The June 10-14 Weekly Reminders

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders

June 10 - June 14

Mark Your Calendars:

• Students should return overdue books to the library promptly.
• Monday, June 10- Friday, June 14: Fifth grade Human Growth and Development
• Tuesday 6/11 & Thursday 6/13 from 8:15-9:00 a.m.:  Literature Circles (Rooms 22 & 23)
• Tuesday, June 11th:  Lunch on the Lawn
• Friday, June 14th: Math DVDs due back to the library
• Monday, June 17th: Parent Volunteer Brunch- 9:45-10:30 a.m.
• Monday, June 24th: CA Academy of Sciences End of the year trip
• Wednesday, June 26th: 5th grade Promotion Ceremony, report cards go home & last day of school (more details to come!)

Attention: Volunteers!

Won’t you please come and join us for a special brunch in your honor on Monday, June 17th from 9:45-10:30 a.m.?  If you have helped us in any way this year with Literature Circles, inside and outside class jobs, our “Gold Dust or Bust!” performance, or any other school-related task, we’d love to have you join us on the morning of June 17th.  It’s our way of saying “thank you” to our wonderful group of parent volunteers.

Curriculum Flash!

Language Arts

This week we read the last two chapters of Bridge to Terabithia. We will be processing the complex feelings that Jess has around the loss of his closest friend.  Our writer’s workshop time on Friday will be used this week for Human Growth & Development with our 5th graders.  Any available language arts time will also be devoted to effectively revising previously completed work, creating covers, Tables of Contents, About the Author pages, and dedications for their year-end anthology books.

Math:

4th grade:

We are now engaged in  a terrific Interact experience called “Game Factory.”  Our students will be evaluating the fairness of a series of games as they play them with their peers. Every day, we make predictions based on our understanding of probability before play begins, play the games, then debrief after game play to understand we a game either fair or unfair in design.  If we have enough time before the school year ends, we’ll even create our OWN fair games to put our gaming “education” to good use!  

5th grade:

This week in Biz World, students have formed companies, incorporated, come up with a business plan, and are currently making pitches to a venture capitalist to raise money.  They will begin designing and start the manufacturing process later  this week. They are doing a great job so far.  Be sure to ask them about their companies!

Science & Social Studies:

All 5th grade students whose families have agreed to their child’s participation will be learning about Human Growth & Development during the majority of our Science & Social Studies periods this week.  During these sessions, 4th graders will be working with Ms. Lu and Ms. Regosin on an assortment of extension activities in our other subject areas.

Rooms 20/21

Investigation 5 in the Environments unit will be the focus of our remaining science studies. Our classes will try to get a better understanding of the issues of water and salt tolerance among various plants.  Both live investigation materials and supporting book materials will be used to advance our classes’ knowledge in this area.

CA Trivia:

What is a county, and how many does California have?

The First June Reminders

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders

June 3 - June 7

Mark Your Calendars:

• Students should return overdue books to the library promptly.
• Thursday, June 6: Rooms 20 & 21 Performance of Gold Dust or Bust
• Monday, June 10- Friday, June 14: Fifth Grade Human Growth and Development
• Tuesday, June 11th:  Lunch on the Lawn
• Friday, June 14th: Math DVDs due - library
• Monday, June 17th: Parent Volunteer Brunch
• Monday, June 24th: CA Academy of Sciences End of the year trip
• Wednesday, June 26th: 5th grade Promotion Ceremony, report cards go home & last day of school

Curriculum Flash!

Language Arts

Our reading of Bridge to Terabithia takes us to the climax of the story.  We have been discussing and reflecting on the impact of fear in our lives to help prepare ourselves for the intense chapters to come. We’ve also compared the main characters’ responses to the wicked conditions they’ve faced to visit the refuge that is Terabithia. Rockhopper classes will be reading through Chapter 11 this week.  

Math:

4th grade:

We start our final math unit this week- probability.  After reviewing basic terminology, our classes will describe probability in fractional terms.  We’ll also learn how to chart possible outcomes using at least two different techniques.  Then, we’ll apply our knowledge to a terrific Interact experience called “Game Factory.”  Our students will be evaluating the fairness of a series of games as they play them with their peers.  If we have enough time before the school year ends, we’ll even create our OWN fair games to play.  Cross your fingers- I think we have a “chance!”

