Have a Wonderful Break!

To those of you traveling, be safe and enjoy your destination!

To those of you "staycationing," enjoy the relaxing time off with your family!

To those of you watching the new Star Wars movie, don't email me. I mean it!

To those of you playing with your video games and watching endless videos on YouTube, take a break and read a book. Go out for a brisk walk. Enjoy being alive on this planet.

To those of you celebrating this break, may you reconnect with family and friends during festive gatherings.

To those of you wondering when the break will end and can't wait until school starts up again in January, enjoy the packet I gave you and try to make it last until January. ;)

Most of all, thank you for the support and efforts this past year. 

I know there's more work to do ahead in the coming year but with your cooperation, it will be much more manageable and we will be more successful.

I'll let Chewie have the last word:

Thursday, 12/19

Parents:

• THANK YOU to those who donated to the Holiday Food Drive. Also, THANK YOU to those who donated to the Warm Sweater / Coat Drive.
• UPDATE: Tomorrow we will watch a short film, The Gift of The Magi, based on O. Henry's short story. Fun Fact #1: The person who introduces the short? None other than John Steinbeck himself! Fun Fact #2: The actor who plays Jim is Farley Granger, who was born right here in San Jose!
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Open magazine quiz on Friday
• "Gift of the Magi" questions due tomorrow
• Wordly Wise Lesson 3 will be started when we get back in January.  We will also be going a weekly routine: Monday A-B; Tuesday C-D; Wednesday E; Test on Friday. All Wordly Wise Tests are CLOSED book. Refer to the inside of the book's cover for the online access code to practice activities. You may need to create a free account to access the rest of the online lessons (#s 2-20).
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. none
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

Wednesday, 12/18

Parents:

• Folders go home tomorrow because there are a few things that will be graded today.
• THANK YOU to those who donated to the Holiday Food Drive. Also, THANK YOU to those who donated to the Warm Sweater / Coat Drive.
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day; Holiday Sing-Along
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 3 will be started when we get back in January.  We will also be going a weekly routine: Monday A-B; Tuesday C-D; Wednesday E; Test on Friday. All Wordly Wise Tests are CLOSED book. Refer to the inside of the book's cover for the online access code to practice activities. You may need to create a free account to access the rest of the online lessons (#s 2-20).
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Open magazine quiz on Friday
• Close Reading handout due Thursday
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. none
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

Tuesday, 12/17

Parents:

• UPDATE: No more Math Olympiad meetings until January 2020.
• THANK YOU to those who donated to the Holiday Food Drive. Also, THANK YOU to those who donated to the Warm Sweater / Coat Drive.
• The Berryessa Union School District is hosting a Dual Language Vietnamese Immersion Program Information Night tonight. This will be in addition to the Mandarin and Spanish programs the district currently runs.
• When: Tuesday, December 17, 2019 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Where: 1376 Piedmont Road, San Jose, CA 95132
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day; Holiday Sing-Along
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 2 Test tomorrow. All Wordly Wise Tests are CLOSED book. Refer to the inside of the book's cover for the online access code to practice activities. You may need to create a free account to access the rest of the online lessons (#s 2-20). 
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Open magazine quiz on Friday
• Close Reading handout due Thursday
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. none
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

Monday, 12/16

Parents:

• UPDATE: No more Math Olympiad meetings until January 2020.
• THANK YOU to those who donated to the Holiday Food Drive. Also, THANK YOU to those who donated to the Warm Sweater / Coat Drive.
• Tomorrow, the Penguin Faire will be open to students who forgot to bring money to school today.
• The Berryessa Union School District is hosting a Dual Language Vietnamese Immersion Program Information Night tomorrow. This will be in addition to the Mandarin and Spanish programs the district currently runs.
• When: Tuesday, December 17, 2019 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Where: 1376 Piedmont Road, San Jose, CA 95132
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin! (Our time 10:20 a.m.); Penguin Faire
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day; Holiday Sing-Along
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 2 E. Lesson 2 Test on Wednesday. All Wordly Wise Tests are CLOSED book. Refer to the inside of the book's cover for the online access code to practice activities. You may need to create a free account to access the rest of the online lessons (#s 2-20). 
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Open magazine quiz on Friday
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. none
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

Last School Weekend in 2019

Parents:

• UPDATE: No more Math Olympiad meetings until January 2020.
• Homework:
• Wordly Wise 2E due Tuesday. Lesson 2 Test on Wednesday.
• Last Scholastic News of 2019 will be distributed on Monday. Quiz on Friday.
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 16 - Penguin Joy of Giving Faire (flyer went home today)
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin! (Our time 10:20 a.m.)
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day; Holiday Sing-Along
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

Thursday, 12/12

Parents:

