PC Pierce

Dear Parents,

Thank you for providing the candy for our Trunk or Treat car at Friday night’s Homecoming. A special thank you to Mrs.Williams for making a one-of-a-kind Wreck-It-Ralph candy dispenser for the trunk and to Mrs. Sue for providing the balloons.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD:

This is the 11th year that Fresno Christian has been involved with OCC. There are many programs that collect toys for children in need but OCC also connects these gifts with the gospel. These gift-filled shoeboxes are a powerful way to introduce children to God’s greatest gift, salvation through Jesus Christ. Each box that goes out helps connect local pastors and ministries with young people. For more information about OCC and how to pack boxes (and to see a great video with Si from Duck Dynasty) check out their link http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/. Shoeboxes will be collected at Fresno Christian until the end of this week. We want to reach our goal of 300 boxes. If everyone brings at least one box we can collect more than that!

VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP:

Today, November 3, both 5th grade classes will set sail aboard the Hawaiian Chieftain out of Sacramento. Mrs. Garrett and Mrs. McCann were chosen by lottery to be the parent chaperones to board the ship with the students. Since several students in Mrs. Vander Kooi’s class will be absent, we have room for a few more chaperones on board. Mrs. Smoljan and Mrs. Hinton will also be boarding the ship.

Departure from Fresno

Students will report directly to the classroom as usual at 8:00 A.M. We will board the charter bus at 8:15 A.M.

Arrival in Sacramento

We will eat lunch upon arrival at the dock. We will be on board the ship from 12:30-3:30 P.M.

Return to Fresno

We will board the bus immediately after debarking the ship. We should arrive back in Fresno between 6:30 and 7:00 P.M.

What to Bring

We will be sailing for three hours, so students need to be protected from the weather (sun or rain, heat or cold). Students should bring:

• Layered clothing
• Raingear (depending on the forecast)
• Sunscreen
• Hat (well fitting)
• Sneakers/rubber-soled shoes
• Brown bag lunch and drink
• Morning and late afternoon snacks
• Water bottles

What Not to Bring:

• any electronic devices including iPods, MP3 players, cell phones, or electronic games
• Chewing gum
• High-heeled or slip-on shoes
• Umbrellas
• Scarves or loose clothing

Seasickness

According to the Voyage of Discovery organizers, seasickness isn’t usually a problem. They want the children to be alert and able to participate in the program. Anti-seasickness medication can cause drowsiness, making it hard for the students to concentrate and participate in the program. For concerned families, they recommend checking with their doctor or a pharmacist for the best options. There are seasickness prevention alternatives available that may not cause the drowsiness that the standard remedies have been known to cause. Also, they recommend eating healthy, non-greasy foods moderately prior to the field trip.

Location of Dock

Old Sacramento

L St. and Front St.

Lower Dock – North of the Tower Bridge

Near Joe’s Crab Shack

http://L St & Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814

https://plus.google.com/Old Sacramento Parking L

NOVEMBER READING:

Students will independently read a book from a different genre each month. Class time will be given every day for silent reading and students are expected to read a minimum  of 10 pages a day. If they are unable to complete this in class, then reading becomes homework.

The genre for the month of November is historical fiction. Students should show their selected historical fiction book to me for approval. As a response to this literature, students will make a book cube. The book cube will have six sides.Students will independently read a book from a different genre each month. Class time will be given every day for silent reading and students are expected to read a minimum  of 10 pages a day. If they are unable to complete this in class, then reading becomes homework.

Side 1: The title, the author, and the student’s name neatly labeled.

Side 2: The setting illustrated and a written one-sentence description.

Side 3: The protagonist illustrated and a written one-sentence description, including the name of the character.

Side 4: The antagonist illustrated and a written one-sentence description, including the name of the character.

Side 5: The conflict described in detail.

Side 6: A summary which includes what happens at the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

WRITING:

This week students will continue persuasive writing.

LITERATURE:

We are reading the book, “Sign of the Beaver,” by Elizabeth George Speare. This is a Newbery Honor Book which tells the story of 12 year old Matt as he faces challenges and dangers alone in the Maine wilderness of 1763. This literature study enhances our research of the North American Natives.

MATH:

This week we continue our study of Chapter 4: Division.

SCIENCE: 

This week we begin our study of plants, including photosynthesis and respiration.

BIBLE:

This week we finish Unit 3: The Prophetic Writings.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE:

Students will memorize scripture weekly and take a written test each Friday. The memory verse for this week John 15:4-5 and the test will be this Friday, November 7. Students will be graded on writing the verse accurately, including correct wording, spelling, punctuation, grammar and scripture reference.

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

John 15:4-5

SPELLING: 

Lesson 13 words will be tested this Friday, November 7.

