Mrs. Vandercook

Week of March 12, 2010

Dear Parents,

We have begun our Bible Mannequin projects and our students are off to a terrific start! Donations are starting to arrive for our projects! Thank you, Tricia Arbiola, Savannah Alday, and Alyssa Recor for bringing in thread, material, and a glue gun! Please continue to send any supplies you can share with us.

Mrs. Sutherland was so surprised and touched to receive the birthday gift from the class! She loves the tulips and silver bracelet. The card was precious and both Mrs. Sutherland and I will try to remember, as the card suggests, that time is a precious gift from God.

Congratulations to Jeremiah Hong for passing the five minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Haley Robinson, Ryan Standiford, and Savannah Alday passed the 3 minute test of 100 multiplication facts; Alex Borsada passed the 1 � minute test of 100 multiplication facts. Wow!

Have a very pleasant weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Reading Skills Practice Test 5 Assigned for Wednesday�s Homework: Students are to complete the Reading Skills Practice Test at home. The packet is due by Thursday, 3/18.

Unit A, Chapter 3, �Ecosystems� Science Test on Monday: Please review the science packet sent home in the Friday folder.

March Book Report: Please see attached form; due Wednesday, March 31st.

Jump Rope for Heart: Wednesday, 3/17, 10:15-11:00am. Collection envelopes are to be turned in on that day (3/17).

Bible Mannequin Project Days: Posters: Wed., 3/17; Sewing: 3/31. PIP hours available.

Arvella Schuller Scholarship Awards Celebration: Saturday, March 20th at 7pm in the Cathedral. All families are invited to attend.

International Day: Wednesday, March 24. In class we�d love to have a tasting party of food from around the world from 2:45pm to 3:10pm. A sign up sheet will be posted by the classroom door if you�d like to bring an international food dish or snack. For example, Mrs. Sutherland and I plan to bring Dutch cheese for students to sample.

International Day Dinner: Friday evening, 3/26; PIP hours are available for both International Day Events.

Spelling List #26

1. nothing
2. healthy
3. honesty
4. largest
5. carries
6. building
7. enjoy
8. pharmacy
9. pasta
10. grilled
11. exhibit
12. anchor
13. elephant
14. Africa
15. Australia
16. Japan
17. American
18. Canada
19. Canadian
20. Mexico
21. Mexican
22. deliberately � on purpose
23. foreign � from another country
24. possess � to have or own something

Bible Memory Verse:

We are taking an in-depth look at the 10 Commandments for the next several weeks.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

Week of March 8, 2010

Dear Parents,

We have a great group of scientific thinkers in this class! I was very impressed with the test scores on their first science test! Bravo! Keep up the good work! Graded tests with percentile scores are being sent home on a weekly basis. Please go over errors and give encouragement to your student.

In math we are using individual white boards weekly in order to practice long division and other math skills. If your child�s white board marker wears out, I will gladly share a marker from my classroom supply. However, I have a limited surplus from last year and we do not have the funds to order new markers. Please check with your child to see if he or she needs to bring a new marker, preferably black, to school.

Congratulations to Paula Baltazar for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Haley Robinson passed the four minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Super!

Have a lovely weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Reading Skills Practice Test 4 Assigned for Wednesday�s Homework: Students are to complete the Reading Skills Practice Test 4 at home. The packet is due by Thursday, 3/11.

Practice Math Test 14A Assigned for Monday�s Night Homework: The Practice Math Test 14A will be due on Tuesday, 3/9. The math test will be on Wed., 3/10.

Jump Rope for Heart: Wednesday, 3/17, 10:15-11:00am. Collection envelopes are to be turned in on that day (3/17).

Bible Mannequin Project Days: Posters: Wed., 3/17; Sewing: 3/31. PIP hours available.

International Day Dinner: Friday evening, 3/26; PIP hours are available for both International Day Events.

Easter Party: We plan to have a pizza party on Thursday, April 1st from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Mrs. Vandercook and Mrs. Sutherland will provide the pizza. There will be a sign-up sheet for side dishes including veggies and fruit. If students desire, they may bring a desert or Easter treat for the party.

Easter Break: No School on Friday, 4/2. Students return to school on Monday, 4/12.

Spelling List #25

1. office
2. computer
3. headache
4. pitcher
5. instead
6. reporter
7. jewelry
8. hobby
9. wool
10. mildew
11. ceiling
12. breathe
13. stretching
14. onion
15. lawn
16. earthworm
17. sentence
18. noun
19. subject
20. comma
21. capital
22. assembly: a group of people gathered together
23. donation: a gift
24. opinion: what one thinks

Bible Memory Verse:

We are taking an in-depth look at the 10 Commandments for the next several weeks.

