WEEK 15

Class Update
I hope everybody had a wonderful week off of school and a memorable Thanksgiving with friends, family and loved ones. Thank you sooo much to all of the parents who contributed to our class feast. The dishes were fantastic and the class thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Below are a couple of pictures of the gathering.

In other news, Mr. Kitch, Mr. Kyle and I were busy last Monday clearing out the life lab, cutting trees and preparing it for Friday, November 30th. UCSC will be sending several interns and helping our students clean up and plant seeds in our new garden boxes. Our class, along with Mr. Kitch's and Ms. William's class, will be taking care of the lab this year. I will be sending a letter home Monday specifying what we will hope to accomplish. Check out the pictures! Mr. Kyle donated some blood to the garden while I absorbed all of the remaining poison oak that we hauled away. Mr. Kitch got off easy with just sore muscles. You can check out the pictures at Mr. Kyle's blog.

Our class has begun our new book, James and the Giant Peach together. We will be reading this book in class and at home. However, the chapters are very short so students will also have time to read their Accelerated Reader books. In writing this week we will be learning how to write an effective response to literature essay together. We are also continuing to learn about the arrival of the Spanish explorers to California and their impact upon the land and the Native Californians. Each child is also creating an explorer trading card in class. In Science we will be kicking off a new unit of study on the Rock Cycle and Minerals. This Friday, the Cereal Box Book Reports will be due. Each child will be sharing these projects with the class. Overall, there is a lot going on in class in Room 12. I look forward to our last month prior to our long winter break. See you Monday!

Weekly Riddle
What is the beginning of eternity
The end of time and space
The beginning of every end,
And the end of every place?

Weekly Quotes
“Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise”
“And the sea will grant each man new hope . . . his sleep brings dreams of home.” Columbus

"When has it ever happened, either in ancient or modern times, that such amazing exploits have been achieved? Over so many climes, across so many seas, over such distances by land, to subdue the unseen and unknown? Whose deeds can be compared with those of Spain? Not even the ancient Greeks and Romans."
—Francisco Xerez, Report on the Discovery of Peru

Homework Monday
Reading - James Ch. 10-12 + Summary
Math - Finish L70
Spelling - p. 69 + 71 in cursive....due Friday
Other - Cereal Box Book Report Due Friday

Homework Tuesday
Reading - James Ch. 14-16 + Summary
Math - Finish L71
Spelling - p. 69 + 71 in cursive....due Friday
Other - Cereal Box Book Report Due Friday

Homework Wednesday
Reading - James Ch. 18-19 + Literature Circle Job
Math - Finish L72
Spelling - p. 69 + 71 in cursive....due Friday
Other - Cereal Box Book Report Due Friday

Homework Thursday
Read A.R. Book for 20 minutes
Math - Finish L74 + Pre-Test
Spelling - p. 69 + 71 in cursive....due Friday
Other - Cereal Box Book Report Due
Bring gloves, leadership speeches, cans