November 9th

Dear Parents,

The Native Culture Museum was a grand success! The students each presented their project and information to 4 classes of students. Students who were unable to complete a project at home were give help in class so everyone had something to present. Thank you for your continued support of your child!

On another note, we are getting low on snacks. If you can donate any type of crackers we would be thankful!

BUDDY TIME

Students are doing a wonderful job mentoring our first grade buddy class! This week they will continue helping the younger children write imaginative caterpillar stories from the point of view of the caterpillar.

CLASS PARTY

We had a wonderful fall party last week! Students brought in snacks. We also were happy to welcome Liz and JoAnn who volunteered in class to help with the celebration. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success!

Language Arts Block

*Writing: During Language Arts this week we will begin final copies of the turkey point of view rough draft.

*Reading: Students are continuing one of the following books: Soft Rain, Sing Down the Moon, or Jesse Smoke. All books integrate the social studies theme of Native American Culture in the 1800’s.

*Spelling: New spelling words can be found in your child’s binder. Students can choose any list. They do not have to pick the same list each week. Remember to practice at http://spellingcity.com

*Science: Chemistry Focus! Last week we experimented with how to make a “Fizzy” lemon drink! Yummy!

Homework Highlights:

All homework is due Tuesday

November 8th, 2011

**All Incomplete Class Work**

***Writing Homework***

Make a list of as many things as you can think of which you are thankful for!

***Reading Log***

Read at least 20 minutes 5 nights this week.

***Spelling Test Wed.***

October 4th Newsletter

It was so much fun to see so many parents at curriculum night! If you were unable to attend, I have plenty of extra handouts. Send me an email and I will be happy to send the handouts home with your child. THANKS go to JoAnn and Emily for their generous snack donations! Also THANKS to Liz Phelps for her help in the classroom with our Rock Stories! On another note, today you should find a homework report attached to this letter. Please review this with your child. Congratulations are in order because we have over half the class earning 90% or better in September! Have a great week!

LIBRARY HELPER FOUND!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Holly Matus for volunteering to help us check out books every Thursday! We are going to have a great library year with Holly’s Help!

PROJECT BLOCK BEGINS!

Project classes started Monday! This rotation we have the following classes:

*Read All About It, school newspaper project with Ms. D.

*Time Travel with Mrs. McLeod & Susan

*Something to Talk About with Mr. Evans

*Woodshed with Mr. Adee

*Writing: October is Expository Writing Month! Today your student will be bringing home details about our first homework research project. This report/creative project will be due Nov. 1, 2011. We also kick off our QR code research in class this week!

*Reading: This week all students are completing the first story in our Treasures Anthology and we will begin three novels integrating the Social Studies topic of Native American Culture with our Literature studies.

*Spelling: Please help your student choose the appropriate spelling list for his/her level. Lists are on the back of this letter. Tests will be given on Wednesday afternoons. Students can practice their words online at http://www.spellingcity.com. Click “Find a List” and search for teacher name “Donna DuBois”.

CONFERENCE TIME IS FAST APPROACHING!

I look forward to conferences every year! The first step is retuning your pink slip. If I don’t have one from your family, a second copy is attached. Please return it as soon as possible! Thanks!!!

Homework Highlights:

All homework is due Tuesday

October 11th, 2011

**All Incomplete Class Work**

***Writing Homework***

Expository Writing Focus ~ Write about an animal you are familiar with. 4^th graders minimum 2 paragraph, 5^th graders minimum 3 paragraphs

***Reading Log***

Read at least 20 minutes 5 nights this week.

***Spelling Test Wed.***

***Choose a Native American Tribe/Nation to Research***

Important Dates:

October 7^th No School

October 14^th No School

November 1 Native Project

Classroom News September 27, 2011

Happy Tuesday! First I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to make our watermelon feed a fun community event for everyone! This will be an exciting week at Camas Ridge! Tuesday night curriculum Night begins at 5:45 p.m. with teacher introductions. At 6:30 p.m. the 4/5 presentations will begin. I hope to see everyone there. On Wednesday, the students will have their school pictures taken. I am excited to see the students all dressed up! Finally, please return the conference scheduling slips as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!! Have a wonderful week. ~Donna

LIBRARY HELP!