Week of March 1, 2010

Dear Parents,

It�s goodbye February and hello March already! Many activities and events are coming up in March: the CSI Arts Festival (3/2), the Talent Show (3/11), Jump Rope for Heart (3/17), Arvella Schueller Scholarship Program (3/20) and International Day (3/24). Please watch for e-mails and flyers announcing these happenings. Also, in March we will begin our Bible Character Projects. We�d love your help, so please read the attached flyer!

Congratulations to Matthew Elera for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Savannah Alday passed the four minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Brian Nguyen passed the 3 minute test of 100 multiplication facts and Kalan Namkoong passed the 2 � minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Wonderful!

Have a refreshing weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Reading Skills Practice Test 3 Assigned for Tuesday�s Homework: Students are to complete the Reading Skills Practice Test 3 at home. The packet is due by Thursday, 3/4. Students may complete the work by themselves or with a parent. This will count as one reading grade.

Science Test on Chapter 2, �Types of Animals�, will be on Friday, 3/5: We still have several lessons to cover next week. Students will bring home a study guide on Thursday to review for Friday�s test.

No School on Tuesday, 3/2: CSI Arts Festival for middle school students.

Jump Rope for Heart: Wednesday, 3/17, 10:15-11:00am. Collection envelopes are to be turned in on that day (3/17).

Bible Mannequin Project Days: Posters: Wednesday, 3/17; Sewing: 3/31.

International Day: Wednesday, March 24. In class we�d love to have a tasting party of food from around the world from 2:45pm to 3:10pm. A sign up sheet will be posted by the classroom door if you�d like to bring an international food dish or snack. For example, Mrs. Sutherland and I plan to bring Dutch cheese for students to sample.

International Day Dinner: Friday evening, 3/26; PIP hours are available for both International Day Events.

Easter Break: No School on Friday, 4/2. Students return to school on Monday, 4/12.

1. poor 13. auditorium

2. occasion 14. sharpen

3. prince 15. threw

4. requested 16. coconut

5. wheelchair 17. tourist

6. chili 18. searching

7. while 19. thermometer

8. glimpse 20. temperature

9. type 21. degrees

10. travel 22. adequate � sufficient enough

11. jigsaw 23. catastrophe � a sudden disaster

12. maybe 24. document � written proof of something

Bible Memory Verse: For the month of March and part of April we will be
memorizing the10 Commandments.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

Bible Character Project:

Next week each student will select a Bible character from the Old Testament. During March, we will research and compose an in-depth biography poster report. In addition, the student will make a mannequin of the character. This will involve painting the face, cutting and sewing a costume, and gluing hair and accessories.

We would be delighted if parents could assist us in the classroom at the following times:

Wednesday, March 3/17, from 10:30 - 11:30am (Poster project)

Wednesday, March 3/31, from 10:30 - 12:00 noon (Sewing)

Donations needed for the project:

-needles and thread

Students will be supervised as they sew a running stitch.

-material remnants

Students will trace a pattern and cut material for a robe.

-glue guns to use in class

We will need to use glue guns and good cutting scissors.

Adults will be the only ones using the glue guns.

** Students may bring in donations at any time! PIP hours available on CCA website.

Week of February 22, 2010

Dear Parents,

We enjoyed our reward of free dress day on Wednesday and I must say we have some very stylish students! In science, we are studying plants and have attempted to grow a jade plant from a cutting. We�re also trying to grow new plants from a tuber and a bulb. We�ll see what happens!

Please review your child�s math test in the Friday folder. It is important that students review each week�s math concepts. Students must be sure to include labels in their answers. We have been reminding students to include labels. However, with 4th grade fast approaching they will need to take more responsibility for this. We want them sharp and ready for next year!

Congratulations to Annaliese Zeidan for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Savannah Alday and Haley Robinson passed the five minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Kalan Namkoong passed the 3 minute test of 100 multiplication facts and Dylan Chin passed the 2 � minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Fantastic! It looks like we will be taking our first group of students who passed the 2 � minute test out to lunch next week! Yeah!

Have a wonderful weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Reading Skills Practice Test 2 Assigned for Wednesday�s Homework: Students are to complete the Reading Skills Practice Test 2 at home. The packet is due by Thursday, 2/25. Students may complete the work by themselves or with a parent. This will count as one reading grade.

Science Test on Chapter 1, �How Plants Grow�, on Tuesday: Please review the Chapter 1 study packet sent home in the Friday folder.

