January 21st Classroom News
Academics
Writing: Please remember to conference with your child about their writing portfolio. Please read the letter your child brought home, and fill out the response form. I would like all folders with parent response form returned to school now, please.

Reading: Students continue to read Shiloh by Barbara Parks. Our focus this week was point of view.

Book Report: The mystery book report is due Feb. 4th. I have loaned some public library books to students with the caution that they do not lose them because they will have to pay for them. I will need the library books back before the due date…so read, read, read!

Vocabulary: Vocabulary test will be Friday, Jan. 28th. The words to study are hypothesis, procedure, data, variable, conclusion, and scientific method.

Math: Concepts this week include: Expressing numbers using decimals, comparing decimals and fractions, 2 and 3-digit multiplication and division.

Science Fair: Students should be following the due date calendar and completing the requirements for each deadline. The next deadline is Feb. 1st . Students’ experiments need to be completed by this date so they may start to analyze their data. The completed project and display board are due Thurs., Feb. 17th.

Mrs. Russell: In light of the Tucson tragedy, our school counselor discussed safety and safe behaviors.

S.S.- Most of the state ABC books have been handed in. We are nearly through all of the state tourism speeches. What fun facts students learned about our 50 states.

Parent Notes:
Thank you again to those who chaperoned our fieldtrip to Lakeside Park. Our next fieldtrip will be to the rodeo on Tues., Feb. 22nd.

Fairness is our character trait this month. Students will be learning what being fair means and how to have an open mind.

Detention: There are far too many students who do not turn in homework assignments, classroom assignments, or long-term class or homework assignments (i.e.: writing assignments or book reports). If your child does not turn in homework for the day, or fails to complete an in-class assignment in a timely fashion, please remember that they will be assigned after school detention for that day. Your child will notify you that day if they must stay after school.

Science Fair: Please encourage your child to stay on track with his/her deadlines. Grading will be as follows:
Required work at deadline…
20 pts/each
Completed science fair folder…
100 pts
Completed project & board…
100 pts
Display Boards:
The Teacher Parent Connection at 7641 E. Speedway Blvd. has white science fair display. They can also be found at office supply stores and Walgreens.

Book Order Forms: Scholastic book order forms went home last week. If your child would like to order books, please turn in the form and money by Monday, Jan. 24.

Love of Reading: Love of reading week is Feb. 7-11. If you are interested in reading a favorite book, sharing some favorite poetry, or sharing some excerpts with our class during this week, please contact me. We would love to have you!

*Thanks to Alex and his family for all the extra school supplies!

*Talent Show Auditions in Feb.

Important Dates:
January:
21- Daddy-Daughter Dance 7-9

24- 100th Day of School. Special activities will take place. Free Dress Down.

25- 3rd-8th School wide Spelling Bee

*Talent Show Sign-up in January

February:
2- $1.00 Duds for Dollars dress down day

4- Mid Quarter ends
Character Lunch & Character Movie

7- Love of Reading Week Begins
Mid-quarter grades go home

11- Valentine Dance 5th-8th grades
6:30-8:00 pm

14- Dentist

16- End of cookie dough fundraiser

17- Science Fair Project Due

18- Science Fair Judging

19- Science Fair Judging

24&27- Rodeo Break

Keep up with Science Fair Due Dates:
1/8- Permission slip, Project selected, Question formed

1/12- Hypothesis Due

1/15- Procedure & Materials List

1/29- Experiment Completed

2/5- Raw and Analyzed Data Due

2/8- Conclusion Due

2/12- Optional Written Report

2/17- Final Display Board Due

2/19- LPA Science Fair Judging