Blue Forum Newsletter

October 10, 2005

We Are Learning About… We began our country/culture study of Australia this week. We developed a list of questions we will try to answer as we learn more about the country. Our featured author is Mem Fox, a native of Australia. The first book we read is, Whoever You Are, which helps us understand that people around the world are much more alike than they are different. We had a wonderful discussion of this theme. Some future activities will be: learning about the country’s unique animals, studying some of the vocabulary, and learning about some of its local festivals and holidays. Last week also began our first lessons in California Math. Everyone was ready to begin and eager to get their first assignments! We will do two lessons a week, unless the week is shortened by a holiday or special event. This week’s homework will have a review sheet of the California Math they did in class last week. Field Trip Packets A packet of field trip information and permission slips was sent home last week. It is important to look it over soon. Please fill out the permission slips and send in the money promptly. We have our first trip next week to Rancho El Chorro. If possible, I would like to have all of the permission slips come in at the same time, rather than have them come in for each separate trip. It is much getting them now, rather than trying to get them in later. Thank you. Please Save and Send… Many students need new pencils. Please send in at least 5 new pencils with your child, labeled appropriately.

Newsletter on the Website This is the first newsletter that can be found on our Blue Forum website! The website is still in process, but many of the links are working and updated. You will also find the list of our scheduled field trips on the site. Go to www.bsfcs.org to see our site and links to all areas at Bellevue! Literary Response Journals The first few weeks of journal homework has gone well. Most students have been very responsible doing the work each night and getting it back to school the next morning. They have also worked very hard responding to the questions. Please remind your child and/or review the following items in their journals each night: The title of the book must be spelled correctly and the large/important words in the title should be capitalized. The words on the list on the back inside cover must be spelled correctly—that’s why it’s there. Remind them to respond to only one question each night. The response should be thoughtful and well developed. Therefore, they should choose a question that allows for good, quality writing. Homework Folders Many of the students’ homework folders are coming back to school with the papers that were sent home with them the day before. Please check your child’s folder every night and keep papers that don’t need to come back to school. It should come back empty, except for any homework or papers that need to be returned. Dates to Remember Oct. 18 Governing Board Meeting 5:00-7:00 in Library Oct. 30 SciTech’s Oktoberfest 1:00- 4:00