5th grade:

This week we wrap up our unit on graphing and data collection and begin “Biz World” -  our business model simulation game.  Students will work together to create bracelet making companies, manufacture a product, and price, market, and sell their bracelets.  The students will be working on this project until June 21.   

Social Studies:  

What a fantastic job our students did on their Wax Museum for Open House!  We hope you were able to come by and hear one of the “characters” from the Gold Rush teach their listeners all about what they’ve learned over these last several weeks. It was so great to see the students actively present the information they’ve researched and studied for the last month!  This week we’ll continue to tie together everything that we’ve learned about the Gold Rush.

Science:

Investigation 5 in the Environments unit will be the focus of our remaining science studies. Our classes will try to get a better understanding of the issues of water and salt tolerance among various plants.  Both live investigation materials and supporting book materials will be used to advance our classes’ knowledge in this area.

CA Trivia:

Who is the current governor of California, and what years did he serve previously?

Sacramento Weekly Reminders- May 20-24

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders

May 20- May 24

Mark Your Calendars:

• Monday, May 20: Wax Museum Costume and Props Due
• Thursday, May 23rd:  Sacramento Field Trip. Students are to be at school at      7:00 a.m.
• Friday, May 24th:  Learning Day (No School)
• Monday, May 27: Memorial Day (No School)
• Wednesday, May 29th:  Open House 7-7:45pm for Rockhoppers!
• Friday, May 31st:  Spirit Day- Sports Day!
• Tuesday, June 11th:  Lunch on the Lawn

***** Attention parents! ****

We are in need of parents to help with the following duties in conjunction with our play, "Gold Dust or Bust!" on Thursday, June 6:

-chair takedown after the performance (6-10 people; 10 minute time commitment)

-video person for one dress rehearsal and the night of the performance (1 or 2 people; 2 day time commitment of approximately 1hour each day)

In addition, our parents who have volunteered for props support will be given items by the teachers or backdrop coordinator to purchase, make, or repair depending on our needs.  Please make sure to check with us if you have any questions about our props requirements.

Art Help Needed!- Letter from Mrs. Schulze

Hi There,

I'm really looking forward to our art show again this year.  Your students have done some amazing work!  I love watching the multi-purpose room come to life!

I need your help to find parent volunteers who can help in one or both of the following ways:

Mounting and labeling artwork:

One volunteer from each class who can take artwork home to mount and label for the show.  I will need to have it back by Thursday, May 23rd.

Hanging the art show:

Volunteers who can help me hang the art show on our black display boards.  Volunteers can drop in and help for any amount of time between 12:15-2:15 on Tues, May 28 and 8-12 on Weds, May 29th.

Please ask parents to email me if available.

Thank you for your help!

Judy Schulze

judy.schulze@gmail.com

CCSS PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT [MATH AND THE COMMON CORE]

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Lawson Middle School Event Center

10401 Vista Drive

Cupertino, CA 95014

The District will be holding a Parent Information Meeting focused on the Common Core State  Standards and mathematical shifts. This is a follow-up to the town hall meetings held in February and is open to all parents in the Cupertino Union School District (videos of the earlier town halls are available at www.cusdk8.org)

The guest speaker for the evening will be Hung-Hsi Wu, a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley. He began his mathematics education in 1992 and worked from 1997-2005 with the State of California covering all aspects of mathematics education. Mr. Wu has worked with the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, and the writing team for the Common Core Mathematics Standards. He is currently in the process of completing several textbooks to help with the implementation of the CCSS for middle and high school teachers.

Please RSVP your attendance to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cusdccssmath

Curriculum Flash!

Language Arts

As our reading of Bridge to Terabithia takes us closer to the climax of the story, we are using our time to try and understand the depth of the relationship between the two main characters, Jess and Leslie.  The primary methods of exploration are discussion and thoughtful reflection shared in our writing. Rockhopper classes will be reading through Chapter 7 this week.  Our writer’s workshop time on Friday continues to be divided between display board work and speech preparation in Social Studies and ongoing work on the Interdependence technology project in Science.

Math:

4th grade:

This week we continue to concentrate on completing measurement applications in our Perimeter Park projects, finishing our statistical analysis of class “All About Us” data, and practicing coordinate graphing of points and functions.  All of this happens in THREE days.  By the time we reach Sacramento on Thursday, we’ll be measurement and data specialists!

