Tomorrow is Read-a-Thon day.  Students should bring lots of books to read throughout the day.  Also, students are welcome to wear pajamas and bring a blanket, sleeping bag and one or two stuffies.  We're looking forward to a fun, relaxing day of reading!

fourth grade math parent letter on fractions (and activities) (also posted to the right)

Homework for tonight is to:
1. Bound for Oregon reading and job
2. fourth grade math packets
    fifth grade math
3. spelling

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes (Bound for Oregon chapters 12 and 13 are due Wednesday if you'd like to get ahead)
2.  Fourth grade math: We are using Khan Academy website in conjunction with homework this week.  There are differentiated homework packets so check with your child to see which one she/he has.  The directions are in the packet.

Fourth math weekly homework packet A

Fourth math weekly homework packet B

Fourth math weekly homework packet C

     Fifth grade math

3. Spelling (words below)

Week of 3/28-4/1 spelling words

weekly list          challenge
spoil                    flamboyant
loyal                    turbulence
oyster                  careened
poison                 admirable
annoy                  handkerchief
choice                 imbroglio

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read chapters 12 and 13 in Bound for Oregon and complete job.
2.  fourth math
     fifth math
3.  spelling

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read chapters 10 and 11 in Bound for Oregon and complete reading group job
2.  fifth grade math (no fourth grade math)
3.  spelling

Have a good night!

Homework for tonight is:
1.  fourth math
     fifth math packet
     fifth math problem of the week
2.  reading for 30 minutes
3.  spelling--below are this week's words:

weekly list      challenge
improvise        kibbutz
revision           klutz
visualize          nosh
visionary         pastrami
visa                 schmaltz
visible             schlep
visor               czar
vista                boondocks

Have a good night!
Jed

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read for 30 minutes
2.  fourth grade math
     fifth grade problem of the week
3.  spelling

Have a nice night!

Fun Filled Friday

Students record their experiences crossing the North Platte River during a combined Strawberry/Cerrito Oregon Trail Simulation at the CerritoBerry meeting

It was nice to see everyone at math night.  Students loved to show off their math knowledge and different methods to solving problems!

We had another packed, fun-filled Friday.  Strawberry and Cerrito are at the same point in the Oregon Trail simulation, so today students did their simulation and journal writing together during the CerritoBerry meeting.  Families brainstormed how to cross the North Platte river--many took wheels off their wagon and invented different caulking materials so it didn't leak.  Creative journaling ensued--afterward students shared their creativity.

Julia's friend, "the fish guy" teaches us all about fish during buddies

Julia's friend, a fish biologist, was became "the fish guy" for buddies and introduced some new fish to the tank.  He shared all sorts of adaptations that fish have made to their environment.  After the discussion big buddies helped the little buddies "create" their own aquariums and fish math problems.

More pictures from today.

Have a nice weekend!

Lots of Highlights

Rebecca Stead's example journal entry (the blotches are ink stains)

A few updates:

Families are now 165 miles into their journey and have already had to figure out the best way to cross the Wakarusa River (some families hired native americans, others chopped trees and laid them across the river).  Today's simulation was whether to drink out of a pool where people were swimming or to climb a waterfall to get water.   Their creative journal entries really show their creativity and inventiveness.

Villian Stories:  For creative writing this week students began villain stories.  They created story maps complete with character sketches, setting description and a plot summary.  After mapping, students are off to write--some have already completed pages of writing.

Nonfiction reading:  Students read two nonfiction pieces this week: one about homesteaders (sodbusters)  and the other about African American Frontiers (exodusters).  For each reading, students responded to questions like these.

Bound for Oregon:  Reading up to chapter 5 is due for tomorrow.  Most students are reading for detail as evidenced by their ability to answer comprehension question in class (like these today on chapters 3 and 4) and also those from the Discussion Director.  Please check to be sure your child has read up to chapter 5 and completed their job.

Homework for tonight is to:
1.  Read chapter 5 in Bound for Oregon and complete job
2.  Finish Sodbusters nonfiction reading and response question if not completed in class
3.  fourth math
     fifth math
     fifth math problem of the week
4.  spelling