Wednesday, October 21, 2015

News this week in Room17


Hello Parents of Room 17!

Thank you for attending the Update Parent Meeting on Monday.  I think it was a great opportunity to hear concerns, clarify classroom learning strategies, and answer questions about how things are going in Room 17.  As always, please feel free to email me at anytime if you have further questions. I usually respond within a few hours during the school week.

This week, we had another wonderful and engaging "Council."  Our topic was bullying and I believe our students were quite courageous as many took the risk of sharing their thoughts and feelings on this sensitive subject.  All students were very respectful of each other and acknowledged one another's feelings about experiences that were shared.

We also had some changes in our room.  The cardboard boxes were cleared off the tops of desks as some were being filled with used tissues, candy wrappers, and pencil shavings which buried the broken pencils below!  Now we have clean canvas pencil pouches that can be easily carried to the library or computer lab.  Any personal items in the old boxes belonging to students were returned today and more will be returned tomorrow.

In math, all 5th graders are shining stars in the understanding of their math topic of division.  Some of our 6th graders were struggling with the challenges of the conversion process between decimals, percents, and fractions.  Today, Ms. Arika, Ms. Enriquez, Ms Porter, and myself tackled a rigorous review.  Many of our students received individual assistance as well as small group instruction.

Lastly, I am thrilled to report that our student-composed songs are complete.  Today, all students went home with their CDs and music sheets in hand.  Be sure to ask them to play their music for you!

I am very much looking forward to an exciting science camp coming up soon!  Please see the information letter that we sent home regarding the science curriculum, lodging, and payment due dates.

Sincerely,

Ms,. Madrigal

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Room 17 News for the Week of October 12, 2015

Hello Parents of Room 17!

I hope everyone had a restful weekend and enjoyed some cool indoor fun!  Our family stayed cool with some frozen purple popscicles which left us looking like Halloween came in swirling over our lips and tongues.

This week we will continue our garden discussion and consider tomatoes, herbs, and other possibilities.  I'd like to thank Franki Cox and Sherry Younge for stepping up to be our Garden Volunteers for this year.  They will be helping our students with garden planning, planting, harvesting, and all the wonderful extended learning that will come from community gardening.

We will also continue our literature circles.  Last week, students eagerly began reading their books and enjoyed a discussion about what they might gain from the lessons they discover as they read.  This week students will explore characterization as it relates to the book they are reading.

On Friday, we have our field trip to see Rhapsody in Taps - a Los Angeles based touring group with tap dancers and musicians.  We are all looking forward to a great performance and learning opportunity in performing arts.

I am listing our current weekly activity schedule as it stands now and in the near future:


  • Monday Orchestra       8:15 - 9:15
  • Tuesday Science           8:30 - 10:00
  • Wednesday Standard or Garden Time
  • Thursday FocusFish    12:50 - 1:35
  • Friday Master Chorale 8:30 - 10:00, Computer Lab 11:00 - 11:45
Lastly, there is a beautiful tall empty bookcase that is screaming, "Fill Me Up!"  This week I will be forming a committee of students who love new books and are interested in helping to create a wish list of books for our bookcase.  Stay tuned to hear what they will select.

Just a reminder that the parent meeting scheduled for tomorrow, October 12, 2015 is cancelled and will be rescheduled for next week.

Looking forward to another great week!

Ms. Madrigal



Thursday, October 8, 2015

Save, Share and Volunteer

Save, Share and Volunteer!

Hi Everyone,

Today was Picture Day. Your child was sent home with an order form last week. Check the office for an extra form or order here (http://schoolportraits.lifetouch.com/Details.aspx?eqs=Y3Kglg4C9QLarkx3EfhVBZqJr+AqYFis). Order pics before Saturday, when prices are said to triple.

Tomorrow: Coffee with the Principal: Friday October 9, 2015, 8:30am in the Parent Center. 
Garden Rep: We need volunteers to help out in the Garden! No experience necessary! We can work around changing schedules. Sign up now so we can plant next week, and make the cut-off for a winter harvest. Parents can sign up to volunteer here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Fqg3SS-95pX04t_QMzRvTSbLuq5igo3yJdx-L-6uSgY/viewform?c=0&w=1 
Carnival of the Howling Wolves: We need volunteers, tools, and cash donations! See our wish list on the right, and help us make this the best Haunted House ever!!! 
Have a great week! 

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Room 17 news for the week of October 5, 2015

Hello Room 17 Parents!

I'd like to thank Franki for maintaining the Blog for Grade 5/6 and for helping me take the reins so that I may utilize this Blog as a form of communication with parents.  I am looking forward to posting upcoming news about fieldtrips, projects, science resources, and photos with a link to Shutterfly.

This week, we will be introducing some new activities.  We will continue to work with Spelling City, however, students will be given a homework assignment to go online and use their spelling words in an interactive game and an activity to help with spelling vocabulary.  We are also starting our literature circles, otherwise known as book club discussion groups.  Last week,  students went on a book "walk and talk" and selected a book to read among seven different choices.  Be sure to ask your child what book he or she will be reading.  The gardening project is also about to begin this week.  We will be talking about what to plant and how we can use what we harvest in traditional foods of different cultures.  How wonderful to be part of a classroom community of such rich diversity!  I hope this will bring forth traditional family recipes as we explore growing and harvesting in the garden. 

Thank you to all the parents who helped their children study the homework spelling words.  Last week, the majority of students scored a "4"  on their spelling test.  Way to go!!!  Speaking of homework - Just a reminder that the purpose of homework is threefold:  1.) Students will have an opportunity to practice and reinforce what they learned during the school day.    2.) Students will develop responsibility of independent work that they need to complete at home. 3.) Parents will have an opportunity to see what students are learning and working on in class. 

Looking forward to a great week!


Ms. Madrigal