HW - Thursday, 1/31

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ  >> Due this Friday
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - FOUR activities due Friday

4.  Reading Comprehension -  R/C "Three Hundred Pesos" (reading comprehension ?s only)

5.  Wordly Wise - 15e (due Friday); WW 15 Test tomorrow

6.  Language Arts 
- Workbook pgs. 277-283
- Tuck Everlasting Activities due Friday, 2/8
7.  My Math Class - Topic 13 Test sometime late next week

-- Textbook pgs. 322-323

-- Workbook pgs. 181, 183
-- Decimals Packet due Friday

8.  Science - pgs. none

9.  History -  pgs. none

NOTES:

• January Reading Logs (Most Pages Read) are due this Friday, February 1.
• T-Shirt order forms due ASAP

HW - Wednesday, 1/30

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ  >> Due this Friday
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - FOUR activities due Friday

4.  Reading Comprehension -  none

5.  Wordly Wise - 15e (due Friday)

6.  Language Arts 
- Workbook pgs. 272-275
- Tuck Everlasting Activities due Friday, 2/8
7.  My Math Class - Topic 13 Test sometime late next week

-- Textbook pgs. 320-321

-- Workbook pgs. none
-- Decimals Packet , due Friday

8.  Science - pgs. 160-165

9.  History -  pgs. none

NOTES:

• January Reading Logs (Most Pages Read) are due this Friday, February 1.
• T-Shirt order forms due ASAP

Winter Concert Tonight in the Multi

Tonight is the Winter Music Concert:

6:30 3^rd graders

7:00 4^th & 5^th graders

Have a great time!

HW - Tuesday, 1/29

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ  >> Due this Friday
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - FOUR activities due Friday

4.  Reading Comprehension -  "Strange Animals and Plants" complete all questions

5.  Wordly Wise - 15c-d

6.  Language Arts 
- Workbook pgs. 265-271
- Tuck Everlasting Activities due Friday, 2/8
7.  My Math Class - Topic 12 Test tomorrow

-- Textbook pgs. 318-319

-- Workbook pgs. none
-- Test Prep Packet (3 pages, front and back; you may skip Topic 12, Lesson 5 questions)

8.  Science - pgs. none

9.  History -  pgs. none; Review for Unit 1 Open Book Test Tomorrow

A set of review questions for the unit was provided to the students and is available on the HW blog.  Though it will not count for HW, it may be used for the Open Book Test on Wednesday.

NOTES:

• January Reading Logs (Most Pages Read) are due this Friday, February 1.
• Library is tomorrow, so bring your library books from home.

HW - Monday, 1/28

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ  >> Due this Friday
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - FOUR activities due Friday

4.  Reading Comprehension -  "Strange Animals and Plants" (reading ?s only)

5.  Wordly Wise - 15a-b 

6.  Language Arts - Workbook pgs. 263-264
7.  My Math Class - Topic 12 Test on Wednesday

-- Textbook pgs. 312-313 (Skip any Lesson 5 problems); 314-315 (Skip Set E)

-- Workbook pgs. 177-178

8.  Science - pgs. none

9.  History -  pgs. none; Review for Unit 1 Open Book Test on Wednesday

A set of review questions for the unit was provided to the students and is available on the HW blog.  Though it will not count for HW, it may be used for the Open Book Test on Wednesday.

NOTES:

• January Reading Logs (Most Pages Read) are due this Friday, February 1.

History Unit 1 Review Questions for Wednesday's Open Book Test

Here are the Review Questions for Unit 1.  
Use them to help prepare you for the Unit 1 open book test next Wednesday (moved from Tuesday).

Lesson 1

1.  Name the cardinal directions on a compass rose.

2.  How can the lines of latitude and longitude help you locate places on Earth?

3.  Define absolute location.

4.  Where is San Jose located? Use all of the following terms in a sentence or two to describe its location: absolute location, latitude, longitude.

Lesson 2

1.  Describe one way you can divide the Earth into hemispheres and name the hemispheres.

2.  What are the tropics?

3.  Compare and contrast locations of the North and South Poles.

4.  Where is California located? Use all of the following terms in a sentence or two to answer this question: Western Hemisphere, equator, north pole.

Lesson 3
1a.  What is the capital of California?
1b.  Where is it located?
2.  Name the four major regions of California:
3.  Complete the following statements:
     a. The timber industry can be found mostly in the __________ region.
     b. The fishing industry can be found mostly in the __________ region.
     c. The mining industry can be found mostly in the __________ region.
     d. The farming industry can be found mostly in the __________ region.
4.  Pick one region of California. What types of recreational opportunities (things they would do for fun) would people have there?