Science: Vocabulary Preview Chapter 2, �Types of Animals�: We will begin learning about animals next week. The vocabulary is more extensive than chapter 1. Please expose your child to these words if they come up in the news, on TV, or in a movie. Once we complete chapter 2 we will have a test the first week of March.

Multiplication and Division Worksheets: These worksheets are for practice at home.

Spelling Test 23: Students will be required to write the first four words in cursive.

February Book Report: Due Friday, Feb. 26th.

Spelling List 23

1. George Washington 13. hero

2. Abraham Lincoln 14. diligent

3. February 15. dependable

4. quarter 16. leader

5. plantation 17. success

6. surveyor 18. country

7. soldier 19. patience

8. general 20. courage

9. monument 21. president

10. cabin 22. integrity � honesty

11. lawyer 23. persistent � not giving up

12. patriot 24. justice � fairness

Bible Memory Verse:

Nehemiah 9:9 (Final week)

You saw the suffering of our forefathers in Egypt; you hear their cry at the Red Sea. You sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them. You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day.

Week of February 16, 2010

Dear Parents,

We had a very festive Valentine�s Day party on Thursday! Our room was filled with a huge banquet of food, balloons, flowers, and decorations! Thank you, Savannah Alday, Ryan Standiford, Aubree MacDonald, Paula Baltazar, Jennifer Benavides, Haley Robinson, Caleb Lee, Jeremiah Hong, Stephen Nguyen, Samantha Miller, Tricia Arbiola, Alyssa Recor, Brian Nguyen, Joshua Rosas, Chloe Price, Olivia Quintana, and Dylan Chin, for all of your contributions to our party! We appreciated having Aubree MacDonald�s mom taking time out to help us at the party.

On Wednesday, our class did a fantastic job using the school�s laptops to conduct research on our Solar System! They kept focused and took excellent notes! A big thank you goes to the moms of Jeremiah Hong and Mariam Youssef and Zachary Morris� grandmother for helping us!

Congratulations to Joshua Rosas for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Zachary Morris passed the three minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Jennifer Benavides passed the 2 � minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Shan Shan Lu passed the two minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Wow!

This awesome class has filled up their marble jar again so it is time for another game period and free dress day! Students may bring an electronic or board game on Wednesday, 2/17. Parents, please join us from 1:45 � 3:00pm that day if you�d like to play a game of Yatzee or Scrabble! Also, we will have our mini �Share-A-Good-Book� recipe party during that time. Students are to bring their books so they can share them with the class. We will be making miniature hamburger cookies, too!
Have a fun three day weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Practice Math Test 13A Assigned for Tuesday�s Homework: Practice math test 13A is due on Wednesday, 2/17. Our math test 13B will be on Thurs., 2/18.

Spelling Test 22: Students will be required to write the first three words in cursive.

February Book Report: Students may choose a book from home or the library. The book will need to have story with a main character so that your child can compare and contrast the main character�s traits with his or her own traits. The book report is due Friday, Feb. 26th. Please see the attached book report form.

President�s Day: No school on Monday, 2/15.

Free Dress Day: Wednesday, 2/17. Game period and �Share-A-Good-Book� recipe party starts at 1:45pm.

Spelling List 22

1. chapel 13. choir

2. about 14. Heaven

3. childhood 15. diary

4. crayons 16. goldfish

5. kitchen 17. numerator

6. costly 18. denominator

7. laundry 19. fraction

8. newspaper 20. reduce

9. delivery 21. half

10. forgiven 22. govern � to rule; to control

11. college 23. participate � to take part

12. happiest 24. intrude � to come unasked or unwanted

Bible Memory Verse: Nehemiah 9:9 (Two weeks)

Week of February 8, 2010

Dear Parents,

Thank you for allowing your child to go with us to the Tessmann Planetarium. It was fascinating and I think even the adults learned new things about our universe and our amazing God who put the stars in the heavens!

Congratulations to Brian Nguyen for passing the four minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Alex passed the two minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Yeah!

Have a stupendous weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Spelling Test 21: Students will be required to write the first two words on List 21 in cursive. Each week we will add another word to be written in cursive.

Weekly Reader Assigned for Wednesday�s Homework: Students are to read the Weekly Reader articles by themselves or with family and answer the questions on the back side. This will count as one reading test score. Due Thursday. The Weekly Reader has been sent home in the Friday folder.

Research Using Lap Tops on Wednesday: On Wed., 2-10, at 10:30am we will be using computers to conduct research for our planet essays. We�d love help from parents to assist us in this project. Please sign up on the CCA website for PIP hours.

