Dear Parents,
Here’s a look at what is happening this month in our class:
Language Arts: After our class finishes the book, The Sign of the Beaver (test on Feb. 6th), students will have two weeks of “Choice Reading” during silent reading. Then the class will be split into literature groups reading various books. The test for that book will not be until March 20th; as we usually spend four weeks reading each book.
The next genre for the monthly book project is biography. Students will need to select and read a book by February 26th when we will complete the book project in class. For the biography, students should choose a person of importance who is no longer living. This person should also be someone who demonstrated at least one of the school character traits during his/her lifetime (Compassion, Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Self-Discipline).
In writing, we are continuing our Informational Writing unit (report writing). Students will be starting the note taking process for a storm report. We will be doing most of the work at school, but there may be some work assigned as homework (finishing rough drafts and final drafts). Materials for the report will be posted on Google Classroom.
Math: We are continuing to work on Module 4: Multiplication and Division of Fractions. We have worked on multiple methods to solve problems and the students are getting much better and more comfortable with designing a model to show their work. The test for the end of Module 4 will be on February 25th. This test will cover a lot of concepts, including: multiplication and division of both fractions and decimals.
Science: We have finished our unit on the hydrosphere. The next unit will be about matter. Some of the concepts will be properties of materials, physical/chemical changes and the similarities/differences among the states of matter. There will be some hands-on activities to understand these concepts, as well as learning about germs in the unit, “Infection/Detection.”
History: The students are having a lot of fun with our history simulation in which students role-played the leaders of an early American colony. In the history book we will read about the colony of Williamsburg and then the causes of the American Revolution. This will lead us up to our Walk Through American Revolution program on March 6th.
COMING SOON:
Walk Through American Revolution is a presentation where students actively participate to learn about the American Revolution. Students will either portray characters from the Revolution, or be an expert on a vocabulary term(s). All students will memorize lines and act out a battle scene with their team.
Students earn points for memorizing their lines, wearing costumes and giving a “dramatic performance” with their team in a reenactment of a battle scene.
We are lucky to have the Walk Through American Revolution program funded by the PFC this year. I will be assigning parts to the students for our Walk Through American Revolution program on February 3rd.
The date of our program is March 6th (12:15am - 2:45am), and parents are invited to watch the 2 ½ hour presentation.
You can visit https://californiaweekly.com/walk-through-american-revolution/
to learn more about this program.
After your child is assigned his/her role, please work with your child to plan how he/she can dress for the program, and how to prepare any props needed. There are costume ideas at the California Weekly website.
Political Cartoons:
I will be teaching the students about political cartoons using cartoons from the Revolutionary War and present time. As part of the current events program, students can now turn in a summary of a political cartoon instead of a news article. I will post the directions and grading rubric on Google Classroom. If your child is interested in writing about a political cartoon instead of a news article, I advise that you help look for a cartoon together. Students need to understand the news topic that the cartoon goes with, and some cartoons may not be age appropriate or just too difficult to understand.
Important Dates:
February 5th Walk Through Revolution Parts Announced
February 6th The Sign of the Beaver test
February 9th Lincoln’s Holiday: No School
February 13th Valentine’s Party (1:15 - 2:15)
February 16th President’s Day: No School
February 25th End of Module 4 math test
February 26th Biography book project
February 27th Yearbook cover contest due date (optional)
Valentine’s Party: We will have our Valentine’s party on Friday, February 13th at 1:15. Students are encouraged, but not required, to exchange valentines during the party. Please have your child sign his/her valentine, but leave each one blank or just write “To My Friend”. There are 31 total students in our class. With 30 valentines to pass out, it is easier if your child just goes by each table group and drops off each valentine. It takes too long for all the students to “hunt” for the desk of a specific student. Also, your child will need to decorate and bring in a box for the party to use as a mailbox on Friday, February 13th. The box should be able to fit on his/her desktop. There will be prizes for the best mailboxes (based on student votes).
LYDIKSEN WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION
Lydiksen is excited to begin our 13th year of collaborating with The Wheelchair Foundation. Since 2013, Lydiksen students have raised enough money to deliver 677 wheelchairs to Central and South American countries. This year we are raising money for people in need in the EL SALVADOR.
The goal for our students is to "sprinkle happiness" in our community, which will then inspire others to donate to The Wheelchair Foundation. In past years, students have sprinkled kindness in numerous ways to raise money for The Wheelchair Foundation. Some have created lemonade stands and bake sales. Others have done extra chores at home. Students have also offered to walk their neighbor’s dog, and some have even donated money from their very own piggy banks.
We are hoping that through their fundraising efforts, our Lydiksen students will learn about the gift of mobility and feel the impact they have on creating a better world… one wheelchair at a time! Donations can only be made online by clicking here or using the QR code. Our fundraiser will take place during the month of February. Please join us for a special “Dine Out Night” at Sidetrack Bar+Grill on Tuesday, February 17th to raise money for wheelchairs (all “tips” will go towards our fundraiser). Click this link to make your reservations.
Please enjoy viewing our kick-off video! If you have any questions, please contact Arlene Simpelo (asimpelo@pleasantonusd.net). THANK YOU!