Happy Holidays & Extra Credit Opportunities

Howdy all, and many gracious thanks for making Friday's Winter Party a groovy and memorable experience. You each have my sincere wishes for a healthy and happy holiday break.

I informed the kids of a few extra credit opportunities for the winter break. The kids may do as many of these that that choose to, and each is worthy approximately 15 points in their respective subject areas.

1.) The electricty poster. Information went home Friday.

2.) Make a 3-d model of your mission report mission.

3.) A book report of any piece of fiction (100 pages or more). The report should be written in the 5 paragraph format and include an introduction, conclusion, and three body paragraphs that discuss plot, characters, and a recommendation for or against the book.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Friday's schedule

Howdy all. We are very excited about tomorrow! The anticipation is tangible. We discussed the schedule this morning, and here it is:

8 - 9:50 - "Bullwhip: The Great Horn Spoon" film. We'll be making hot cocoa!

10 - 10:20 - Recess

10:20 - 10:45 - Reading Buddies

10:45 - 12:20 - Potluck feast and board games

12:30 - 1:15 - PE

1:15 - 2 - VIP, class meeting & clean -up

Parents are more than welcome to hang out with us tomorrow. For those of you bringing hot food, we will have a microwave in the classroom tomorrow. Kids are encouraged to bring their favorite board game to play.

I'll be posting a message on Friday that will remain up over the winter break. It will detail the extra credit opportunities available to the kids to keep 'em busy!

Respectfully, Mr. B

I am two days from peace......

Howdy all. We had a great time at the Junior High this morning. Their production of "Beauty & the Beast" was top-notch! Check it out if you can.
The class is super-psyched for Friday's festivities. Parents are more than welcome to attend. Kids are still just asked to bring a dish to share and a favorite board game to play. I'll post the final schedule tomorrow if you are looking for the best times to be around during the day.
We are two chapters shy of completing "By the Great Horn Spoon!" We'll wrap the reading and yellow packet on Thursday.

Students are responisble for the following:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-"Spoon" quiz 4
-Library books

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and stuff

Howdy all. The kids are definitely in the spirit of the holiday. We're having fun with electromagnets at the moment, and will build motors on Thursday. We finished reading "the City of Ember" today and will finish "By the Great Horn Spoon!" on Thursday. The kids are having quite the time imagining themselves in the shoes of a prospector.

Again, we leave for the Junior High tomorrow morning @ 8:15 for the play and will return by first recess.

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Mission report is due in class Wednesday. We'll be assembling them in class.
-"Diseases of the Times" in yellow "Spoon!" packet, page 29 (mostly completed in class)
-Electromagnet sheet (nearly completed in class)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday, Monday...

Howdy all. Today was our last day of Spanish with Senora Murray. The kids made some groovy paper mache flowers. We also wrapped up all the writing for our mission reports. The kids have tonight and tomorrow night to edit their drafts (if need be). We will be assembling the reports in class on Wednesday. Our field trip to the junior high on Wednesday has been moved up from 9:15 to 8:15. Students will really need to get to school on time, as the busses are leaving promptly. We'll be back by first recess at 10. Friday's soiree is shaping up quite nicely. The kids are clearly excited about the break.....very chatty and full of vinegar today!

A few folks have inquired the possibility of extra credit during the winter break. I will be posting two extra credit assignments on Friday. Check back then, please.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Green Folders
-Mission report edits

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday

Howdy all. We are very near the end of our Mission Reports. The kids worked diligently on their secularization paragraphs today, and we'll be working on the current state of the missions Friday. The kids should be prepared for the science vocabulary quiz on Friday as well.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Reading Practice book pages 193-194
-Science workbook pages 22-24
-Verbs page 26 (might have been completed in class)

Respectfully, Mr. B

oops. sorry this late.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-"SPOON" quiz
-science workbook pages 18-21
-Library books
-No math homework for the remainder of the week.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Howdy all. A quick note of thanks to Veronica Seitchick for stopping by the classroom today and sharing a rousing game of dreidel with the class. The latkes were a tasty treat as well. The class is much appreciated.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math test 11A
-Social Studies questions 1-5 on page 203
-Reflections workbook page 50

Respectfully, Mr. B

Here we go again

Howdy all, and welcome to the new school week. The kids are counting down the days til break, and honestly I am counting right along with them. In the next week we'll be completing two books, By the Great Horn Spoon! & The City of Ember, wrapping our third literature unit with a theme test, and finishing our science studies of magnetism and electricity. The literature units will carry substantial assessments with them, as will the science unit. Our current social studies unit will not be tested on, as we are spending much time on the mission reports. We have two upcoming math exams, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday!

