Week of 12/3/12-12/7/12

Here's what we have been up to this week:

Math:  We focused our attention this week on the relationship between multiplication and division.  We practiced both using shortcuts, strategies, and fact family triangles!  On Monday we get to learn a game called Baseball Multiplication!

Writing:  We are moving from writing personal narratives to personal essays.  To begin to feel comfortable with how to begin an essay, we have been reading other personal essays, deciding what the "big idea" was, and picked out the evidence from the paragraphs that supported the "big idea".  We will be doing this a lot as a class, then we will move into doing this activity independently, and finally the kids will begin writing essays on their own!

Reading:  Our narrative non-fiction unit continues with learning how to summarize by using the "Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then" approach.  It has the kids pinpointing the main character, what they wanted (a goal, an item, etc.), what gets in the way, how does the main character respond, and what happens at the end.  We have done a few of these together and the kids are getting very good at it!

Science:  Presently the kids are studying light, which includes shadows, why shadows change, prisms, refraction and reflection.  If you have any books about lights, you child can bring them in to share with the class!

Another busy weeks comes to a close!  Have a great weekend : )

December PTA News

• This Friday morning, you can donate your bottles and cans to the 5th grade camp fundraiser by leaving your bag of donations on the Royal & Morrison corner lawn.  This is only a small donation by an individual, but adds up nicely.  The 5th grade parents would greatly appreciate your help.
• We currently have 181 PTA members and are shooting for 200.  We're soooo close!  If you haven't joined, please do so ASAP.  PTA does so much for all of our students - being a part of it is something that everyone should do!
• Thank-yous go to the many, many teachers that are supporting the terracycle effort.  Your terracycle bins are coming!!!
• Food for fundraising is coming!  The week of January 21, there are a variety of opportunities to eat good food and have someone else donate to Pattengill.  On Monday, the 21st of January it will be Uncle Andy's Pizza (yummy take-out ).  Tuesday, the 22nd, will be Bagger Dave's from 5:00 until 9:00.  Wednesday, the 23rd, will be Noodles from 4:00 until 9:00.  Thursday, the 24th, plan on an Atomic Dawg night.  Friday evening, the 25th, is Movie Night at Pattengill, and pizza will be sold.  I am planning to eat out that entire week!
• This Friday (the 7th) a few people are needed to help move the Caring and Sharing donations on a trailer that has been donated for the purpose.  This will happen at 3:30 and should be very quickly done, depending on the number of volunteers.  If you can help, please show up at the Oakshire buzzer door and we will make short work of it!
• New PTA board members are needed.  Many of the posts do not require more than a few hours per week (although the amount of time may vary from one month to another).  This is a great way to support the PTA and your school.  The post of President requires 2-3 hours per week and the job includes presiding over the meetings and various other coordination and communication jobs.  The President-Elect supports the President and does various other jobs that amount to 1-2 hours per week.  The Vice President serves at the coordinator for the Hot Dog Roast and the Ice Cream Social.  Committees that run the two events report to the VP.  The Secretary takes the minutes at each meeting.  The post of Treasurer includes all PTA cash operations/reporting and banking responsibilities; this job requires 3-5 hours per week with Sept./Oct. and May/June being the most active.  Please think about taking on one of these jobs - this is a great way to network with other Pattengill parents and provide a fabulous service for our school community.