Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Be safe and have joyful moments this holiday season!

Just a few friendly reminders:

• Holiday packet is separated into two sections: Math and Fun Activities. The math pages are due on Monday, January 5. The fun activity pages are not do; they're just there to help you pass the time this Holiday break.
• Cinderella (your version!) rough draft should be written this break. If you do so, you'll have more time to work on a better draft and the book itself. The completed book is due on Friday, January 30. I will provide time during the class for you to work on it.

HW - Thursday, 12/18 (in short, NO HOMEWORK)

PARENTS:

• Tomorrow is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. NOTE: I mistakenly put Thursday on the Party Sign-Up list; it is now correct.
• Friday is also MOVIE NIGHT. The LEGO Movie will be shown. Doors open at 6 p.m.!
• We started our Cinderella study last week. Next step involves studying the elements of a Cinderella story. Last step is to write their own and produce their own book. This should take until late January to complete.
• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive ENDS THIS WEEK!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive ENDS WEDNESDAY! There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn in your child's kit.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  none
4.  Wordly Wise None
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page none
- WORKBOOK pages none

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - none

8.  History - none

HW - Wednesday, 12/17

Tomorrow is...

PARENTS:

• Tomorrow is a Spirit Day: PAJAMA DAY! Dress warmly though as it will still be cool on Thursday.
• Friday is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. Sign-ups will be sent tomorrow. NOTE: I mistakenly put Thursday on the Party Sign-Up list; it is now correct.
• Friday is also MOVIE NIGHT. The LEGO Movie will be shown! Doors open at 6 p.m.!
• We started our Cinderella study last week. Next step involves studying the elements of a Cinderella story. Last step is to write their own and produce their own book. This should take until late January to complete.
• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive ENDS THIS WEEK!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive ENDS WEDNESDAY! There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn in your child's kit.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  none
4.  Wordly Wise None
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 246-249
- WORKBOOK pages 140 odds, 142 odds, 146 all

- TOPIC 9 test tomorrow

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - none

8.  History - none

HW - Tuesday, 12/16

PARENTS:

• Tonight is FAMILY NIGHT at Ruskin's Book Fair from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please come and support your school and library. Books make great presents for children! :)
• Tomorrow is our field trip to Sharks Ice in San Jose (on Alma Street). NO signed permission slip, NO go. Dress warmly, wear longer socks, bring your lunch, and bring a festive attitude! :)
• Thursday is a Spirit Day: PAJAMA DAY! Dress warmly though as it will still be cool on Thursday.
• Friday is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. Sign-ups will be sent tomorrow. NOTE: I mistakenly put Thursday on the Party Sign-Up list; it is now correct.
• Friday is also MOVIE NIGHT. The LEGO Movie will be shown! Doors open at 6 p.m.!
• We started our Cinderella study last week. Next step involves studying the elements of a Cinderella story. Last step is to write their own and produce their own book. This should take until late January to complete.
• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive ENDS THIS WEEK!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive ENDS WEDNESDAY! There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn in your child's kit.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  none
4.  Wordly Wise None
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 242-245
- WORKBOOK pages 144-145

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - none

8.  History - none

HW - Monday, 12/15

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive ENDS THIS WEEK!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive ENDS WEDNESDAY! There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• This Friday is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. Sign-ups will be sent tomorrow. NOTE: I mistakenly put Thursday on the Party Sign-Up list; it is now correct.
• We started our Cinderella study last week. Next step involves studying the elements of a Cinderella story. Last step is to write their own and produce their own book. This should take until late January to complete.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn in your child's kit.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  none
4.  Wordly Wise Lessons 9-12 Review Word Search
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 238-239, 240-241
- WORKBOOK pages 141, 143