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Green Folders
-Reading Log (due on the 21st)
-Math lesson 60 (all)
-Science vocabulary (All info in science text, to be completed in cursive. Quizzed on Friday of this week.)

Thanks to everyone who donated books and videos to the holiday drive.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday, Student Leadership & the Winter Party

Howdy all. Well the week is winding down, and I feel like we are just hitting our writing stride. Mission reports are moving along, and the kids are producing great work.

We announced the winners of the Student Leadership elections today, and I am happy to inform everyone that Alicia and Jason will be representing Room 13 for the year. Again, I wanted to compliment each child who took the initiative and effort to craft speeches.

The holiday is quickly approaching, and I am looking forward to a few nice weeks of rest and relaxation. Of course, there will be skiing and parties thrown in for good measure. Keeping in mind how over-the-top fantastic our Halloween festivities were, I am setting up an extremely mellow Winter Party. In an effort to honor the various denominations within the classroom, we will be hosting Winter Pot Luck and Game Day. I would ask that families provide a non-holiday themed dish that the class can share. We'll warm cider, play games, and watch the film version of "By the Great Horn Spoon!". I would encourage folks to start an email tree (hint, hint) to arrange foods and supplies, and we can take it from there.

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Cursive packet due tomorrow
-Reading Log due tomorrow
-"Spoon" packet page 18
-Math lesson 58 (10-28)
-California Reflections page 47

Respectfully, Mr. B

Who knows...

where a fourth grade classroom discussion might go? The class constantly surprises me with their interpretations of what we study each day. I think that we would make a great debate team. We are continuing to hammer away with the mission writings, and are about one third of the way through the process. I realize that several of the students are falling behind in their writing. In an effort to catch them up, I will be sending home templates and research books on Friday to help them out.

We are traveling by school bus to the Junior High on the 19th to watch their annual drama production. The number of tickets we have is extremely limited, but have space for the first two parents who respond to this posting. Just sign up in the comment section so folks know who is first, second, etc.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Logs (due Friday)
-Math lesson 57 (all)
-Cursive packet, letter 'X'
-GREAT HORN SPOON quiz
-Library books are due Thursday as well.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday's down, three to go!

Howdy all. Class was crazy interesting today. We spent a good deal of the morning writing our mission reports and working on fact finding. The math test went well, and we spent the afternoon discussing trailblazers to California. We also held our classroom leadership elections. A very admirable group of students wrote some truly honest and engaging speeches. I will announce the results of the election by Thursday.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 56 (all)
-Cursive packet, letter 'W'
-California pages 190-194
-answer questions 1-5 on California page 194

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday, Monday...

Howdy all. We are off to a rip-roaring week. Starting a new book, "By the Great Horn Spoon!", continuing with our studies of science, and cranking out those mission reports. We have much to complete prior to winter break.
The Green Folders are light on materials this week, as I only sent home notices and school business. There are no graded papers in this week's folder. All graded papers will be returned next week.

Classroom elections for Student Leadership will take place on Tuesday.

The kids are responisible for the following tonight:

-Math 10A
-Reading Log (due Friday)
-finish "Sea Routes", if necessary
-Cursive packet, letter 'V'
-Green Folders

Respectfully, Mr. B

I was hoping today was Friday....

Howdy all. Class has been a very different experience this week after being out of the room for two weeks. The kids seem more excitable, and quicker to erupt. Hmm, something that week's vacation was undoubtedly responsible for. Hopefully things mellow out in time for a pleasant Friday.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-math 54 (all)
-reading practice book pages 175 & 177
-cursive packet, letter U (packet due Friday)
-math poem (if they dare)
(There are no tests tomorrow, so please don't stress.)

Friday is the last chance to submit Student Leadership speeches for consideration.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy mid-week!

