Gold Rush Days!...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on May 27, 2011 | 1 Comment

Just a reminder that our CA Gold Rush Day will take place on Friday, June 3rd! Be sure to bring an extra set of clothes, as you will inevitably be wet after our trip to the river. This includes socks and undies! Please also remember to bring your shovels, pokes, pans, buckets, and any other items you decided upon with your group (all with your names clearly visible). The afternoon will be spent in “Wilson Gulch,” where you’ll have the opportunity to reap the rewards of your hard work!

P.S. Don’t forget that you MUST wear long pants and close-toed shoes in the morning!

Open House ’11...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on May 20, 2011 | No Comments

Open House

Mark your calendars! This year’s Open House is taking place on Wednesday, May 25th from 6:30-7:30 PM. We’ll have a jelly bean contest, photo slideshow, work on the walls, and loads of fun! See you soon!

Moving Westward: Pioneer Simulation...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on May 17, 2011 | No Comments

Oregon or bust! We’re currently in the middle of a pioneer simulation, on an imaginary wagon train heading for Oregon. Each student is his/her own wagon, complete with alternate identities, livestock, occupations, and sometime families. As part of the wagon train, students encounter “fates” (rattlesnake bites, broken legs, lack of fresh water, lost members of the train, etc.), delays, and other common hardships of frontier life. Working together though, their wagon train should make its destination! Below are some photos from last year.

By the Great Horn Spoon!...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on May 12, 2011 | No Comments

Tomorrow, we’re going to begin reading about the adventures of Praiseworthy and Master Jack in Sid Fleischman’s By the Great Horn Spoon! This novel is a perfect accompaniment to our current study of the pioneers and future study of the California Gold Rush. Some chapters will be read at home and others in class. If you’d like to explore the book in order to help your child, the following site may help keep everyone on track: By the Great Horn Spoon! A Gold Rush Adventure

STAR Testing Schedule and Practice...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on May 10, 2011 | No Comments

Hello, all! As you know, Wilson students are in the process of taking the California Department of Education’s STAR Test. In fourth grade, we’ve just finished our English-Language Arts exam. Math will begin tomorrow, end Thursday, and then we’re through! The students have done a great job so far! Wonderful note-taking! Please continue to make sure your child has plenty of rest each night and a healthy breakfast in the morning. If you’d like to sample the style of these tests (not that you haven’t seen all the prep come home already, ), feel free to visit http://www.starsamplequestions.org.

Who Was ______? (Biography Project)...

Posted by MsYork in Classroom Updates on May 1, 2011 | No Comments

Our class is about to begin a biography project! Years ago, we were fortunate enough to have a collection of the “Who Was _____?” biography series donated to our classroom via DonorsChoose. Tomorrow (5/2/11), each student will choose and begin reading a biography. Students should finish reading their books and taking their notes within the next few days. For this project, students will read their biography, take notes on the cardstock bookmarks provided (see below if you need another), write three full paragraphs, draw a portrait of their subject, and create a poster with all of the above information. These criteria are outlined in the letter below.

I will provide the necessary materials as well as some time in class to complete the project. Some reading, note taking, paragraph editing, and poster making will be done at home. Please give your child support and guidance. The due date will be May 20th. Please contact me if you have any questions. Some examples from past years can be seen here.