The 4th grade also celebrated Mrs. Pena with beautiful pop-up cards! If you see them today, tell them you appreciate all that they do! :)

IMPORTANT! PE this week changed to Friday. I repeat - NO PE THURSDAY - PE WILL BE FRIDAY THIS WEEK 4/29. 

Science Extra Credit Opportunity! We have been doing lots of hands-on science the past few weeks as part of our study of electricity and magnetism.  I love how the class is connecting to their learning through inquiry and asking such great questions!

As a way of continuing this inquiry based learning - I've offered the class an extra credit opportunity. The students are asked to research and build a simple generator at home.  I have many of the supplies that the students will need - but they first need to do some research and then ask me for what they need (specifically!) I've encouraged them to use words like "simple" or "for kids" when conducting their research. Youtube can be a great tool - but parents should be aware of what they're children are watching online at home.  Instructions went home today, the project is due NEXT Friday 5/6

 We will have a science test next Wednesday 5/3. Study guides went home today and are also posted on my website under "Science" in the physical science sections. There are a few fun videos included that can also be used as a study tool. 

Please be checking your child's graded work each Wednesday when it goes home and sign their folder. Also - please make checking gradelink a regular weekly habit. The last 6 weeks of school are going to fly by!! I will not be accepting ANY work that is over two weeks late. Students may not re-take any tests/quizzes from over a month ago. 

Book Clubs- are in full swing! This is a predominately in-class project, but your child may have to do some additional reading/ questions at home if they do not complete their work in class.  

Book Reports-  I went over the directions for the next book report in class. Your child should already have checked out their Newberry Award/Honor novel and be reading it every night. That is the book I should see written on the reading log each week. Please support your child is creating good reading habits! 

Dads Needed- to help with Mother's Day gifts!
Thursday 5/5 Make gifts (1:45-2:45)
Friday 5/6 Wrap gifts (10:40-11:40)

​Half Day next Friday 5/6


Sign up to do writing and math camp with Miss Williams, Mrs. T and myself! It is a fun week or games and brushing up on important skills!

Writing & Math Camp ~ June 27-30 8:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Led by Ms. Williams, Mrs. Tavassoli & Ms. Nielsen ~ Cost $225 

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Google Classroom-  in case your child is having issues with turning in assignments on Google Classroom, I've attached the steps below.  NOT TURNING IN AN ASSIGNMENT IS NOT AN OPTION. Worst case scenario, the student can screenshot their work and e-mail it to me. 

​Fit to Lead Newsletter ~ Self-Defense
Beginning in 2017, self-defense will be mandatory in Physical Education curriculum for Kindergarten through 12th grades (California Department of Education).  Last year, we began specific self-defense training in PE using the "Play It Safe" curriculum.  Students are learning the ABC's of self-defense, the 5 A's, the 3 major weapons we all possess and to go "Chihuahua Crazy!!"  Students also learned the basic ways to respond to an attacker.  The junior high students progressed to more advanced ways to respond to an attacker.


ABC's of Self-Defense ~ Awareness, Boundaries & Confidence

5 A's ~ Awareness, Avoidance, Assessment, Attitude & Action

3 Major Weapons:
Biggest Weapon = Voice
Strongest Weapon = Legs
Secret Weapon = Confidence

If you forget everything else, remember 1 thing... Go Chihuahua Crazy!!

Basic Ways to Respond to an Attacker:

• "Back off!!" 
• Windmill & run yelling
• Kick shin, windmill & run yelling
• Palm strike & run yelling
• Throat strike & run yelling
• Eye gouge & run yelling
• Go Chiwawa Crazy, quickly get up & run yelling

For more information or training go to www.PlayItSafeDefense.com

If you haven't already enjoy the Conflict Resolution video   https://stjamesphysicaleducation.shutterfly.com


Family Discussion Questions:
1.  Discuss the importance of awareness & avoidance.
2.  Discuss the importance of being confident... with your voice, body & attitude.
3.  Students teach parents the self-defense techniques... since the techniques are important for all people of all ages!

This week is earth week! On Tuesday we spent an hour with no lights or electricity to help promote awareness on the importance or saving power. Today we got to wear free dress in "earth tones" and on Friday students may bring in a hat made of all recyclable materials for a school-wide contest!
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This week we are starting one of my favorite projects of the year - Book Clubs! Reading is so much more fun when you get to chat about the novel with your friends, am I right?! For this 7 week program, students will join a group of 3-4 other classmates who are reading the same novel as them. The students will meet several times weekly to read together, discuss the text, and practice some of the critical reading skills that we've been working on all year long.

 Students have a schedule of each week's required reading which they should be checking daily and keeping up with. Each Monday the students will receive a reading packet to go with the week's required reading which will be due the following Monday. A big part of this project is learning TIME MANAGMENT. Some groups may need to do reading for hw or some may have packet pages to catch up on over the weekend. After a few weeks, the students usually get the hang of it and work together with their group to create a plan to ensure that they are all getting their work accomplished in a timely manner.  Ask your child which novel they're reading! :)

I'm happy to share that 4th grade has teamed up with 3rd grade this week to work through some hands-on, challenge science labs. We are studying electricity and magnetism this chapter, so the students are doing most of their learning through exploration. By working together,  Mrs. Niemeyer and I hope to promote team work, collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking skills. I'm proud of the 4th graders for being great leaders, role models, and friends to the 3rd grade!

