Ms. Convey, Rm. 17

Weekly News: February 21st

2012-02-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:
Math:
Grade 4: Multiplying and Dividing Decimals

Grade 5: Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Reading:

End if Unit 3 Wrap up

Spelling:

R-controlled vowels

Spelling Words:
commander, gentler, labor, error, soldier, vapor, shatter, peddler, pillar, scissors, professor, governor, splendor, sugar, equator, founder, crater, director, saucer, scholar

Writing:

writing a powerful conclusion; writing invitations

Homework:

To replace weekly vocabulary points, students will be assigned a spelling list at the beginning of the week. Please study the words for a Friday quiz.
Please see weekly essay note by clicking here.
These assignments will be the only Language Arts homework this week.

Upcoming Events:

02/22 - Grade 5 Inventions are due.
02/23 - Grade 4 JPL trip. Parent chaperones are Alison Singh Gee and Jackie Cahill. Please bring a snack and a sack lunch. Bus leaves at 8:30am.
2/24 - Grade 5 Invention Convention in MPR, all day. Please come and visit!

Notes and Reminders:
We will resume Monday folders on 2/27.

*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

2012-02-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:
Math:
Grade 4: Rounding, Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Grade 5: Multiplying, Decimals and Fractions
Science:
Grade 4 - Electricity

Grade 5 - Weather
Social Studies:

CA Missions

Writing:
We will begin a unit on trickster tales in preparation for student - authored tales. If your family has a favorite trickster tale, please feel free to bring it in.

DBL:

The NBS Shelter continued

Theater:

Pantomime and Improvisation

Homework:
Grade 4: Finish costumes. The parade is in the MPR at 8:30. Be prepared to say your word and define it for the audience after they've had a chance to guess.

Grade 5: Invention planning sheets due Wed. 2/15. Presentation boards will be given out on Wednesday.

Upcoming Events:
02/16 - Grade 4 JPL trip. Parent chaperones are Alison Singh Gee and Jackie Cahill*
2/17 - Grade 5 JPL trip. Parent chaperones are David Moguel and Pilar Buelna*

* You must have government ID. Please be at school at 11:45am. Remember students will not be leaving JPL until approx. 3:45 on this day. Hopefully we will be back at school by 4:15ish. Please plan accordingly.

2/17 - Book orders due.

Notes and Reminders:
We will celebrate Valentine's Day Tuesday at 1pm. (If students bring Valentines, they must bring one for every student (32). Student lists went home last week. If your child attaches a candy to his/her valentine's, that's fine, but please do not send any additional sweets on this day. Thank you for your cooperation.

*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

Weekly News: February 23rd

2012-02-06T17:39:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:

Students will be taking the quarter 2 Math and Literacy assessment this week. We will be reviewing concepts and skills in both subject areas.
Art:

Two point perspective

DBL:
Design an NBS Shelter

Homework:
Study your Greek and Latin roots. Quiz on Feb. 10th

Upcoming Events:
2/08 - Drama classes with Ms. Beret begin (wed. afternoons for whole semester)
2/10- Grade 5 Weather Assembly

2/10 - Valentine's Day Dance in the MPR 6-8pm

2/15 - Grade 5 receives presentation boards

2/15 - Grade 4 to JPL

2/17 - Grade 5 to JPL

2/17 - Grade 4 Vocabulary Root Parade - 8:30am

2/22 - Grade 5 Inventions due

2/24 - Invention Convention

*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

Weekly News: January 23rd

2012-01-23T22:34:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:
Math:
Grade 4: Fractions continued (Improper, Mixed, Comparing & Ordering) There will be a Topic 9 Fraction Quiz on Friday.

Grade 5: Fractions (Division & Equivalencies)
Reading:
Grade 4 - Ranita, The Frog Princess (reading a play, evaluating & making judgements)
Grade 5 - Tricky Tales (reading non-fiction, comparing information)
Writing:
Revision, Editing & Publishing
Art/Design:

Looking at contemporary inventions

Root Words:
ques, quer, quir, quis:

requirement, questionnaire, inquisitive, quest, request

aqua, aqui:

aqua, aquatic, aquatics, aquiculture, aqueduct

Homework:
On Friday (1/20), Grade 4 students were given brief social studies and science assignments. These are due Friday, 1/27.

Upcoming Events:
01/25 - Family Science Night, 5:30-7:30
02/03- Stargazing Night

02/07 - First Annual Root Parade - letter coming home soon.

