I was truly AMAZED by all the parents who went out of their way to donate books to our class! A big thank you to the following families: The Walter Family, The Shih Family, The Nordquist Family, The Sur Family, The Phillips Family, and The Lundgren Family. Most of the books have already been happily taken by students! Thank you for helping to build a classroom library and for showing our students how important literature is!

This week our class will head to the book fair on Thursday! Starting today, students may buy books during lunch or they may want to wait until the entire class visits the book fair together. You may want to send your student to school with some money for a special book.

Hello and welcome to the second week of CSAP testing. All students will take two tests on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The assessments will be on reading, writing, and math. It is especially important that the students are well rested and fueled with a healthy diet during the CSAP. In theme this week we'll continue to look at the formation of our government and will introduce the Nervous system with a starting point  at the brain.

Hello! I hope that you are all well and enjoying the spring-like weather! This week marks the start of two weeks of CSAP testing. We've reviewed some test taking skills and have utilized CSAP practice tests in order to prepare the students. I've stressed to the students the importance of doing their best and I hope that they will stick to an early bed time routine and have a healthy mind-fueling breakfast each morning.

We finished the Respiratory system last Friday with an open note quiz. We'll move on to the Nervous system which I'm quite excited about! We'll also continue to read in our History of Us books as these offer an exciting presentation of the establishment of our nation. Currently we're getting a closer view of our three branches of government. In addition, we've just heard of Washington's passing and we're beginning to look at the achievements of John Adams as the second President.

We’ll continue to work with the respiratory system. The students have been discussing the political differences between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and we’ve been making connections to current political parties. We’ll take a closer look at the three branches of government and the motivations of the men who founded that governmental system. We’ll also look at scientific concepts addressed in the CSAP which is coming up next week.

Hello! In my never-ending world of not understanding computers, I thought that I had updated everyone with a blog last week, but as it turns out, that blog is floating about in computer space. So, before I get to this week, I'd like to catch you up on last week! During the past week of theme, the class has continued to work with the respiratory system and we are considering the different political views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamiliton. The students have disscussed how the different views of these impressive men led to our current political parties.

This week, the students will continue to work with the respiratory system as well as the establishment of our current government. We'll also have some CSAP discussions and prepare for the upcoming assessment.

I'd like to thank Mrs. Holm, Mrs. Spreng, Mr. and Mrs. Caraballo, and Mrs. Shih for helping with our Valentine's Day party. You all MADE the party! What fun games and awesome assistance! Thank you all very much!

I'd also like to thank Mrs. Cross and Mrs Shih (again!) for volunteering to lead a group of students around the museum. This field trip would not be possible without parent help and I thank you both endlessly!

Hello parents! I took out twenty books for our curriculum on the Revolutionary War and Inventors. I thought I had returned them all and was shocked to discover that three of the books had not been returned. As parents of curious and motivated children, I'm sure that you know that the public library system is one that you don't want to mess with! If you could keep an eye out for the following books it would be much appreciated:

I have searched the classroom and came up empty handed. The library will not let me take out additional books until these are paid for ($105) or returned. I know some students used the books for reference and they may be lurking in a backpack or home, I'm hoping! Thank you very much for looking!

This week in Theme we'll co ...

This week in Theme is busy! We'll be decorating doors, making valentine mailboxes, having a party and getting to the curriculum! The circulatory quiz has been moved to Friday!