Lesson 4
1.  Create a list of natural resources  the Pacific Ocean provides for people who came to settle in California.
2.  How did mountain passes help settlers who were traveling to California?
3.  Because of their abundance of natural resources, what two regions did most people settle in?

Lesson 5
1.  How are urban, suburban, and rural communities alike? Different?
2.  Name one type of vegetation and animal that can be found in the following regions:
     a. Valley:
     b. Desert:
     c. Mountain:
     d. Coast:
3.  Describe the climate in the northern and southern coastal regions.
4.  Describe the architecture in Santa Barbara and explain why the buildings are this way.
5.  List at least three different forms of transportation people use in and around the city of San Francisco.

HW - Wednesday, 1/23

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - TWO activities due Friday

4.  Reading Comprehension -  "The Family"; complete everything

5.  Wordly Wise - 14a-d 

6.  Language Arts - Workbook pgs. 249, 251-258
7.  My Math Class - Topic 12 and Review Quiz this Friday

-- Textbook pgs. 298-300, 301 (only #1-13)

-- Workbook pgs. 168,170

8.  Science - pgs. 136-143, 144-145; Chapter 4 Open Book Test on Monday

9.  History -  pgs. none; Unit 1 Open Book Test on Tuesday

NOTES:

• Write a one-page essay...Win a Yonex tennis racquet!  Deadline is TOMORROW!  See here for more info: http://ruskinamutan.blogspot.com/2013/01/write-essaywin-tennis-racket.html
• This Friday is Ruskin's 2nd Spirit Day: SPORTS DAY!

Free Rice - A Vocabulary Building Quiz that Does Good

In the Helpful Links tab and in the Language Arts section, you'll find a link to FreeRice.  It aims to test and build your vocabulary and as you are doing so, they donate 10 grains of rice per correct answer.

Educational philanthropy!

Try it today and practice as often as you can: http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary

How many grains can YOU donate?

How does it work?

FreeRice has a custom database containing thousands of words at varying degrees of difficulty. There are words appropriate for people just learning English and words that will challenge the most scholarly professors. In between are thousands of words for students, business people, homemakers, doctors, truck drivers, retired people… everyone!

FreeRice automatically adjusts to your level of vocabulary. It starts by giving you words at different levels of difficulty and then, based on how you do, assigns you an approximate starting level. You then determine a more exact level for yourself as you play. When you get a word wrong, you go to an easier level. When you get three words in a row right, you go to a harder level. This one-to-three ratio is best for keeping you at the “outer fringe” of your vocabulary, where learning can take place.

There are 50 levels in all, but it is rare for people to get above level 48.

For its first seven weeks, FreeRice gave 10 grains of rice for each correct answer. On November 28, 2007, we were able to increase this to 20 grains. We hope to be able to increase this again in the future. Here is how we look at it: Your part is to play and donate the rice. Our part is to increase the amount you can donate!

The rice you donate makes a huge difference to the person who receives it. According to the United Nations, about 25,000 people die each day from hunger or hunger-related causes, most of them children. To a mother or father watching a loved child die in their arms from hunger, the rice you donate is more precious than anything in the world.

NOW, go get some FREE RICE and INCREASE your VOCABULARY at the same time!

HW - Tuesday, 1/22

As I promised the students, NO HOMEWORK tonight.  They did, however, start on the work listed below that will be due on Thursday.

However, ALL Math classes should have HW tonight.  Some students may have finished them in class.

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - TWO activities due Friday

4.  Reading Comprehension -  "The Family"; do only Reading Comprehension questions

5.  Wordly Wise - 14a-b 

6.  Language Arts - Workbook pgs. 248, 250
7.  My Math Class - Topic 12 and Review Quiz this Friday

-- Textbook pgs. 296-297

-- Workbook pgs. 167,169

8.  Science - pgs. 136-143 (started in class); Chapter 4 Open Book Test on Monday

9.  History - pgs. 1-2 (started in class); Unit 1 Open Book Test on Tuesday

NOTES:

• Write a one-page essay...Win a Yonex tennis racquet!  Deadline is in two days!  See here for more info: http://ruskinamutan.blogspot.com/2013/01/write-essaywin-tennis-racket.html

Meet 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick, the 4th grader

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick set some lofty goals for himself in the 4th grade.