2/16 - Grade 4 to JPL

2/17 - Grade 5 to JPL

2/24 - Invention Convention

Notes and Reminders:
Please return JPL trip slip asap!

*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

Weekly News: January 17th

2012-01-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:
Math:
Grade 4: Fractions and Division, Equivalent fractions and simplest form

Grade 5: Prime factorization and finding greatest common factor (GCF)
Reading:
Grade 4 - Dear Mrs. Larue - (fantasy); Drawing conclusions
Grade 5 - The Golden Mare - (fairy tale) Sequence
Writing:
New Year's Resolution essays continued
DBL:
Design an NBS Avatar Challenge

Grade 5 - Invention Convention lessons begin
Root Words:
micro, min:

miniature, microbe, microscope, mince, minute

labor, oper:

cooperate, operable, laboratory, labored, operator,

Homework:
On Friday (1/20), students should bring in a favorite object from home. Objects should not be expensive or easily breakable. Objects must fit inside student's backpack.

Upcoming Events:
01/20 - Book orders due (in class or online)
01/20- Grade 4 Social Studies assignment due pgs.31-35 (pg. 36 is extra credit) Students will be given time in class 1/17 to complete. Any remaining work is homework.

Notes and Reminders:
Thank you to all the parents who volunteered for last week's field trips!

*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

2012-01-09T16:53:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:
Math:
Grade 4 - Geometry: Circles, Solids, Constructing w/Nets
Grade 5- Understanding Factorization; Prime Composite
Reading:
Grade 4 - When I went to the Library (making inferences)
Grade 5 - The Catch of the Day (finding author's purpose)
Writing:
Writing Narratives, developing suspense
Social Studies:
Science rotations resume 1/13
Root Words:
root: gen
words: generation, genuine, generic, generous, generate
root: magn, magni, maxi
words: magnate, magnificent, maximum, maximize, magnification
Homework:
Root Points due 1/13
Upcoming Events:

1/9 - Field trip to MOCA

1/12 - Grade 5 Field Trip to Griffith Observatory. Parents Attending: David Moguel and Jane Syflestad

1/16 - MLK Holiday

*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

Weekly News: December 12th

2011-12-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:
Math:
Grades 4 & 5 - Geometry continued (Topic 8) Challenge: "The Snowman Problem"
Reading:
Grade 4 - Wild Horses (Summarizing)
Grade 5 - Davy Crockett (Drawing Conclusions)
Writing:
Publishing
Art:
Painting
Drama:
Literature Circle Presentations
Root Words:
* No root words this week.
Homework:
*Important* - We have a field trip to MOCA on 1/9/12 (our first day back from break). Please turn in Trip Slips and bus $ asap.
Upcoming Events:
12/14 - Holiday Program MPR 1pm
12/15- Class Holiday Luncheon. Please sign up to bring a dish by clicking here. Please label dishes & serving utensils so they may be returned to you.
12/16 - Stuffed Animal / Pajama Day, last day before Winter Break.
01/09 - School Resumes, Field Trip to MOCA
01/12 - Field Trip to Observatory. Grade 5 only.
Notes and Reminders:
Donations of Scotch tape are needed (with plastic dispenser, not refill rolls) Thank You!

*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

Weekly News: December 5th

2011-12-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grade 4 & 5 - Geometry (Points, Lines, Rays, Polygons)

Reading:

All groups will begin crafting presentations of literature circle books this week.

Grade 4 - Making a Splash - (non fiction)

Grade 5 - A Historic Journey (historical fiction)

Writing:

Fantasy Narratives

Root Words:

root: scrip, scrib

words: inscribe, inscription, prescription, transcribe, scribe

root: graph, gram

words: autograph, biography, grammar, graphic, graphite

* No Social Studies / Science rotations this week.

Homework:

Please sign your child's homework log nightly

Upcoming Events:

12/05 - Book orders due. Click here to go directly to Scholastics' sign in page.
12/05 - 12/09 - Parent Conferences
12/09 - Performance Assembly. Grades 2 & 6 are performing at 12:00pm in the MPR
12/12 - Field Trip to California Science Center (download trip slip here)
12/14 - Winter Program
12/16 - Stuffed Animal / Pajama Day, last day before Winter Break.