Math Tests and Parent Signatures: If your child did not receive a passing score (70%+) you will find a note attached to the test in your child�s Friday folder. Please review the test questions with your child and sign the test once you have reviewed it. Return it back to school. The next week I will retest your child and average the scores together for a higher grade.

Valentine�s Day Party: Thursday, February 11th, 11:00am. Please sign up for goodies on our party sign-up sheet outside our classroom door. If you have a Valentine craft or game you�d like to do with our class, please let me know. Thanks! PIP hours available on our website.

Box Tops Contest: Keep sending in those box tops! The last day for the room competition is Friday, February 12th.

President�s Day: No school on Monday, 2-15.

What Cute Baby Pictures! Thank you for sending in a baby or toddler picture of your child for an end-of-the-year project. If you haven�t already done so, please send one in.

Spelling List 21

1. minute 13. every

2. hour 14. prey

3. chewing 15. whiskers

4. triangle 16. scolded

5. volleyball 17. history

6. combing 18. fight

7. flattery 19. independence

8. disappear 20. United States

9. seat belt 21. nation

10. reason 22. liberty � freedom

11. walnut 23. fiction � a made-up story

12. above 24. license � permission given by the law

Bible Memory Verse:

Nehemiah 9:9 (Three weeks)

Week of February 1, 2010

Dear Parents,

Can you believe that our school year is half over and February is upon
us? Our class has been learning a lot about our U.S. government, presidents, and the Constitution. We�ve made patterned Presidential quilts to enhance
our social studies and math skills. Please come by our room and see them. Next week we will work on a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Congratulations to Jeremiah Hong for passing all twelve of the one
minute multiplication tests! Brian Nguyen passed the five minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Kalan Namkoong passed the four minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Yeah!

Your child may have brought home a little �friend� as a reward for saying this month�s poem, �The Puffin�. We hope that this will be the most well-mannered pet you�ve had.

Have a relaxing weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Practice Math Test 12A Assigned for Monday�s Homework: Practice math test 12A is due on Tuesday, 2/2. Our math test 12B will be on Wed., 2/3.

Science Test on Chapter 1: Earth, the Water Planet on Monday: Please review the study packet sent home in your child�s Friday folder. Focus on vocabulary and concept review pages. Note: students will not be required to memorize the phases of the moon.

Spelling Test 20: Students will be required to write the first word on List 20, �sprinkler�, in cursive. Each week we will add on another word to be written in cursive.

Fieldtrip on Tuesday: Please read attached fieldtrip reminder.

2nd Quarter Grades: Mailed Thursday, January 28.

Valentine�s Day Party: Thursday, February 11th, 11:00am. Please sign up for goodies on our party sign-up sheet outside our classroom door. If you have a Valentine craft or game you�d like to do with our class, please let me know. Thanks!

Baby Pictures Needed: Please send in a baby or toddler picture of your child for an end-of-the-year project. The picture can be of your child as a baby or toddler. The project involves matching up baby pictures with current student photos. We will make a copy of the photo and return the picture to you if needed.

Spelling List 20

1. sprinkler 13. bacon

2. mailbox 14. juice

3. nephew 15. planet

4. ankle 16. clue

5. adopted 17. already

6. early 18. whose

7. somewhere 19. whole

8. alphabet 20. why

9. chipmunk 21. when

10. question 22. confidence � a firm belief or trust

11. beaver 23. identical � exactly alike

12. escape 24. labor � to work

Bible Memory Verse: Nehemiah 9:9 (For four weeks)

Tessmann Planetarium, Santa Ana College

When: Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Time: Be in the classroom at 8:15am for roll call. The bus will leave at 8:40am.

Wear: Full Friday uniform including sweaters/vests

Bring: A morning snack in a throw-away bag.

Week of January 26, 2010

Dear Parents,

This has been a week like we�ve never seen before! Wacky weather, tornado alerts, and power outages were just a few of the bumps in the road we faced this week. At the same time our courageous class kept focused and persevered in their studies and preparation for School Family. They did a terrific job today presenting their songs and skits!

Congratulations to Tricia Ariola for passing all twelve of the one minute multiplication tests! Kalan Namkoong passed the five minute test of 100 multiplication facts. Ryan Standiford passed the four minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Dylan Chin and Mariam Youssef passed the 3 minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Fantastic!

Have a sunny weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Social Studies Test: Tuesday. Please review the attached vocabulary words as well as the yellow packet on local, state, and federal government.

Teacher Work Day: No school on Monday, 1/25.

January Book Report: Due Friday, Jan. 29th; students may request another copy if needed.

