on a particular explorer with a partner in class and then transferring information gathered into a research essay. There is no due date set for these projects yet.
Science
We're fully into our new unit entitled Living Systems. This week we finish up Investigation 2, which is focused on vascular plants. We will be involved with leaf classification on Monday, followed up by some supporting reading on vascular plants and review of previous work on Wednesday, and on Thursday we'll check our understanding of our second investigation with another I-Check open book/note assessment. Friday, we'll start Investigation 3, which begins with food production. It's another action-packed week of science, for sure!
Calendar of Events:
Mon., Jan. 25 - Jeff Savage, Author Assembly
Mon., Jan. 25 - SSC 3:00
Tues., Jan 26 - 8:15 am Parent/Principal Exchange
Wed., Jan 27- 4/5 Cicero's Pizza Night
Wed., Jan 27 - 6:30 p.m. 4/5 Washington, DC Meeting
Thur., Jan. 28- I-Check: Investigation 2 in Science
Fri., Jan. 29- Spirit Day (Career Day)
Tues., Feb., 2 - Hyde Middle School - 6th Grade Parent Information Night
Thur., Feb. 4 - Social Studies Explorer Test
Thur., Feb. 4 - 4/5 Winter Band Concert
Thur., Feb. 4 - 7:00 p.m. Kennedy Middle School- 6th Grade Parent Information Night
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
The first coeducational, interracial college was founded in this state.
The first professional baseball team was established in this state.
Seven U.S. presidents were born in this state.
This state's flag is the only state flag shaped like a pennant.
The Professional Football Hall of Fame and the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame are in this state.
Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dear Room 20 & 21 parents and students,
We hope you enjoyed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Dr. King's message of peaceful interaction and love toward all is especially appropriate during these difficult times. We can all be leaders for change through the little things we do for one another each day.
This week is going to be particularly stormy, so please plan on arriving earlier at school (7:45am is a great time to arrive) and make sure that everyone in the family is dressed properly for the weather (raincoat, boots if possible, umbrella for non-windy days.)
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Curriculum:
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are focusing our energies on our new core literature book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. Writing and comprehension activities will all be based around the content and background provided by this excellent book. For example, we've been working on proper business letter format in class; this idea arose from a product problem presented in the book! Students are now expected to write all assessed class assignments in cursive writing, with the exception of the spelling tests.
Math
In 4th grade math, we're finishing up our algebra work by completing our work on menus, algebra posters, and function tables. We'll review problem-solving methods on Wednesday, then take a test on the Chapter 8 & 9 concepts on Friday.
In 5th grade math, we've finished our decimal projects and taken our test on multiplication and division of decimals. The students had a great time creating and sharing different decimal projects. Our next unit of study will be probability.
Social Studies
We continue our unit on explorers. Students are learning about events that are occurring in Europe and Asia that influenced the explorers to begin their voyages all over the world. Soon we will be applying our knowledge of explorers to hands on projects and written reports.
Science
We're fully into our new unit entitled Living Systems. This week we continue Investigation 2, which is focused on vascular plants. We have seen plant systems close up during the past week; now we delve further into the topic through continued reading, experiments, and a response question related to last week's investigation.
Calendar of Events:
Tues., Jan. 19 - PSCO Meeting 6:30
Wed., Jan 20 - SSC Meeting 3:00
Thur., Jan. 21 - Field Trip to the Children's Theater Center
Fri., Jan 22 - 4th Grade Math Test - Chapters 8 and 9
Fri, , Jan. 29- Spirit Day (Career Day)
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
The world's largest elephant fossil is in this state.
This state's legislature has only one house.
Corn and beef are two of this state's top products.
Former president Gerald R. Ford was born in this state.
This state is nicknamed the "Cornhusker State."
Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
We hope you enjoyed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Dr. King's message of peaceful interaction and love toward all is especially appropriate during these difficult times. We can all be leaders for change through the little things we do for one another each day.
This week is going to be particularly stormy, so please plan on arriving earlier at school (7:45am is a great time to arrive) and make sure that everyone in the family is dressed properly for the weather (raincoat, boots if possible, umbrella for non-windy days.)
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Curriculum:
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are focusing our energies on our new core literature book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. Writing and comprehension activities will all be based around the content and background provided by this excellent book. For example, we've been working on proper business letter format in class; this idea arose from a product problem presented in the book! Students are now expected to write all assessed class assignments in cursive writing, with the exception of the spelling tests.
Math
In 4th grade math, we're finishing up our algebra work by completing our work on menus, algebra posters, and function tables. We'll review problem-solving methods on Wednesday, then take a test on the Chapter 8 & 9 concepts on Friday.