Howdy all, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 53 (all)
-Science reade, pages 10-13
-Cursive packet, letter T
-library books are due Thursday

Just as a reminder, students who submitted permission slips to run for the leadership committee must have their written speeches submitted to me no later than Friday of this week. Voting will take place next week.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Ruby Tuesday

Howdy all. Mission research and writing is underway. Again, the majority of this work will take place in class, so please don't fret if you don't see it coming home that often. We also have a very lively science experiment underway as students attempt to make a lightbulb light with a wire, a battery, and a bulb. Very aggrivating for some, but thrilling all the same.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 52, problems 1-15
-Venn diagram of two items, people, pets from home. Kid's choice!
-Reading practice book pages 178-179
-Cursive packet, letter S

Respectfully, Mr. B

welcome back

Howdy all. What a day. We are already knee-deep in new material for the week. We began our mission reports today, and will continue working on them in class over the next three weeks. Extra credit work will extend with this project over the winter break. Details will follow. We are also back into the thick of science, and will be experiment with circuits tomorrow and Wednesday. Our SPECTRA artist-in-residence begins working with us this Friday. And, the 6th graders are gone all week at science camp....it's very quiet around here ( I wish!).

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Green Folders
-Reading Log
-Math 51 (all)
-Reading Practice Book pages 181 -183 (We have spelling words this week!)
-Cursive packet, letter R

Respectfully, Mr. B

insert ominous music and evil laughter here......REPORT CARDS!

Howdy all. Yes, the time is here and report cards are following your children home today. I'll take a quick moment to note that I am extremely impressed with the overall effort of this year's class. The children have made such strides since the beginning of the school year, and the end result for this trimester is awesome. The majority of you will be very happy with report cards. I'm not one to taut the whole Honor Roll thingy, but we have 16 students on the Principal's List (all As) and Honor Roll (all As & Bs). For those of you who are unhappy with your child's report card, please remember that this is just the first of three report periods for the school year and there is ample time for improvements and efforts to amp up. I know that the pace and content of the fourth grade is often a shock, but it would appear that the kids are adjusting, for the most part, with ease. Things only get harder as the year progresses, so please continue to support your kids with their efforts whenever possible.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Library books due Friday
-math lesson 48 (1-20)
-Scary Stories should be turned in on Friday as well.

Have a wonderful and relaxing week off. Take time to enjoy each other's company and eat some good grub.
Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Wednesday

Howdy all. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading log (due Friday)
-Math lesson 47 (all)
-scary stories will be collected on Friday. Keep @ 'em!

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Tuesday

Howdy all. Early word from the classroom is that the kids are managing well with Ms. Landmann. I'm on campus all week, locked away in the office working diligently on our Distinguished School's application. The week is short, so there will not be any tests, cursive packet, nor spelling words to study.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due Frifday)
-Math lesson 46 (all)
-reading workbook pages 162 -163
-finish disenos (maps of home, fully labeled and colored)
-Green Folders signed and returned

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Thursday....

Howdy all. Well, the week is already winding down. I don't know about y'all, but I am more than ready for a three-day weekend!
Friday will bring us a few items of note. First, we have our Jog-A-Thon appointment at 9:45. Students will be taking the second theme test based on what we have been studying this past month in grammar, math test 8B, and will also have a short vocabulary quiz.
Friday is the final day for students to submit permission slips for student leadership and Scholastic Book orders.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due next week)
-Math 8A (due tomorrow)
-Reading Practice book pages 130-131 (130 was worked on extrensively in class)
-Cursive packet, letter Q (due tomorrow)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday & thanks

Howdy all. Thanks again to all the parents who came along with us to the Pajaronian this morning. It was a short, engaging and informative tour. Look forward to our first on-line edition paper later this month / early December.

Just a few quick reminders:
- Grading period closes Friday. All make up work needs to be submitted by Thursday. Reprt cards go home next Friday. I'll send them on Thursday if they are done. Cross your fingers.
- Scholastic Book orders are due by Friday.
- Jog-a-Thon is this Friday. Our time is 9:45, so it will be a nice segueway into recess! Woohoo!

The kids are responsible for the following work tonight:

-reading log
-math lesson 45 (all)
-reading practice book pages 139 + 141 (both on possesive nouns and apostrophes)
-cursive packet, letter P
-library books are due Thursday morning

Happy Tuesday

Howdy folks. So, I have meticulously organized the groups for tomorrow's field trip and am looking forward to a stress-free morning at the Pajaronian. We'll be leaving campus a bit after 9, as our appointment is at 9:45. The whole tour will take about 45 minutes, so we will be back no later than 11....just in time for lunch! Kids don't need to pack a bag lunch.

