C.L. Food Drive

    

Second Harvest Food Drive

You CAN make a difference!

Join us as we make CANtributions to support children and families in our very own community who are struggling with hunger.   We CAN help!   Each year, the Moreland community shows tremendous support for our annual Second Harvest Food Drive by contributing to the food drive to ensure our friends, families, and neighbors have enough to eat. 

The Second Harvest Food Drive begins on October 25th and ends on November 16th.  Please help:

·      Donate funds at www.donate.shfb.org  (Choose your school.)

·      Donate food in barrels located in the office or a classroom (Single Serving, No Glass)

o     Meals in a can

o     Peanut butter

o     Tuna/canned meat

o     Canned fruits/vegetables

o     100% fruit juice

o     Low sugar cereal

·      Spread the word

o     Post information about the food drive on your Facebook

o     Email your friends or family members information about donating on behalf of your school

Last year, Country Lane  collected  1,733 pounds of food.  This year, you CAN help us reach our goal to collect ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ more than 12,000 pounds by donating to our drive.

In 2011, the entire Moreland community donated more than 12,000 pounds of food.  If every Moreland student and staff member were to donate 15 cans, we could donate more than 72,000 cans to help friends in need in our community.    

Oct. Newsletter

                                                                                                   October 24, 2012

           

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

Our first trimester will end in just a couple of weeks.  Students should be close to achieving their AR goals of five books.  Continue to look in their Wednesday folders for AR quiz reports.  Here is a look at what is happening in 5^th Grade.

SCRIP Fundraising is still available through the month of October to apply toward Science Camp.

Reading Flex Groups:

Our students are currently divided into four groups based on their reading needs.  Our team spent time reviewing data from last year’s STAR results, our first ELA Benchmark assessment, AR levels, and current class performance.  Every effort is being made to differentiate the needs of all of our 5^th graders.  The reading theme this session will be “Survival”.  Various novels and activities have been selected.  Students will focus on comprehension, vocabulary, reading strategies, participate in book talks, and respond to icon structured worksheets.  The true meaning of flexing is creating flexibility for our 5^th graders.  Students will be moving to appropriate leveled groups throughout the year as class performance and Benchmark Assessments indicate their current needs.

Writing: These past weeks have included instruction to the 6 Traits of Writing.  Students have engaged in many mini lessons and have had the opportunity to write a several rough draft pieces.  The focus this month is Narrative writing.

Speech:

We will soon begin working on the District Speech contest.  The topic this year will be “Be the Change:  What I Can Do to Make a Difference.”  Brainstorming and preliminary writing lessons will begin in the classroom.  Students will also be coached in appropriate speech techniques.  Some writing and speech practice will need to be completed at home.   All students are required to participate in the preliminary activity.  Those who want to participate in the speech contest will present to their individual classrooms. Two representatives from each classroom will compete in our school tournament to be held on November 14. The District has asked us to select one boy and one girl to be the finalists who will represent Country Lane in the final speech tournament on December 6, at 7:00 p.m., at Moreland Middle School.

Math:

We are halfway through Chapter 3, where the focus is on Geometry.  Students are continuing to work on JiJi, Problems of the Week, breaking down word problems, and using a variety of strategies to find solutions. These will help them explain their processes and be ready for the MARS test in March.  Miss Enrico is always available before school, after school, recess, and lunch to go over any concepts that are confusing.  Enrichment packets are available for students to complete for more challenging problems and extra credit.

Science:

Students have completed Chapter 1 (Lessons 1, 2, and 3) The Structure of Living Things. Students were tested on this unit on October 8.  So far the students have had the opportunity to do investigations and work on note-taking strategies.  We are now into our next chapter: Plant Structures and Functions.

Social Studies:

We have completed our Native American unit.  Cooperative learning was the key as students worked in small groups to focus on one particular tribe.  They created warrior shields and presented their information to the rest of the class. This gave the rest of the class the opportunity to take notes from a presentation.  We are currently learning about U.S. Government and tying this to our Presidential Election. Classes continue to work in their interactive notebooks, learning non-fiction strategies for reading and beginning note-taking.  Notebooks will be collected at the end of each unit.

Research Report:  Our first report will be a biographical assignment on a historical explorer.  Details will be sent home with your child in a couple of week and will be posted on the blogs.  A major goal for this assignment will be to instruct students on how to plan out a long term project.

Back Packs:  Attention Parents!  We need your help in checking the contents of your child’s back pack.  Many students are carrying unnecessary items and overloading their bags.  Here is a check list of daily items needed:

-          Binder w/planner & homework folder

-          Pencil bag (not a box) –  glue stick, pencils, correcting pen, highlighter, post-its, colored pencils, …..no need for color markers

-          1 reading book

-          Math Study Links

-          Math Journal (math class only)

Students may need to take home the following for homework:

-          Science workbook or journal  (usually needed in class on Thursdays/Fridays)

-          Social Studies Interactive Notebook

-          Reading Textbook (rarely) or Flex Group reading book

Students have many gadgets and small toys that should be left at home!  Some have extra lunch boxes left from the day before. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Kim Grove                  Nicole Bustillos                       

kgrove@moreland.org     nbustillos@moreland.org              

Kelly Enrico                    Linda Levitz

kenrico@moreland.org         llevitz@moreland.org

Watch Endeavor Cruise through the streets of L.A.

http://framework.latimes.com/2012/10/15/time-lapse-video-space-shuttle-endeavours-trek-across-l-a/

Walk-a-thon NEWS

Pledges can be made "per lap", or as a "flat pledge". Remember that a parent or guardian's signature is required on the pledge sheet for each child to participate.

