Hello!
We have two and a half weeks until Christmas break and until then, our class will be very, very busy. 

This week we are taking our benchmark assessments, to show academic growth. These are excellent test practice and help me to see what areas I need to revisit. 

The Jane Goodall Institute has a program for kids, Roots and Shoots. This program teaches children to be stewards, to take care of something, anything. Our class has decided to raise money to adopt a chimpanzee. Even though most of us want the chimpanzee to visit our classroom, he/she will stay in Africa at the Jane Goodall sanctuary for orphaned and misplaced chimpanzees. We are making wreaths from used materials. They will be for sale at the Cookies With Santa event. I would appreciate it if you could look around your houses for items that we could use to create beautiful wreaths. Materials needed include:

• plastic bags
• ribbon
• bells
• yarn
• small toys (like matchbox cars or McDonald's toys)
• thread
• used, clean sheets
• buttons

Thank you in advance for your donations.

Let's talk about homework. Missing and unfinished homework is becoming problematic. Homework is practice for what we are learning in class. Homework is very important. Students rushing through homework will not get the full benefit of the practice. On the other hand, students should be working about 60 minutes each night. If your child spends hours and hours on homework, there may be a problem. I understand it is sometimes difficult to know what your child has for homework each night. Please encourage them to use their planners. I give time everyday to write down assignments. Here is a guideline about what and how much homework to look for:

• math lesson everyday except for on math test days-math tests are every 5 math lessons
• study times tables at least 15 minutes each night
• read 20-45 minutes each night
• any in-class assignments unfinished in class will need to be finished at home (writing, social studies, science)

Students coming to class without homework will earn detention. You will receive a phone call home to inform you. Please check that your contact phone numbers are current.

We have a large number of students who are still struggling with times tables. This is a skill that should have been mastered during 4th grade. Not knowing the times tables through the 12x makes higher level math skills extremely hard to teach, and frustrating for the children to learn. The easiest way to practice at home is skip counting. Please, please, please, discern if your child needs to focus on their times tables. Then practice with them, listen to them, or just give them an encouraging word to keep them on track.

Each child that reads every night will be academically ahead of those who do not read. It is that simple. This time of year, it becomes very evident who is putting in the time, and who is not. Kids need to be reading books at their comprehension level. Books that they understand will be more interesting. Ever hear, "This book is boring,"? That probably means the book is too difficult. 

60 minutes of homework a night will do the trick. Every night. Even weekends. Every night. No math homework? Awesome! Extra time to read and practice times tables. Bookman's has a super kid's section and inexpensive books. The public library has books to check out for free. Our own school library loans out books. I have books in class to check out. Think about how much time is spent in front of the TV. I personally do not want to admit the amount of time I waste watching bad TV. I would rather go to bed each night knowing I read something that took me on a magnificent journey somewhere. 

Our class will be singing, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" at the holiday program. Students need to wear red shirts, uniform pants or jeans, and winter hats and scarves. The holiday program is December 18th. Details are in the La Paloma Link, and online on our school's website. 

I will be assigning a HUGE project to be completed over the Christmas break. You're welcome. This should keep kids busy, learning, and creating while they are not in school. Look for the information this week. Kids can get a head start, looking through the packet. 

Your kid is my kid. For life. I want them to be smarter, stronger, and faster than when I first got a hold of them. I want them to realize their potential. I want them to do it. Not try to do it, actually do it. Some will have more struggles than others and in different areas. If we can work together, your child will have an easier time getting through 5th grade. I need you to have a quiet place for your child to do their homework. Also, please look over their homework to make sure it is neat and all work is shown. Ask them to see their planners. Ask them which book they are reading, and what it is about. You really do not want me coming home with your child, it would just be awkward for both of us. Consistently checking on your kid, never letting them waste time, will make it seem as if I am right there with them, nudging, nagging, prodding. Remember, I am asking for just one hour of hard work each night. 

The canned food drive is in full swing! I really want to win this one. Please raid your pantry for some cans and/boxes to donate. Everything will come to our classroom. The food will get weighed and measured later to see which class wins. It doesn't even matter what the prize is. I just want to win. Please help me, and it is for a good cause:)

It is possible that I have made (a few, tiny) mistakes in this blog. If you catch one, write it down and have your child to bring it to me. I will let them pick a treat from the prize box. I LOVE proofreaders! I will also pretend that I made the mistake on purpose.  

Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Miss Rubasch