Students received information on this year's t-shirt design contest and Student Leadership opportunities today.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-cursive packet, letter 'O'
-math lesson 44 (all)
-reading practice book pages 132 - 133
-California Reflections practice book pages 36- 39
(both the reading and Reflections workbook pages were started in class, with a good number of students finishing the work).

Respectfully, Mr. B

a quick plea

Our papier mache peaches need some stems! I am short a few toilet paper cores. If you happen to have a spare TP core, or even a paper towel core, laying around, please send it class with your child.

Much thanks, Mr. B

a very long blog about the week

Howdy all. I'm sorry about the novella you are about to be subjected to, but it must be done.

First, we have nearly as many drivers as we do students for Wednesday's trip to the Register-Pajaronian. I am always excited to have parents along for field trips, but we will need to consolidate drivers as much as possible. It looks like there will be a minimum of two parents per car. The following gracious individuals have volunteered their time and energy:

Yolanda +6, Sandra +4, Susan M. +5, Linda +6, Erika +5, Leina'ala +5, Marlene +3, Greg + 5, Lisa +6, Veronica +6, and Alicia +6.
We will be leaving school at 9 and returning around 11. Students do not need to pack a bag lunch, as we will be back in time for lunch. Good times.

The first parent GATE meeting of the year will be held in the cafeteria this Wednesday evening. Those of you who inquired about the program are encouraged to attend. Invitations were sent home in today's Green Folders.

Jogging for the Arts is happening this Friday. Again, forms and information are in today's Green Folders.

Friday is the last day to submit Scholastic book orders.

This Friday is also the last day of the first grading trimester. All student work that is needing to be made up must be submitted by Thursday morning in order to count toward this report card. Report cards themselves will go home a week from Friday.

Speaking of next week, I will be out of the classroom Tuesday through Friday working on our current California Distinguished School application with Mrs. Dorney. I can be reached on campus should the need arise and will check in with the classroom each day. Ms. Landmann will be here in my place and the kids are already excited to have her! The kids will begin work on their mission reports next week, working in a similar fashion to what was done with their ocean animal reports.

Finally, students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-math lesson 43 (all)
-cursive packet, letter 'N'
-Reflections vocabulary (quiz on Friday)
-reading log

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

We had a rather mellow day (surprisingly the sugar wore off the further we got into the afternoon). The homework may sound like a lot, but remember that I went easy on the kids yesterday. We played a very lively game of Jeopardy during our last hour of school in preparation for tomorrow's California quiz.

Folks are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Cursive packet due tomorrow
-Reading workbook page 125
-reread California textbook pages 126-139 in review for tomorrow's quiz (use for reading log, please)
-California Reflections pages 33 -34

Respectfully, Mr. B

AWESUM-O says, "Have a groovy Halloween!!"

I know that I would have an icecubes chance in a fireplace in getting the kids to study tonight, so take it easy and enjoy this reprieve from homework.

Thanks to all the parents and friends who made it in to class today and for hosting a memorable party. You are all quite "AWESUM".


010010101111000,
AWESUM-O

Boo!!!

Howdy all. Just some quick notes regarding the next few days. Yes, tomorrow is Halloween. Please leave the surplus candy at home, otherwise your children will look like the unfortunate pumpkin above. The school goes all out with the parade, and several room parents have done an amazing amount of work preparing for the classroom party. Kids are more than encouraged to wear their costumes to school. However, we do have PE tomorrow, so please make sure comfortable shoes are a part of their day.

Thursday will bring review opportunities for Friday's Social Studies exam.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Reading practice book pages 117-118 (most completed in class)
-read pages 118-123 in California text in review for Friday's quiz
-complete Reflections page 31 (the timeline on the top of page 31 is aligned with the information on page 30).
-No math HW for the remainder of the week while we work with decimal and fraction conversions.

Frightfully, Mr. B

Happy Halloween week!

Gee! Thanks everyone for sending the kids in with handsful of candy. We love the sugar rushes that never end!
We got a head start on Halloween by celebrating Dia de los Muertos today. The kids painted skulls, and we ate pan de muerte (dead bread). Yummy fun all around!