Incentives to walk at the walk-a-thon:
*3 Grand Prizes- an IPod Touch, a Nexus 7 Tablet, a Diamondback Viper Bike
Walkers who pre-register and return their pledge sheets to their teacher by Wed., Oct. 10 will earn a FREE ticket to enter into the Grand prize drawing....They must also walk on the day of the event or collect pledges in order to qualify.

*Golden Shoe Award- goes to the class with the HIGHEST percentage of walkers

*Principal's Challenge - if 85% of C.L. Colts participate in the WAT, Mrs.Cisler and Mrs.Conner will dye their hair in Giants and 49er colors for a day....

Walk to School Day...

Dear Room 30,

Moreland School District will be having a Walk to School Day on Wednesday October 3, 2012. Each child who walks to school will receive a certificate and sticker … Thank you for supporting this event!

Space Shuttle Endeavour Flys over C.L.

The space shuttle Endeavour began its final aerial show on Wednesday, thrilling spectators across the southern United States before completing the first stage of its transcontinental voyage in Houston.
After a two-day delay due to unfavorable weather, Endeavour began its flight from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Los Angeles, where the now-retired spacecraft will be displayed.
Endeavour, along with Discovery, Enterprise and Atlantis, became a museum piece after NASA ended its 30-year shuttle program in July 2011.

SEPT. Newsletter

                                                                                                  September 12, 2012

Dear 5^th Grade Families,

Our school year is off to a fast and furious start.  Back to School Night was a great success, and we were excited to meet so many of our families.  Students are settling into their busy routines and are already stepping up to their new responsibilities and expectations.  Organization has been a huge focus as we start the year.  Here is a look at what is happening in 5^th grade.

Science Camp:  Thank you to the many parents who have already volunteered for Science Camp.  A lottery will be held in early October to select two moms & two dads from each of our classrooms.  If you are not selected, please note that we will put your name on the alternate list.  Many times we have needed to go to that list as a back up plan.  As a reminder, the Marin Headlands Institute stipulates that parent chaperones are not to be placed with their child’s hiking group during the week.  Chaperones will be required to provide TB testing results, fingerprinting, and a $160 fee. Please contact us if you are interested.

Because of safety precautions, parents are asked not to make visitations to the camp.  As a means of communication, we update our blog daily with photos and details of the day’s events.  Of course, should there be an emergency, parents would be contacted immediately.

 

Reading/Language Arts: 

Students are reading a variety of non-fiction short stories in our anthology.  Our focus has been reading strategies and comprehension of this genre.  Using data from our ELA Benchmarks and reading assessments, we are organizing flex groups for reading which will begin shortly.  Students are also reading approximately 15 minutes each day in class.  We encourage all students to read at home as well.  In language arts, we are focusing on prepositions and prepositional phrases.  The District Writing Pre-Assessment was given earlier this month and will help guide our instruction for writing.  Students will be strengthening their narrative writing skills utilizing the six traits of writing.  Each week a picture book will be used to demonstrate a new skill that is incorporated into their writing assignments.

Math:

We have just completed our unit on Number Theory and have begun Estimation and Calculation. Continue to encourage and assist your students in memorizing their multiplication facts! The Problem of the Week, assigned Mondays and due Fridays, has begun! This is a multi-step problem that gives students opportunities to solve problems and explain their process in solving the question.  It should be worked on for about ten minutes each night, not solved all in one sitting. If your student gets frustrated, they know they can ask Miss Enrico for guidance.  A benchmark assessment for math was given on August 28-30.  This will help guide our instruction to the areas that students need most.  JiJi has started in the computer lab!  Every effort will be made to give students two opportunities during the week to work on JiJi.  The good news is that JiJi is also availaabable at home via the Internet.  Miss Enrico will be assigning various levels/tasks for homework. More information will be coming home soon.

Science:

There are three themes to be covered in science this year: Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Miss Bustillos is currently teaching Life Science with an emphasis on cells, the human body system, and plant systems.  Reading, note-taking skills, and experiments/projects will be taking place in her classroom.  Workbooks are to be completed chapter by chapter.  Students will be taking periodic quizzes and tests.

Computer Lab:

Our lab is now set up to support over 30 students.  This gives us a great opportunity to work on typing skills, programs, JiJi, and projects as a whole class.  Computer lab is attended weekly with extra time allotted for our Wednesday flexing groups.