• UPDATE: No more Math Olympiad meetings until January 2020.
• Wednesday Folders to go home today.
• Tomorrow is the LAST DAY of Ruskin's Holiday Food Drive. Please bring your donations to the office (bin out front) or the classroom.
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin! (Our time 10:20 a.m.)
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day; Holiday Sing-Along
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 2 C-D. Lesson 2 Test next Wednesday. All Wordly Wise Tests are CLOSED book. Refer to the inside of the book's cover for the online access code to practice activities. You may need to create a free account to access the rest of the online lessons (#s 2-20). 
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Open magazine quiz tomorrow
• Write two paragraphs identifying talking animals and/or magical creatures and write a couple of details about them, their importance in the book, include a quotation, etc. Each paragraph should be about one book OR series (read: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Geronimo Stilton). Due by Friday.
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. none
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

Wednesday, 12/11

Parents:

• UPDATE: No more Math Olympiad meetings until January 2020.
• Wednesday Folders to go home tomorrow. I am trying to finish and get some corrected work back to you.
• Ruskin's Holiday Food Drive is GOING ON NOW. Please bring your donations to the office (bin out front) or the classroom.
• If you have any extra metal hangers at home, please send them with your child tomorrow. We are in need of a couple. Thank you!
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin!
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 2 A-B. Lesson 2 Test next Wednesday. All Wordly Wise Tests are CLOSED book. Refer to the inside of the book's cover for the online access code to practice activities. You may need to create a free account to access the rest of the online lessons. 
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Close Reading handout due tomorrow
• Write two paragraphs identifying talking animals and/or magical creatures and write a couple of details about them, their importance in the book, include a quotation, etc. Each paragraph should be about one book OR series (read: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Geronimo Stilton). Due by Friday.
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. none
• Workbook pgs. 10-1 R; 10-2 P; 10-3 R; 10-4 P; 10-5 R; 10-6 P; 10-7 R
• Topic 10 Test tomorrow

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

Tuesday, 12/10

Parents:

• UPDATE: Math Olympiad will meet this Wednesday; it will also be our last meeting this month.
• Ruskin's Holiday Food Drive is GOING ON NOW. Please bring your donations to the office (bin out front) or the classroom.
• If you have any extra metal hangers at home, please send them with your child tomorrow. We are in need of a couple. Thank you!
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin!
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 1 Test tomorrow. All Wordly Wise Tests are CLOSED book. Refer to the inside of the book's cover for the online access code. You may need to create a free account to access the rest of the online lessons. 
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Close Reading handout due Thursday
• Write two paragraphs identifying talking animals and/or magical creatures and write a couple of details about them, their importance in the book, include a quotation, etc. Each paragraph should be about one book OR series (read: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Geronimo Stilton). Due by Friday.
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. 250-251
• Workbook pgs. none
• Topic 10 Test on Thursday

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

Monday, 12/9

Parents:

• UPDATE: Math Olympiad will meet this Wednesday; it will also be our last meeting this month.
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin!
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday
• Write two paragraphs identifying talking animals and/or magical creatures and write a couple of details about them, their importance in the book, include a quotation, etc. Each paragraph should be about one book OR series (read: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Geronimo Stilton). Due by Friday.
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. 246-249
• Workbook pgs. none
• Topic 10 Test on Thursday

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

• Prototype paper (observations and conclusions) due tomorrow. Protoypes can be taken home!

Weekend Notes and a Few Informational Links

• Weekend HW
• Monday: Hot Air Balloon prototype and design is due on Monday. Remember: If you are using a hot air dryer to test your prototype, make sure a parent is with you! Students have been emailed the page 3 image from their Science Spin magazine because the back page was collected.
• Tuesday: Math Topic 10, Lessons 6 and 7; Wordly Wise, 1E are all due.
• Wednesday: Wordly Wise Lesson 1 Test
• Thursday: Math Topic 10 Test
• Still collecting items for Ruskin's Food Drive. So please bring them in ASAP.
• A Few Informational Links
• In our Earth Science unit, we read about John Wesley Powell, a very interesting scientist and much more. National Geographic shared an image of the Colorado River and mentioned Mr. Powell's expedition. If you can find an old copy of Disney's Ten Who Dared - with a more "recent" copy from the mid-1980s, it is Disney's film on Powell and his expedition.
• The Central Coast town of Santa Ynez, near Santa Barbara, hosted a talk from local historians about "Karana" from The Island of the Blue Dolphins and the fate of her people. There are some things the students will remember but there's also some information they haven't learned about her and her people yet. Also, in the article is an audio clip of a song her people sang as well as links to other exhibits about her and her people.
• The island of San Nicolas where she hailed from is part of California's Channel Islands. These islands are designated a National Park and overseen by the National Park Service. Read more about the Channel Islands and check out some of the links about "Juana Maria," the lone woman of San Nicolas Island.