A few head's up for the week:
-Tuesday is picture retake day,
-Wednesday is the Halloween Parade. 8:15 on the upper playground. Be there, or be square.
-Friday is our social studies test that will cover early explorers to California up to missions. I am assigning review reading for each night of this school week to help the kids prepare themselves. They are more than welcome to use the reading time for their reading logs (due Friday).

Students are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log
-Cursive packet 'J'
-math lesson 41 (10-27)
-California review page 134 (questions 1-5) Most students completed in class.
-California WB page 32 (Again, most folks completed in class.)
-reread California pages 110-115

Please bring back Green Folders and return book orders no later than Friday, November 9th.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

Howdy all. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math 7A
-reading practice book pages 102 - 103
-cursive packet, letter 'I' (packet dues tomorrow)
-explorer vocabulary is also due tomorrow. Kids will also be quizzed on the content.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Wednesday!

Today's artwork comes compliments of Christian. It is his very unique interpretation of Sir Francis Drake, and was part of his explorer biography that we worked on in class yesterday. OOps! For best viewing, place your monitor on its side!

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 38 (1-20)
-Cursive packet, letter 'H'
-Rough drafts of scary story need to be completed and in class tomorrow for peer editing. Everyone has had a minimum of three class sessions to complete the basic structure of the story with a graphic organizer. While many students are already at the peer editing stage, many still need to complete the initial draft.
-library books are due in class Thursday morning.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Howdy all. What a day! We started a new story in our reading anthology entitled "Tonya's Reunion", and discussed new vocabulary that appeared in the short story. We also worked with early explorers to California, and the kids created short biographies based on computer research that was conducted in class. They are also working on illustrations to accompany their research. Math is getting harder, as we're now tackling fractions and mixed numbers. It's all very spooky.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Cursive packet, letter 'G'
-math lesson 37 (all)
-reading practice book page 99 (vocabulary we covered today)
-explorer research and illustration (if not finished in class)

I am also sending home Picture Day retake information. Be on the lookout for it.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Holy weasels!

Howdy all. This weather. The kids complained that it was too warm today. I don't know what to think, because its clearing up my sinuses. Woohoo!
I wanted to thank everyone for their participation with last week's conferences. I am wiped out, but I enjoyed meeting with everyone. I hope that everyone feels good about the school year thus far.
Green Folders are light on returned papers this week. I am a little behind in grading papers from last week's conferences, and will get everything back by next Monday. The rest of the Green Folder has goodies regarding an upcoming field trip, this week's cursive packet, a reading log, and some random notes from the school. All good times, I swear.

The kids are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 36 (1-20)
-Cursive 'F'
-Social studies vocabulary

Respectfully, Mr. B

Many thanks and Friday

Howdy all. The class enjoyed a beautiful day in Monterey. Thanks again to the parents who were generous and patient enough with their time and energy to accompany us. The kids got a real kick out of seeing their ocean report animals up close.

Friday is a mellow pajama day. It is also Mr. Heffner's last day with us for the school year. We'll be sending him off in style at 9:45 on the playground. Everyone is welcome to attend and help us celebrate his new position with the district.

Students are responsible for their reading logs and cursive packets on Friday.

The following conferences are also scheduled for Friday:

12:40 - Cole
1:00 - Jade
1:20 - Riley
1:40 - Chas
2:00 - Berkley
2:20 - Jessica

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday & the aquarium

Howdy all. Homework is on the extreme light side this evening being that tomorrow is our aquarium field trip. A few notes about the trip:

1.) We are leaving school at 8. Our lab is scheduled for 9:15, which should give us an ample amount of time to get there and park,
2.) Directions will be available to our drivers and chaperones before heading out,
3.) Everyone needs to bring a sack lunch,
4.) the gift shops are off-limits to students, so no need to bring $,
5.) lunches should be brought to aquarium entrance. We will be storing them in lockers until our lunch time,
6.) students and families will need to arrange for transportation home from school when we return at 2.

Students are responisble for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-James and the Giant peach packet page 38 (started in class, mostly completed)
-Cursive packet 'C'
-bring a sack lunch

We have also learned that Friday is a school-wide Pajama Day. Sleeping bags, blankets, and stuffed animals can stay at home please.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and Wednesday

Howdy all. The students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Cursive packet, letter B
-Math pretest 6B
-California Reflections pages 25 & 26 (material can be referenced in textbook pages 110-115)

Conferences for Wednesday include:
12:40 - Zak
1:20 - Angela
2:00 - Emily M
2:40 - Kyora

Respectfully, Mr. B

short days, conferences and field trip folks

Howdy all. Just a friendly reminder that this week is entirely restructured, and that students will be dismissed at 12:05 (with the excpetion of Thursday's field trip). There is no Homework Club this week.