Notes and Reminders:
Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri are minimum days. School gets out at 12:50pm. Brunch is from 10:00 - 10:30.
Tuesday is regular schedule: 8:11-1:30
*To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

Weekly News: November 28th

2011-11-28T16:28:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 - Division continued, Prime and Composite Numbers

Grd.5 - Dividing with decimals; Geometry (measuring with angles)

Reading:

Literature Circles continued, characteristics of Tall Tales

Grade 4 - Mighty Jackie

Grade 5 - Valley of the Moon

Weekly Roots:

prefixes - un

words: unquestionable, unruly, unlimited, unrest, unrelenting

prefixes: il, ir, non

words: irregular, illogical, irreplaceable, nonconformist, nonexistent

Grammar:

usage of commas and apostrophes

Writing:

Fantasy narratives

Homework:

Please sign your child's homework nightly
Keep track of your nightly reading. You may use your literature circle reading as part of your total minutes.

Upcoming Events:

11/29 - Voices Within Culmination Concert, 9:15am MPR- Students should be at school at 8:00am in the MPR). Wear jeans and a light colored shirt. Eat a hearty breakfast and bring a nutritious snack.
12/1 - Ms. Convey will be out - Mr. Rodriguez will be teaching
12/05 - Parent Conferences begin

Notes and Reminders:
We have begun taking AR tests. Please ask your child about his or her progress and goal for the year.
To download homework, please click on the appropriate grade level under downloads and links. Find the correct month then click on the desired date.

Weekly News: November 21st

2011-11-21T23:04:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 - Long division continued

Grd.5 - Dividing decimals by decimals

Reading:

Literature Circles

Weekly Roots:

no root vocabulary this week

Writing:

Improving and publishing narratives , writing thank you letters.

Social Studies:

The first Thanksgiving - myth busters!

Homework:

No root / vocabulary points this week.
Please practice Voices Within songs over the break.
Study for Science and Social Studies quizzes on Tuesday. (Gr. 4 only)

Upcoming Events:
11/24 & 11/25 Thanksgiving Holiday :)
11/29 Voices Within Culmination Performance 9:15am in the MPR
12/1 Ms. Convey out, Mr. Rodriguez will be teaching.
12/12 Field Trip to Science Center, Grades 4.5 & 6.
12/14 Winter Program
Notes and Reminders:
Parent Conferences will be held during the week of 12/5. Please return appointment notices as soon as possible.
Thank you for all of the books donated to our class from the Book Fair !!!

Weekly News: November 14th

2011-11-14T16:14:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 - Long division

Grd.5 - Dividing with decimals

Reading:

Class Reading - Quarter 1 Literacy Assessments; Student Led Literature Circles begin

Weekly Roots:

prefixes - multi, poly

words: multipurpose, multimedia, multitude, polygon, polyhedron

prefixes: em, en, im, in

words: embellish, engulf, immigrate, influence, inhibit

Writing:

Personal Narratives continued, Revising using Show vs. Tell

Art:

California Poppies.

Voices Within:

Rehearsal for Performance

Social Studies:

Completion of Maps and Poster Project.

Homework:

Please continue to practice your "Voices" songs nightly.

Upcoming Events:

We will be visiting the Book Fair on Wednesday and Thursday. Please bring $ if you'd like to purchase books.
11/16 - Middle School Fair, 6-7pm in the MPR
11/24 - 11/25 - Thanksgiving Holiday
11/29 - Voices Within performance, 9:15am MPR
12/05 - Parent Conference Week: M, W, F early dismissal at 12:50pm. Please watch for notice coming home this week about your appointment times.

Notes and Reminders:
Hurray! We now have Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math at School. Please look for a notice coming home this week on how to support your child with AR & AM.
11/18 Friday is School Spirit Day - Theme: Funky Fashion!

Weekly News: November 7th

2011-11-07T23:06:00.000-08:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 and 5: This week we will be reviewing all topics from the beginning of the year. We will take the quarter 1 Math assessment Wed. & Thurs.

Reading:

Completing - The Bridge to Terabithia, recognizing hyperbole in tall tales.

PE:

NBS Dance #1 - due Thursday

DBL:

The NBS Monument

Homework:

Points are due on Thursday.
Please turn in PG Movie form asap. We will watch the film version of Bridge to Tarabithia on Monday 11/14.

