The Gemini Blue Bulletin

"A Weekly Communication from Teachers to Families for School Success"

November 29, 2011

Math – Ms. Burgess: The Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue classes are working on Probability and Least Common Multiple this week. The Orange class is focusing on Monomials and Negative Exponents. The next Math Learning Log is due next Wednesday, 12/7. Have a wonderful week! :)

Reading – Mrs. Jitiam: Our focus for the month of December is using fix-up strategies, answering the question: What do we do when we encounter difficult text? We will also be revisiting the literary element of theme as we read several short stories. This is in preparation of the next Novel-Think-Tac-Toe project due in mid- January

Multiple intelligences unit packets were returned yesterday (Monday). Any student wishing to redo or make-up parts or all of the packet may stay after Tuesday or Thursday of this week and next.

Geography – Mr. Wolf: I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving break. This week we are continuing to read A Long Walk to Water. There will be an African country quiz on Wednesday. Have a good week!

English – Mrs. Rezendes: This week we will be working on memoirs. The rough draft is due tomorrow and the final draft will be due on Tuesday, December 6th. The directions and rubric for the memoir can be found at my website: www.tinyurl.com/rezendeshome.

Science – Mrs. Yule: We have begun our Earth and Space science unit. The first part of the unit deals with solar eclipses, observed moon phases, and tides. Students will be using models and videos to visualize the changing positions of the earth and moon relative to the sun. We will also use data tables of moon phases and tides to identify patterns. This Astronomy portion will only last two weeks. Students who use home texts need to return the Physical Science books before another can be checked out.

Team News:

TEACHER WISH LIST. During the holiday season, we ask that any money or time you would normally spend on teacher gifts be directed to the Toys for Tots collection, a charity of your choice, or classroom supplies such as paper towels, Lysol wipes, tissues, or pencils. We appreciate the thoughtful gesture of remembering teachers at the holidays, but feel that supporting these other causes is the best gift for our community.

A message from the Gemini Ambassadors. “The Toys for Tots donation race will be taking place! Pease bring unwrapped, brand new toys. Please bring your toys to your homeroom from December 1 to December 9. We are looking for toys for middle school children, but any toy is fine. Please, nothing too expensive. If your homeroom wins, you will get a special breakfast prize from Mrs. Maguire. Thank you for your help bringing these holidays alive for children.”

Important Dates:

December 1 – 9: Toys for Tots Drive

December 7 & 14: Half days for parent conferences

Have a pleasant and productive week!

Together Everyone Achieves More