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - none

8.  History - none

Weekend Notes, Next Week and Some Cool Links

• WEEKEND: NO homework but some work will be due on Tuesday, namely Math (Textbook 238-239; Workbook 141) and Wordly Wise 9-12 Word Puzzles (three pages).
• NEXT WEEK:
• Monday, 9 am:  Grades 3-5 Holiday Sing-Along in the Multi
• Wednesday:  FIELD TRIP to Sharks Ice (San Jose, on Alma). Notices to go out on Monday.
• Thursday (Math Olympiad only):  Contest #2
• Friday, Classroom Party. 1:00 p.m. dismissal
• ALSO, we will be wrapping up From the Mixed-Up Files; taking a Topic 9 Math Test; review the Cinderella Story guidelines; and do Christmas/Winter activities.
• COOL LINKS:
• This storm has been a pretty good one in terms of rainfall but also damage. Here is a link (from ABC 7 News) to a gallery containing some of the better pictures documenting Mother Nature's capabilities.
• For my LEGO aficionados, Brickset.com penned a blog piece about Doring Kindersley, the well-known children's book publisher better known as DK, and one of their upcoming books on "the most desirable Lego minifigures in existence."  Though the blog entry is pretty empty in terms of valuable information, this nugget caught my eye and I share it with you here: "100 Most Valuable LEGO Mini Figures."  I didn't know some of these even existed! Even though I doubt some of the values cited on the list, I hope you enjoy looking over this list.

Have a great weekend!

Pretty cool pictures from today's storm

Lake Amutan BEFORE

AFTER :(

The playground. It's deep at that end. Don't let the picture fool you.

The streams of water as it slammed into California.

Courtesy of KQED

HW - Thursday, 12/11

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is also underway. There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• Free $5 Book "coupon" for the December Scholastic Book Order is due no later than this Friday 10 AM so we can have the books arrive no later than the following Thursday. If you decide to order online after that time, your order may be delayed until we get back in January.
• Next Friday is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. Sign-ups will be sent tomorrow.
• We started our Cinderella study yesterday. Students will be reading and comparing/contrasting different types of Cinderella stories with each other. Next step, is study the elements of a Cinderella story. Last step, is write their own and produce their own book. This should take until late January to complete.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  "Gold-Mounted Guns"
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 12e
Words: 2) separate; 4) request; 5) amiable; 9) caress; 10) clutch... Now find the other three!
- Wordly Wise L12 Test on Friday
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 236-237
- WORKBOOK pages 139

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - none

8.  History - none

HW - Wednesday, 12/10

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is also underway. There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• THANK YOU to the parents who helped lead student groups:
• Anji's mom, Clarrisa's mom, Eloisa's mom, E. Conlon's dad, Han Yu's mom and Megan's dad
• HUGE THANK YOU to the parents who taught student learning centers:
• E. Conlon's mom, E. Tran's dad, Fiona's mom, Francesco's mom
• Free $5 Book "coupon" for the December Scholastic Book Order is due no later than this Thursday so we can have the books arrive no later than the following Thursday.
• Next Friday is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. Sign-ups will be sent in the Wednesday Folder.
• We started our Cinderella study yesterday. Students will be reading and comparing/contrasting different types of Cinderella stories with each other. Next step, is study the elements of a Cinderella story. Last step, is write their own and produce their own book. This should take until late January to complete.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  none
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 12e
Words: 2) separate; 4) request; 5) amiable; 9) caress; 10) clutch... Now find the other three!
- Wordly Wise L12 Test on Friday
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page none
- WORKBOOK pages none

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge packet

8.  History - none

HW - Tuesday, 12/09

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is also underway. There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• Friendly reminder: NO signed permission slip means NO GO for your child. If this occurs, your child will remain on Ruskin's campus with a teacher and will have to complete work.
• Free $5 Book "coupon" for the December Scholastic Book Order is due no later than this Thursday so we can have the books arrive no later than the following Thursday.
• Next Friday is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. Sign-ups will be sent in the Wednesday Folder.
• We started our Cinderella study today. Students will be reading and comparing/contrasting different types of Cinderella stories with each other. Next step, is study the elements of a Cinderella story. Last step, is write their own and produce their own book. This should take until late January to complete.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  none
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 12c-d
- Wordly Wise L12 Test on Friday
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 233-235
- WORKBOOK pages 137-138

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - none

8.  History - none

HW - Monday, 12/08

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is also underway. There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• This Wednesday's Field Trip permission slips when out today. Please make sure they are signed and returned ASAP.
• Free $5 Book for the December Scholastic Book Order is due no later than this Thursday so we can have the books arrive no later than the following Thursday.
• Next Friday is a minimum day (1:00 p.m. dismissal) and our class party. Sign-ups will be sent in the Wednesday Folder.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  "Setup"
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 12a-b
- Wordly Wise L12 Test on Friday
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 230-232
- WORKBOOK pages 135-136

6.  Scholastic News - none

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science - none

8.  History - none

HW - Thursday, 12/4

SORRY, THIS IS LATE!

