It's that time again. Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for next week, Monday through Friday. As you all know by now, this means early dismissal at 1:40 p.m. Please make a note of it, because we hate to see kids left to wait in the office for over an hour. Thank you!
Please check your schedule time and make sure you don't miss your appointment. Since we have a full class of 33 kids this year, conference times are completely booked and rescheduling can be difficult. I look forward to seeing you next week!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Homework for March 9/WEEK 26
Homework for March 9 – March 16/WEEK 26
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Language Review
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. address, focus, topic
4) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. The Science Project
5) Handwriting Practice
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
8) Daily Geography
a. The Arctic Tundra
9) Add “Sum” Fractions
10) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Research your state.
Draw a map of your state. Use the whole page, and use colors. Include the physical details of the land, including mountains (if you have them) and landmarks. Mark the capital clearly. Make sure you do a good job on this assignment, because it will be included in your final report of your state.
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Language Review
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. address, focus, topic
4) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. The Science Project
5) Handwriting Practice
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
8) Daily Geography
a. The Arctic Tundra
9) Add “Sum” Fractions
10) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Research your state.
Draw a map of your state. Use the whole page, and use colors. Include the physical details of the land, including mountains (if you have them) and landmarks. Mark the capital clearly. Make sure you do a good job on this assignment, because it will be included in your final report of your state.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Amazing Field Trip
The students had an amazing field trip to the Academy of Sciences, thanks to Lindzy and the Rock Foundation. We arrived promptly at 9:15 a.m. and entered the Planetarium. The show was incredibly educational, not to mention a wonder to watch! Everyone was quite impressed with the show and the knowledge of the docent leading the lecture. Do not miss it, if you visit the Academy in the future!After the show, we had 30 minutes to explore before lunch. Luckily, there was a paper airplane making class upstairs, and the kids took full advantage. Everyone learned about paper airplanes and how they work, and made their very own to take home.
Lunch was "green" and delicious! Everything was compostable, including the packaging the food came in. On the menu was turkey sandwiches, home made potato chips, red seedless grapes, and a yummy cookie, either chocolate or oatmeal. To top it off was a fizzy Izzy drink. It was a wonderful treat.
After lunch, we went to the 3D Bugs movie (narrated by Dame Judy Dench) in the upper theater. The kids looked sporty wearing their fashionable 3D glasses, and jumped at every effect on the screen. At one point, everyone was grabbing at butterflies that were flying in the theater!
We had a full hour to roam, and the fabulous chaperones took their small groups of kids and went exploring. The consensus was that the aquarium downstairs took the cake. Kids loved the many different exhibits and the touch pool, and talked about them incessantly after the trip.
Aside from the aquarium, the most amazing contraption the kids chattered on about was the HAND DRYER in the bathrooms...no paper towels for the Academy...it was air powered and endless fun for the students. Go figure!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Homework for March 2/WEEK 25
Homework for March 2 – March 9/WEEK 25
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Handwriting Practice
3) Daily Language Review
4) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. criticism, critique, critical
5) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Letters: Vacation Letters
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
8) Daily Geography
a. Climate Zones of the United States
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Research your state. Find these things and take notes:
1) The state flag
2) The state flower
3) The state bird
4) The state tree
5) The state song
6) The year it became a state
7) The climate
8) Natural resources
9) The three largest cities
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Handwriting Practice
3) Daily Language Review
4) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. criticism, critique, critical
5) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Letters: Vacation Letters
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
8) Daily Geography
a. Climate Zones of the United States
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Research your state. Find these things and take notes:
1) The state flag
2) The state flower
3) The state bird
4) The state tree
5) The state song
6) The year it became a state
7) The climate
8) Natural resources
9) The three largest cities
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Jump Rope for Heart!
The Sutro students all joined together on Thursday to do some jumping for heart! Everyone did a fabulous job, and Room 11 jumped their hearts out. For the speed jumping competition, our very own Jack won his division with 300 jumps per minute! I was impressed with their devotion to the cause. Good job, students!"Jump Rope for Heart is a national educational fund-raising program that is sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
Jump Rope for Heart engages elementary students in jumping rope while raising funds to support lifesaving heart and stroke research. This educational program teaches physical fitness and promotes the value of community service to students and their families. It shows students that they can contribute to their community's welfare."
Our classroom alone raised over 100 dollars for Jump Rope for Heart. Thank you parents and students. The American Heart Association appreciates your generosity and time!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN UP!
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for the week of March 16-20, during which school will be excused an hour early at 1:40 p.m. Please make a note of it.
If your child has not given you the sign up sheet I passed out a week ago, please make sure to ask him/her about it and sign up as soon as possible. The spots are limited at this point, and you will be asked to take what is left.