Conferences scheduled for Monday and Tuesday include:

Monday:
12:40 Mikaela, 1:00 Tom, 1:20 Sean, 1:40 Noah, 2:00 Haley, 2:20 Miles, 2:40 Kolby

Tuesday:
12:40 Alyssa, 1:00 Justin, 1:20 Christopher, 1:40 Jason, 2:00 Alicia, 2:20 Leah, 2:40 Maya & 3:00 Emily F.

Our field trip for this Thursday is sure to inconvenience many of you. It is my understanding that the Apple After School Program will also be on a field trip that day, and not will be returning to their site until 4:30. All families, whether they are bussed home or to Apple will need to arrange for transportation from Rio upon our return at 2. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience.
The following parents have been kind enough to volunteer their time and energy on Thursday's aquarium trip:

GIna Guhin x5, Leinaala Waikiki x6, Susan Forsberg x6, Linda Rossi x6, Melinda Losik x 4, Susan Manabe x5, Erika Reid x6 and Jessica Jacobson (chaperone only). We have just enough drivers at the moment, so please notify me ASAP if your plans to accompany us have changed. Everyone will need to bring a bag lunch on Thursday. We will be leaving promptly at 8.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Math lesson 35 (all)
-Cursive packet, letter A
-Bullying permission slip (please read purple note in Green Folder and return to class if necessary. The questionairre will be administered on Friday.)

Respectfully, Mr. B

The jackalope and Thursday / Friday

A certain student in the class, you'll have to ask around because I swore not to tell, is convinced that the jackalope is alive and well and roaming the lands of our beautiful community. Why this animal has become a topic of discussion, we aren't really sure. However, I have promised this student, or any student in the class for that matter, that if a living jackalope specimen were presented to the class that not only would I give them an "A" in every subject, but would also skip them immediately to fifth grade and also pay for their college tuition and buy them the car of their choice. So, the reason for me rambling on about this animal is the kids are now convinced that they will find a jackalope and be set for life. Sorry.

The kids are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due next Friday)
-math lesson 34 (all)
-finish "expectations" writing from James and the GIant Peach
-California Reflections text page 115, questions 1-4

Tomorrow will be a mellow day. We are taking a vocabulary quiz, dabbling in some math, completing our ocean animal presentations and visiting our reading buddies.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday

Howdy all. The kids are continuing to amaze their peers as they present their ocean animal reports and artwork. We decided, however, that we dislike long Wednesdays. Because school was long, we were able to complete quite a bit of work in class. So, homework is on the light side again tonight.

A friendly reminder, we have an appointment for the Book Faire this coming Monday at 11. Students will be allowed to browse and purchase books during the half hour we are there. I will also have a wish list available at the faire for families that are interested in donating books to the classroom.

Finally, during conference week the school will be conducting a student survey on bullying. The survey is comprehensive and will take about 45 minutes to complete. I would like to administer the survey on Wednesday. Families are required to submit permission slips stating that their child can take the survey. I receieved the permission slips late and was not able to include them in Monday's Green Folder, so they will be sent home on Thursday. Please be on the lookout for them and return them to school ASAP.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 33 (all)
-continue studying this week's vocabulary

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday & Wednesday

Howdy all. We pretty much finished our ocean animal power point presentations and I have saved them to a memory stick that I will play during open house in May. Maybe, if time permits, I can share them at conferences next week. The kids are continuing to present their ocean animal reports and the class has been extremely receptive to the information and opportunity to teach their classmates. Their sculptures are awesome!

Many of you have questioned the schedule for next week's Monterey Bay Aquarium field trip. As I mentioned at Back-to-School Night, this trip was arranged last year prior to the announcement of the school's conference schedule. I realise how much of an inconvenience this trip will cause many of you due to bussing and Apple schedules. I am working on arranging transportation for students from Rio to Apple upon our return from the aquarium. Hopefully a kind-hearted parent (is there any other kind) will volunteer to truck the few students we have over to Apple. The school bus will not be available to pick kids up as we returning to school after the end of the school day. Please let me know if this is an undue stress for your family.

