This week there will be no spelling test. Your students will be memorizing a holiday poem to present on Friday, December 5^th. All students are required to memorize Snowball and may choose to memorize one or both of the other poems. We will be reciting The Turkey Shot out of the Oven at our school-wide assembly on Friday, December 5th. Although we will be practicing this one in class for the performance, students may also choose to recite it on Friday as well.

Snowball By Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snowball

As perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

And let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas

And a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away,

But first it wet the bed.

The Turkey Shot Out Of The Oven

By Jack Prelutsky

The turkey shot out of the oven

And rocketed into the air,

It knocked every plate off the table

And partly demolished a chair.

It ricocheted into a corner

and burst with a deafening boom,

then splattered all over the kitchen,

completely obscuring the room.

It stuck to the wall and the windows,

It totally coated the floor,

There was turkey attached to the ceiling

Where there’d never been turkey before.

It blanketed every appliance,

It smeared every saucer and bowl,

there wasn’t a way I could stop it,

that turkey was out of control.

I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure,

and thought with chagrin as I mopped,

that I’d never again stuff a turkey

with popcorn that hadn’t been popped.

Christmas Dog

By Shel Silverstein

Tonight’s my first night as a watchdog,

And here it is Christmas Eve.

The children are sleepin’ all cozy upstairs,

While I’m guardin’ the stockin’s and tree.

What’s that now—footsteps on the rooftop?

Could it be a cat or a mouse?

Who’s this down the chimney?

A thief with a beard—

And a big sack for robbin’ the house?

I’m barkin’ I’m growlin’ I’m bittin’ his butt.

He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.

I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.

I’ve frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again,

The stockin’s are safe as can be.

Won’t the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow

And see how I’ve guarded the tree.

Writers' Workshop

We completed our narrative- retelling the "big thing that happened." The students learned how to use strong emotions and show, not tell. I am proud of the published works. Thank you parents for your help in the editing and publishing process. 

 

Students share their writing. 

Come visit our "writing wall." 

Our next writing will be the opinion piece. We will "Change the World." 

Parent Alliance Meeting NotesTuesday, November 18, 2014

Book Fair – Happening Now! Continues through Friday.  The Parent Alliance voted last night that 100% of the proceeds from the book fair would be used for the library to purchase books. In the past, RDMPA has split the proceeds with the library.

See’s Candy - Rio Del Mar Elementary parents and students will be selling See’s Candy fundraising online. See’s calls it ‘Yum-Raising’. Due to a new government rule that PVUSD has implemented we may not sell See’s Candy on school grounds or during school hours + 30 minutes after. Selling through online link-IS NOW OPEN and closes December 2. Pick up in the MPR.   To order: http://www.yumraising.com/secure/rio_sees_winter_sales_201483/?h=Bet_Cat6826&c=gp4815     

 Report Cards – Changes will be made in honor roll/principal list awards to reflect new common core report cards.  Mrs. Dorney will be working with 5^th and 6^th grade teachers what the awards will look like.    Fourth graders will have a chance to win awards the final trimester.

Common Core Math Night – Wednesday, December 10 in Rio del Mar MPR.  Learn more about Common Core Math and how to support your child’s math instruction at home.  Suggestions for activities to do over the holiday break to maintain common core math will be offered.  A flyer came home with students, please return to give planners an idea of number of attendees.

Math Tutoring is available in the library before school from 7:30-7:52.  Mrs. Deering is providing the tutoring on a drop-in, as needed basis.  She is a certificated teacher.Cantine Wine Pub – Saturday, February 7 from 2 to 5 p.m.   25% of all sales will be donated to Rio.  Save the Date!

Save the Date for Rio’s Largest Fundraiser “All in for Rio!”– Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Seascape Golf Club.  Vegas style lounge, Poker tournament, Casino Games, Live & Silent Auction, Music & Dancing, Light Fare & Drinks.

"Blubber Glove"

Combining Math and Science with Mrs. Allen's Class

In math, students are learning to round two-digit measurements to the nearest ten on the vertical number line. In science, students are learning about animal adaptations. While measuring, recording and rounding  different water temperatures, students replicated animal blubber which is needed for animals to adapt to cold waters.  Ask your child how his or her hand felt with and without the "blubber glove."

Parent Alliance Meeting Notes - Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Drive for Schools: Friday (October 17) is the last day to buy tickets and the chance to win a car or $25,000 cash.  Tickets are in the school office.  $5/each or $25 for 6.  We hope to raise $11,000 for Rio from DFS this year.  So far, we have raised $8,000.  DFS is one of our biggest fundraisers and helps pay for language arts, math curriculum, and student enrichment programs at Rio!