Our class is in need of one or two weekly volunteers to assist us during our library check out time. If you are interested, please contact me very soon! Thanks!!!

MATH BLOCK

Math classes began this week. Please remember ALL 4^th and 5^th graders MUST bring their notebooks everyday. Math homework will be given daily in some classes. Bringing a notebook everyday will help keep your child organized.

In Ms. D's 4th grade math class students will have a weekly homework sheet to complete and daily homework sheet reviewing concepts taught in class that day. Daily homework will be sent home Monday-Thursday. Weekly homework will be sent home on Monday and is due the following Monday. It is important students get in the habit of completing nightly math homework. This will greatly help them as they prepare for 5th grade and middle school homework routines.

LANGUAGE ARTS BLOCK

*Writing: Students have started using All The Right Type. This program will teach correct keyboarding strokes. As the year continues, students will gain keyboarding speed! Also, many students do not have time to complete penmanship lessons at school Please complete these at home and return to class. Be sure to check for appropriate letter formation.

*Reading: Next week we will begin a Native American Studies, Literature Unit. It will continue throughout the month of October.

*Spelling: Please help your student choose the appropriate spelling list for his/her level. Lists are on the back of this letter. Tests will be given on Wednesday afternoons. Students can practice their words online at http://www.spellingcity.com. Click “Find a List” and search for teacher name “Donna DuBois”.

This weeks spelling lists are:

High Frequency Writing Words

4th Grade List

5th Grade List

Challenge List (open to any student)

Homework Highlights:

All homework is due Tuesday

October 4th, 2011

**All Incomplete Class Work**

***Writing Homework***

Think of a fairytale. Fracture the fairytale by adding your own original thinking. 4^th graders minimum 2 paragraph, 5^th graders minimum 3 paragraphs

***Reading Log***

Read at least 20 minutes 5 nights this week.

***Challenge***

Discover what the funny symbol in this letter is!

Important Dates:

September 28^th Picture Day

October 7^th No School

October 14^th No School

Hey Room 6... What's This??

Classroom News September 20, 2011

Welcome to the third week of school! I am happy to announce a new student joined our class last week. Welcome to Mohammed! This week we are completing our district assessments. Make sure students get a good nights rest and a good breakfast. Also, our class is in need of a weekly library volunteer. We have library Wednesday mornings, 9:30-10:00. If you are interested, please email me. Have a wonderful week!

NEWS BY SUBJECT:

ART BLOCK

Our Picasso paintings are coming along wonderfully! Art vocabulary includes:

*Pablo Picasso

*abstract

*portrait

*cubism

*profile

*frontal

*Blue Period

*Rose Period

LANGUAGE ARTS

*Writing: We are working on editing our rock stories and typing final copies. How exciting! We also started keyboarding. If you would like to practice at home, we are currently using Dance Mat Typing online. Later in the year we hope to switch to All the Right Type.

*Reading: Students have started independent contracts. September is fiction month. Many students have completed their first book and are working on book number 2 for September!

*Homework: Homework is given out on Tuesday and due the following Tuesday. Some students may have uncompleted class work sent home as homework. Please return all class work by the date stamped on the assignment.

BUDDY TIME

We met our first grade buddy class this week! The 4th and 5th graders did an excellent job of helping the 1st grade students paint pet rocks. On Friday, our rocks met their rocks. We will be helping the 1st graders make homes for their rocks this Wednesday!

MATH SURVEY RESULTS

CLASS DATA RESULTS: We have more right footed students than left. 21 students in our class can roll their tongues. Most students prefer waffles for breakfast. 17 of us fold our left are over our right. 19 of us fold our left thumb over our right. 28 of us have attached earlobes. Most of us are an average of four feet tall, and blue and green tied as our most favorite colors. This week, the question of the week is: What is the largest number you can say?

HOMEWORK HIGHLIGHTS

All homework is due Tuesday

September 27^th, 2011

**All Incomplete Class Work**

***Writing Homework***

Imagine three wishes coming true! Write an imaginative story where your wishes come true. 4^th graders minimum 2 paragraph, 5^th graders minimum 3 paragraphs

***Reading Log***

Read at least 20 minutes 5 nights this week.

***Art Homework***

Discuss each vocabulary word with your parents.

IMPORTANT DATES

September 27^th Curriculum Night

September 28^th Picture Day

October 7th No School