Click on the picture below to read the letter he wrote to himself while in the 4th grade.

What dreams or goals do you have for yourself?

Monday is also Inauguration Day

Although President Obama has already been sworn in as the President of the United States (it was done on Sunday by noon to be in compliance with the Constitution), the public ceremony will be done on Monday.

Watch and follow along as President Obama is publicly sworn during the 57th Presidential Inauguration of the United States at the White House's official website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/inauguration-2013

Remembering Dr. King

As you observe this holiday, please visit these sites and learn more about Dr. King and the struggles with which he helped lead, organize, and champion.  

As always, please view the websites with your child and talk with him/her as you learn more about America's history.

• The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia:  The National Park Service maintains this site as well as related sites important to Dr. King.
• From the site:  "A young boy grows up in a time of segregation…A dreamer is moved by destiny into leadership of the modern civil rights movement…This was Martin Luther King, Jr.  Come hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and where he played as a child.  Walk in his footsteps, and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds.  Marvel at how he was an instrument for social change."
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Washington, D.C.:  Chinese artist Lei Yixin was commissioned to sculpt the large granite likeness of Dr. King.  The site is also maintained by the National Park Service.
• The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.: From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech.  The exact location of where he stood is forever etched into a marble landing which is documented in this pretty cool NPS panoramic shot. See if YOU can find it!  Hear an NPS Park Ranger, Gill Lyons, recount his memory of Dr. King's speech as a part of a greater narrative - military serviceman to discrimination to struggle and "redemption". (Parent advisory regarding a few words Mr. Lyons uses)
• The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee:  Housed at The Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. King's assassination, the museum aims to chronicle the key episodes of the American civil rights movement as well as its legacy.  Linked is the portal to its Kids' Page.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Washington, D.C.  In the background is the "mountain of despair" from which he emerges. (from Wikipedia)

The saying on the side of the monument which came from his famous "I have a dream" speech. (from Wikipedia)

In a few weeks, we will be reading a story titled, Happy Birthday, Dr. King, which will briefly connect a grandfather's remembrance of Dr. King's efforts to his grandson's fight with a classmate (and subsequent discipline) to sit in the back of the bus.

NEEDED: EIGHT Girls to Learn and Perform a Vietnamese Cultural Dance for Lunar New Year Celebration

Ms. Phan, Daniel's mother, has volunteered to teach a group of EIGHT girls how to perform a Vietnamese dance routine, which they will present to the Ruskin community at our forthcoming Lunar New Year celebration.  Previous dance experience preferred but not required.

If your child is interested, she needs to notify me ASAP since practices will be starting VERY soon.

Thank you!

Did you mistakenly take a classmate's violin?

Ariel is missing her violin. Someone may have mistakenly picked it up and taken it home.

If you did, please return it tomorrow.

Thank you!

FREE San Jose State Women's Basketball Tickets for Kids 12 and Under...FOR THE WHOLE SEASON!

http://www.sjsuspartans.com/quest/Questionaire.dbml?QID=170821&DB_OEM_ID=5600

Please visit the website for more information.
I would recommend these two games to watch:

• January 31 vs. Seattle University - Currently ranked first in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), though they will be a tough out for the Lady Spartans, they will be exciting to watch.

• March 2 vs. Louisiana Tech - The Lady Techsters have a storied tradition in women's college basketball and this year will be no different from the others as they compete for first place. This successful program has competed in 13 Final Fours, 23 Sweet Sixteens, and 27 NCAA tournaments. "LA Tech" is one of only two schools to have amassed 1,000 victories (Tennessee is the other).  Their head coach, Teresa Weatherspoon, is an alumnus of the university; won a National Championship as a player there; and won a Gold Medal as a member of the US Olympic Team in 1988 among other accomplishments.

HW - Thursday, 1/17

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - THREE activities due tomorrow including the mandatory story summary

4.  Reading Comprehension -  "It's Magic"; do only Reading Comprehension questions

5.  Wordly Wise - 13e; WW Lesson 13 Test tomorrow 

6.  Language Arts - Workbook pgs. 243-245, 247
7.  My Math Class

-- Textbook pgs. 291

-- Workbook pgs. none
-- Decimals Review Packet (four pages)

8.  Science - pgs. none

9.  History - pgs. 27-28 (started in class)

NOTES:

• No School on Monday, January 21. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday observed.