5th grade:

This week the students continue to gather data and create line plots to help interpret their findings.  Students will be asked to complete a series of performance tasks that demonstrate not only their understanding, but the application of these ideas.  They will need to explain, reason and justify throughout this process.   

Social Studies:  

Our Gold Rush Wax Museum projects are under way; the final presentation will be shared with you at Open House!  The project has many different components (research essay, informational board, costume, speech, props) and a series of due dates to help students manage their time and accomplish tasks piece by piece.  Time in class will be given to work on the project, but students will also need to complete some parts for homework.

Science:

This week students have largely wrapped up their research for their technology presentation on interdependence among organisms. Formatting of factual material, adaptation of notes to bullet point, sentence, or short paragraph style is now a prominent task for students. Likewise, supporting charts, photographs, and illustrations are being included on applicable slides. These presentatiions will definitely have a personal stamp of the partners involved in the project!  Of course, the students must never lose sight of the fact that the entire project relates to the interdependence of organisms in various environmnets.  As time allows, we will read interesting articles from the science textbook that speak of animal and bird migration, range of tolerance, and the various ecosystems within California as part of Investigation 5 in the Environments unit.

CA Trivia:

Which University of CA campus is the smallest geographically?

May 13-17 Weekly Reminders

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders

May 13- May 17

Mark Your Calendars:

• Monday, May 13th:  Gold Rush Essay (final draft) due
• Tuesday, May 14th:  Lunch on the Lawn
• Tuesday, May 14th:  5th Grade Geometry Unit 9 Test
• Thursday, May 16th:  Wax Museum Speech due
• Thursday, May 23rd:  Sacramento Field Trip
• Friday, May 24th:  Learning Day (No School)
• Wednesday, May 29th:  Open House 7-7:45pm for Rockhoppers!

Art Help Needed!- Letter from Mrs. Schulze

Hi There,

I'm really looking forward to our art show again this year.  Your students have done some amazing work!  I love watching the multi-purpose room come to life!

I need your help to find parent volunteers who can help in one or both of the following ways:

Mounting and labeling artwork:

One volunteer from each class who can take artwork home to mount and label for the show.  I will need to have it back by Thursday, May 23rd.

Hanging the art show:

Volunteers who can help me hang the art show on our black display boards.  Volunteers can drop in and help for any amount of time between 12:15-2:15 on Tues, May 28 and 8-12 on Weds, May 29th.

Please ask parents to email me if available.

Thank you for your help!

Judy Schulze

judy.schulze@gmail.com

CCSS PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT [MATH AND THE COMMON CORE]

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Lawson Middle School Event Center

10401 Vista Drive

Cupertino, CA 95014

The District will be holding a Parent Information Meeting focused on the Common Core State  Standards and mathematical shifts. This is a follow-up to the town hall meetings held in February and is open to all parents in the Cupertino Union School District (videos of the earlier town halls are available at www.cusdk8.org)

The guest speaker for the evening will be Hung-Hsi Wu, a Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley. He began his mathematics education in 1992 and worked from 1997-2005 with the State of California covering all aspects of mathematics education. Mr. Wu has worked with the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, and the writing team for the Common Core Mathematics Standards. He is currently in the process of completing several textbooks to help with the implementation of the CCSS for middle and high school teachers.

Please RSVP your attendance to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cusdccssmath

Sacramento Trip- Lunch Order Reminder!

Lunch order forms went home today for all students and chaperones- please place your order and send it back with your student by WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH!  

“Gold Dust or Bust!” Performance Volunteers

We have compiled all returned volunteer forms and we are setting up meetings with those persons interested in coordinating food, backdrop, costumes, and props.  If you indicated you were “flexible” about your volunteer job, we have sent you an e-mail invitation to meet with us on Thursday, May 16 at 11:45am.  Thursday, May 16 after school (3pm) will be our meeting time for brackdrop, costume, and prop coordinators.  When we’ve completed these meetings, coordinators will contact all remaining volunteers to organize our play effort.

Curriculum Flash!

Language Arts

Bridge to Terabithia is the focus for all our language arts work at this moment.  We are doing vocabulary work, figurative language reflection, and a variety of response work to the main characters, Jess and Leslie, in the text.  We’ll be reading part of the way through Chapter 7 this week as a village. Our writer’s workshop time is being divided between display board work and speech preparation in Social Studies and ongoing work on the Interdependence Keynote project in Science- both are great applications of our writing skills and organizational abilities.

