For the next two weeks, we will have 4-day school weeks: This week, Friday is a holiday, and the following week, Monday will be off.
FIELD TRIP permission slips for DAY TIME TRIPS ONLY have been sent home. Under the "Special Instructions from Teacher" area of the permission slip, please note that students will need to bring a sack lunch and that a donation of $30.00 is requested since the Orange County Marine Institute and our district school bus charge fees. In addition to our usual permission slip, please fill out and return the Risk and Waiver form. Your child will not be able to board the docked ship if this form is not returned. In addition, please read the two letters that were sent home: one is an informational letter from me and the other is a general letter that includes clarification about the Risk and Waiver form. If your child is going on the OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP, all necessary paper work to be returned was passed out at the parent meeting. If you have not yet returned the large brown envelope with paper work, it would be great if you can do so as soon as possible so that we can continue to organize the overnight trip and assign crews.
STUDENT LED CONFERENCE reminder notes were sent home today. Please email me at: Lshigema@ausd.net if you need to change the date/time.
VALENTINE'S will be celebrated here on Thursday afternoon with a fun little party. Students are welcome to bring Valentine's cards. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning cards: 1) To avoid bruised feelings, please ask your child to bring in a card for (a) all students (30 in all), or (b) all the boys (14 in all), or (c) all the girls (16 in all); 2) Do not address cards with student names since it will take way too long for each student to pass out personalized cards; simply sign your name on the Valentine card so that the recipient knows it's from you; 3) Mrs. Hillman and our school district ask that we respect the "Health and Wellness Policy" by limiting sweets and junk food. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE A CANDY TREAT IN THE CARDS. If your child wishes to add a special "treat," here are a few alternative ideas to consider: pencil, sticker, book mark, drawing, or a healthier alternative to sugar laden candy. Mrs. Hillman and I thank you for understanding that, in consideration of good health and nutrition, we wish to limit sugary snacks.
LANGUAGE ARTS
As we gear up for the end of trimester two, I will be administering the DIBELS reading fluency/comprehension test and SRI reading comprehension test this week. Fourth grade teachers will be testing DIBELS all day Wednesday, so we will have substitutes teachers for the whole day. Mr. Mora will be in to oversee class on Wednesday. Fortunately, Mr. Mora is very familiar with my routines as he was my student teacher last year. :o) We are busily preparing for the Pilgrim field trip by continuing to read Two Years Before the Mast. Our latest writing assignment is requiring students to stretch their imagination and do their best to to use VOICE as they draft a pourquoi tale. (Be sure to ask your child about the Kipling pourquoi tales we read in class.)
MATH
Ch. 14 math test will be Wednesday instead of Tuesday (as indicated on the Homework Packet calendar). We are well into ch. 15. It involves graphing on the coordinate plane, ordered pairs, negative numbers, length of line segments on the coordinate plane, perimeter of quadrangles on the coordinate plane, etc. Much of this is new to 4th grade, so please continue to monitor your child as best as you can. Don't forget, the online eBook has intervention links to help students review (via a virtual tutor). Look for the life saver icon in the eBook located at: https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do By now, all students should know how to sign in because I have been assigning math activities from the eBook.
SOCIAL STUDIES
The students are continuing to read about the westward movement in their Literature Circles. There is so much to learn, and everything is so interesting.
SCIENCE
Minerals and rocks have been the focus of science. It's gratifying to see how much fun children have just by looking at mineral samples. Our class overflows with excitement when it is science time.
So please remember . . .
. . . due to the shortened week, Homework Packet and Weekly Work Envelope will be due on Thursday instead of Friday.
. . . field trip permission slips (two forms from students going on the day time trip) are due this week along with a much appreciated donation of $30.00 for the day time trip (payable to AUSD).
. . . Valentine cards are welcome this Thursday, but sugary snacks placed inside envelopes are not invited.
. . . and last but not least, a special thanks in advance to Amanda's mom and our wonderful PTA who will be providing snacks and drinks for our class Valentine's party on Thursday. I know that the children will have a great time. I'll be sure and snap photos (sharing the smiles and fun) to post on our class Web site.
Posted by Mrs. Shigemasa
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