Thursday, 12/5

Parents:

• UPDATE: Math Olympiad will meet next Wednesday too.
• THANK YOU to those who returned Spell-A-Thon pledges. They enable the PTA to provide programming and events for Ruskin's students!
• Spell-A-Thon prizes were distributed. Golden Tickets are being saved for next Monday when they will be distributed to the students.
• From now until December 13, we are collecting items for Ruskin's Holiday Food Drive. Please consider donating any of the following to help those in need:
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.)
• Canned vegetables (low sodium/salt)
• Canned fruit (in their juice)
• Canned meals (stew, chili, soup)
• Peanut butter in plastic jars
• Cereals (low sugar)
• Fruit juice boxes (100% juice)
• Frozen turkeys (drop off @ Office)
• THANK YOU!!!
• Our Wordly Wise books have been distributed. Please look over their Wordly Wise books so you know what work they will be doing. All quizzes/tests are CLOSED book.
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin!
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 1 C and D due tomorrow; 1E is due Tuesday; Lesson 1 Quiz next Wednesday, 12/11
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday; Quiz on Friday
• Close Reading questions handout due tomorrow
• "Rabbit and Coyote" tale needs revisions
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. 240-241
• Workbook pgs. none
• Topic 10 Test on Thursday

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science

• Science Spin pg. 4 due Friday
• Hot Air Balloon prototypes and design part of the paper are due on Monday. You will finish the rest of the papers in class that day as well.

Wednesday, 12/4

Parents:

• UPDATE: Math Olympiad will meet next Wednesday too.
• THANK YOU to those who returned Spell-A-Thon pledges. They enable the PTA to provide programming and events for Ruskin's students!
• Spell-A-Thon prizes were distributed. Golden Tickets are being saved for next Monday when they will be distributed to the students.
• From now until December 13, we are collecting items for Ruskin's Holiday Food Drive. Please consider donating any of the following to help those in need:
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.)
• Canned vegetables (low sodium/salt)
• Canned fruit (in their juice)
• Canned meals (stew, chili, soup)
• Peanut butter in plastic jars
• Cereals (low sugar)
• Fruit juice boxes (100% juice)
• Frozen turkeys (drop off @ Office)
• THANK YOU!!!
• Our Wordly Wise books have been distributed. Please look over their Wordly Wise books so you know what work they will be doing. All quizzes/tests are CLOSED book.
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin!
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Wordly Wise Lesson 1 A and B due tomorrow
• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday
• "Rabbit and Coyote" tale needs revisions
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. 238-239
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

• Science Spin pg. 4 due Friday

Tuesday, 12/3

Parents:

• UPDATE: Math Olympiad will meet this Wednesday as well as next Wednesday.
• THANK YOU to those who returned Spell-A-Thon pledges. They enable the PTA to provide programming and events for Ruskin's students!
• Library is TOMORROW. Bring your library books to school.
• From now until December 13, we are collecting items for Ruskin's Holiday Food Drive. Please consider donating any of the following to help those in need:
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.)
• Canned vegetables (low sodium/salt)
• Canned fruit (in their juice)
• Canned meals (stew, chili, soup)
• Peanut butter in plastic jars
• Cereals (low sugar)
• Fruit juice boxes (100% juice)
• Frozen turkeys (drop off @ Office)
• THANK YOU!!!
• Our Wordly Wise books arrived today and have been distributed. I will be walking them through the first lesson tomorrow; they will have daily homework in the book.
• About two-thirds of the class have presented their Native Californian slideshows. We should wrap up tomorrow.
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin!
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday
• "Rabbit and Coyote" tale needs revisions
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. 234-237
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

• Science Spin pg. 4 due Friday

Monday, 12/2

Parents:

• UPDATE: Math Olympiad will meet this Wednesday as well as next Wednesday.
• THANK YOU to those who returned Spell-A-Thon pledges. They enable the PTA to provide programming and events for Ruskin's students!
• Upcoming Dates
• Dec. 3 - Make-Up/Re-Take Picture Day
• Dec. 17 - Santa visits Ruskin!
• Dec. 19 - SPIRIT DAY: Twin Day
• Dec. 20 - [Minimum Day/1:00 p.m. dismissal] Class Party
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 - WINTER BREAK (No School)

1.  Read for 30 min.

2.  Language Arts

• Scholastic News - pg. 8 due Friday
• "Rabbit and Coyote" tale needs to be typed up for tomorrow
• December Reading Logs are due Tuesday, January 7
• December Challenge = Most pages read

3.  Math

• Textbook pgs. 230-233
• Workbook pgs. none

4.  History pgs. none

5.  Science pgs. none

• Science Spin pg. 4 due Friday