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is also underway. There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona, our San Jose Sharks' Reading is Cool October Reader of the Month!  Turn in your November logs by this Wednesday!
• The students had an interesting time with the California Specialty Taste Test of grapes. Most of the students enjoyed the red and green seedless table grapes, but weren't fond of the grape jam and especially the Sunmaid raisins.
• We're only missing SIX Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  Another O. Henry story
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 11e
- Wordly Wise L11 Test
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 228-229 (Topic 9, Lesson 2)
- WORKBOOK pages 133-134

6.  Scholastic News - Scholastic News (Pg. 8/Sticky/Debate) due Monday

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science pgs. none

8.  History - California Studies Week 10 due TOMORROW. No need to do "Let's Write."
Week 9 and 10 "open newspaper" quizzes TOMORROW.

HW - Wednesday, 12/3

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is also underway. There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona, our San Jose Sharks' Reading is Cool October Reader of the Month!  Turn in your November logs by this Wednesday!
• We will be doing another California Harvest Taste TOMORROW with California grapes. Permission slips go home tomorrow FOR ANYONE who did NOT turn them in last time. Also, if you do not want your child to participate, please contact me IMMEDIATELY.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  "Pop's Boy"
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 11e due Friday
- Wordly Wise L11 Test on Friday
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 224-227
- WORKBOOK pages 131-132

6.  Scholastic News - Scholastic News (Pg. 8/Sticky/Debate) due Monday

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science pgs. Science Spin due TOMORROW

8.  History - California Studies Week 9 due TOMORROW. No need to do "Let's Write."

HW - Tuesday, 12/2

PARENTS:

• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is also underway. There is a bin in front of the office. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona, our San Jose Sharks' Reading is Cool October Reader of the Month!  Turn in your November logs by this Wednesday!
• We will be doing another California Harvest Taste this Thursday with California grapes. Permission slips go home tomorrow FOR ANYONE who did NOT turn them in last time. Also, if you do not want your child to participate, please contact me IMMEDIATELY.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension:  The Angel 
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 11c-d
- Wordly Wise L11 Test on Friday
5.  Math
- TEXTBOOK page 223
- WORKBOOK pages NONE
- Math Worksheet

6.  Scholastic News - none (Starting the issue tomorrow)

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science pgs. none

8.  History - California Studies Week 9 due Wednesday. No need to do "Let's Write."

HW - Monday, 12/1

PARENTS:  

• HAPPY DECEMBER!
• Ruskin Leadership's Warm Coat Drive is underway!  Please bring in any coats you would like to donate to needy families.  Ruskin will be collecting and donating them.
• Ruskin PTA's Food Drive is underway. Food items needed:
• Tuna; canned meat; meals in a can; peanut butter in plastic jars; canned vegetables (low salt); low sugar cereals; 100% fruit juices in single serving boxes; canned fruit packed in juice; frozen turkeys
• CONGRATULATIONS to Fiona, our San Jose Sharks' Reading is Cool October Reader of the Month!  Turn in your November logs by this Wednesday!
• We will be doing another California Harvest Taste this Thursday with California grapes. Permission slips go home tomorrow.
• We're only missing SEVEN Emergency Kits. Please turn your child's in ASAP.

1.  RuskinFIT (Physical Exercise) - 60 minutes
2.  Reading Is Cool - 30 minutes
Reading Goal of the Month:  Most Pages Read
Keep track of the books you read daily by writing them down on the Reading Log, get your parent or guardian to initial, total your pages read, and turn it in  January 6 ...Receive a Prize!
Remember: Read your Accelerated Reader Book (selected with your ZPD in mind) and take the Quiz in class.
3.  Reading Comprehension: none
4.  Wordly Wise Lesson 11a-b
- Wordly Wise L 11 Test on Friday

5.  Math  

- TEXTBOOK pages  190-191

- WORKBOOK pages  90, 94, 104, 106, 108, 109
- TOPIC 7 MATH TEST tomorrow

6.  Scholastic News - none  (USPS Mail arrived late)

LINK for Debate / Sticky Situation paper

7.  Science pgs. none

8.  History - California Studies Week 9 due Wednesday. No need to do "Let's Write." Week 6-8 "Open Book" Quizzes tomorrow.