This is a mandatory conference. All parents are expected to attend. Thank you!
If your child has not given you the sign up sheet I passed out a week ago, please make sure to ask him/her about it and sign up as soon as possible. The spots are limited at this point, and you will be asked to take what is left.
This is a mandatory conference. All parents are expected to attend. Thank you!
Making the Most of Your Parent/Teacher Conference
This is part of an article from Scholastic.com. To check out the whole article, please click on the link!
Before the Conference
Start preparing early. Don't wait until the night before to get organized. Create a folder at the beginning of the year in which you store test scores, big homework assignments, and your notes (about things your child has told you or any other topics you want to address).
Talk to your child. Ask how she's doing in class, what's going on during lunchtime, recess, and when she goes to special classes like music or gym. "You want to find out both the positive and negative," says Rozea. If you don't like what you're hearing, investigate. Talk to other parents to see if their children are expressing similar concerns. "You need to find out whether your child is perceiving everything accurately or if she's misunderstanding a situation," she says.
During the Conference
Arrive early. With only a few precious minutes to spend, you don't want to be late. It will shorten your time with your child's teacher and affect her day's entire schedule.
Enter with the right attitude. The goal of both the teacher and the parent should be the success of the student, but sometimes parents have a hard time discussing tough issues. Rather than put the teacher on the defensive, arrive with a compliment to start the conference off on the right foot. ("My son is really enjoying the unit on space" or "We had a great time on the field trip.") Then address any concerns in a respectful way.
Find out the communication protocol. Don't let this be the only time you talk to your child's teacher. Ask how she likes to communicate, suggests Sagarese, whether it's by email, notes passed through a folder, or phone calls. "Reinforce that you are there if she wants to talk to you," she says. "Let the teacher know you want to be that kind of partner."
After the Conference
Follow up. If the teacher brings something to your attention that needs to be addressed with your child, take steps to put the plan in motion, whether it's helping with organizational skills, getting extra help, or addressing a social issue.
Update your child. Start with the positive things her teacher had to say, then fill her in on any concerns you and the teacher discussed. Explain how you can all work together to ensure your child has a successful year.
Before the Conference
Start preparing early. Don't wait until the night before to get organized. Create a folder at the beginning of the year in which you store test scores, big homework assignments, and your notes (about things your child has told you or any other topics you want to address).
Talk to your child. Ask how she's doing in class, what's going on during lunchtime, recess, and when she goes to special classes like music or gym. "You want to find out both the positive and negative," says Rozea. If you don't like what you're hearing, investigate. Talk to other parents to see if their children are expressing similar concerns. "You need to find out whether your child is perceiving everything accurately or if she's misunderstanding a situation," she says.
During the Conference
Arrive early. With only a few precious minutes to spend, you don't want to be late. It will shorten your time with your child's teacher and affect her day's entire schedule.
Enter with the right attitude. The goal of both the teacher and the parent should be the success of the student, but sometimes parents have a hard time discussing tough issues. Rather than put the teacher on the defensive, arrive with a compliment to start the conference off on the right foot. ("My son is really enjoying the unit on space" or "We had a great time on the field trip.") Then address any concerns in a respectful way.
Find out the communication protocol. Don't let this be the only time you talk to your child's teacher. Ask how she likes to communicate, suggests Sagarese, whether it's by email, notes passed through a folder, or phone calls. "Reinforce that you are there if she wants to talk to you," she says. "Let the teacher know you want to be that kind of partner."
After the Conference
Follow up. If the teacher brings something to your attention that needs to be addressed with your child, take steps to put the plan in motion, whether it's helping with organizational skills, getting extra help, or addressing a social issue.
Update your child. Start with the positive things her teacher had to say, then fill her in on any concerns you and the teacher discussed. Explain how you can all work together to ensure your child has a successful year.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Field Trip to the Academy of Sciences
Our next field trip is to the Academy of Sciences for a special program they have designed and funded just for fourth and fifth graders in San Francisco. Big thanks to Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Fund for Enhancement Museum Visits for Students for making this trip possible.We have been signed up for the Planetarium show, which features...
"...a Tour of Our Solar System, in which we embark on a trip from planet Earth, navigating into orbit around our star, the Sun. En route, students compare gaseous and rocky planets to moons, asteroids, and stars, ultimately examining what makes a planet a planet (or not) through the eyes of a scientist."
To add to this amazing trip, will be also treated to a free "green" lunch as well as free t-shirts for the kids that will give them admission to the Academy until August 31, 2009! Each student also gets one complimentary family pass to enjoy any time. Thanks, Academy!
I have noticed a surge in requests to chaperone this trip. Unfortunately, I can not accept any more parent requests to accompany the kids to the Academy.
