Weekly Update, April 27-May 1

This should be quite a week! We have state testing for both grades Monday-Thursday mornings. We begin right away, so please, be on time and have had breakfast. There is no homework; use this time to read and to work on your projects which are due on 5/21/15.

• 4/27-5/7/15 State Testing Both Grades!
• 5/8/15 States and Capitals  test for 5th grade begins
• 5/11-5/13 5th grade Science Camp. School continues for 4th graders and 5th graders who are not attending camp.
• 5/21/15 CA Landmark/ State Project Due
• 5/25/15 No School Memorial Day
• 6/4/15 Arts in the Gardens
• 6/8/15 Academic Awards for 3rd Trimester: 4th @ 1:30; 5th @ 2:15
• 6/9/15 5th grade Promotion 1:45 PM
• 6/10/15 5th grade to Wet and Wild; 4th grade to Palm Desert Aquatic Center (tentative)
• 6/11/15 Last Day of School- Minimum day and report cards distributed.

Please remind your students, as I will remind them in person:

Do the best you can on the tests, take your time and think about the question. Make sure you answer the question- all the way. You are not your test scores! you are a living, breathing, intelligent amazing person. Each of you have a huge contribution to make to this world, and that can never be shared via a test. I am proud of the many talents and kindnesses you share each day with me and with your classmates.

Things to ask your kiddo, April 24th edition

We had a good week- off schedule, but good. Our class takes things in stride and does their best, evening "wowing" the principal this week with their focus and manners.

Ask your child about...

•  the new Literature Circle novel they started. Who wrote it? How does it start?
• did they make an effort to show kindness this week? How?
• do they have a plan for completing their state/CA Landmark project?
• ask them to tell you what figurative language is and maybe share an idiom or two!
• if you have a 5th grader, ask them about the field trip today

Have a wonderful weekend!

Weekly Update 4/20-4/27

The copier is once again broken, so here are the weekly announcements: (they were also carried home to you by your student with their graded work on Friday)

• All Camp paperwork is due Monday 4/20/15. All tuition is due 4/24/15. Checks made out to Gerald Ford School, please.
• Riley's Farm trip for 5th grade is Friday 4/24/15. We leave at 8:30 sharp. Please, make your $10.00 donation if you haven't.
• 4/21- State science test
• 4/22- State science test
• 4/21: Math test- chapter 9 4th grade/ chapter 11 5th grade
• 4/27-5/7/15 State Testing Both Grades!
• 5/8/15 States and Capitals  test for 5th grade begins
• 5/11-5/13 5th grade Science Camp. School continues for 4th graders and 5th graders who are not attending camp.
• 5/25/15 No School Memorial Day
• 6/4/15 Arts in the Gardens
• 6/8/15 Academic Awards for 3rd Trimester: 4th @ 1:30; 5th @ 2:15
• 6/9/15 5th grade Promotion 1:45 PM
• 6/10/15 5th grade to Wet and Wild; 4th grade to Palm Desert Aquatic Center
• 6/11/15 Last Day of School- Minimum day and report cards distributed.

Things to ask your kiddo, April 17th edition

Another week draws to a close...
Here are some replacements for: How was school today?

• What novel did you finish in Literature Circles? What did you think of it? Explain that to me.
• What group project did you do for Literature Circles?
• Did you practice state testing on the Chromebook? How did you feel about navigating the site? Did you know how to use the test web site?
• What are you learning about grammar?
• What is your plan for the next few weeks for staying tuned in to school and learning?
• Are you prepared for the math test this coming week? How do you know? How can I help you?

Things to ask your kiddo April 10th edition

I have to say, it has been a good week together! We were happy to be with each other and got right to work....

In this week's edition of "Things to ask your kiddo":

• Did you have fun at the "Walk A Thon"? What did you enjoy the most?
• What "extra" class do you like the most (PE, Music, Computers, Art)? Why? Tell me more than just about the teacher.
• Can you please summarize your literature circle novel for me? Ask them follow up questions, to help them be more detailed in their response.
• Did you like the novel? Tell me why or why not, and give me evidence to support your opinion.
• What did you learn from doing the "light bulb brain" meditation this week?
• 5th: Tell me about volume? What does it tell you about a figure, for example a box?
• 4th: What did you think of Smokejumpers?
• Which day of the week featured Mrs. Alberg-Burbank's grossest smoothie?

Have a wonderful, safe, relaxing weekend. Honor Roll assembly will be on 4/17/15: 1:30 for 4th grade and 2:15 for 5th.

5th graders take the state science test on April 21st and 22nd and both grades begin state testing on April 27th.

Weekly News 4/6-4/10

Welcome Back!
I hope your break from school was wonderful- filled with relaxing, reading and fun!

We now begin the big push towards state testing. Attendance and being mindful in the moment become even more important.

I will work to keep the "test prep" to a minimum in here, but some time will be necessary in order for students to feel comfortable using the Chromebook to complete testing. All students must have earbuds present and available at school.

In the coming week we will transition back to Language Arts modules and reading and writing opinion pieces. One of the things we learn to do is respond to all that we are being asked, as well as to defend our reasoning with evidence drawn from the text.

We will have conferences this week, along with minimum days. Please pick your child up promptly at 1:55 Tuesday-Friday.

On Friday, we'll attend our WALK A THON. Please send in envelopes/donations ASAP.

State reports (5th) and CA Landmark reports (4th) will be due at the end of May. Requirements for the assignment will be going home soon!