Book Report and California Relief Maps

Hello and Happy Monday!

Today, your children received their first Book Report Assignment of the year!   Each child was given a packet that contained directions, a rubric, and templates for the report.  Your child is to read a Fantasy book of their choice (at least 125 pages) and I am asking that it not be a book they have read before.
As you may have noticed, part of the assignment is that I must approve of your child's book choice.  This is to insure that all students' books are part of the fantasy genre and meet the minimum 125 pages. 
I will be handing out slips tomorrow that students are to fill out with their name, the book title and author to submit to me by Monday, September 30th.  I am looking forward to the final results, I know they will be wonderful!

Also, this week, I have a fun activity planned for the students.  We are going to be making relief maps of California from salt dough.  I am asking that each child bring in an AIR-TIGHT ZIPLOCK BAG on THURSDAY of the salt dough mixture.  It must be in an air-tight bag or else it will dry out before the students have a chance to mold it.  I will be sending home the ingredients for the mixture Tuesday for the activity on Thursday, but I am also including it here.

Salt Dough Recipe:

2 cups of flour

1 cup of salt

¾ cups of water

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large bowl mix salt and flour together.

Gradually stir in water. Mix well until it forms a doughy consistency.

Kneed with your hands until smooth and combined.

Place the mixture into an air-tight ziplock.

Finally, if any parents would like to volunteer to assist on Thursday with the making of the relief maps, I would be thrilled to have additional hands!   I only need 4-5 parents, so please send me an email if you are available this Thursday from about 2:00 - 2:45pm. 

If you have any questions about the Book Report or Relief Map please do not hesitate to email me at ajones@olaschoolk8.org.

Thank you,
Miss Jones

Iowa Testing and Gold Camp Chaperones

Happy Friday!

I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their weekend!

Next week, Monday - Thursday, we will have IOWA tests in the mornings.  Testing will begin between 8:20-8:30 each day and will last until after Recess, with short breaks in between.  As the students will be spending much of their energy on the IOWA's, we will not have any tests next week (including Spelling and Religion).  Students will still have homework, but it will be on the lighter side.
In anticipation of next week, I ask that you make sure that your students are well rested and eat a good breakfast each morning.

Gold Camp chaperones have been randomly selected, and are as follows:

Kurt deGrosz
Gary DeMera

Brendan Lund
Philip Malouf

Victor Radeff

Penny Alexander
Denise Hamilton
Mariebelle Hansen
Lauren O'Sullivan
Lori Smolinski

Please let me know if you are still available to be a chaperone for our trip, Wednesday October 16th - Friday October 18th.

Also, please have your child bring both forms (Enrollment and Allergy) to school by Wednesday October 2nd.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Miss Jones

Welcome and Gold Camp Announcements

Hello Parents,

Welcome to my blog! 

I will posting weekly updates here about upcoming events, announcements, material we are working on in class, and more.  I am hoping that this allows for you to hear more about what is going on the the fourth grade classroom and creates a connection between school and home for your children.

We are off to a great year and Gold Camp is quickly approaching.  I sent out an email on Wednesday with an updated list of the volunteers to chaperone for Gold Camp.  A few have responded to be moved from the "maybe" list to the  "yes" list.  If you have not done so yet, please do so by TOMORROW.  I am hoping to send an email out of who has been chosen to chaperone our trip by next Friday!

Additionally, I handed out packets for Gold Camp on Back-to-School night.  Inside were TWO forms that need to be filled out and brought into the classroom.  I need BOTH forms for each student.  I know one is an allergy form, but if your child has no allergies, it still needs to be turned in!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me at ajones@olaschoolk8.org.

Have fun at the Faire this weekend!

Miss Jones