Hello Everyone,

We have launched our Singapore common core digital math program for 5th grade. Many students are on grade level and will remain in their groups, other students may move to new groups according to a list of criteria. These criteria will be made available to students and parents. 4th grade will receive grade appropriate Singapore common core instruction. All students will be placed where they can demonstrate mastery and work to their full potential. Please stay tuned, a letter from the intermediate school team will follow.

Santa Cruz County Science Fair: March 7th  (registration deadline: Fri., Feb. 12)

Please visit the link below to keep informed about important dates and deadlines. 

SC County Science Fair Link

Although it is not required, we encourage students to enter their projects into the Santa Cruz County Science Fair. Please view the website with your child to consider whether she or he is interested in this opportunity.  It includes exciting ideas as well as guidelines for projects. If your child is interested in participating, he or she is strongly encouraged to begin a project as soon as possible.

Mountain School Science Fair

Our annual science fair will be on Wednesday, March 2nd.  

A packet of information with a calendar and pacing guide went home in the Monday folders. Please be sure to go over the packet with your child if you have not already. A parent signature is due Tuesday. There is a calendar that should help keep you and your child on schedule. It is helpful to post that on the refrigerator as a reminder.

Upcoming Dates:

HOLIDAY/ NO SCHOOL- Monday, January 18th

HOLIDAY/ NO SCHOOL- Monday, February 8th

HOLIDAY/ NO SCHOOL- Monday, February 15th

Accelerated Reader

We will begin our Accelerated Reader program within the next few weeks.  Your child will bring home a letter indicating their reading level range.  They are encouraged to find books by searching on http://arbookfind.com.  The “Collections” tab lists the Newberry Award Winners & Newberry Honors.   These are highly recommended, and we have many of them in our library.  Students are welcome to borrow our classroom books.  Please assist with having them returned.  Thanks!

Typing Club/Cursive

We will continue learning to type. Yahoo!! Students can log onto the free website below: 

https://www.typingclub.com/

We will be typing in class each week, and students will sometimes be assigned typing homework.  Please let me know if computer access is a problem. In addition to typing, students will continue to practice their cursive. These activities will alternate to give students time to master these fine-motor skills.

Curriculum

Individual student goals: students review their progress and reflect

Math: fractions (equivalent, ordering, adding and subtracting, like and unlike, mixed number, improper)

Science: 4th Environments

Social Studies: colony partner research, posters, presentations
Vocabulary and spelling packets: daily vocabulary, Friday assessment & writing prompt

Writing/grammar: onomatopoeia (try spelling that), pronouns, adjectives, sentence variety, Summary writing, book reviews

Warmly,

Mrs. Young