In 5th grade math, we've finished our decimal projects and taken our test on multiplication and division of decimals. The students had a great time creating and sharing different decimal projects. Our next unit of study will be probability.
Social Studies
We continue our unit on explorers. Students are learning about events that are occurring in Europe and Asia that influenced the explorers to begin their voyages all over the world. Soon we will be applying our knowledge of explorers to hands on projects and written reports.
Science
We're fully into our new unit entitled Living Systems. This week we continue Investigation 2, which is focused on vascular plants. We have seen plant systems close up during the past week; now we delve further into the topic through continued reading, experiments, and a response question related to last week's investigation.
Calendar of Events:
Tues., Jan. 19 - PSCO Meeting 6:30
Wed., Jan 20 - SSC Meeting 3:00
Thur., Jan. 21 - Field Trip to the Children's Theater Center
Fri., Jan 22 - 4th Grade Math Test - Chapters 8 and 9
Fri, , Jan. 29- Spirit Day (Career Day)
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
The world's largest elephant fossil is in this state.
This state's legislature has only one house.
Corn and beef are two of this state's top products.
Former president Gerald R. Ford was born in this state.
This state is nicknamed the "Cornhusker State."
Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
Monday, January 11, 2010
Dear Room 20 & 21 parents and students,
We hope you had a good weekend. Here are the weekly reminders for this week.
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Curriculum:
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are focusing our energies on our new core literature book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. Writing and comprehension activities will all be based around the content and background provided by this excellent book. Students are now expected to write all assessed class assignments in cursive writing, with the exception of the spelling tests.
Math
In 4th grade math, we're finishing up our math menus for use during our extended Friday math time (we'll solve each other's algebra problems), and we're continuing our algebra work by learning about and analyzing function tables.
In 5th grade math, we continue to refine our skills of multiplication and division of decimals and working off of a project based menu to apply the skills we're learning. Students will be sharing their projects and be tested on concepts this week.
Social Studies
We continue our unit on explorers. Students are learning about events that are occurring in Europe and Asia that influenced the explorers to begin their voyages all over the world. Soon we will be applying our knowledge of explorers to hands on projects and written reports.
Science
We're fully into our new unit entitled Living Systems. This week we begin Investigation 2, which is focused on vascular plants. We are designing and conducting our own experiment to determine how plants get water to their cells- it should be fun!
Calendar of Events:
Tues., Jan.12 - Math Olympiads 12:30
Wed., Jan. 13 - Kitchen Science Due
Mon., Jan. 18- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Tues., Jan. 19 - PSCO Meeting 6:30
Wed., Jan 20 - SSC Meeting 3:00
Thur., Jan. 21 - Field Trip to the Children's Theater Center
Fri, , Jan. 29- Spirit Day (Career Day)
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
Three countries -- France, England, and Spain -- flew their flags over this state at separate times.
Nearly 60 percent of this state is covered by forest.
Coca-Cola was first bottled in this state in 1894.
Cotton is the most important crop in this state.
Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
We hope you had a good weekend. Here are the weekly reminders for this week.
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Curriculum:
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are focusing our energies on our new core literature book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. Writing and comprehension activities will all be based around the content and background provided by this excellent book. Students are now expected to write all assessed class assignments in cursive writing, with the exception of the spelling tests.
Math
In 4th grade math, we're finishing up our math menus for use during our extended Friday math time (we'll solve each other's algebra problems), and we're continuing our algebra work by learning about and analyzing function tables.
In 5th grade math, we continue to refine our skills of multiplication and division of decimals and working off of a project based menu to apply the skills we're learning. Students will be sharing their projects and be tested on concepts this week.
Social Studies
We continue our unit on explorers. Students are learning about events that are occurring in Europe and Asia that influenced the explorers to begin their voyages all over the world. Soon we will be applying our knowledge of explorers to hands on projects and written reports.
Science
We're fully into our new unit entitled Living Systems. This week we begin Investigation 2, which is focused on vascular plants. We are designing and conducting our own experiment to determine how plants get water to their cells- it should be fun!
Calendar of Events:
Tues., Jan.12 - Math Olympiads 12:30
Wed., Jan. 13 - Kitchen Science Due
Mon., Jan. 18- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Tues., Jan. 19 - PSCO Meeting 6:30
Wed., Jan 20 - SSC Meeting 3:00
Thur., Jan. 21 - Field Trip to the Children's Theater Center
Fri, , Jan. 29- Spirit Day (Career Day)
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
Three countries -- France, England, and Spain -- flew their flags over this state at separate times.
Nearly 60 percent of this state is covered by forest.
Coca-Cola was first bottled in this state in 1894.
Cotton is the most important crop in this state.
Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
Monday, January 4, 2010
The New Years Reminders
Dear Room 20 & 21 parents and students,
Welcome back! We hope you had a joyous holiday season! Much of the academics we were working on before the break continues. As the new year begins, we encourage all of you to set goals for yourself for personal growth and happiness. Of course, our students can always refer to their existing goals for inspiration!
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Math Olympiad Pick Up!
If your child is attending Math Olympiads PLEASE make sure that you have made arrangements for pickup ON TIME. Last Olympiad date their were over 30 children who didn't have rides home and wanted to use the office to call their parents. All students are to wait outside of the school office, rain or shine. Parents are to pick up students on time!
Curriculum:
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are focusing our energies on our new core literature book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. Writing and comprehension activities will all be based around the content and background provided by this excellent book. Students are now expected to write all assessed class assignments in cursive writing, with the exception of the spelling tests.
Math
In 4th grade math, we're getting some real life perspective by making our own restaurant menus to "digest" the algebraic concepts presented in Menu Math to the fullest!
In 5th grade math, we continue to refine our skills of multiplication and division of decimals and working off of a project based menu to apply the skills we're learning.
Social Studies
We continue our unit on explorers. Students are learning about events that are occurring in Europe and Asia that influenced the explorers to begin their voyages all over the world. Soon we will be applying our knowledge of explorers to hands on projects and written reports.
Science
We're fully into our new unit entitled Living Systems. We are now learning about more of the human body's systems- the digestive and excretory systems. We will also do our best to complete our individually produced diagram and explanation of the circulatory system's functions.
Calendar of Events:
Fri., Jan. 8- Science I-Check: Investigation 1 (the Body's Systems)
Wed., Jan. 13 - Kitchen Science Due
Mon., Jan. 18- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Thur., Jan. 21 - Field Trip to the Children's Theater Center
Friday, Jan. 29- Spirit Day (Career Day)
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
• The oldest rock in the world, dated at 3.8 billion years old, was found in this state.
• The blueberry muffin is the official state muffin of this state.
• This state's motto is L'Etoile du Nord, which is French for "Star of the North."
• Charles M. Schultz, who drew the "Peanuts" cartoons, was born in this state.
• This state has 12,000 lakes.
• Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
Welcome back! We hope you had a joyous holiday season! Much of the academics we were working on before the break continues. As the new year begins, we encourage all of you to set goals for yourself for personal growth and happiness. Of course, our students can always refer to their existing goals for inspiration!
Just a quick reminder that our blogsite addresses are:
Room 20 (Scourkes) http://rockhopperroom20.blogspot.com
Room 21 (Roels) http://gtfroom22.blogspot.com
Math Olympiad Pick Up!
If your child is attending Math Olympiads PLEASE make sure that you have made arrangements for pickup ON TIME. Last Olympiad date their were over 30 children who didn't have rides home and wanted to use the office to call their parents. All students are to wait outside of the school office, rain or shine. Parents are to pick up students on time!
Curriculum:
Language Arts
In Language Arts, we are focusing our energies on our new core literature book, Dear Mr. Henshaw. Writing and comprehension activities will all be based around the content and background provided by this excellent book. Students are now expected to write all assessed class assignments in cursive writing, with the exception of the spelling tests.
Math
In 4th grade math, we're getting some real life perspective by making our own restaurant menus to "digest" the algebraic concepts presented in Menu Math to the fullest!
In 5th grade math, we continue to refine our skills of multiplication and division of decimals and working off of a project based menu to apply the skills we're learning.
Social Studies
We continue our unit on explorers. Students are learning about events that are occurring in Europe and Asia that influenced the explorers to begin their voyages all over the world. Soon we will be applying our knowledge of explorers to hands on projects and written reports.
Science
We're fully into our new unit entitled Living Systems. We are now learning about more of the human body's systems- the digestive and excretory systems. We will also do our best to complete our individually produced diagram and explanation of the circulatory system's functions.
Calendar of Events:
Fri., Jan. 8- Science I-Check: Investigation 1 (the Body's Systems)
Wed., Jan. 13 - Kitchen Science Due
Mon., Jan. 18- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
Thur., Jan. 21 - Field Trip to the Children's Theater Center
Friday, Jan. 29- Spirit Day (Career Day)
MYSTERY STATE CLUES:
• The oldest rock in the world, dated at 3.8 billion years old, was found in this state.
• The blueberry muffin is the official state muffin of this state.
• This state's motto is L'Etoile du Nord, which is French for "Star of the North."
• Charles M. Schultz, who drew the "Peanuts" cartoons, was born in this state.
• This state has 12,000 lakes.
• Which state is it?
Sincerely,
Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes
Rooms 20 & 21
Rockhopper Village
Portal School
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