Math:

4th grade:

This week’s central topic is data analysis.  On Friday, we had our students go through a series of short survey centers.  They added their information to a class set of data that will be turned into graph form by small groups of their classmates.  Analysis questions related to the graphed data will also be composed by the small groups and responded to by their fellow students.  In our remaining class sessions, we’ll practice the calculation of mean, median, mode, and range for data sets, and we will learn how to use coordinate grids to plot and identify data points AND to graph algebraic functions!

5th grade:

Over the next two weeks, students will gather data and create line plots to help interpret their findings.  Students will be asked to complete a series of performance tasks that demonstrate not only their understanding, but the application of these ideas.  They will need to explain, reason and justify throughout this process.   

Social Studies:  

Our Gold Rush Wax Museum projects are under way; the final presentation will be shared with you at Open House!  The project has many different components (research essay, informational board, costume, speech, props) and a series of due dates to help students manage their time and accomplish tasks piece by piece.  Time in class will be given to work on the project, but students will also need to complete some parts for homework.

Science:

This week students continue to work on their technology project using a presentation application to demonstrate their understanding of the interdependence of organisms in a variety of ecosystems. So far, students have used iPads in our classes to research endangered animals, create food webs using the Popplet app, and label photographs using the Skitch app.  I’m sure we’ll see some effective use of the Keynote (or other presentation) application this week as we move onto our laptops to assemble the project. As time allows, we will read interesting articles from the science textbook that speak of animal and bird migration, range of tolerance, and the various ecosystems within California as part of Investigation 5 in the Environments unit.

CA Trivia:

What is the oldest museum in California?

May 6-10 Reminders

Rockhopper Weekly Reminders

May 6- May 10

Mark Your Calendars:

• Wednesday, May 8th:  Gold Rush Essay (rough draft) due
• Wednesday, May 8th: 5th grade Geometry Test - Unit 8
• Monday, May 13th:  Gold Rush Essay (final draft) due
• Tuesday, May 14th:  Lunch on the Lawn
• Thursday, May 16th:  Wax Museum Speech due
• Thursday, May 23rd:  Sacramento Field Trip
• Friday, May 24th:  Learning Day (No School)
• Wednesday, May 29th:  Open House 7-7:45pm for Rockhoppers!

Thank you to those parents who have offered to volunteer and assist us in some way with our fine arts performance, “Gold Dust or Bust!”  If you haven’t returned your form to us, we would appreciate it if you could send it along with your student by tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7.  We can then begin to organize our great group of volunteers for the performance on June 6th!

Curriculum Flash!

Language Arts

Bridge to Terabithia remains the central topic in all our work.  We are doing vocabulary work, character analysis, and a variety of response work to the situations in the text.  We’ll be reading through Chapter 5 this week as a village. Our writer’s workshop time is being divided between informational report work in Social Studies and a new Keynote project in Science- both are great applications of our writing skills and organizational abilities.

Math:

4th grade:

Students are having a great time creating their own Perimeter Park; we are seeing a lot of creative designs!  This project will allow us as teachers to see if our students understand customary and metric units of measurement and the calculation of perimeter. We’ll begin statistics and graphing this week, and our classes will be doing data collection, single and double bar graph creation, and statistical analysis of data (mean, median, mode, and range.) We’ll even question each other about graphical data- what can you learn from this graph?

5th grade:

This week students will have fun as they deepen their understanding of geometry and data concepts through a series of performance tasks.  Two of the activities include creating a model while comparing surface area to volume and completing a line plot based on data gathered from their classmates.  On Wednesday, there will be a geometry test on Unit 8, the measurement and classification of geometric figures.

Social Studies:  

Our Gold Rush Wax Museum projects are under way; the final presentation will be shared with you at Open House!  The project has many different components (research essay, informational board, costume, speech, props) and a series of due dates to help students manage their time and accomplish tasks piece by piece.  Time in class will be given to work on the project, but students will also need to complete some parts for homework.

Science:

This week students will be asked to work on a technology project using a presentation application to demonstrate their understanding of the interdependence of organisms in a variety of ecosystems. They will make slides to show pollination and food webs. Simultaneously, we will also read interesting articles from the science textbook that speak of animal and bird migration, range of tolerance, and the various ecosystems within California.

CA Trivia:

What wealthy Californians were moved by the death of their son to found a university?