Homework:

4th Grade Math Homework:  Perimeter & Area.  Students began this packet in class, and are being asked to work on two pages for homework - but not to finish the whole packet.  We will work on it in class.
5th Grade Math Homework: Math packet

Wordly Wise: Please study the words and definitions from lessons 9 and 10 for our quiz tomorrow.

Reminder:
Students should be working on their biography projects at home over the next couple of weeks. There is not any specific deadline until April 1st, when the project is due. Please check in with your student to make sure their project is moving along. 

Remember--tomorrow is Fancy Day!  Students are invited to dress up tomorrow.  It should be a lot of fun. Students should also bring a change of clothes and shoes, if necessary, to participate in PE and recess.

Class Meeting: Today we heard from different students about the two organization Strawberry Creek would like to support: Muttville and Wildcare. After listening to the research that the students found, the class voted and (with only two more votes!) we will be supporting Muttville during out Walk-a-Thon.

We dove deeper into our study of the human body today-- focusing on systems and important organs (heart, skin, lungs, esophagus and stomach, and the brain). In groups, students read about the role and function of the different organs and wrote letters to the Human Body Corporation to defend their importance as an organ. Check out the letters that were written in class-- some are pretty humorous!

Math Night Tonight 6:00-7:30

Please join us for math night tonight in Strawberry and Cerrito classrooms.

No assigned homework tonight.

Math Night for 4th graders in the Strawberry Creek classroom:  Our itinerary will include student led activities and games between 6:00 and 7:00, followed by a group activity or two starting at about 7:00 to wrap up our evening together.

Biography Home Project: Home Project planner. Students were sent home with approved plans, and may get started on their projects.  Below is a list of project ideas inked to internet sources of examples for students to get ideas:

Biography Scrapbook
Biography Bottle Dolls
Accordion Timeline
Interview Movie

Our Buddies read their recently published stories to us today.

SAGE presents to Strawberry

Homework
4th Grade Math:  Tangram puzzles.  Solve the Tangram shapes puzzles and create your own.   Link to Tangram pieces if needed.

5th Grade Math: packet

Wordly Wise:  Finish lesson 10.

Reminder:   Math Night is this Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm.

Biography Project: The biography Home Project planner was due today.
Below is a list of project ideas inked to internet sources of examples for students to get ideas:

Biography Scrapbook
Biography Bottle Dolls
Accordion Timeline
Interview Movie

Today in Strawberry:  The students are developing their thesis idea for their biographical essay.  We are calling the "thesis" the main ideas they want to tell about their person.  The goal is to include something that they have learned about the person's personality or experience that is part of why or how they found success.  An example we discussed was about George Washington Carver who is famous for his scientific inventions as well as his generosity of spirit and action.  The students have developed a thesis idea of their own, are supporting it with 4 or more pieces of evidence, and are beginning to write a paragraph about their thesis.  Some students have discovered that they need more evidence, and are looking for more information before writing.

A note about our writing process for this project:  Now that the students know their person, and have most of their research done, we are working from the main idea backwards.  This means we are leaving the introductory and concluding paragraphs for the last stage of the writing process.  At each stage of the process, after gathering evidence for the particular body paragraph we are working on, the students will write a rough draft of that particular part. 

SAGE (Students Advocacy for Global Education):  This afternoon we had a visit from two students from Acalanes High School who are members of SAGE (a student "club" at their school).  One of them also happens to be Jeff's niece.  They were on campus today to present to the Middle School as a possible service project to support for the TBS Walkathon.  For Strawberry it was a chance to hear and see first hand how students can be involved in hands-on service, fundraising and community education.  Hopefully it will inspire our class as we delve further into our service activities this Spring.

Homework:
4th Grade Math: Mirror Symmetry Worksheet
5th Grade Math: Math packet

Wordly Wise: Please finish lesson 10 OR review the words from lesson 9 and 10 to prepare for our quiz on Friday.

Biography Project: The biography Home Project planner is due tomorrow. Please make sure parents and students have had a chance to discuss the plans for this project (i.e. time management, supplies, support needed, etc) and bring in the sheet tomorrow. The goal of this project is for students to use their creativity to demonstrate what they have learned about their famous American.
Below is a list of project ideas inked to internet sources of examples for students to get ideas:

Biography Scrapbook
Biography Bottle Dolls
Accordion Timeline
Interview Movie


Reminder:   Math Night is this Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm. 

At the end of class today we introduced to the students the upcoming Puberty Education class that begins next week.  If you have any questions, please let us know.

Math:
We got colorful in math class today and worked with our pattern blocks to make symmetrical shapes. We also prepared geometrical math posters for Math Night.

We continued to work hard on our biographies, focusing on the main idea and thesis portion on our essays.

Happy Friday!

Weekend Task:
Biography Project: Students will be taking a letter home explaining the biography project that will be completed at home. The goal of this project is for students to use their creativity to demonstrate what they have learned about their famous American.
Below is a list of project ideas inked to internet sources of examples for students to get ideas.

Biography Scrapbook
Biography Bottle Dolls
Accordion Timeline
Interview Movie

There are many other ideas for students to express what they have learned-- some of which we haven't even thought of! Check with us before choosing a project that is not on the list (and there is a place to write in your idea on the sheet sent home and linked here).

This afternoon we were able to go on a gallery walk through the TBS Art Show-- boy, we have some talented artists at our school!

We finished the day with academic flex where students worked on decorating their portfolios, played games, and worked on their biographies!

Have a wonderful weekend and we will see you Monday!