HW - Wednesday, 1/16

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - THREE activities due Friday including the mandatory story summary

4.  Reading Comprehension -  "Three Young Men and Death"; finish questions

5.  Wordly Wise - 12e (due Friday)

6.  Language Arts - Workbook pgs. 238-242
7.  My Math Class - Topic 11 Test tomorrow

-- Textbook pgs. 288-289

-- Workbook pgs. 166
-- Test Prep Packet (two pages)

8.  Science - pgs. 130-133 (started in class)

9.  History - pgs. 23-26 (started in class)

NOTES:

• Minimum Day tomorrow. 1:00 p.m. dismissal.
• No School on Monday, January 21. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday observed.

Write an Essay...Win a Tennis Racket!

The SAP Open Kids Day Committee along with USTA is sponsoring an essay contest.

See the guidelines below:

ESSAY CONTEST

Twelve (12) lucky students will be chosen to win a Yonex Tennis racquet and other prizes, which will be awarded during the event. These students will also be invited to arrive early and participate in tennis drills with the pros as part of the event. Essays are limited to one page and should be based on one of the topics listed below:

1. Why is living a healthy lifestyle important, and how does tennis play a role in it?

2. Why is sportsmanship important in the sport of tennis?

3. A tennis player you admire and why?

Since the deadline for all essays is Friday, January 25, 2013, I will need to read and select the two (2) best essays no later than Wednesday, January 23, 2013. They will then be mailed to the SAP Open Kids Day headquarters. If someone is chosen, they will notify me and the honoree will be celebrated during the SAP Open Kids Day event on Friday, February 15.

One student from my class won a Yonex Tennis racquet two years ago, so it is possible!

GOOD LUCK!

Saying of the Day

"Hard Work beats Talent, if Talent doesn't Work Hard."

HW - Tuesday, 1/15

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - THREE activities due Friday including the mandatory story summary

4.  Reading Comprehension -  "Three Young Men and Death"; answer the reading comprehension questions only

5.  Wordly Wise - 12a-d (due Wednesday)

6.  Language Arts - Workbook pgs. 234, 236-237
7.  My Math Class - Topic 11 Test on Thursday

-- Textbook pgs. 284-285, 286-287

-- Workbook pgs. 164-165

8.  Science - pgs. 120-125 (started in class)

9.  History - pgs. 19-22 (started in class)

NOTES:

• Please welcome, Isabella Joon Nuñez!  Principal Nuñez and her husband shared a few pictures of her with the staff today.  Both mommy and baby are doing well!  :)
• Principal Kinn said that we did an excellent job during the Code Blue drill.  Using his words, "all (doors) were locked and the school was eerily quiet."
• We have Library tomorrow, so please bring your book/s from home!

HW - Monday, 1/14

As I promised the students, NO HOMEWORK tonight.
However, ALL Math classes should have HW tonight.  Some students may have finished them in class.

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ
Remember: read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class...and ADD UP THE PAGES YOU HAVE READ!

2.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 30 minutes

3.  Spelling Activity - THREE activities due Friday including the mandatory story summary

4.  Reading Comprehension -  NONE

5.  Wordly Wise - 12a-b (due Wednesday)

6.  Language Arts - Workbook pgs. 2none
7.  My Math Class - Topic 11 Make-Up Quiz tomorrow; Topic 11 Test on Thursday

-- Textbook pgs. 282-283

-- Workbook pgs. 163

8.  Science - pgs. NONE

9.  History - pgs. NONE

NOTES:

• Code Blue Drill tomorrow.

Weekend HW, 1/11-1/13

1.  Ruskin Reads - 30 minutes 

"Reading Is Cool" Goal of the Month:  MOST PAGES READ
Remember to read your Accelerated Reader (ZPD) Book and take the Quiz in class!

7.  My Math Class  -  Topic 11 Test on Thursday, 1/17

-- Textbook pgs. 279-280

-- Workbook pgs. 161-162

NOTES:

• The Friday math quiz results were not good (average = 5.5) so I have assigned some review lessons on Tenmarks.com.  Your child received his/her log-in and password for the the website.  Please make sure that they find time to practice the lessons this weekend and through next week.  (EDIT:  I will have the students re-take the quiz this Tuesday: same problems, different numbers.  Higher grade "sticks" and the lower grade is tossed out.)
• Problems that were missed by most:
• Incorrectly identifying place values in the tenths and hundredths place
• Converting fractions into decimal equivalents (i.e., 1/2 = 0.5)
• Converting decimals into fraction equivalents, then simplifying if needed (i.e., 9.75 = 9 3/4)
• Writing fractions in simplest form