Students were not assigned much work tonight. It is my hope that they will complete the vocabulary for the week that was sent home yesterday and actually begin to study the definitions, not just copy them down. Beyond that, students are responsible for the following:

-Reading Log
-Math 31 (1-20)
-Library books are due on Wednesday this week

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday and the week

Howdy all. We're off to an interesting week, full of new ideas and exploration. Green folders went home this afternoon and are full of information regarding this week's Harvest Festival, the Second Harvest Food Bank Drive and your child's progress reports. The progress reports cover language and math only. I apologize, but my printer ran out of ink...I will get social studies and writing progress reports to everyone next week.

I've updated the blog with our upcoming field trips. Please check them out and plan accordingly (if you are planning on coming along).

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (new and in Green Folders)
-Math investigation 3 (1-13 & 26-30)
-James and the Giant Peach vocabulary 2

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

Howdy all. I realise that the students are neck deep in their ocean animal reports, so I am forgoing the normal homework load tonight and will have students responisble for the following:

-Ocean Animal reports (if absolutely necessary, art work can come to school on Monday. Reports must be submitted tomorrow)
-Reading Log (due Friday, signed by parent)
-James and the Giant Peach vocabulary 1

As a friendly reminder, students have two quizzes tomorrow. One will involve the James and the Giant Peach vocabulary for the week. The second will encompass what we have studied with the Native Californian indian tribes. Again, students will be allowed to use their study guides with this quiz, not their texts.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday, reminders and a poll

Howdy all. I get feedback from folks from time-to-time regarding the content and usefulness of this blog. Please take a moment to respond to the poll that has been added to the page. It will take a simple click or two.
In case you missed yesterday's post, I'd ask you to scroll down and read through what the students can expect in the next two days in terms of classwork and exams.

Students are responsible for the following material tonight:

- Reading Log (due Friday)
- Math 5A
- Reading practice book pages 89 & 90
- California practice book pages 21 -23

**Please remember that library books are due back to school tomorrow**

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and stuff

Howdy all. The week is moving along well, and we are accomplishing much. Still, there is much to anticipate this week. For example, the class will be completing their current unit with math tomorrow and will be taking home pretest 5A for Wednesday night. The class was also given a new vocabulary sheet for James and the Giant Peach this week that is expected to be turned in on Friday. The students will be quizzed that same day. Wednesday and Thursday will wrap up our studies of Native Californians. Students will be tested on the materials that we have covered in these past three weeks on Friday. They will be allowed to use the study guides they created in class to aide them, but not their textbook. And, last but not least, ocean animal reports and 3-D artwork are due on Friday. We are very near completing our Power Point presentations on the laptops, and will spend one additional computer hour finalizing the projects next Tuesday.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-math lesson 29 (10-27)
-Reading workbook pages 82-83
-James and the Giant Peach creature interview
(all work was started in class)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thanks, Monday, conferences, a new field trip, and a message from your principal....yikes!

Thanks again to everyone who made it to the Tech Museum with us on Friday. The IMAX film was a treat and really served to help reinforce what we have discovered with our social studies work, as well as preview what lies ahead. Permission slips for our next field trip, the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Thursday, October 18th, are in today's Green Folders.
Also in today's folders are several notices. The first notice will inform parents and families when their child's conference will be held. If you have more than one student at Rio, this yellow sheet may have gone home with a sibling. I ask that parents allow their children to attend their conference. It is important for the kids to hear the conversations we have and understand that I keep an open line of communication with families and students alike. The second notice will inform you of our principal's decision to take on additional responsibilities within the school district.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-math lesson 27, problems 10-27
-Reading workbook page 79
-James and the Giant Peach vocabulary & puzzle (due Friday)
-continue preparing final drafts of ocean animal reports and art for Friday

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

Howdy all. We had a great day and the kids are very excited about tomorrow's trip to the Tech. Again, we are leaving school at 8am and returning prior to the end of the day. Students and parents will need to bring a bag lunch and a good attitude.

Students are responsible for their reading log only tonight.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday, Good & Bad.....

