Hello Everyone,

    Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation filled with rest, relaxation, adventure, and memory-making experiences.  Thank you for your kind sentiments and generous gifts. The basket was beautiful, and I especially enjoyed the Caress Day Spa and Macy's gift cards.  I feel so honored and appreciated! 🎉

**Important Announcements/Field Trips:

Mountain Science Fair- Wednesday, March 6th:

Your child will receive a Science Fair packet to read over with you and begin planning for a project next Monday.  All students in grades 4-6 are required to complete science fair projects at home.  Clear guidelines and timeline are included in the information.   

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ and SC County Science Fair Link provide helpful resources for project planning.  Please contact me with any questions.

Tech Museum Field Trip: Thursday January 31st at 9:00

Thursday January 31st from 8:15-1:30. Drivers needed and appreciated. Please be sure that you have filled out the necessary DMV paperwork with the office if you would like to volunteer.  We are able to bring 7 chaperones this year. Permission slips go home Monday in your child's folder or you may sign up on our blog here.  

Simplicity of Electricity Lab

We 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. We will go straight to the Oceans IMAX which begins promptly at 11:00 and runs 45 minutes. Students and chaperones may eat their sack lunches during the movie. We will then visit some of the exhibits like Body Worlds Decoded before heading back to school at 1:30.

**Please Note: Body Worlds Decoded is now part of the general museum admission. Please view the Body Worlds Decoded flyer here and in the Monday folder so that you are aware of what it is.

For tech parking and info

Parking Information:

The Tech offers $5 flat-rate parking validation at the Second and San Carlos Street garage, a five-story structure (enter from Second or Third Streets), and/or the San Jose McEnery Convention Center garage (enter from Market Street or Almaden Boulevard). Validation is available in the museum lobby during operating hours. Validation may not be valid during any city special event. Limited handicapped parking is available at The Tech’s main entrance on South Market Street.

Santa Cruz County Science Fair: Saturday March 2nd @ Plantronics 
(registration deadline: Fri., Feb. 8)

SC County Science Fair Link  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.  The website includes helpful ideas as well as guidelines for projects. If your child is interested in participating, he/she is strongly encouraged to begin a project as soon as possible.

Upcoming Dates:

MLK, Jr. HOLIDAY/ NO SCHOOL-- Monday, January 21st
SCCOE Spelling Bee-- Saturday, January 26th at UCSC

Tech Museum field trip-- Thursday January 31st, 9:00
HOLIDAY/ NO SCHOOL-- Monday, February 11th

HOLIDAY/ NO SCHOOL-- Monday, February 18th
READ-A-THON-- February 4th-February 28th

SC County Science Fair--Saturday, March 2nd

Mountain Science Fair-- Wednesday, March 6th

Typing Club

Typing practice!! typingclub.com

We will be typing in class each week.  Please let me know if computer access is a problem.

Curriculum Updates: January

ELA: we will begin our literature book: Patty Reed's Doll.  In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen and respond to presentations by students. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.

Mindfulness: best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated in our classroom this year.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14.5 points for the second trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On average, this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books a Trimester. That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level (their latest DRA2 level), and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.

    

Math: we will continue fractions in both 4th and 5th grade. Please check your child's planner for specific page numbers. We will continue to review these concepts.  POM solving and presentations (problem of the month) continue. Silicon Valley Math Initiative (SVMI) MARS tasks continue all year.

**Keep Practicing: times tables should be rehearsed and memorized. 

Science: we start the Foss module called "Energy" for the New Year. This includes magnets, electricity, circuits and a field trip to the Tech Museum Thursday Jan. 31, 2019 with a lab and an IMAX on Oceans as well as exhibits.

Social Studies: American Colonies projects--posters and presentations, research papers.

Writing: summary, narrative and informational essays are currently being worked on. 

