Today we get a day off, not just to kick off the summer season and have barbecues, but to also be in remembrance of those who fought and lost their lives.

​This week is a crazy week for us.  All of our main learning is over, report card grades are being finalized, and we have 2 field trips to go on!  Tuesday will be a normal early dismissal day, we will be doing our finial writing assessment, and preparing for a math test.  Wednesday will be our field trip to King Gillette Ranch.  Thursday, we have our final math test on Chapter 12.  Friday is our second field trip to Leonis Adobe.

Our first field trip is to King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains.  Students will hike to the visitor's center with several stops on the way to do different activities.  It is expected to be in the Mid-80s that day.  Students need to bring a hat, bottled water, backpack for lunch and water, and come wearing sunscreen and good hiking shoes.  I will not be able to attend this field trip due to some pregnancy issues, but I have a substitute, Mr. Laverick, set up.  He has worked well with the class before and I have complete faith in him to keep our class safe and sound.  

The second field trip is to Leonis Adobe, a replica of a Rancho during Mexican California.  I will be able to attend this trip.  Students will not need a backpack, but hats and sunscreen are still a good idea.  

As with any field trip, toys and electronics are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated if taken on either of these trips.

I have contacted all parents who have been chosen as chaperones on each trip.  Thank you to all who volunteered.

Finally, this week you will receive a letter about our end of year celebration.  Please get back to me as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.

Last week was such a busy week!  We had a movie as a reward for SBAC, a visit from an author, a very cool presentation about California History, as well as Science projects presentations.  We also finished our geometry unit in math, and ended our Science unit with a test.

This week we start off with the Math test for Chapter 14.  We will continue with Science presentations and TRC testing.  This is our last week of really concentrated work on grade level.  All tests this week will still count towards report cards.  If projects or reports have not been turned in, this is the week to get them in.  Next week will start our wrap up of 4th grade, as well as 2 different field trips.  

Reminder: next Monday we have off for Memorial Day.

In my muddled mind, I tend to forget a lot of things I need to put in this blog.  First, last week was our spell-a-thon.  Students will be getting their words back today, and need to collect money from pledges.  This money goes towards the lease on our computers in the computer lab, every little bit helps.  I also forgot to give a big thank you to all of you that sent flowers, candy, gifts, and notes on Teachers' Appreciation Week!  

This week is a busy week.  We continue our work in Geometry, we will start to classify triangles and quadrilaterals, ending this week and testing on it next Monday.  This week we will also be finishing our unit in Life Science with a test on Wednesday.  Students have had a study guide since last Monday.  On Friday, we have a visitor coming to do some activities related to the Gold Rush.  Student participation will be a grade.  This week we will also be starting to administer the end of year TRC test (reading level).  The goal is level R.

This Thursday, Science Fair projects are due.  Students will start to give presentations and continue through next week.  Should a student not turn in a project they will work through their recess and lunch until it is done here at school.  This is a REQUIRED activity for 3-5 grade.  Students need to turn in a rubric (given in class) with their project.  If you need a new one, you can download from the vintage website.

Lastly, I want to thank those who attended our Open House.  The students were really proud of their hard work over the year.  If you were able to look at some of the things up (i.e.: writing) you could see how much they have grown.

I hope all you mothers had a good day and enjoyed your gifts.  Your children talked all about you (fondly) while they made it.

This week we get back into the regular swing of things.  We will be starting Chapter 14: Lines, Angles, and Shapes in Math.  We continue the Treasures Reading in ELA, and will be working on opinion writing.  In Science, we will be starting to study for our big test on Life Science, the test is next Wednesday, so the class will have a week and a half to study.

This is the last full week to work on Science Fair projects, since they are due next Thursday.  Be sure to follow the criteria and rubric sent home according to the type of project.  This rubric needs to come to school with the project.  If you need a new one, you can always download it from the Vintage website.

This Thursday is Open House.  Students will get out at 12:58, Book Fair will be open, and rooms open at 6:00.  Please come see what your child has done this year.  There will be many project that they have worked hard on for you to see what they learned.

This past week we have been working on the ELA portion of the SBAC.  Thank you for making sure your child is at school every day and on time.  I am proud to say that the class is taking testing seriously and take their time.  Due to the testing we have not done much in class.  Students are working on their Biome group projects and a grammar craft.  On Thursday we did get to do some flower dissections to get to physically see the flower parts, and some even got to determine if the flower was female.

This week we continue with the Math portion of the SBAC.  The week will look a lot the same as last week, with Biome presentations on Friday.  We will be doing a craft on Wednesday that will require each student to bring in a glass container that holds 4-8 ounces.  This can be a recycled container or one bought from the store, such as a mason jelly jar.  

We are in our last month, with a lot still going on.  Low grade notices went home this past Friday.  If you would like a conference, please be sure to provide me a few dates and times that work for you so that I can schedule around other meetings and appointments.