Glad to be here with our Crew!


Expedition:

     What a wonderful two weeks!  We have been extremely busy and in full lab- mode with our first case study, “Thinking Like and Ecologist.”  Sierra Nevada Journeys came in and conducted geology workshops with us, we attended the Science Expo, and met with a zoologist at the Sacramento Zoo who conducted a diet talk/tour behind the scenes!  Students are right now growing seedlings in a terrarium to test water and sun tolerance, and are also observing isopods and darkling beetles to examine which environment they prefer.  Students in our crew have also selected through and EL protocol process, their environments in which they will research and create a powerpoint.  This powerpoint will be presented at our World Ecology Summit in the coming weeks.  Dates to follow.  We have also been refining our note-taking skills with the implementation of Cornell notes and inserting the notes we take into our case study journal/field guide.   Come to class- the energy will blow you away!!


Language Arts:

     We just wrapped up the book Tracker and are now embarking on journeys into other titles.  We actually have 7 different books being read at literature circle time!!  Students have adopted a new structure for our role sheets, too.  Please feel free to come in to help facilitate- I always need volunteers!

     Fieldwork Reflections on our Sacramento trip are going through the first and only revision to final draft form right now.  We are going to conduct a concluding paragraph workshop next week and then begin a new assignment that focuses on 2 of our 6 writing traits.  Be looking for a rubric coming home soon!

     Spelling- keep continuing to study the spelling words! The hard work is paying off!  We continue to practice our Daily Oral Language each day.  


Math:

4th Graders-  Students have been working on probability in 4th grade.  Liklihood and data charts are in full swing! We are graphing data and playing games to gather data as well.  

5th Graders- Students have wrapped up unit 5 on probability and are now starting unit 6 which focuses on fractions, decimals, and percents.  They have taken the pre-assessment on this.  I will be sending home some extra practice on these concepts, as practice makes perfect!  We are also going to really start reviewing for the STAR test which will take place in April/May.  Review will take place at the start of each class and at home.


Dates to remember:

March 24, 28, April 10- Family Information Meetings  

March 24- SELS/ Rotary Club Crab Feed

March 28,29- Goal Setting Conferences

March 28- Cross Country Skiing