Grammar: Study of various grammar: prepositions, nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives and adjective clauses. Shades of meaning vocabulary, capitalization, quotation marks, citing evidence within texts.  Figurative language: simile, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Happy Holidays Everyone,

See you in the New Year after the break on January 7th, our first day back.

Best Wishes 
and 
Many Blessings,

Heather

Hello Everyone,

As the Holidays rapidly approach,  spend this time spreading compassion to yourself and others.  It is an exciting yet busy time.  With that, things can become somewhat stressful.  It's a good time to remember to breath and enjoy all the gifts we have in our lives.

Volunteers!  We need volunteers to help us move many book sets in the library in preparation for clearing out the current library. We need to organize novel sets by grade level, categorize and mark books according to AR levels and points with tape on binding. If you can help us, please let us know. We need help this week, Dec. 10-14. Thank you in advance! 

Ear Buds:! We need 'em!  If you can send your child with some for his or her desk that would be ideal. If you are able to donate a pair or two we would appreciate that, too.

Holiday celebration: on Thursday Dec. 20 at 12:00. If you can contribute to our holiday celebration, please sign up here.

ELA: we are reading/analyzing our literature book: The Birchbark House.  We are working on debates and finding life lessons in works of literature (note taking from the text and elaboration).  In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen and respond to presentations by students. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.

Mindfulness: best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated in our classroom this year.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14.5 points for the second trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On average, this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books a Trimester. That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level (their latest DRA2 level), and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.
    
Math: we are working on fractions in both 4th and 5th grade. Please check your child's planner for specific page numbers. We will continue to review these concepts.  POM solving and presentations (problem of the month) continue. Silicon Valley Math Initiative (SVMI) MARS tasks continue all year.

**Keep Practicing: times tables should be rehearsed and memorized. 

Science: wrap up of Solid Earth.  We will start the Foss module called "Energy" after break. This includes magnets, electricity, circuits and a field trip to the Tech Museum Thursday Jan. 31, 2019 with a lab and an IMAX on Oceans. Details to follow after our break.

Social Studies: American Colonies

Writing: summary writing continues with book review essays. Narrative and informational essay are currently being worked on, too. 

Grammar: Study of various grammar: prepositions, nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives and adjective clauses. Shades of meaning vocabulary, capitalization, quotation marks, citing evidence within texts.  Figurative language: simile, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia.

Upcoming Announcements/Events: 
Dec. 18--12:00 p.m. Spelling Bee grades 4-6
Dec. 19--10:30 a.m. Holiday Sing
Dec. 20-- early dismissal 12:30
Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 Winter Break

Thank you for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.


Warmly,

Heather

Hello Everyone,

Happy Thanksgiving!  We are in school today and tomorrow which are full days and then we are off Wednesday through Friday for the holiday.

School pictures are available. Click the link below to view and buy your photos:

https://lizdepuydtphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/MountainSchool2018-19/home

ELA: we are reading/analyzing our literature book: The Birchbark House. In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen to presentations by students. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning. Active listening is practiced daily.

Mindfulness: Best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated into our classroom.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms--incorporated most mornings.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students should keep reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and/or classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond. Students have a goal of 14.5 points for each trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points. On average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 10+ books a Trimester (depending on length and difficulty). That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level, and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.

4th Math: division.
    
5th Math: word problems.

*POM (problem of the month); various MARS tasks 

Science: topographic maps

Social Studies: explorers and Native Americans

Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar: narrative essay, book review on kit Carson, shades of meaning vocabulary, capitalization, quotation marks, citing evidence within texts.

Upcoming Announcements/Events: 
Nov. 21-23--Thanksgiving break
Dec. 5--Holiday Night, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 19--Holiday Sing, 11:00 a.m.
Dec. 21-Jan. 4--winter break


Thank you for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.

Have a lovely and safe Thanksgiving.

Warmly,

Heather

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed the three-day weekend.

Early Dismissal All Week: Due to parent/teacher/student conferences, students are dismissed from school at 12:30 T-F this week. 

