Important: On Wednesday, December 18 dismissal is at 2:35pm. Friday, December 20 dismissal is at 12:00pm. No lunch will be served then.

This week we enter Phase 3 of our class play production (see previous week's plans). Regular classroom routines will resume after the break. Homework is optional this week. Students also have a break from logging in their Reading Journals. As you have probably heard or seen, class play production can sometimes seem chaotic. I like to think of it as organized chaos. Thank you in advance for your support of all that we do!

Here is what we still need to accomplish before the shows on Thursday:

• Set up lights.
• Finish decorations of last mural.
  
• Put finishing touches on 3-D set pieces.
  
• Decorate 3-D set.
  
• Put together costumes for all characters.
  
• Assemble remaining props.
  
• Integrate PowerPoint slides, Music, and Sound Effects into rehearsals.
• Finish rehearsing scene 2. Rehearse scene 3.
  
• Run through all of Act 1 with slides, sound, and music.
  
• Rehearse scenes 4, 5, and 6.
  
• Run through all of Act 2 with slides, sound, and music.
  
• Generate ideas for scenes 7, 8, and 9.
  
• Rehearse scenes 7,8, and 9.
  
• Run through all of Act 3 with slides, sound, and music.
  
• Create programs.
  
• Perform a silent run-through with Ms. Moll as an audience member.
  
• Make corrections, cuts, and changes. Practice tricky scenes.
  
• Hang up giant mural.
• Perform the play for the 4th grade on Thursday morning.

Then it's show time for families Thursday evening!!!!

Show: Thursday, December 19, 2013
Times: 6:00pm and 7:30pm
Where: Rm 413, Ms. Moll's classroom

Reservations: To keep seat selection on the night of the show orderly and to balance attendance for both shows, I'll be taking reservations. To reserve,email me which show you would like to attend and the number of people attending with you. The first to reserve will have first choice on seating.

Show Night: On the evening of the show, students must arrive back to school in their costumes at 5:30pm after having dinner at home and resting. Students should bring a bottle of water with them in case they get parched during the show. Families should arrive between 5:40-5:50pm for the 6:00pm show, and between 7:10-7:20pm for the 7:30pm show.

After School Production: I'll be staying after school until 4pm on Monday and Tuesday this week with any students interested in working on the play production after hours. Hard workers welcome!

Items Needed: During our production, we have run low on the following items: Glitter; blue and white paint; black, brown, gold, and silver duct tape; and  sticks of PVC pipe or wooden dowels. Any donations to the class are greatly appreciated! 

Show Synopsis: Four students who hate History class find themselves in trouble with the History teacher. As a consequence for their poor behavior and disinterest, they must watch a documentary on the ultimate explorer, Christopher Columbus. Still resistant to boring old history, the students try to fast forward through the movie. But something is not quite right about this video. In a sudden flash the four students are sucked into the past to the docks of a Spanish port in 1492. The students are mistaken for sailors by the one and only Christopher Columbus, who then takes them on his epic journey to the "New World." Will the students make it back to their own world alive? Find out in our epic production of, "Columbus and Us"! 

"Columbus and Us". Written by: Ms. Moll's Class of 2013-2014. 
Starring...
Aidan B, Jenna M, Patrick S, and Leah F-W as..... The Students.
Lauren H as........................................... The Teacher and a Sailor.
Anna Mercina S as.................................... Christopher Columbus. 
Jade J, Savannah M, and Ben V as.................. The Sailing Crew.
Stefan L as.............................................The Interpreter.
Isabella O as............................................ King Ferdinand.
Olivia P as.............................................. Queen Isabella.
Pete C, Gabe T, Gavin F, and Almir C as............ The Taino Natives.
Marisabel A, Chase V, Ricky B, Maya, P, and Rose P as..... The Extras.
With....
Maya P managing The Music Department.
Josh C running Sound Effects.
Almir C and Ben V running The PowerPoint Background Slides.
Chase V, Ricky B, and Rose P running The Lights.

Feedback: I appreciate any feedback you can share with me about the class play and it's production. Administration also needs to hear what you and your child think, as productions like these are not usually encouraged nor appreciated in the public school world. Please send your feedback to the Principal Mr. Kevin Andrews, to the Assistant Principal Ms. Suzanne Galusi, and to the Assistant Superintendent Ms. Diane Caldwell. Thank you!

Thank you for all of your support!

This week we begin production of our class Winter Show. The production of our class show is a massive effort that requires great teamwork, focus, hard work, creativity, and commitment, with the highlight being two evening performances for families on Thursday, December 19. The focus for the show will be the Age of Exploration and Christopher Columbus. How we turn that concept into a class play? It's up to the students! 

Here is the general outline of the production that will span the remaining school days.

PHASE 1:

• Research Christopher Columbus and the early part of the Age of Exploration
• Propose ideas for a play involving Christopher Columbus that both teaches and entertains the audience
• Design artistic backdrops that support the story using scale drawings
• Propose ideas for multimedia elements such as PowerPoint slides, music, and sound effects
• Plan a 3-D set that highlights the elements of the story
• Measure classroom wall spaces accurately, prepare paper backdrops, and transfer scale designs in pencil
• List characters in the story, their roles, and  their traits

PHASE 2:

• Break down classroom as a team, moving desks, positioning rugs, cleaning up and packing up.
• Paint set backdrops
• Construct 3-D set using a variety of materials
• Compose music on Garageband and instruments for transitions and important scenes
• Choose parts
• Develop and integrate character roles
• Create a detailed story outline and scene order
• Visualize the backdrops of each scene and assemble vivid images that support the story into PowerPoint
• Construct props
• Begin rehearsing

PHASE 3:

• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!
• Set up lights
• Put finishing touches of set backdrops and 3-D set
• Put finishing touches on music
• Order and integrate PowerPoint slides
• Integrate music and sound effects
• Get room "show-ready"
• Write summary and program notes
• Design and produce program

PHASE 4:

• Perform silent run-through of entire show
• Analyze story cohesion and performance hiccups
• Make improvements as needed

And then it's show time!!

When: Thursday, December 19
Times: 6:00pm and 7:30pm.
Where: Ms. Moll's classroom

Writing: Finish Opinion Essay. Students will craft a well-developed essay that is organized into paragraphs with a strong intro and conclusion. Hopefully we will have time to type the essays.

Reading: Read for information about Christopher Columbus. We'll be reading a variety of selections about the famous explorer and his impact on the world.

Math: Prepare for an assessment mid-week on division. Here is what students will need to know:

• Model a division situation with a drawing.

• Estimate a quotient.
  
• Divide by a 1-digit divisor.
  
• Divide by a 2-digit divisor.
  
• Multiply to check your division work.
  
• Draw an array using base-10 block symbols to represent a division problem.
  
• Solve a division word problem.
• Determine what to do with a remainder when dealing with a division situation.
• Use the strategy "Draw a Diagram" to solve problems where objects are "___ times as big" as other objects.

Advance Notices:
Report cards come out the week of December 9th and I will be conducting parent teacher conferences that week as well.

If all goes well, we'll be working on production of our class show during the weeks of December 9th and 16th. I will post more information on the class show and production as we get closer.

Thursday, December 19th is the night of our class show. Show times will be 6:00pm and 7:30pm. Parents and family members are all invited, so save the date!