Expedition Name: I Love the Mountains!
Case Study #2: Trailblazing!
I can use the SIERRA norms to overcome challenges.
I can design a realistic goal for myself.

Case Study #2: My Sierra Nevada
I can identify local mountain peaks.
I can describe my connection to the mountains around me.

Case Study #3: Weather or Not I’m Prepared
I can determine how the weather will affect my outing in the mountains.
I can explain how the mountains affect local weather.

Questions to Ask Your Child:
• What do you notice about the shapes of the local peaks?
• Can you teach me the different peaks that we can see from the Glenshire Legacy Trail viewpoint?
• How do you remember the order of the peaks? (“Tigers Always…”)
• Identify the following terms: peak, base, range, landform (island, mountain, valley, cave)

Crew News
All ABOARD!!! … Bell Crew! We have been focusing on mastering the names and order of the local peaks we can see from town. Using a mnemonic device, your children have become experts at naming the peaks. Ask them to teach you our memory trick! We have also been busy sketching and tracing templates of the peaks to compare and contrast their contours. We have learned several geography terms (see the list above) and are about to embark on a group writing project that will demonstrate our knowledge. After Thanksgiving break, we will launch into our third case study that involves the weather as it relates to mountain living. It will be an exciting start to winter!

In literacy, we have delved deeply into the realm of revision. The first graders have written many “small moment” stories about their personal experiences—from pumpkin painting to horseback riding. They have worked with writing partners to solidify the sequence of events and to bring their characters to life with dialogue and details. They are in the final stages of editing their work for spelling and punctuation. They are extremely eager to publish their work!

SELS News
Book Bags: Your children are doing a wonderful job of being responsible for switching out books and bringing them to and from school daily. If your child is forgetting to do so, please help them set up a routine to be successful.

Independent Study: An updated IS form will be sent out after Thanksgiving. Be on the lookout for that and please save the new version to your desktop. Please be sure your child does quality work for each day of school that is missed.

Goals: Thank you for helping your youngsters select an academic and character goal to focus on until March. Please be sure you are supporting them at home—several times per week if not daily. The pay-offs will be measurable!

Mark Your Calendar
Thanksgiving Break: 11/21 – 26

Winter Break: 12/19 – 1/2

Minimum Day Release @ 1 pm: 12/7

Highlights
Students: The Bell Crew has been working hard to develop responsibility during Literacy Time. They are doing a wonderful job!

Parent Volunteers: Many thanks to all of our chaperones/drivers to the Glenshire Legacy Trail! You persevered through a chilly/windy day to provide out students with a wonderful learning opportunity. Many thanks to Bill Hammond, our geography expert from UNR who taught us about maps, globes and mountains!