Upcoming Events:

11/11 - School closed for Veteran's Day
11/24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday
11/29 Voices Within Performance, 9:15am MPR
12/12 - Field Trip to Science Center
12/16 - Last day of school before Winter Break

Notes and Reminders:

Social Studies: Gr.4 - California Map Project

Social Studies Gr.5 - Native American Regions Poster Project

Weekly News: October 24th

2011-10-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 - Algebra - Simplify Expressions & Multiplications by a 2 digit number

Grd.5 - Dividing by a 2 digit divisor

Reading:

Class Reading - The Bridge to Terabithia continued.

Language Arts:

Grade 4 & 5 - End of unit review and assessment

PE:

The NBS (Never Before Seen) Dance

Homework:

We are making great progress on Multiplication Madness! Please continue to spend a few minutes each night reviewing facts with your child.

Upcoming Events:

10/25 - Voices Within
10/28 - Online Book Orders Due - click on scholastics books under links
10/29 - Pumpkin Festival 1-5pm, please sign up to volunteer by clicking here
10/31 - Halloween Parade 1:30pm
11/3 - Field Trip to San Gabriel Mission & to see Charlotte's Web
11/7-11/10 Quarter 1 Math Review and Assessment
11/24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday
11/29 Voices Within Performance ! :)

Notes and Reminders:

Parent Chaperones for 11/3 Field Trip

Alex Saborio
Mrs. Carr
Jackie Cahill
Alison Singh-Gee
David Moguel

Weekly News: October 17th

2011-10-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 - Algebra - variables, expressions & equalities

Grd.5 - Long division review

Reading:

Class Reading - The Bridge to Terabithia

Grd.4 - Because of Winn Dixie - realistic fiction. Comprehension skill - sequence.

Grd.5 - Sleds on Boston Common- historical fiction. Comprehension skill - making inferences.

Weekly Roots:

prefixes - mono, bi, co

Writing:

Publishing personal narratives

Art:

Drawing animal contours & blind contour drawing.

Homework:

grade 4- Study for Social Studies quiz on Tuesday
Please continue to sign homework logs nightly. Thank you!
Please remember to record reading on monthly calendars- estimating minutes read is fine.

Upcoming Events:

10/18 - Grade 4 Social Studies Quiz
10/28 - Online Book Orders Due - click on scholastics books under links
10/29 - Pumpkin Festival
10/31 - Halloween Parade
11/3 - Field Trip to San Gabriel Mission & to see Charlotte's Web

Important save the date: Voices Within culmination performance on 11/29. Details to follow.

Weekly News: October 10th

2011-10-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 - Estimation and Multiplication of 1 digit numbers by 2 & 3 digit numbers

Grd.5 - Multiplying 2 digit numbers by 3 & 4 digit numbers, exponents

Reading:

We will begin reading Newberry Medal Winner "Bridge to Terabithia" this week. We will be learning Literature Circle roles as we read.

Grd.4 - The Astronaut and the Onion - realistic fiction. Make inferences and analyze character

Grd.5 - The Night of San Juan - realistic fiction. Analyzing character, identifying problem and solution.

Weekly Roots:

prefixes - ex, anti, contra

Writing:

Personal narratives continued and sentence combining

Art:

Using elements of shape and line to draw owls.

Homework:

Make sure you are reading at least 30 minutes each evening & marking approximately how much you've read on your reading calendar.
Weekly roots points are due each Friday

Upcoming Events:

10/11 - Voices Within
10/13 - First visit to the Library and Computer Lab this year! Yeah!
10/14 - Make up Picture Day
10/19 - Family Literacy Night, 5-7pm
10/20 - Great Shake Out
10/29 - Pumpkin Festival
10/31 - Halloween Parade

Notes and Reminders:

Thank you to Mr.Kelly who is working with our students each week on figurative language!

Thank you to Mr.Foltz who will be teaching a wonderful algebra program. Hands-on equations, to students each week.

"Friday folders" are now "Monday folders".

Weekly News: October 3rd

2011-10-03T17:54:00.000-07:00

This Week's News:

Math:

Grd.4 - Multiplication Review from grade 3

Grd.5 - Multiplication Review from grade 4

Reading:

Grd.4 - Kid Reporters at Work - Compare & Contrast; Writing Summaries

Grd.5 - Maya Lin - Main Ideas & Details; Writing Summaries

Weekly Roots:

cir, circum & re

Grammar:

Compound Sentences

DBL:

The NBS Vector continued

* Social Studies & Science rotations begin this week.