21-Day Kindness Challenge: wraps up Friday, October 17 during the morning assembly.  All of the paper slips representing acts of kindness will be put together in a chain and strung across our campus.  Our kids are kind!  Thank you to Justina Bryant for creating the kindness challenge and bringing it to Rio.

Positive Discipline Series: This is a six-week series that started Thursday 10/9 and goes through 11/13.  Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the MPR.  Attend one class or attend them all!  Free.  This is a great opportunity to get some awesome parenting tips.  Topics are listed on the school website on the calendar.

Harvest Festival: The Harvest Festival is Friday, October 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. on the lower playground and field.  60 more volunteers are needed to make this event work.  To volunteer, click here: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E094CAFA62AA31-harvest/3749115<http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094CAFA62AA31-harvest/3749115>. Baked goods, especially cakes, are also needed.  Bring baked goods by 10/23 or 10/24. Tickets will be pre-sold in the park after school next week.

Halloween Parade: The Halloween parade is Friday, October 31 at 10:30 a.m. on the lower playground.  It is being held at 10:30 to accommodate the afternoon kindergarten.

Fall Book Fair: November 17-21 in the school library

Rio Auction: Save the Date! Rio’s biggest fundraising event will be March 28, 2015 from 5 to 11 p.m. at Seascape Golf Course.  “Rio Lounge” theme.  Lounge set-up, casino night with a poker tournament, gaming tables and a live auction.  This is not a sit down dinner as in the past. Small plate foods.  Tickets are $45/person.  There will be no on-line auction this year.

Lily Jacob Memorial Fund: The Parent Alliance is honored to announce the creation of the Lily Jacob Memorial Fund.  This fund is in loving memory of Lily Jacob, who passed away on July 10, 2013 at the age of 11 - right before she would have entered sixth grade.  Lily left behind her parents, Julie and Sargon and her three sisters – Summer, Ashley and Leah.  Lily loved animals, art, helping people, and making a difference in the world.  The Parent Alliance was approached by a friend who wants to start this fund in Lily’s memory.  The fund will be open to anyone who wishes to make a donation to help Rio students, and will be established in perpetuity at our school. In essence, Lily’s fund will be used as a hardship fund to support students who need a hand.  For example, the money in her fund could be used to help send a child to science camp.  Lily had been really looking forward to going to science camp.  Lily’s fund could also be used to buy art supplies for a special project and other student enrichment activities.  If you are interested in donating to Lily’s fund, please make your check payable to RDMPA and write “Lily Jacob Memorial Fund” on the memo line.  RDMPA will notify the Jacob family of all donations made to Lily’s fund.

Mathematics Module 2- As we begin Module 2, we will explore, discuss and learn about the following topics:

• Time Measurement and Problem Solving

• Measuring Weight and Liquid Volume in Metric Unit

• Rounding to the Nearest Ten and Hundred

• Two- and Three-Digit Measurement Addition Using the Standard Algorithm

• Two- and Three-Digit Measurement Subtraction Using the Standard Algorithm

   

   

   

  With the new Common Core State Standards, we will focus on how to read nonfiction text in RTI.  We'll learn about text features, subject specific vocabulary, cause and effect and how to compare and contrast information as we learn about plant and animal adaptations. Our Harcourt Science text, The Mighty Saguaro Cactus, A Real Cold Fish, Cave Dwellers, and Animals of the Tropical Rainforest will be our texts as we learn these skills. Additionally, we will learn how to cite evidence and generate questions about informational text.

 

 

The Life of an Ohlone

Upcoming Event- 
Friday, October 24th - 10:30-1:00

Field Trip Forms to go home soon.

 

Mr. Lim buys 7 plants for his garden. Each plant costs $5. The next day, he buys a rose bush that also cost $5. How much more do the plants cost than the rose bush?

Math- We will use the tape diagram to solve a two-step problem. We will have our end of the module assessment later in the week.

Accelerated Reader ~ (AR)

Each student has been assigned an "AR Goal." The goals were calculated according to each student's performance on the computerized AR star test.  The Accelerated Reader program ("AR") is a computerized program that tests reading comprehension. Students select books on their reading level, read independently, and take an independent comprehension test on a school computer. Each book is worth a certain number of points based on its length and reading level. Students get a percentage of these points based on how many of the test questions they get right. The program tracks their progress over the course of the school year. You may track your student’s progress in Home Connect. Here is a link to the Parent's Guide to AR. Accelerated Reader Hopefully, this will answer your questions.

PVUSD requires teachers set AR goals for students starting in 3rd grade.

The goal dates are as follows:

 Sept. 29 to Nov. 7 

 Nov. 11 to Dec. 19 

 Jan. 12 to Feb. 20

 Feb. 23 to April 2 

 April 13 to May 29