Instrument Lessons:

Many of our 5^th graders are involved in the music program.  Lessons will be taking place during the school day.  Students have been reminded that they are responsible for making up any missed work and taking the initiative to ask for missed assignments.  They also must keep their grades up in order to continue in band or orchestra.  Remembering to bring their instruments can always be a challenge.  We have asked students to write notes in their planners or put notes on their bedroom/front doors.  In order to prepare for middle school, students will not be allowed to call home from school.

Backpacks:

As students are rotating from class to class, it is important that they carry the necessary supplies and their binder.  We are concerned however, that many students have over-packed their backpacks.  Here is a quick summary of what should be at home, in their backpacks, and what stays in their desks.  Checking your child’s backpack periodically would be helpful.

• Lunches should be placed in the lunch bins first thing in the morning.
• Binder: should have only a small stack of binder paper behind each tab – not an entire package of paper.
• Pencil bag:  should have 4-5 pencils, 1 highlighter, 1 post-it pkt., glue stick, and a small pkg. of colored pencils. (Scissors are available in each classroom)
• Backpack should also have their Math Study Links workbook
• Desk should have Reading Textbook, Soc. Stud. Interactive Notebook, Science Journal, and Math Journal 1
• Stays at Home: 3 textbooks Social Studies, Math and Science

Thank you to the many families who have donated items to our classrooms.  The extra paper, tissues, paper towels and Clorox wipes will come in handy this year.

       

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us or email.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Grove                        Miss Enrico                      
874-3438                         874-3440 
kgrove@moreland.org        kenrico@moreland.org 
       
Miss Bustillos                    Mrs.Levitz

874-3433                          874-3441
nbustillos@moreland.org     llevitz@moreland.org

MythBusters Exhibit at the Tech Museum

First and Only Bay Area Appearance!

Tickets on sale now!

MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition

October 13-January 6

Discovery Channel's Emmy®-nominated series, MythBusters, comes to life to uncover truths behind popular myths by mixing scientific method with gleeful curiosity and old fashioned ingenuity. MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition creates hands-on, interactive experience for guests of all ages by combining popular scientific facts with innovative, family-friendly displays.

Now Showing at The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater

To The Arctic
Venture across floating ice with a mother polar bear and her two cubs as they struggle to survive. Discover the extraordinary underwater world of the Arctic sea with beluga whales, Greenland sharks and walruses. Fly above a thundering herd of caribou making their way to their calving ground. A visually breathtaking story of life in the Arctic and the rapid changes occurring there.

Gift Wrap Fundraiser

Innisbrook Gift Wrap Fundraiser is in the house and is set to begin Wed., August 29. Packets will come home on Wed. with all necessary materials inside. Beginning the week of Sept.3rd, students can collect their INSTANT prizes from the classroom. September 17th is the deadline and the day  FINAL orders are due. Orders can either be done on EZ order or turned in to their classroom teacher which is me. ;)

If you have further questions about this sale please contact:
Natasha Voskoboynik
Natashavk@yahoo.com or call 408-499-1073

Welcome

Welcome to the 2012-13 school year! I'm glad you've found our class bolg. :} Please bookmark this site on your computer because it will be full of important upcoming events during the school year, homework assignements, and possibly pictures of you! 5th Grade is a fun place to be, with lots of new skills to learn, new friends to meet, and exciting adventures to experience. Our year will start off by getting ORGANIZED, setting up our binders, and establishing our classroom rules and expectations.
You will be excited to hear that 5th graders rotate to different teachers for Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. This will begin on Monday, August 27. You will stay with me for Science and then rotate subjects: Mrs.Levitz for Social Studies, Miss Enrico for Math, and Mrs. Grove for Language Arts/Writing. I can't wait to meet everyone..We <3 5th grade!!


 

Fifth Grade Supply List

Fifth Grade

Backpack “WITHOUT” wheels

1 3 ring binder (2 inch rings, sturdy)

1 set Avery (#11906) 5-tab double pocket plastic insertable dividers (THIS SPECIFIC ITEM NUMBER ONLY, PLEASE)

1 large zippered pencil pouch for the inside of binder

1 pkg. wide-ruled binder paper

1 (3 x 3) pad of regular yellow sticky notes (Post-it or similar)

1 bottle of hand sanitizer

1 full size box of Kleenex

1 roll of paper towels

1 ream 8 ½ x 11 white copy paper – Please turn in to school office

1 college ruled, 70 page spiral notebook (green)

1 college ruled, 70 page spiral notebook (any color)

Make UR Back 2 School Shopping Count!

Make Your Back to School Shopping Count!

**Remember to register/renew your participation in eScrip (merchant contribution program), Safeway, Lucky, Nob Hill, and Target!  Help our school!  Country Lane Home & School Club will receive 1% to 4% on your back to school purchases and purchases all year long.  But you need to register/renew your participation so we can benefit from your shopping dollars.  Also consider purchasing scrip (gift certificates) that help the school and earn money toward your child’s individual 5^th Grade Science Camp account!