Language Arts:

Reading:  We finished our class novel, Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O’Dell.  As a cumulative activity, your child created symmetrical ‘Island Art’ with a poignant quote from the book that helps illustrate his/her artwork. 
Students watched the movie, ‘Island of the Blue Dolphins’ on Friday and we had fun comparing the book to the movie.  As usual, the book was favored over the movie!

Thank you to Ms. O’Donnell for finishing the book with us.  Ask your child what s/he learned about the ‘Lone Woman of San Nichol Island’, which is the true account of the main character’s rescue and ultimately, her demise, at Mission Santa Barbara.

This week we began a new class novel, By the Great Horn Spoon!  Thank you Ms. Desai for coming in and starting the new book with us!

We have also begun a new read aloud called Bud, Not Buddy, by the same author as The Watson’s go to Birmingham, 1963.   So far it is as deep and sobering as the latter, but still a class favorite!

Writing:  Students are working hard at transferring their biography research drafts into reports and Keynote presentations.  Your child has summarized the person’s life in a paragraph and will be memorizing this for their presentation next Thursday.  We have also decided to create a puppet to accompany our costume.  This is an at home project, created from a paper bag of any size, paper rolls, socks, etc.  It can be as simple or elaborate as your child would like! 

Math:  Students completed the first unit of Geometry.  (See assessment in Friday folders.)  This week we’ve begun another geometry unit:  Measurement, area and perimeter of polygons.

Social Studies:  Students have moved from California Missions to Mexican Ranchos.  Your child is reinforcing their persuasive writing and letter writing skills by imploring the current 1835 governor of ‘Mexico’ California, Pio Pico, to grant them land for their Rancho.  Students must write up a petition arguing their reasons why they are fit to be a Ranchero/a.  Students are also drawing up a deseño, or crude map, of the land on which they wish to farm.    Ask your child what happened to the missions, the Native Americans and the lands surrounding the missions.

Miscellaneous:

*Welcome Wasabi and Elvis!  We have 2 new class pets thanks to Mia C. and family.  Ask your child about these fuzzy creatures! ☐ Please check & return if you would like to host them for a weekend.

*Thursday April 4th:  Wax Museum (Biography Presentations) 9:15 room A-4

* Spring Break:  April 8-12

*STAR Testing:  4/29-5/3

*Gold Country Overnight Field Trip:  June 3-4

Language Arts:

Writing: Students began a fun writing program this week, called Tap the Deck, which  reviews the concepts of grammar, mechanics, and sentence structure.  Student have also done a wonderful job with expository writing—their mission reports and cursive write-ups reflect a good understanding of summary writing and self editing skills.

Reading:  We continued to read Island of the Blue Dolphins together, where the main character, Karana, has weathered through hardships that seem unfathomable to us.   Ask your child how Karana is evolving .    We continue to read the Newbery book Bud Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis.  Ask your child about the plot and setting of this depression era novel.

Students are finishing up their biographies (90 page minimum) of a person who has made a significant contribution or positive change in our world.   As a final project, students will be writing a report and presenting their characters to classmates and parents in a ‘Wax Museum’, where they will inform us about their person while in character.  (Thursday, April 4th, at 9:15)

The report outline can be found on the class website.

Math

Students continue to work on their geometry skills, and we are having a ball doing it!   We are now masters of polygons and circles.  Ask your child about the characteristics and angles of any polygon.  This week students have been learning the characteristics of circles, and recognizing lines of symmetry.

Social Studies 

We are wrapping up our California Mission studies this week and are ready to move on to the California Rancho Era. 

Miscellaneous:

*Mark your calendars!  Bel Aire’s open house is Thursday, March 21st at 6:30pm.  (Note date correction.)

*There will be no school for children on March 18th:  Staff Development Day.

*WAX MUSEUM BIOGRAPHY PRESENTATIONS will be Thursday, April 4th from 9:15-9:45.  Come see your child ‘perform’ as his/her biography character!

*Our Gold Country field trip (overnighter) is scheduled for Monday-Tuesday, June 3-4.  

Language Arts:

Writing:  Students have been on editing overdrive this week as we complete the writing part of our mission reports. 

Reading:  We continued to read Island of the Blue Dolphins together, and learn what life was like for the California Indians before the Europeans came and colonized the New World.  The book wonderfully illustrates how Karana, the main character, makes use of her natural resources to survive much like we do today, with shelter, food, and even pets!

This week we began a new read aloud, Bud Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis, who is the author of the class favorite The Watson’s go to Birmingham.

Students are currently reading a biography (90 page minimum) of a person who has made a significant contribution or positive change in our world.   As a final project, students will be writing a report and presenting their characters to classmates and parents in a ‘Wax Museum’, where they will inform us about their person while in character.  (Thursday, April 4th, at 9:15am)

Please ask your child about his/her choice of person/book, and what s/he has learned so far.

Math

Students have completed the final unit on fractions.  (see assessment in Friday folder.)  This week we’ve begun a geometry unit, and students are learning and reviewing angles, lines, rays, and points.

Ask your child how we used the iPads to discover the angles and shapes of common objects around the classroom!

Social Studies 

Our Mission Dolores field trip was great!  Thank you to Ms. Royal, Ms. Chou, Mr. Roberts, Ms. McIntosh, Ms. Glennon, Ms. Schory and Mary Ellen for driving and chaperoning our kids on this fun learning experience! 

We have been working hard to complete our California mission reports with illustrations and interesting facts.  Students will be displaying these reports, along with a student-created virtual book of their mission during open house on March 21st.

Miscellaneous:

*Mark your calendars!  Bel Aire’s open house is Wednesday, March 21st at 6:30pm.

*There will be no school for children on March 18th:  Staff Development Day.

*WAX MUSEUM BIOGRAPHY PRESENTATIONS will be Thursday, April 4th from 9:15-9:45.  Come see your child ‘perform’ as his/her biography character!