Squeal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Posted by MsYork in Donation Opportunities on December 31, 2008 | No Comments

Happy New Year!!! I have got the BEST news! Are you ready for this? Are you sitting down? Our class had FIVE DonorsChoose proposals funded over Winter Break! FIVE! We’re really going to get a chance to practice our thank you letters now!!! I am in shock! Below is part of what’s heading our way!

Whoa.

Winter Break Reading!...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on December 30, 2008 | No Comments

Hi, guys! How’s your Winter Break reading coming along? I found some wonderful books at the used bookstore this week! The Secret of Saying Thanks and The Way to Start a Day are heading to our classroom! What amazing books!

I’m also writing to send out a reminder to everyone in case you have yet to start your Winter Break chapter book! You’ve got six days left! Be ready to take your quiz first thing Monday morning! Unless you’re already way past the shark, I’m talking to YOU! If you’re behind in AR points, be sure to have more than one book ready! I love to sit down and cozy up with some hot chocolate, a pillow, and a good book! In fact, I’m off to read right now!

P.S. Don’t forget to have your bookmarks filled out for a “Half-Assignment Pass” on Monday morning!

P.P.S. Make sure the book you’re reading is in your reading range. Go to AR Quiz Search and type in the title!

BCOE Anti-Tobacco Presentations...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on December 22, 2008 | No Comments

For the last four weeks, all fourth grade students were introduced (via a representative from the Butte County Office of Education) to the effects of tobacco use, ploys used by the tobacco industry, and how to say no to peer pressure. I highly suggest practicing the steps available at the “how to say no” link (the page is copyrighted and I am unable to copy the steps here).

: Healthy Lungs vs. Smoker’s Lungs

: Hairy Tongue

: Tobacco Teeth

: Joe Chemo

: Crush Proof Box — A Coffin

: I Want You to Put Out That Cigarette

The following statistics were discussed during the presentations and should be reviewed at home. They are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: (1) Cigarette smoking is responsible for about one in five U.S. deaths annually, or about 438,000 deaths per year. (2) An estimated 38,000 of these deaths are the result of secondhand smoke exposure. (3) On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. (4) Each day, about 1,300 persons younger than 18 years of age become regular smokers; that is, they begin smoking on a daily basis. (5) Among adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit completely, and more than 40% try to quit each year.

OLogy...

Posted by MsYork in Special Websites on December 21, 2008 | No Comments

The American Museum of Natural History is host to a wonderful website called OLogy! Kids, “ology” is a suffix meaning … what? … “the study of”! Remember that one. OLogy breaks down science into a number of categories, including: Archeology, Astronomy, Biodiversity, Earth, Einstein, Genetics, Marine Biology, Paleontology, and Water. Our current scientific study is that of rocks and minerals, making the “If Rocks Could Talk” interview right up our alley! Take some time over Winter Break and indulge your inner scientist!