Think you can write like Rowling?

I've been dazzled by the amazing writing talents of Mountain View students for three years now...when I came upon this wonderful opportunity I instantly thought of my Wildcats.

Here is an article quoted from MTV Movie Blog, and written by Jennifer Vineyard

"Time to get out your quills — J.K. Rowling wants to see if her readers can write. The Harry Potter author is holding an essay contest for her younger fans — ages 8 through 17 — in which the winners would be invited to join her for tea.

There are five slots for American winners (and their chaperons) for the all-expense paid trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, in which the essay writers would get to attend the event at the National Library of Scotland on December 4. Rowling would read from “The Tales of Beedle the Bard,” which will be published that day and then take part in a Q&A session with her first editor, Barry Cunningham. A total of 250 children and teens would be present.

So how do you get to be one of the U.S. five? Scholastic, who is sponsoring the contest, is asking fans to write an essay of 200 words or less, describing how they have helped others — either in their schools, their communities, or around the world. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. EST on October 30.

Rowling is also celebrating the release of “Beedle the Bard” by loaning one of the seven original copies to the New York Public Libary, where it will be on display until January 4. The copy to be on display is the one she gave to her American editor, Arthur A. Levine, who was one of only six people to get an original copy created, illustrated, and hand-written by Rowling."

This Week in Core: October 20th-October 24th

Conferences
It was great to see so many of you at conferences last week! If you were unable to attend conferences and have questions or concerns regarding your progress report don't hesitate to email or call me.

Language Arts
Students are typing their Create a Country paragraphs at the beginning of the week (due on Wednesday). In addition to paragraphs, students will review homophones beginning on Tuesday with a small group project (due Wednesday). On Thursday and Friday students will apply what they have learned by completing the homophone packet (due Friday).

Social Studies
Create a Country project maps are currently being graded and reviewed, and will hopefully be returned to students by the end of the week. We turn our focus in SS away from mapping and toward population, economics and political systems. On Monday and Tuesday students will read about population and discuss why people live where they do. Wednesday and Thursday bring a brief overview of economics (which we will revisit from time to time throughout the year).

Planning Month
October is city planning month, a time when city planners are encouraged to visit schools and share with students what being a planner is all about. The Newberg city planners will be visiting our class on Friday, October 24th (PM) and Tuesday, October 28th (AM) to chat with students and to lead them in designing the perfect city!

Have a great week!

Go Beavs!

This week in Core!

October 6 - October 10th

Monday: We're sharpening our knowledge of adjectives in preparation for our first big writing assignment of the year which will be assigned on Thursday. In SS we are finishing our Create a country maps which are due on Thursday.

Tuesday: Adjectives and Create a Country

Wednesday: Reading logs are due, we'll have our weekly reading log quiz and our final work day for Create a Country

Thursday: Create a Country map is due, and the Create a Country writing assignment will be assigned.

Friday: NO SCHOOL

Saturday: GO BEAVS

Important reminder: next week there will be no school on Thursday and Friday. Parent-teacher conferences will take place Wednesday evening and Thursday from 12-8pm. Unlike elementary school, you do not need to sign up for conferences. Questions? please ask!

Book Orders

Book Orders went out last week. You can order by sending order forms and money to school, or you can order online...here's how:

1. Use the information below to access the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site.
2. Browse the titles with your child, and place your order with your credit card.
3. Your order will come to me, and your credit card payment will go directly to Scholastic's secure server. There's no need to send money to school.
4. After I submit the entire class's order to Scholastic, your order will be delivered to our classroom for your child to take home.

www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: core

Password: wildcats

Please order by October 3rd!

This week in the exciting world of Core!!

Happy Monday!

Language Arts
This week in LA, we'll be learning the art of writing the perfect haiku. Monday being the first day of Autumn, we'll brainstorm autumn words and craft 5 brilliant haikus. On Tuesday haikus will be transferred to leaves that will decorate our classroom. In addition to haikus, we will have new spelling words, and our first reading quiz (Tuesday), and we'll also be turning in our reading logs on Wednesday.

Social Studies
This week, we'll spend some time perfecting our knowledge of landforms. Our knowledge will be tested on Wednesday with the landform quiz-ito("little quiz"). We'll also be working on our map skills and gearing up for our create a contitnent assignment that begins next week.

Have a great week!

Happy Reading

and GO BEAVS!

-Miss B

Landform Websites

Wikepedia List of Landforms

Enchanted Learning Landforms Glossary

Landform Glossary

note for students: you must visit ALL three of the websites listed above, and you MAY NOT visit any other websites without teacher permission.

The Weekly Buzz...Sept 15-19

Ahoy,

This week brings spelling, landforms, Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Constitution Day (just to name a few)

...for the daily events calendar, please visit the main page...

Spelling
On Monday, students received new spelling words. Words were practiced and recorded onto a spelling practice sheet. Spelling practice sheets are due on Friday. Student and parents can visit www.spellingcity.com and then search for our class list (go to "FIND A LIST" then search by teacher name). Spelling City allows students to practice, test themselves and even play games all using our weekly spelling words.

Reading Log
Independant reading giudelines were passed out last Wednesday in class and this Wednesday our first reading log bookmark is due. Each week we will have a reading log quiz (2 questions for each student to answer about their book). Parents/guardians need to sign student reading logs each week to indicate that they have seen their child read during the week. Students are responsible for reading 150 minutes each week.

Social Studies
This week in SS we are tackling latitude and longitude, time zones and learning about the different landforms. On Wednesday all public schools in the United States are required to teach a lesson on the Constitution and we will be talking about the ammendments. Learn more about Constitution Day by clicking HERE

Have a great week! We have a special treat on Friday as it is Talk Like a Pirate Day! Sell those magazines, practice those spelling words, read, read, read and don't forget to chop the onions(longitude) and do the dance(latitude)!

GO BEAVS!

- Miss B