Hello Everyone,

Attendance: Mountain School requests that you help your child by dropping them off at 8:15 before the final 8:30 bell. Students who arrive late on a regular basis disrupt the classroom and miss valuable instructional time.

Field Trip: The Tech Museum

Simplicity of Electricity Lab and IMAX Robots

Thursday February 4, 2016

We have our drivers and chaperones for this fun and educational field trip! Thank you! 

Please bring a lunch and a drink. We'll gather lunches before leaving in the morning and put them in boxes to store at the museum. We will leave school at 8:15 sharp so that we arrive at the museum in San Jose at 9:00. After parking, please gather on Park Avenue so that we can go into the museum as a group. A brief orientation will follow where we will receive our wristbands and tech tags. Our Simplicity of Electricity Lab begins at 9:30 and runs 90 minutes. If the weather is nice, we'll gather our lunches (with help from our lovely chaperones) and eat in the park before heading over to wait in line for the Robots IMAX at 11:45. The movie begins at 12:00 and has a 40 minute running time. This wraps up our museum fun. Chaperones and students gather, get their head counts and drive back to school to arrive at about 2:00.

For tech parking and info

PLEASE BRING YOUR PARKING TICKET WITH YOU, THE MUSEUM WILL VALIDATE!

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.  

All students seem to have good ideas for projects at this time. One reminder is to have only one variable. We will continue to review the scientific method and process with examples in class. Please refer to the calendar in the packet that went home last Monday to keep you and your child on schedule. It is helpful to post it on the refrigerator as a reminder.

Upcoming Dates:

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

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

Math: fractions (equivalent, ordering, adding and subtracting, like and unlike denominators, mixed number, improper, multiplication, division, word problems, bar models

(All students are required to practice fractions on Khan Academy)

Science: Environments--terrariums, earthworms, isopods, beetles, pollination, aquariums

Social Studies: colony partner research, posters, presentations, American Revolution 

Vocabulary and spelling packets: daily vocabulary, Friday assessment; writing prompt

Writing/grammar: subjects and predicates, pronouns, adjectives, run-on sentences, opinion/persuasive essay, book reviews, Native American year long essay project, Young Writers Project March 1- March 31.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Hello Everyone,

Field Trip: The Tech Museum

Simplicity of Electricity Lab and IMAX Robots

Thursday February 4, 2016

We need volunteers to drive and chaperone for this fun and educational field trip! If you would like to do so, please fill out the field trip form on our blog and hit the submit button on the bottom of the form. You must be sure that all DMV paperwork is current in the office. I will select no more than 7 drivers/chaperones on a first-come, first-served basis. We will leave school at 8:15 sharp so that we arrive at the museum in San Jose at 9:00. We will gather on Park Avenue and then go into the museum as a group. A brief orientation will follow where we will receive our wristbands and tech tags. Our Simplicity of Electricity Lab begins at 9:30 and runs 90 minutes. If the weather is nice, we'll gather our lunches (with help from our lovely chaperones) and eat in the park before heading over to wait in line for the Robots IMAX at 11:45. The movie begins at 12:00 and has a 40 minute running time. This wraps up our museum fun. Chaperones and students gather, get their head counts and drive back to school to arrive at about 2:00.

For tech parking and info

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.  

All students seem to have good ideas for projects at this time. One reminder is to have only one variable. We will continue to review the scientific method and process with examples in class. There is a calendar in the packet that went home last Monday 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, 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

Math: fractions (equivalent, ordering, adding and subtracting, like and unlike, mixed number, improper, multiplication for 5th)

Science: 4th Environments

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

Writing/grammar: subjects and predicates, pronouns, adjectives, sentence variety, opinion writing, book reviews

Kind Regards,

Mrs. Young

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

Greetings Everyone,

     Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a delightful and restful holiday filled with family, friends, laughter and many blessings. I want to extend my deep appreciation for all of the well wishes and the thoughtful gifts that came my way. I feel very loved and appreciated!

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 4th.  

A packet of information with a calendar and pacing guide is coming home in the Monday folders. Please look for it.

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)

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

Sincerely,

Mrs. Young

Special Announcements: 

Congratulation: to Kadin Riggs for placing and doing so well in the spelling bee. Way to go, Kadin! We're so proud of you.

