Hi Everyone

The count-down to the Winter Break is well and truly on… Here is a run down on what is going on in class and also some of the events for the next month are listed below for your information. Others are listed on my google calendar to your left.

Math: We have just begun working through unit 5 in math. Most students performed well during the unit 4 assessment and will be bringing their tests home tomorrow for you to look at, they will also be asked to write down their errors on the sheet attached to the test, we will go over where problems arose in class. We are focusing on reading and following instructions carefully during general math lessons and applying these skills into assessment situations. Unit 5 is focused on Fractions and Decimals. Check out the math sites on the blogroll to help your child practice. The following skills will be assessed during unit 5:

*add fractions with like denominators
*order and compare fractions
*convert between fractions and percents
*draw a circle graph for a set of data
*measure pieces of a circle graph; interpret a circle graph
*convert between fractions and mixed numbers
*find equivalent fractions

Reading: We are still working through Reader’s Workshop, focusing on sharing thoughts through responses that students write each week. Your child has a day during the week when they have their response due. Ask to see your child’s Reader’s Response notebook to see what they have been reading lately and the thinking they have been doing as they read.

Writing: We are nearing the end of our unit focused on ‘Raising the Quality of Narrative Writing’. Students are currently working on their second published personal narrative which is due on Thursday 26th of November. Students have been given the rubric and will be continuing their work on this project throughout the next couple of days.

Unit Study: Students completed their Cultural Study assignments and have them posted on a page on their individual blogs. Check out your child’s blog to see the finished product. We are currently working on a science unit focused on Health and Nutrition which is a lot of fun for all of us.

No Homework Tuesday 24 November: S.A.S. is sponsoring a charitable winter clothing drive.  In support of this effort, S.A.S. elementary school will host a NO Homework this Tuesday, Nov. 24th!  Families are encouraged to use this time to sort through clothing and make any charitable contributions to school on Wednesday.

Spirit Day Fridays: All S.A.S. students are encouraged to wear House Shirts every Friday to encourage the continued development of our S.A.S. community spirit.  Parents and students are also welcome to purchase additional S.A.S. clothing from the Logo store.

Giving Tree: Please remember the Giving Tree program the next time you are out shopping. It is a good idea to get your child on board as it is a great learning experience for all 5th grade students. Please contact me if you would like to fill a bag with approximately 150-200 rmb worth of clothing, shoes, and a book or toy.

Love of Reading Week:

Tomorrow is Hat’s off to Reading! Get your child to wear their favorite hat. Wednesday is Exercise your Reading Minds day, children are encouraged to come to school wearing workout clothes and Thursday is Cuddle Up to Reading day, children are encouraged to come to school wearing their Pajamas!

Thanksgiving Holiday: We have a short week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there is no school on Friday.

Turkey Trot Grades 3 – 8 students will be running on Monday, November 30th. The elementary run will start at 8:15am and should last between 10 – 13 minutes

Grade 5 Winter Concert: 5th grade parents are invited to attend the band and strings performance on Dec. 8th at 1:30. (Students should come to school on Tuesday dressed in their concert clothes, black on bottom, white on top.)

Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday.