Brisbin Crew News 12.6.11

Design Principle

The design principles for December are Solitude and Reflection. Our crew is working on being reminded of the importance of these principles during this crazy month of December

Language Arts

Our readers have been studying one of three titles: Island of the Blue Dolphins, by O’Dell, Riding Freedom, by Munoz, or Stowaway: A Tale of California Pirates. It is exciting to hear how much the groups are enjoying these titles as they are wrapping up their reading.

Our authors have been working on summary writing. They have all being doing great jobs at culling the key points and summarizing articles in their own words.

Mathematics

Fourth graders are beginning exploring fractions. They will begin to look at equivalent fractions. Ms. Andresen needs egg cartons for this unit. Please send them in if you have them.

Fifth graders will be finishing up geometry and measurement next week.

Expedition – Treasure Hunters – Celebration of Learning Evening

Our crew finished up our script and we are busy rehearsing our show. This is our culminating project for our Gold Rush Expedition. This performance is a special showcase of all that the children have learned in this expedition.

We will perform our “show” on Thursday, December 15th at 5:30 in M-1 (the larger building in the parking lot). Performers will need to arrive by 5:15. We will have a second performance on Friday, December 16th at 9:45am. This performance will be for the SELS student body.

After the show, we will walk back to our classroom for the Celebration of Learning evening. This evening will be open house style and your children will show you all that they have been doing this Fall. For those of you with siblings in the school, all classrooms will be open until 7:30.

Costumes for our show will be simple. I do not want anyone to purchase anything. Performers have been instructed to wear plaid or flannel shirts, bandannas, and blue jeans. There are a few girls that will be wearing dresses. If you have any extra shirts or bandannas to share, please send them to school. We do need three 1800’s Asian outfits. If anyone has anything that can help with this, please let me know.

Yosemite Fundraising Update

The Chico bag sale was a huge success. The students made $2400 in sales. This equates roughly $1000 towards Yosemite. Thanks for Ursula Riina and Mrs. Brisbin for heading this effort!

As of now, we have earned around $5000, which is halfway towards our goal of $10,000. Way to go Crew!

With Gratitude

As you know, December 16th will be my last day as your children’s teacher. Mrs. Brisbin will be returning on Tuesday, January 3rd. I want to thank you all for this amazing experience and for sharing your children with me. I can’t begin to express what a gift it has been to teach my own two boys alongside with your boys and girls. This crew is a very special group and has been an incredible pleasure!

Upcoming Dates

12/14 Minimum day

12/15 Celebration of Learning and Gold Rush performance

     Performers arrive at 5:15pm

     Show starts at 5:30pm

     Classrooms open for Celebration of Learning until 7:30pm

12/16 Gold Rush performance at 9:45am

     Last day of school before Winter Break

12/19-1/2 Winter Break – no school