Ms. Lowery - Grade 5 Science,

Mrs. Barnes - Grade 4 Science,

Ms. Convey - Grades 4 & 5 Social Studies.

Homework:

Please remind your child to put his or her name on in class assignments and homework assignments. Papers without names and assignment titles will not be scored and student will receive a "0" in grade book.
Turn in September Reading Calendars by 10/4

Upcoming Events:

10/06 - Gene Autry Field Trip
10/07 - Book Orders Due. Visit Scholastics Books to order online. Follow the registration process by clicking the register now button. It will ask you for State, City, School, then teacher's first and last name - Safini Convey, fill in student's name and birth date and you are all set. Next time you visit just sign in, and you can start browsing and shopping immediately.
10/4, 10/11. 10/21, 10/25 - Voices Within October dates
10/07 - Picture Day. Make sure to turn in your order forms by Friday.

Notes and Reminders:

Field Trip to Autry. Bring a sack lunch.
Parents Attending:

1. Jackie Cahill

2. David Moguel

3. Pascaline Derrick

4. Estrella DeLos Santos

5. Susanne Foldes

6. Martha Lopez

* Please be on campus by 8:45 and come to Rm.17. Thank You!

Weekly News: September 26th

2011-09-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

This Week's News:

Math: Grd.4 - Subtracting #s - Review (Quiz on Tuesday), Properties of Multiplication

Grd.5 - Adding and Subtracting Decimals (Quiz on Tuesday); Elementary Products

Writing: First-person bug narratives

Syllable type: R - controlled

Root of the Week: super, sups, sur & pre

Reading: We will begin Language Arts rotations this week

Grd.4 - The Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein; Analyzing

Grd.5 - Excerpt of Shiloh; Analyzing story structure

Design Based Learning (DBL): design an NBS Vector

Homework:

Please spend 5 min. each evening reviewing multiplication facts with your child
Continue to sign your child's homework log each evening

Upcoming Events:

9/27 - Early dismissal Tuesdays begin (1:30 dismissal)
9/27 - Back to School Night 6:00-7:30pm, 6:00pm MPR, 6:30-7:30pm Classroom presentations
9/29 - Unassigned Day - No School
9/30- Voices Within
9/30- Planting in School Garden
10/06 - Gene Autry Field Trip

Notes and Reminders:

Please have your child work on "weekly roots" points during the week - points are due Friday. Quiz on Friday

Weekly News: September 19h

2011-09-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

This Week's News:

Math: Grd.4 - Rounding, Estimating, and Subt/Adding Whole Numbers

Grd.5 - Rounding, Estimating, and Subt/Adding Decimals

Writing: Letter Writing + Descriptive writing

Spelling: Open & Closed Syllables

Root of the Week: sub, word list is coming home Mon. There will be a quiz on the spelling & meanings of the words on Friday. Please keep list at home to study

Reading: We will begin Language Arts rotations this week

Grd.4 theme - Growing Up

Grd.5 theme - Taking A Stand

Homework:

Please continue to check your child's homework and sign his or her log nightly.

Upcoming Events:

9/19 - Orchestra Assembly w/ Mr.Carter, Grades 4 & 5
9/20 - Voices Within: artist-in-residency program begins
9/27 - Back to School Night 6:00-7:30pm, please plan to attend. No homework will be assigned this evening.
9/29 - Unassigned Day - No School
10/06 - Gene Autry Field Trip

Weekly News: September 12th

2011-09-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

This Week's News:
Math:  Grd.4 - Place Value (Thousands, Millions, Comparing & Ordering Numbers)
   Grd.5 - Place Value (Comparing & Ordering Numbers W/Decimals)
Writing:  Letter Writing + Descriptive writing
Spelling:  Open & Closed Syllables
Reading: Beginning of year assessments, Reviewing Depth & Complexity Icons
Art:  Summer collage project & oral presentations
Homework:

We will begin visiting the school library at the end of the month. Until then, please bring in a book from home to read during silent reading time.
Remember to have your homework log signed by an adult each evening after you've completed your homework.

Notes and Reminders:

Please make sure your child is on time each day.
Return emergency cards, trip slips for walking trips & Internet forms asap.
Book orders & suggested school supplies due 9/12.

Upcoming Events:

9/14 - Room 17 begins "Voices Within" program with Los Angeles Master Chorale. More information coming soon...
9/27 - Save the Date! Back - to - School Night, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
10/6 - Field Trip to Gene Autry Museum