However, I always need chaperones to look after the kids on other trips. I would love to have parents who can handle taking a group of kids when we visit museums in the future. Please understand that chaperoning a field trip is work, however, and not just a fun trip. Our job as adults is to make the fun happen for our fabulous students and to ensure their safety!
Thank you, parents!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Homework for February 23/WEEK 24
Homework for February 23-March 2/Week 24
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Language Review
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. primary, dominant, prevalent
4) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Social Studies Article ”An Extreme Continent”
5) Handwriting Practice
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
8) Daily Geography
a. A Cultural Landmark
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Research your state. Look up the address of the Chamber of Commerce and write a letter asking for information that pertains to your report. Be specific. Ask for things that you are going to use for your state report.
Be sure to put a return address for the mail to come back to you, and don’t forget a stamp on your envelope!
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Language Review
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. primary, dominant, prevalent
4) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Social Studies Article ”An Extreme Continent”
5) Handwriting Practice
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
8) Daily Geography
a. A Cultural Landmark
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Research your state. Look up the address of the Chamber of Commerce and write a letter asking for information that pertains to your report. Be specific. Ask for things that you are going to use for your state report.
Be sure to put a return address for the mail to come back to you, and don’t forget a stamp on your envelope!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Homework for February 17/WEEK 23
Homework for February 17-23/Week 23
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Math Practice
3) Daily Language Review
4) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. accurate, accuracy, precise, precision
5) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Physical Science: “The Power of Magnets”
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Geography
a. A National Symbol: Washington D.C.
8) Handwriting Practice
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Read the poem “The Little Boy and the Old Man” by Shel Silverstein. What do you think the poem is about? Does the poem make sense to you? Why does the old man cry sometimes? Why do you think the two people in the poem have so much in common? How are they different?
Look up the poet Shel Silverstein. Write a two paragraph essay on him.
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Math Practice
3) Daily Language Review
4) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. accurate, accuracy, precise, precision
5) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Physical Science: “The Power of Magnets”
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Geography
a. A National Symbol: Washington D.C.
8) Handwriting Practice
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Read the poem “The Little Boy and the Old Man” by Shel Silverstein. What do you think the poem is about? Does the poem make sense to you? Why does the old man cry sometimes? Why do you think the two people in the poem have so much in common? How are they different?
Look up the poet Shel Silverstein. Write a two paragraph essay on him.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Homework for February 9/WEEK 22
Homework for February 9-17/Week 22
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Language Review
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. pattern, imitate, imitation
4) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Earth Science “Space Science is Far Out”
5) Daily Word Problems
6) Daily Math Practice
7) Daily Geography
a. Regions of the United Kingdom
8) Handwriting Practice
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Read the poem “Chicago Poet” by Carl Sandburg. Write a four paragraph essay on what you think the poem is about. Who is Mr. Sandburg writing about? Who is he describing? What descriptive words are used?
Look up the poet Carl Sandburg. Write a two paragraph essay on him.
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Daily Language Review
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. pattern, imitate, imitation
4) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Earth Science “Space Science is Far Out”
5) Daily Word Problems
6) Daily Math Practice
7) Daily Geography
a. Regions of the United Kingdom
8) Handwriting Practice
9) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
INTERNET HUNT: Read the poem “Chicago Poet” by Carl Sandburg. Write a four paragraph essay on what you think the poem is about. Who is Mr. Sandburg writing about? Who is he describing? What descriptive words are used?
Look up the poet Carl Sandburg. Write a two paragraph essay on him.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
The kids celebrated the Chinese New Year today with our annual Tea House Celebration. This yearly event is widely considered the most delicious school lunch of the year!All Sutro students enjoyed their meal, and then went on to enjoy their lunch, too. Fifth graders can put it away!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Homework for February 2/WEEK 21
Homework for February 2 - 9
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Handwriting Practice
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. substitute, modify, modification
4) Daily Language Review
5) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Historical Fiction “Mr. Brady’s Photography Studio”
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
a. Do NOT do Tuesday #1
b. Do NOT do Wednesday #2
9) Daily Geography
a. The Region of Central America
10) The Pony Express Crossword
11) Math Worksheet: Area
12) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
1) Spelling List
a. Do NOT do spelling dictation
2) Handwriting Practice
3) Daily Academic Vocabulary
a. substitute, modify, modification
4) Daily Language Review
5) Daily Paragraph Editing
a. Historical Fiction “Mr. Brady’s Photography Studio”
6) Daily Word Problems
7) Daily Math Practice
a. Do NOT do Tuesday #1
b. Do NOT do Wednesday #2
9) Daily Geography
a. The Region of Central America
10) The Pony Express Crossword
11) Math Worksheet: Area
12) Reading Log
a. Choose a book and read every day. Log your ideas.
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