Play: "13 Colonies" Performance Dates: Thursday December 10 at 7 p.m. for parents and friends and Friday December 11 at 11 a.m. for the school. Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss this wonderful event! Please be sure that your child is at the school on Thursday evening at 6:30 sharp so that they can get ready for the 7 p.m. performance. 

Parent help and volunteers: Thank you to Marika Riggs, Julie Thornton, Julie Madagan, Claudia Galbo, Mary Kelly, Linda Swan and all those who have helped with play costumes, the stage, signs, organization, practices, etc. We really appreciate the support! The kids are very excited about the play.

Shared Music and Scripts: I have shared the music with and without lyrics along with a script of the play through google drive. Please help your child rehearse lines and songs so that they will be confident for the performances this week. 

ELA/Social Sciences: Students have added beautiful language to their Native American essays in the third revision process of this essay. We are also working on colony research, posters and presentations.

Art: Students have created the set decorations for the play and the stage is set for our play!

Read Aloud: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.

Math: We are developing mental math strategies for division with 10's, 100's and 1000's as well as work with 1-digit and 2-digit divisors. We have a geometry POM (Problem of the Month) in progress with problem solving and status posters for group presentations. 

Writing and Grammar: The latest revision of the Native American essays is due. Essays should now include beautiful language: sizzling vocabulary, strong verbs, and juicy color words. An instruction sheet has been shared with your child through their drive, and we have gone over it in class. If they have not completed this assignment, they should do so as homework.

Spelling: Spelling homework/packet/test is due every Friday. Homework for Monday night is on Google Classroom.

Nightly Reading: Please remind your child to read their lines and go over their script for nightly reading this month. This will help students reinforce and build confidence with their parts. If they do not have lines, and know all the songs, they may read something else of their choice.

Thank you for supporting both our classroom and your wonderful child!

Have a great week and see you on opening night this Thursday!

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Week of November 23 - November 27, 2015

Dear Families and Friends,

Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday November 25-November 29

Jupiter Grades. Most of you and your children have logged in and changed your pass codes. If you have not had a chance to do this, please do so now. This will help you and your child monitor grades and assignments together as a team. This tool should be utilized to help your child develop as a life-long learner teaching them the value of responsibility and expectation as they grow as scholars. Jupiter Grades

Play: "13 Colonies."  Roles have been selected, and we are practicing our play daily as we have a relatively short time to prepare given the Thanksgiving Holiday. Please be sure that your child practices his/her lines over the break. It would be great if the kids could have their lines memorized when they come back.

Play performance dates: Thursday December 10 at 7 p.m. for parents and friends and Friday December 11 at 11 a.m. for the school. Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss this wonderful event!

Parent help and volunteers needed: costumes (talk to Marika) rehearsing lines, practicing dances and songs, assisting with the set and back stage, etc. I have put together a sign up sheet on google docs for those who would like to sign up to help. Thank you in advance! Your participation is greatly appreciated!

Shared Music and Scripts: I have shared the music with lyrics and the instrumental version along with a script of the play. Your child also brought home a script today which is to stay home and be used to read and practice from nightly. 

ELA/Social Sciences: We will read and do various activities that support our theme of learning about the colonies. Students will continue to work on their Native American essays and their colony research and posters.

Art: Students will complete their tribal shadow boxes this week, and we will start to create set designs for our play with the help of Mary Beth in the Art department!

Read Aloud: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.

Math: Despite our commitment to the play, we will continue to weave our math curriculum into our days. We took our multiplication pretest on 10's, 100's and 1000's on Thursday. I hope to build a solid foundation with these skills. We have been working diligently toward this goal. We will review division with a single digit divisor and introduce the 5th graders to 2-digit divisors. Then, we dive into fractions in the coming weeks.

Writing and Grammar: There is no grammar homework this week.

Spelling: There is no spelling homework/packet this week due to the holiday.

Nightly Reading: Please remind your child to read their lines and go over their script for nightly reading this month. This will help students reinforce and build confidence with their parts. 

Thank you for supporting both our classroom and your wonderful child!

Have a great Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Warmly,

Mrs. Young