Report Cards: will be given out at your conference and gone over with parents and their child.

Conferences: Thank you for signing up for a conference with your child.  My goal with conferences is to keep it positive and shine the light on all the wonderful things about your child, of which there are many! Then, if need be, we will look at areas that need improvement and steps to take to do so.  Every child should be able to leave this conference with their head held high feeling good about themselves and knowing more about their learning style and how to work with their unique gifts and challenges. 

ELA: we are reading/analyzing our literature book: The Birchbark House. In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen to presentations by students. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning. Active listening is practiced daily.

Mindfulness: Best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated into our classroom.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms--incorporated most mornings.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students should keep reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and/or classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond. Students have a goal of 14.5 points for each trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points. On average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 10+ books a Trimester (depending on length and difficulty). That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level, and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.

4th Math: 2-digit multiplication and continued practice with division.
    
5th Math: 2-digit multiplication.

*We will start our 3rd POM (problem of the month); various MARS tasks 

**Keep Practicing: students were expected to have their times tables memorized by the end of October.  If your child has not recited these to you and returned the checklist, please get these in.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in the 4th and 5th grade levels, it is important to have these skills down.  Please have some fun with these and have your child rehearse daily so that they can test on these math facts. As your child tests on each one, please check off and sign the checklist sheet and return it to our classroom. Thank you.

Science: topographic maps

Social Studies: explorers and Native Americans

Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar: narrative essay, book review on kit Carson, shades of meaning vocabulary, capitalization, quotation marks, citing evidence within texts.

Upcoming Announcements/Events: 
Nov. 13--report cards due 
Nov. 13-16--Parent/Teacher/Child Conferences
Nov. 21-23--Thanksgiving break
Dec. 5--Holiday Night, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 19--Holiday Sing, 11:00 a.m.
Dec. 21-Jan. 4--winter break


Thank you for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.

Warmly,

Heather

Hello Everyone,

It's time to sign up for fall conferences. Please use the link below to sign up for a day and time slot that will work for you, your partner and your child. In the intermediate school, children attend their conferences as well. Thank you in advance.

4/5 Conference Sign Up Link


**Field Trip to Sea cliff State Beach--this Friday, Nov. 2 from 9:45 - 12:20! Please submit the form to chaperone/drive by clicking here or let us know be returning the form. Permission forms are due. There is no fee for this trip. Drivers/chaperones arrive at the school at 9:00 so that we can organize carpools.

ELA: We have finished our Gold Rush novel By the Great Horn Spoon and most children have taken their AR quizzes which will enhance goal points. We will begin our next novel The Birchbark House this week. In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen to presentations by students.

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classroom.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14 points for this first trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On an average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books by November 1. That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level, and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.
    
Math: 4th graders just tested on 1-digit multiplication and will begin division this week. 5th graders just tested on mental math strategies and will begin word problems using bar models.

In addition, students were expected to have their times tables memorized by October 26th (2's through 12's).  These are goals that were set in early September.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in this grade level, it is important to have these skills down. multiplication music
**Please be sure to finish testing your child on these and return the packet and checklist with your signature to our classroom as soon as possible. Thank you for your support. 

Science: fossils.

Social Studies: Native Americans

Writing and Grammar: We are reviewing complex sentences. We have begun planning our Native American narrative essays. We will also write a book review of our Read Aloud text, Kit Carson.

Upcoming Announcements
Oct. 31--Halloween parade 8:45
Nov. 1--staff development day, no school
Nov. 2-- Sea Cliff State Beach field trip--9:00-12:00
Nov. 12--Veteran's Day, no school
Nov. 13--report cards
Nov. 9--board meeting
Nov. 13 - 16 and 19--parent teacher conferences 
Nov. 16--Turkey Trot
Nov. 21-23--Thanksgiving break

Thank you in advance for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Hello Everyone,

We will be heading to Coloma in just a few days for our wonderful trip!  The weather is supposed to be very pleasant (high 70's). Every child has been placed with at least one of their cabin-mate choices. All driver and chaperone requests have been mindfully considered with careful planning to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children and the adults who will accompany them. No changes can be made at this time, and we appreciate your understanding and partnership.