Fieldtrip: Tessman Planetarium at Santa Ana College on Tuesday, February 2nd.

2nd Quarter Grades: Mailed Thursday, January 28.

C.C.A. Priority Registration: Tuesday, 8am, Jan. 19th thru Friday, Jan. 29th.

Baby Pictures Needed: Please send in a baby or toddler picture of your child for an end-of-the-year project. The picture can be of your child as a baby or toddler. The project involves matching up baby pictures with current student photos. We will make a copy of the photo and return the picture to you if needed.

Spelling List 19

1. thirsty 13. faucet

2. knowledge 14. million

3. fewest 15. shuttle

4. mixed 16. preached

5. beauty 17. enough

6. arrive 18. thought

7. longer 19. thorough

8. weather 20. through

9. mystery 21. though

10. finally 22. authority � power; control

11. catcher 23. posture � the way you hold your body

12. gnaw 24. consent � to agree; to give permission

Bible Memory Verse: (Moses and the burning bush; final week)

Exodus 3:6

Then He said, �I am the God of your father,
the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac and
the God of Jacob.�

At this, Moses hid his face,
because he was afraid to look at God.

Week of January 19, 2010

Dear Parents,

It�s been a busy week around here! Our fearless dramatists are working hard on our �Courage� presentation for next Friday�s School Family. You might just see a few a crocodiles, whales, and lions. We have been adding the final touches on our state posters this week. A big thank you goes to Ryan Standiford�s grandfather and Mariam Youssef�s mom for helping us. Of course, a big thanks goes to Anastasia�s dad for his weekly help!

Congratulations to Zachary Morris and Dylan Chin for passing the four minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Shan Shan Lu passed the 2 � minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Terrific!

Fieldtrip: We will be going to the Tessman Planetarium at Santa Ana College on Tuesday, February 2nd. Please see the yellow forms attached.

Multiplication: It is most important that your child knows the multiplication facts to have success in math. Much of our math is based on this knowledge. Please use flashcards in the car or at home to help your child memorize the times tables.

Have a wonderful Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday during this three day weekend!

God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Practice Math Test 11A Assigned for Tuesday�s Homework: Practice math test 11A is due on Wednesday, 1/20. Our math test 11B will be on Thurs., 1/21.

January Book Report: Please see attached form; due Friday, Jan. 29th.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday: No school on Monday, 1/18.

Teacher Work Day: No school on Monday, 1/25.

C.C.A. Priority Registration: Tuesday, 8am, Jan. 19th thru Friday, Jan. 29th.

Cookie Sale: Return order form & money by Friday, Jan. 22nd.

Our School Family Presentation is next Friday January 22. Please join us! PIP hours on website.

Baby Pictures Needed: Please send in a baby picture of your child for an end-of-the-year project. The picture can be of your child as a baby or toddler. The project involves matching up baby pictures with current student photos. We will make a copy of the photo and return the picture to you if needed.

Spelling List 18

1. broom 13. amount

2. similar 14. miracle

3. worse 15. accident

4. mighty 16. trouble

5. mockingbird 17. drizzle

6. thankful 18. once

7. boiling 19. won

8. raspberry 20. many

9. apartment 21. several

10. necklace 22. continually � always; without stopping

11. memory 23. amusing � enjoyable; funny; pleasant

12. watchdog 24. paralyzed � unable to move

Bible Memory Verse: (Moses and the burning bush; for two weeks)

Exodus 3:6

Then He said, �I am the God of your father,
the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac and
the God of Jacob.�

At this, Moses hid his face,
because he was afraid to look at God.

Recipe for a Good Book

Title: _____________________________________________________

Author: ___________________________________________________

Start with a good setting. _____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Add a few main characters. ____________________________________

________________________________________________________

Stir in an ending. ____________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Enjoy my favorite part! _______________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

By Chef _____________________

Directions:

1. Pick a book to read. (Fiction; no minimum number of pages required)
2. Complete the book report form.
� Title
� Author
� Briefly describe the setting, the main characters, the ending, and your favorite part.

3. Turn in book report by Friday, January 29th.

Note: We will have a small �Share a Recipe for a Good Book�
party during the first week of February! More details to follow
the last week of January.

Week of January 11, 2010

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2010 new year! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas vacation! It�s hard to believe that our school year is almost half over! Our students have had a good week and have jumped right back into the swim of things here! Students have begun sharing their timeline projects in class and they are awesome! Thank you, parents, for your assistance in this social studies project!

Congratulations to Dylan Chin for passing the five minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Jennifer Benavides passed the three minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Super!