I need 1-2 dads who are interested in volunteering in the classroom in May 6 from 10:45- 11:45 to help put together Mother's Day gifts. Please let me know if you are willing and available!

Rock the School is tonight! We have some great bands representing the 4th grade this year :) I've given students lots of opportunities to complete homework in class this week. If they're using their class time wisely, they should have very little HW tomorrow night.

Kindness Challenge - we will be participating in a kindness challenge this May. More information coming soon! :)

I apologize for the late newsletter this week- I wanted to get our field trip video ready to share with you before I sent it out.  I CANNOT believe we are already halfway through April. It is going to be a very busy next two months, but it will fly by. Please help your child to finish the year strong by supporting them in their school work and checking grade link and their graded work weekly.  I absolutely love  this time of year. The class has grown so much since the fall, they have all of the 4th grade routines down seamlessly, they're rocking and rolling with the iPads and they're in a really fun place in their learning. I am cherishing the short time that I have left with this class :)

The California Time Capsule overnight field trip to the Lazy W Ranch was a huge success! I imagine you had a very tired child come home to you on Wednesday! The students participated in two full days of hands on learning where they got to apply everything that we've studied in social studies this year to the activities at hand. I was very proud of the students' deep knowledge of California history and their willingness to share and participate in a positive way.

I know it is a very expensive field trip, but so worth it. I appreciate all of your support in helping your child to prepare for this educational experience. Not only did they learn lots, but they had the opportunity to further bond as a class. This is a very special group of kids! I've put together a video slideshow to share our adventure with you. (It's 15 minutes long so find a comfy seat... the audio did not work, unfortunately, so you may wanna put on pandora while you watch it :-)

A huge thank you to my parent chaperones: Michael Cornell, Peter Kuhn, Brian Donaldson, Charlie Stinchcomb, Angie Sciarrino, Lisa Ronco, Tatiana Walton & Lisa Black! We couldn't have done the trip without you!

The game board book reports turned out awesome! The students had a great time playing each other's games and learning about their mystery and fantasy novels. They are now displayed in the library for the school to view their beautiful and creative work!

Students should be checking out and starting to read their next book report book. For the last report we will be reading Newberry Award/Honor winning novels. Some of the Newberry texts are more difficult (which is why I save this for the end of the year) - if your child needs help selecting a novel please have them come see me :) I will go over the book report criteria in the next week or so- the report is due at the end of May.

The class earned their second big class party of the year this week! The class voted to watch a movie in class so they get to relax for a chunk of the day today and enjoy all of their hard work as a class.

Students need to bring in a flower (or 2) by Wednesday next week for a science experiment that we will be doing at the end of the week.  It can be store bought or picked from the garden. Bright colors are encouraged - roses (or any really big flowers) will not work. Thank you!

We have a few tests coming up next week- Chapter 9 math test on fractions is next Friday, Social Studies Chapter 5 test on the Gold Rush is next Thursday. If students want to start preparing over the weekend, the SS study guide is on my website.

I need 1-2 DADS who would like to come in Thursday and Friday May 5 & 6 for the last hour of the day to help the 4th grade put together Mothers Day gifts. Please let me know if you are interested and available!

SEVERAL STUDENTS have not been turning in their graded work folder with a parent signature. PLEASE make sure you are looking over graded work with your child every Wednesday. Thank you !

Writing & Math Camp ~ June 27-30 8:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Led by Ms. Williams, Mrs. Travassoli & Ms. Nielsen ~ Cost $225

News from Coach Bohman
Fit to Lead Newsletter ~ No Condemnation
In life, and especially when working together as a team, conflict will arise.  Conflict itself is not a bad thing.  In fact, when handled in the right way conflict can lead to growth and a stronger bond than ever.  
 
Since the new year, we have been focusing on how to both prevent and resolve conflict by having an "Unoffendable Heart" (i.e. always responding in love), choosing to "speak life" instead of hurtful words, and learning to grow not only from our own experiences but also from others', instead of repeating the same thing over and over.  
 
Our final component in conflict resolution is "no condemnation."  For our purposes, condemn means to respond negatively, hurtful or disapprove of yourself or others.  It is so easy to get frustrated at ourselves and with others.  But the Bible tells us "There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."  Romans 8:1  Therefore, through the power of Holy Spirit working within us, we are not to condemn ourselves or others in thought, word or action.  We are called to forgive, to be patient, to respond in love and kindness in all circumstances.
 
Students played Team Keep-Away & Peteca.  Peteca is a game where students are in a circle and have to hit the ball, keeping it in the air for 21 hits without letting the ball touch the ground.  Limitations are put on teams as they attempt the 21 hits in a row, such as only using 1 hand, having to clap 3x after hitting the ball, standing in place, etc.  In these two games many mistakes were made, which provided great opportunities to put into practice "no condemnation" towards themselves and one another.

Make sure to check out pictures and videos of the action on the PE website   stjamesphysicaleducation.shutterfly.com

The Teamwork video can also be found at   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNm8SnhIZQw&feature=youtu.be
 
 
Family Discussion Questions:
1.  Share a time when you condemned yourself whether in thought, word or action, and the impact that had on your ability to be successful.  (i.e. Did condemning yourself lead to being more successful or further struggle?)
 
2.  Jesus was condemned on the cross so that we could live with no condemnation.  What is one way that you can show "no condemnation" to others?
 
3.  Share a time when you witnessed someone else being condemned, and then directly afterwards you specifically were kind to and encouraged that person.  What impact did your kindness have on that person?