Coloma: We depart from school this Wednesday morning.  Please be in the PAC room at 8:00 (chaperones and students) to review itinerary schedules, car and cabin arrangements, and get everyone and their gear into vehicles. We leave the school at 9:00.

All gear for each child needs to be put into a trash bag with their name on it. We will do that in the PAC room the morning of--we will supply trash bags, tape and markers along with parent volunteers to help. Please be sure to write your child's name on any clothing that he/she brings on the trip. It makes it much easier to return all belongings. We return Friday at approximately 4:00 p.m.

**Field Trip to Sea cliff State Beach--we need drivers! Please submit the form to chaperone/drive by clicking here. There is no fee for this trip. Thank you in advance.

ELA: We are continuing our reading and study of the Gold Rush and various vocabulary and events to prepare for Coloma on October 17, 18, and 19.  We are wrapping up our literature book: By the Great Horn Spoon and will begin The Birchbark House when we return. In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen to presentations by students and practice writing friendly letters.  

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classroom.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14 points for this first trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On an average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books by November 1. That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level, and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.
    
Math: classwork and Monday homework on properties for both 4th and 5th.

In addition, students are expected to have their times tables memorized by October 26th (2's through 12's).  These are goals that were set in early September.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in this grade level, it is important to have these skills down.  Please have some fun with these and have your child rehearse daily so that they can test on these math facts by the end of the month. Return the packet and checklist with your signature to our classroom. multiplication music

Science: Stream tables and land forms.

Social Studies: Native Americans

Writing and Grammar: We are working on simple, compound and complex sentences, prepositions and interjections. We will begin our Native American narrative essays when we return from Coloma.

Upcoming Announcements
Oct. 23--student council speeches 10:30 
Oct. 27--Trunk or Treat 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Oct. 31--Halloween parade 8:45
Nov. 1--staff development day, no school
Nov. 2-- Sea Cliff State Beach field trip--9:00-12:00
Nov. 12--Veteran's Day, no school
Nov. 13--report cards
Nov. 9--board meeting
Nov. 13 - 16--parent teacher conferences 
Nov. 16--Turkey Trot
Nov. 21-23--Thanksgiving break

Thank you in advance for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.

Warmly,

Mrs. Young

Hello Everyone,

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful weekend and our Indian summer weather.

Mandatory Coloma Chaperone Meeting: There is a chaperone meeting scheduled on Wednesday Oct. 10th at 5:30 p.m. Please put it on your schedule so that you do not miss this important informational meeting. 

ELA: We are continuing our Lucy Calkin's reader's workshop. It is important to be sure your child is reading 40 minutes nightly and applying the strategies taught in class. We are focusing on a main character's: traits, desires, and motivations. The story arc is being discussed and studied. 

Read Aloud books: Kit Carson

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14.5 points for this first trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On an average, this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books by November 1.  That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level, and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.    
4th Math: addition and subtraction algorithms and mental math strategies. Please check your child's planner for specific page numbers for homework.  
5th Math: order of operations

In addition, students are expected to have their times tables memorized by October 26th (2's through 12's).  If your child isn't saying times tables in the car on the way to and from school and every night for a 5 minute run through (and driving you a bit crazy), something is amiss.  These are goals that were set in early September.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in 4th and 5th grade, it is important to have these skills down.  Please have some fun with these and have your child rehearse daily so that they can test on these math facts by the end of the month. Please check off and return the packet as soon as your child has completed this task. Thank you for your partnership.  multiplication music

4th Science: land forms and stream tables.

Social Studies: Native Americans

Writing and Grammar:  Native American personal narratives

Spelling and Vocabulary: weekly review. 

Thank you in advance for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.

Have a stellar week!

Warmly,

Mrs. Young