Hi Everyone,

Happy spring!

Poetry - Young Writers’ Program

Our poetry reading was very successful, and we are dedicating our book to our mentor poet, Sarah Kay.  Here is a link to her inspiring poem, “Love Letter: Toothbrush to Bicycle Tire”, as well as a link to our students’ poems 4/5 Poetry 2016. Each student will receive his or her copy of our published book through the SC Young Writers’ Program.

Sign-up--Young Writers’ Year End Celebration Student Reading: Tues., May 24th

I am signing interested students up to read their poems at the Young Writers year-end

celebration at Bookshop Santa Cruz on Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.   

Please confirm if your child would like to read his or her poem at this event by May 16.  

As there will be multiple schools participating, they request that we have a maximum

of five readers. Everyone is welcome and invited to attend!

Important Dates

Saturday, April 30th, 8:45-11:00- SC County Math Contest

Saturday, April 30th, 4:30- Mountain School Fundraising Auction (Bargetto Winery)

Thursday, May 12th, 5:30- Spring Concert

Wednesday, May 25th, 7:00- Open House

Monday, May 23rd- Friday, May 27th- Standardized Testing Week

Monday, May 30- Memorial Day Holiday

Tuesday, May 24, 6:30-8:30- Book Shop SC Young Writers’ Poetry Reading

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: 4th wrapped up area and perimeter last week, and 5th wrapped up volume and conversions. Both 4th and 5th start geometry this week.

4th Science: Solid Planet--study of rocks and minerals.

Social Studies: Review of main concepts and continuation of American History.
Reading: We have begun Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary.

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

Writing/grammar: adverbs that modify adverbs and adjectives; Native American year long essay project with various writing applications and revisions, persuasive essays.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Dear Families,

Celebrations: 4/5 and 5/6 Young Writer's Poetry Slam Tuesday 4/12. Thank you to Julie M. for being an outstanding WPA this year and bringing doughnuts and milk for the event. Thank you also to Claudia, Chris and Julie T. for attending and supporting our children and our slam. We appreciate all you do.

Congratulations to Claire Galbo for winning the Clean Air Calendar Art Contest. She is one of 11 winners from Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties!! Way to go, Claire, and thank you Mary Beth for guiding the project.

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: 4th and 5th decimals wrap up this Friday. Then, on to measures for 5th and area and perimeter for 4th.

Science: Solid Planet--study of rocks and minerals.

Social Studies: Review of main concepts and continuation of American History.
Reading: We have finished Sarah Plain and Tall and will begin Dear Mr. Henshaw

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

Writing/grammar: adverbs that modify adverbs and adjectives; Native American year long essay project with various writing applications and revisions, persuasive essays.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Greetings Everyone,

I hope you enjoyed Easter and your family time.

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. Please also consider planning your vacations strategically, if possible, on school breaks and long weekends. Children who miss school due to vacations miss valuable curriculum and instruction which can adversely effect their progress.

Important Upcoming Dates:

First Grade Play: Wednesday March 30

Spring Break: Week of April 5 - 8

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: 4th and 5th decimals.

Science: Environments--terrariums, earthworms, isopods, beetles, pollination, aquariums, saltwater environments, plants

Social Studies: Slavery, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Reading: Sarah Plain and Tall, Dear Mr. Henshaw

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

Writing/grammar: adjectives and adverbs; Sarah Plain and Tall in class book review, Native American year long essay project with various writing applications and revisions, Young Writers Poetry Project March 1- March 31. Poetry Slam after spring break.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Greetings Everyone,

Happy spring! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend!

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. Please also consider planning your vacations strategically, if possible, on school breaks and long weekends. Children who miss school due to vacations miss valuable curriculum and instruction which can adversely effect their progress.

Important Upcoming Dates:

First Grade Play: Wednesday March 30

Spring Break: Week of April 5 - 8

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: 4th and 5th decimals.

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

Social Studies: Slavery, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Reading: Sarah Plain and Tall, Dear Mr. Henshaw

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

Writing/grammar: adjectives and adverbs; Sarah Plain and Tall in class book review, Native American year long essay project with various writing applications and revisions, Young Writers Poetry Project March 1- March 31.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Hello Everyone,

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend!

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.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Report Cards Home: Monday March 14

First Grade Play: Wednesday March 30

Spring Break: Week of April 5 - 8

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: 4th and 5th decimals.

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

Social Studies: Slavery, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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

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

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Greetings Everyone,

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend!

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.

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.  

The time has come to turn in your summary report and your board for Mountain School's Science Fair. All boards are due no later than Tuesday Mar. 1. I will set up the boards so that they are on display Wednesday in our classroom.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Science Fair: Wednesday March 2

Report Cards Home: Monday March 14

First Grade Play: Wednesday March 30

Spring Break: Week of April 5 - 8

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: 4th decimals and 5th ratio and then decimals.

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

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Greetings Everyone,

Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend and the Super Bowl! We had a wonderful and very educational field trip last Thursday to the Tech Museum and a beautiful picnic in the park. Again, I want to extend my gratitude to Claudia, Julie M., Dwayne, Shawn, Nick, Marika and Kyle. You are all fantastic drivers and chaperones!

Valentine's Day: The kids would like to celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday February 12 by exchanging valentines. This can be very simple. It is not necessary to buy them. They can make them if they would like. Please be sure your child provides one for each classmate. A class list will go home on Tuesday in folders. Have fun with this and keep it really basic. It's the thought that counts. It doesn't need to be fancy or stressful. Thank you in advance.

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.

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 to keep you and your child on schedule. It is helpful to post it on the refrigerator as a reminder. At this point, your child should have an hypothesis, their materials, a journal or another method in place (photos, graphs, notes, observational drawings, etc.) for recording data. It is now time to begin the experiment.

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, common and proper nouns, opinion/persuasive essay, book reviews, Native American year long essay project, Young Writers Project March 1- March 31.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young