Have a very pleasant weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Practice Math Test 10A Assigned for Monday�s Homework: Practice math test 10A is due on Tuesday, 1/12. Our math test 10B will be on Wed., 1/13.

State Poster Project � PIP Hours: We plan to work on the layout and gluing of our state posters next Wednesday from 11:15am to12:15pm. Please join us is you�d like to help! Please check that your child has brought in pictures for his or her state.

Reminder - Timeline Project: Due January 11th, 2010.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday: No school on Monday, 1/18.

Teacher Work Day: No school on Monday, 1/25.

Our Class� 2nd School Family Presentation: Friday, January 22. We hope you can join us for our presentation on �Courage�!

3rd Grade Fieldtrip: Santa Ana College Planetarium, February 2nd, 8:30am-12:00pm. Paperwork for the fieldtrip will be sent home next Friday.

Baby Pictures Needed: Please send in a baby picture of your child for an end-of-the-year project. The picture can be of your child as a baby or toddler. The project involves matching up baby pictures with current student photos. We will make a copy of the photo and return the picture to you if needed.

Math Update:

Dear Parents,

Please note that as we progress through the higher math lessons your child will be introduced
to more and more complex math concepts. I recommend reviewing the practice questions of each lesson from the prior week.

It is very important that your child knows the multiplication facts by this point in our school year. Lesson 56 introduced division and students are expected to be able to mentally solve short division problems such as 48 divided by 6. By lesson 63 we will start long division.

Thank you for supporting your child�s academic progress.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Vandercook

Courage School Family Presentation
Friday, January 22nd

Can you help us locate any of these props?

If so, please bring them in next week! Thank you!

Trench coats
Detective hats
Angel wings
Angel halos
Stuffed animals: Lions, camels
King�s crown
King�s robe
Old cowboy hat no longer used � we need to detach the brim
Cowboy boot
Cowboy spur
Small pool floaties (rings)

Spelling List 16

1. owner 12. swamp

2. toughest 13. belongings

3. crocodile 14. moisture

4. hungry 15. synonym

5. certificate 16. antonym

6. towels 17. homonym

7. woman 18. pair

8. agree 19. couple

9. scream 20. influence � power over others

10. sign 21. anticipate � to look forward to; to expect

11. chief 22. demonstrate � to show clearly

Bible Memory Verse: (For one more week)
The 12 tribes of Israel will descend from the 12 Sons of Jacob:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher,
Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin

Week of January 4, 2009

Dear Parents,

Didn�t our class do an exceptional job at the Christmas Program on Monday? It was wonderful to see our students perform! At our Christmas party we enjoyed reindeer cupcakes, hot chocolate, and delicious homemade eggrolls made by Shan Shan Lu�s mother. We truly appreciated the help from the moms of Shan Shan Lu, Aubree MacDonald, Ryan Standiford, and Mariam Youssef as well as Zachary Morris� grandmother at our Christmas party!

Congratulations to Caleb Lee and Kalan Namkoong for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Terrific!

My prayer for your family is that the joy of Jesus Christ will be with you throughout the holidays and the New Year. Although I look forward to family time and rest (and playing with our three dogs), I will miss each and every student. Five days a week I get to be surrounded with the bright and cheery faces of your children. This makes it a blessing to be a teacher!

Merry Christmas!
Love,
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Scholastic ClassroomCares Book-A-Thon: We filled up both sides of our Scholastic reading chart and read a total of 200 books. Fantastic, students! Keep up the good work and read, read, read during Christmas break.

PIP Hours: Please check your hours online. I have entered all of the hours served to date. If I have made an error, please e-mail me so I can make any corrections needed. Thank you!

Reminder - Timeline Project: Due January 11th, 2010.

Christmas Break: Dec. 20 - Jan. 3. We return to school on Monday, Jan. 4th.

Our Class� 2nd School Family Presentation: Friday, January 22. We hope you can join us for our presentation on �Courage�!

Spelling List 17
1. sweatshirt 12. nature

2. tighten 13. January

3. package 14. blizzard

4. cocoa 15. mountain

5. oyster 16. icicle

6. wonderful 17. igloo

7. forgotten 18. penguin

8. mousetrap 19. purpose

9. except 20. exaggerate � to go beyond truth

10. permission 21. punctual � prompt; not late

11. basketball 22. demolish � to pull or tear down

Bible Memory Verse: (For the first two weeks of school in January)

The 12 tribes of Israel will descend from the 12 Sons of Jacob:

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher,
Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin

Week of December 14, 2009

Dear Parents,

With sincere care our class worked on our mission blankets and Christmas cards. We are grateful for the help from the moms of Aubree MacDonald, Chloe Price, and Marian Youssef. Mr. White from the Orange County Salvation Army came to our classroom on Friday. He shared how our comfort blankets will be distributed to families in need in our community. Please pray with your family that the children who receive the blankets may be touched by God�s love this Christmas season.

