The Colonial Fair is next Thursday from 8:20 am to 9:45 am and this is a great culmination that you do not want to miss!  The students have done an amazing job building their Colonial Store Fronts and creating their 14th Colony.  The parents are encouraged to come from 8:20 to 8:45 since this is a 'Parents Only Time' and it will be quieter.  From 8:45 to 9:45 other classes will be visiting so it may be hard to hear your child's presentation.  Of course you can come anytime  between 8:20 and 9:45.  The students should come dressed that day in their Colonial attire.  

   Thank you to those parents who have donated the $20 dollars for the 5 day Starbase trip.  If you have not donated this, please do so by February 14th.  Thank you!!   See the flyer that was sent home or read my blog below for more information about Starbase. 

  The students will have the option of passing out Valentine cards on the 14th.  If they choose to do this they need to make one for all 38 students in the class.  I sent home a name list in Take Home Thursday.  

   There will be no school on Monday, February 11th and Monday, February 18th.

  

STARBASE

Our 5th grade GATE classes have the wonderful
opportunity of going to the Starbase STEM Program
at the Los Alamitos Base.  This field trip will take place
on 5 different days at the Los Alamitos Starbase.
The students will participate in a variety of hands-on
activities.  These include robotics, engineering,
chemistry, mechanics, technology, navigation,
investigations, geometry, energy, matter, and much
more.

This field trip is free but we need to pay for the buses.  
In order to participate in this amazing experience,
we are asking parents to donate $20 dollars each
to cover the cost of the buses.  We will only be
able to go to Starbase if we get this donation.  
Thank you so much for making this experience
a reality for the students.

Please send in the donation by February 14th.

Thank You for your support!

  COLONIAL FAIR

 

 I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  With the second trimester underway, we are starting many new academic activities.  The students have started to prepare for the Colonial Fair which will be on February 14th. Students have already chosen groups and a Colonial Job and they have started doing research for their Colonial Store Front.  They will be building Colonial Store Fronts to represent their Colonial Jobs.  Once the students decide what they are going to use to build their Colonial Stands, they will need to bring supplies in from home.  Students have created their Colonial Store Fronts from cardboard, wood, and much more. We do allow them to bring hammers, nails, and spray paint to school for this project. Home Depot sometimes has free wood and supplies in the back of the store.  A student just recently went to Home Depot and got free wood. Another parent said that some stores, like JoAnn Fabric, put old supplies out behind the store on Tuesdays.  Thank you for your help with getting supplies for this project. The students should NOT be building anything at home. It should be done with their group at school. This activity is definitely one of the students' favorites. On February 14th, they also have to dress up related to their Colonial job and pretend that they lived during the Colonial times. Bringing items to pass out at the Colonial Fair is optional. If they decide to do this, the items have to be related to their colonial job. This is a fun culmination to come and see!!

     Please remember that the students will be participating in the Walk Through the Revolutionary War on January 7th. This is the Monday that we get back from the holiday break.

The students need to come to school dressed in colonial attire and have their part memorized. We will head down to the MPR for this great culmination around 8:15 a.m. and parents are welcome to watch. 

Below is a link that gives an overview of the program, has costume ideas as well copies of all the parts.

https://californiaweekly.com/studentsparents/walkthrough-american-revolution/

          

Thank you for all of my wonderful and very thoughtful gifts!! I truly appreciate your generosity!!  On Monday, January 7th,  we have the Walk Through the Revolutionary War  Culmination. This is the day that we get back from the  holiday break.The students should come to school dressed in their 'colonial attire' and have their parts memorized. They  should also bring a change of clothes. The following link has all of their parts as well as ideas of what the students can do to dress up for this great academic activity. 
https://californiaweekly.com/studentsparents/walkthrough-american-revolution/ 
Thank you so much for helping your son/daughter to get  ready for this culmination. Parents are welcome to come and  watch. We will start the culmination around 8:15 a.m. in the MPR. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family  and friends. Happy New Year too!!

 

For our class holiday party, on Dec. 20th, we will be having pizza, drinks, and playing a few games.  In order to cover the cost of the pizza, drinks, and prizes, we are asking parents to donate 4 to 5 dollars for your student.  Please send that in by the 18th. Thank you!

We will be having a SPACE DAY Culmination, in the MPR, on December 17th from 8:15 to 12:00.  We need parent volunteers to make this event successful. Attached is the link for the Sign Up to volunteer or to buy supplies for this fun event.   Thank you for your help with making this a great culmination for the students.  (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4ca8a62ea1fc1-space2)

We have a wonderful volunteer, Mr. Wissel. He is a retired engineer who gives additional help in math.  If he has worked or is working with your child, please consider donating $1-$2 for a thank you gift this December.

         Please remember that the students will be participating in the Walk Through the Revolutionary War on January 7th.  They need to come to school dressed in colonial attire and have their part memorized.

Below is a link that gives an overview of the program, has costume ideas as well copies of all the parts.

https://californiaweekly.com/studentsparents/walkthrough-american-revolution/

Report cards will be going home on Friday, December 21.  (It is a minimum day.)

   Have a great holiday break!

Every week the children get computer time to work on ST Math.

 Before Thanksgiving break, they were asked to reach 25% on

ST Math. Everyone had the opportunity to also work during the

break to reach this goal.  By Friday, EVERYONE is expected to

have reached this goal as it will be added to their math grade.  

There are a handful of kids who have excelled and some who

haven’t. Those who have not used their time wisely, must

complete ST Math work at home.  By January 31, we expect

the kids to reach 50%.  They will be given class time twice a

week to meet this goal. They should be able to complete this

amount in class, but some may need to work at home.

Thank you to those who have completed and returned the

Astrocamp paperwork on time. PLEASE complete and send

in all paperwork this week.   This includes the blue responsibility

contract, the green permission form and the yellow student

health form.  Be sure to complete EVERY SINGLE part of the

yellow health form, including the date of the tetanus shot. Thank you!

In science, we are learning about space. The kids have been

assigned independent study projects. This was assigned

2 weeks before Thanksgiving. Time in class has been dedicated

and will be dedicated to completing the research portion of

the projects.  Please have your child show you the packet

so you can monitor his/her progress. The second portion

of the project will be completed at home. The due date is

December 11 for the entire project.

The Monday we return from winter break, January 7, we will

be participating in Walk Through the American Revolutionary War.

 If your child will not be present that day we need to know

immediately, as we are assigning roles/parts next week.