Lesson 13

1. actual
2. beckon
3. burden
4. captain
5. comparison
6. example
7. foreign
8. people
9. informal
10. label
11. medal
12. peddle
13. personal
14. several
15. special

Challenge Words

1. reunion
2. practical
3. neutral
4. physician
5. typical

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Voyage of Discovery Field Trip: November 3
• NO SCHOOL Veterans’s Day: November 11
• Happy Birthday to Owen McCann: November 25
• NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break: November 26-28
• End of First Semester: December 5
• Elementary Drama “A Bag Full of Fables”: December 5
• K-6 Christmas Program: December 12
• NO SCHOOL Christmas Break: December 15-January 2
• School Resumes: January 5

HOMECOMING TRUNK OR TREAT:

This year’s homecoming theme is “Walking Down Hollywood Blvd: A Hollywood Homecoming.” Mr. Brown has invited our K-6 classes to host a “trunk or treat!” Our class theme is ‘Wreck It Ralph.’ This is a great opportunity for K-6 to show school spirit and support FCS Homecoming. If you are interested in providing a car or helping us decorate, please let our co-room mom, Ruth Williams, know (call/text 470-8425). We are also asking each student to bring a bag or two of candy to class. This Hallowe’en alternative event promises to be great fun and costumes are welcome (no scary ones, please.)

HOMECOMING WEEK DRESS-UP DAYS:

All students are invited to participate in the following dress-up days:

Monday: America Day, red-white-blue or cowboy clothes.

Tuesday: Tacky Tourist, wear any travel related clothing.

Wednesday: Pajama Day, wear your comfortable PJs.

Thursday: Twin Day, grab a friend and dress alike.

Friday: Spirit Day, show your school spirit and go all out!

VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP:

Next Monday, November 3, both 5th grade classes will set sail aboard the Hawaiian Chieftain out of Sacramento. An information packet will be sent home today. U.S. Coast Guard regulations limit the Hawaiian Chieftain to 39 passengers. Individuals in excess of these numbers will not be allowed on board. Since we have 35 students and 2 teachers participating, only 2 parent chaperones (one from each class) may board the ship. Please let me know if you are interested in being the chaperone for our class by this Wednesday, October 29. We will select the chaperones by lottery on Wednesday.

OCTOBER READING:

Students will independently read a book from a different genre each month. Class time will be given every day for silent reading and students are expected to read a minimum  of 10 pages a day. If they are unable to complete this in class, then reading becomes homework.

The genre for the month of October is science fiction. Students should show their selected science fiction book to me for approval. As a response to this literature, students will make a shoebox diorama, with a description of the scene and the page number from the book glued or taped on one side of the box, and the title, author and summary of the book glued or taped on the other side of the box. The students have been given the grading rubric. The shoebox diorama is due this Friday, October 31. Check out the following websites for ideas on making a shoebox diorama.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Diorama

http://www.abcteach.com/babysit/projects/dioramas.htm

http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/book_reports/m-diorama.htm

WRITING:

This week students will continue persuasive writing.

LITERATURE:

We are currently reading the book, “Sign of the Beaver,” by Elizabeth George Speare. This is a Newbery Honor Book which tells the story of 12 year old Matt as he faces challenges and dangers alone in the Maine wilderness of 1763. This literature study enhances our research of the North American Natives.

MATH:

This week we continue our study of Chapter 4: Division.

SOCIAL STUDIES: 

This week we conclude our study of the Native Americans and prepare for our field trip.

BIBLE:

This week we continue Unit 3: The Prophetic Writings.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE:

Students will memorize scripture weekly and take a written test each Friday. The memory verse for this week John 14:21 and the test will be this Friday, October 31. Students will be graded on writing the verse accurately, including correct wording, spelling, punctuation, grammar and scripture reference.

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. 

John 14:21

SPELLING: 

Lesson 12 words will be tested this Friday, October 31.

Lesson 12: Suffixes –ous, -ious, -eous

1. poisonous
2. glamorous
3. joyous
4. adventurous
5. disastrous
6. miraculous
7. prosperous
8. courageous
9. nauseous
10. luxurious
11. studious
12. envious
13. industrious
14. infectious
15. mysterious

 Challenge Words

1. suspicious
2. advantageous
3. spacious
4. nutritious
5. outrageous

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Homecoming: October 31
• Voyage of Discovery Field Trip: November 3
• NO SCHOOL Veterans’s Day: November 11
• Happy Birthday to Owen McCann: November 25
• NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break: November 26-28
• End of First Semester: December 5
• Elementary Drama “A Bag Full of Fables”: December 5
• K-6 Christmas Program: December 12
• NO SCHOOL Christmas Break: December 15-January 2
• School Resumes: January 5