Congratulations to Savannah Alday and Haley Robinson for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Shan Shan Lu passed the test of 100 multiplication facts in 3 minutes! Fantastic!

Have a restful weekend! (We will need it for a great next week!) God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information

No Spelling Test Next Week.

No Homework on Monday: It�s a busy Monday night at the Christmas Program.

Practice Math Test 9A Assigned for Tuesday�s Homework: Our Practice Math Test 9A is due on Wednesday, 12/16. Our math test 9B will be on Thursday, 12/17.

Scholastic ClassroomCares Book-A-Thon: As of this Thursday, we have read 70 books! If our class reads 30 more books by December 18, we will be a part of the Scholastic Books program which will donate 1 million books to kids in need. Keep on reading! Students are to write down on a piece of paper the titles of the books that they read. Turn in the titles along with the books to Mrs. Sutherland.

December Book Report: As a class, we will read a Christmas story together and complete our Christmas book report in class.

PIP Hours: Please check your hours online. I have entered all of the hours served to date. If I have made an error, please e-mail me so I can make any corrections needed. Thank you!

CCA Christmas Program: Monday, December 14 at 7:00pm in the Crystal Cathedral. Attendance is mandatory for music grade.

Christmas Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange: Thurs., 12/17,11:15am�12:15pm.

Reminder - Timeline Project: Due January 11th, 2010.

Minimum Day: Friday, 12/18. School ends at 12:00 noon. No lunch or daycare provided.

Christmas Break: Dec. 20 � Jan. 3. We return to school on Monday, January 4th.

Week of December 7, 2009

Dear Parents,

It�s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our classroom! We have made Christmas angels and wrote about celebrating the advent of our Savior�s birth. As I�m sure you know, December is a busy time of year here at C.C.A! Please mark important dates listed below on your calendar.

Congratulations to Chloe Price for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Jennifer Benavides and Mariam Youssef passed the 4 minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Stephen Nguyen passed the test of 100 multiplication facts in 1 � minutes! Wow!
Have a terrific weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Scholastic ClassroomCares Book-A-Thon: If our class reads 100 books by December 18 we will be a part of the Scholastic Books program which will donate 1 million books to kids in need. Students are to write down on a piece of paper the titles of the books that they read. Turn in the titles along with the books to Mrs. Sutherland. We have already begun to fill up our ClassroomCares chart in our classroom! Yea!

December Book Report: As a class, we will read a Christmas story together and complete our Christmas book report in class.

Glories Table: Friday, December 4Th, 5:30-8:30pm. Please sign up for PIP hours on the CCA website.

Mission Project � Comfort Blankets: Wednesday, December 9th, 2:00-3:15pm. We�d love parents to help us with this special project! Please sign up on the PIP website.

Progress Reports: mailed on Thursday, December 10th.

CCA Christmas Program: Monday, December 14 at 7:00pm in the Crystal Cathedral. Attendance is mandatory for music grade.

Christmas Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange: We plan to have a simple and relaxed Christmas party on Thursday, December 17, 2009, from 11:15am � 12:15pm. Please see attached flyer!

Reminder - Timeline Project: The holidays are here! Please remember that timelines are due January 11th, 2010.

Minimum Day: Friday, December 18th. School ends at 12:00 noon. No lunch or daycare provided.

Christmas Break: Dec. 20 � Jan. 3. We return to school on Monday, January 4th.

Spelling List 15
1. December 12. worship

2. Christmas 13. manger

3. Lord 14. shepherds

4. Jesus 15. presents

5. Savior 16. wreath

6. Messiah 17. holly

7. Emmanuel 18. candles

8. Bible 19. fireplace

9. Bethlehem 20. decree � order

10. angels 21. tidings � news

11. glory 22. multitude � a crowd

Bible Memory Verse: For the month of December

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas Party

Thursday, December 17th
11:15am � 12:15pm

Dear Parents,

Please join us for our Christmas Party! We plan to make reindeer cupcakes, enjoy hot chocolate and play Christmas bingo! Also, there will be a Christmas �White Elephant� gift exchange!

In light of our current economy, we�d like to keep the cost to a minimum. Students are to bring in a small, silly �gift� from home that they would like to pass on to someone else. If your child buys a wacky gift, please do not spend more than you would at the �Dollar� store. Math lesson 45 taught us that one dollar means �$1.00� or 100 cents (including tax!).

Thank you,
Mrs. Vandercook

Week of November 30, 2209

Dear Parents,

It was wonderful to have a Thanksgiving celebration with our families and students! We are very grateful to be able to spend each day with these precious students. They make us smile so often. A big thank you goes to all of the families who brought goodies and supplies for our party: Savannah Alday, Tricia Arbiola, Jennifer Benavides, Alex Borsada, Dylan Chin, Anastaia Cudhea, Jeremiah Hong, Shan Shan Lu, Brian Nguyen, Stephen Nguyen, Chloe Price, Oliva Quintana, Haley Robinson, Alyssa Recor, Michael Sarno, Ryan Standiford, and Annaliese Zeidan.

Congratulations to Jennifer Benavides passed the 5 minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Shan Shan Lu passed the test in 4 minutes. Stephen Nguyen passed the test in 2 minutes. Fantastic!

Have a beautiful and joyous Thanksgiving! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

Practice Math Test 8A Assigned for Monday�s Homework: Practice math test 8A is due on Tuesday, 12/1. Our math test 8B will be on Wednesday, December 2nd.

November Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 30th. Students will need to ask for an extra copy if needed.

Thanksgiving Holiday: Thursday, 11/26 and Friday, 11/27.

Glory of Christmas Show: Tuesday, December 1st. Students will need to wear their full dress uniforms on Tuesday, 12/1, to watch the performance in the Cathedral. Please note that only students may attend.

Glories Table: Friday, December 4Th, 5:30-8:30pm. Please sign up for PIP hours on the CCA website.

Mission Project � Comfort Blankets: Wednesday, December 9th, 2:00-3:15pm. We�d love parents to help us with this special project! Please sign up on the PIP website.

Progress Reports: mailed on Thursday, December 10th.

CCA Christmas Program: Monday, December 14 at 7:00pm in the Crystal Cathedral. Attendance is mandatory for music grade.

Reminder - Timeline Project: The holidays are here! Please remember that timelines are due January 11th, 2010.

Spelling List 13

1. pause 12. bouquet

2. thread 13. cowboy

3. slippery 14. hamster

4. strange 15. camouflage

5. garbage 16. hibernate

6. certain 17. fungi

7. hummingbird 18. mold

8. purple 19. bacteria

9. ourselves 20. accurate � correct

10. tomorrow 21. valuable � worth much

11. assure 22. purchase � to buy something

Bible Memory Verse: For the month of December

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Week of November 24, 2009

Dear Parents,

Our students are making good progress on their state poster projects. We sincerely appreciated the help from Anastasia Cudhea�s father, Samantha Miller�s grandmother, Ryan Standiford�s grandfather, and Mariam Youssef�s mom. Students need to bring in pictures for their state posters by Monday, November 30.

Our Thanksgiving party will be next Wednesday, Nov. 25th from 10:45-12:15pm. Please join us to make apple turkeys, a Thanksgiving craft, and good food. If you�d like to bring something to the party please see the sign-up sheet posted at our classroom door. Thank you!

Congratulations to Jennifer Benavides, Aubree MacDonald, and Michael Sarno for passing all of the one minute multiplication tests! Ryan Standiford passed the 5 minute test of 100 multiplication facts! Alex Borsada passed the test in 3 minutes. Alex Borsada and Stephen Nguyen passed the test in 2 � minutes. Wow!

Have a great three day weekend! God bless.
Mrs. Vandercook

For Your Information:

No Spelling Test Next Week.

Thanksgiving Bible Memory Verse: Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1

November Book Report: Due Monday, Nov. 30th.

Non-Student Day, 11/23: No school for students on Monday, November 23rd.

Minimum Day, 11/25: School will end at 12:00pm on Wednesday, 11/25.

Thanksgiving Holiday: Thursday, 11/26 and Friday, 11/27.

Glory of Christmas Show: Tuesday, December 1st. Students will need to wear their full dress uniforms on Tuesday, 12/1, to watch the performance in the Cathedral. Please note that only students may attend.

Glories Table: Friday, December 4Th, 5:30-8:30pm. Please sign up for PIP hours on the CCA website. A sign-up sheet for donating goodies is posted at our door. Families can earn PIP hours for donating treats.

Mission Project � Comfort Blankets: Wednesday, December 9th, 2:00-3:15pm. We�d love parents to help us with this special project! Please sign up on the PIP website.

CCA Christmas Program: Monday, December 14 at 7:00pm in the Crystal Cathedral. Attendance is mandatory for their music grade.