The fourth grade teachers were notified by The Tech Museum yesterday that we would not have access to the body exhibit on Friday unless we paid an additional $12 per person. That is out of the classroom budget, and I would not ask families to pay for an exhibit that we would only be able to view for an hour. With that, if families would like to view the exhibit, I would encourage them to visit the Tech on a separate date. Tickets can be purchased on-line in advance. I apologize greatly for the confusion regarding this exhibit. I realise that it has caused much debate among the students and parents alike. I would still encourage those who volunteered their time to accompany us Friday to still come along. The more the merrier.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Native California vocabulary
-California Reflections page 81, questions 1-4
-California Reflections workbook page 20
-Math 11-1 / 11-6
(all work was started in class)

The students can expect a vocabulary quiz and a James and the Giant Peach quiz tomorrow.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Howdy all. We began two new writing assignments today, and both will be completed in class. Our attempts with scary stories for Halloween will be collected into a classroom anthology. The other, a smaller piece, will center on our work with "James and the Giant Peach".
We began work on our Power Point presentations for our ocean animal reports today. This project will be completed in class, but I will attempt to upload a few examples to the classroom blog once they are completed.

Students are responisble for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log
-California Reflections workbook pages 18 & 19
-noun packet

No math tonight. Students should continue studying for Thursday's California vocabulary quiz.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday and beyond

Howdy all. Lots of information went home in today's Green Folders. Please keep an eye out for notices regarding the the Harvest Festival, School Beautification and other school tidbits. If at all possible, I would encourage everyone to help out with the Harvest festival in any way they can. Amy Jeske has done an amazing job facilitating and chairing this event, and it is a great way for families to connect.

Thanks to those of you who have returned my email regarding Friday's drivers and chaperones. Please remember that all students will need bring a sack lunch for the trip.

We started two new book units today. I am reading John Steinbeck's "the Red Pony" to the class and we are reading Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach" together. Both books will carry us through to the end of October.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (new copy in the Green Folder)
-Math 4A (most completed in class)
-California: Reflections workbook page 17
-Ocean Animal rough drafts (students were given one half hour to begin transferring their ocean animal color draft on to a lined rough draft that I can edit. Rough drafts will be collected on Tuesday and Wednesday and returned to students next Monday so that they can write final drafts for the October 7th due date.)

Respectfully, Mr. B

the differences we make

I am true believer of the idea that an individual is capable of creating positive change. That change can be in one's self, a community or the world. The point is that we can do what we put our minds to.
The class had the pleasure of attending an informative slide-show led by Mrs. Debakker on Thursday where she introduced several classes to the Pennies for Peace Project. The project is amazing and has helped to establish over 50 schools in the countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The schools are especially important to young women in these countries in that they are asked to attend schools where they had been previously prohibited to attend. Only young men were permitted to attend schools in these countries up until just a few years ago. The man behind the project, Greg Mortenson, has written a book recounting his work entitled THREE CUPS OF TEA. I will be reading excerpts from this book over the next few weeks in class.
The class has asked to participate in Mrs. Debakker's endeavor of raising funds to help aide this project. Through December 1st of this year, we will be collecting loose change for the Pennies for Peace project.
I know that as families we are nickeled and dimed during the course of school year to raise funds for our school and community. However, I feel, as many of you do as well, that our efforts can be directed beyond our immediate community. If you'd be interested in learning more about the project, I would encourage you to visit www.penniesforpeace.org.

Thanks for your time, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

Howdy all. Just a few notes for today. One, I am postponing the vocabulary quiz until next Friday. According to the class, there are too many words to study for one week (and I am inlcined to agree). Therefore, the words will be due and quizzed on next Thursday. We were able to complete our preliminary ocean animal rough drafts today. The kids will we formulating actual rough drafts on Friday. Friday also brings us a visit from Mas Hashimoto, a WWII veteran who will recount his experiences in Japanese internment camp. He is actually speaking to Mr. Sweet class, and we will be visitors. Friday will also bring us a cumulative language exam based on the materials we have covered in the past four weeks.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-math 23 (1-10 & a-f)
-reading practice book pages 65 & 67
-reading log

respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday and Thursday

Howdy all. Well we seemed to have hit our mid-week stride and things are going great. We spent the majority of our morning writing simple introductions to our ocean animal reports, and the kids were able to begin organizing their body paragraphs. Math and language followed in the late morning. We began our exploration of fractions today, so there was much head scratching during math. We will dive in deeper tomorrow.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-continue with California vocabulary
-math lesson 22 (1-15)
-Reading practice book pages 54 & 63 (both started in class)

-Students need to remember to bring library books that were checked out last week to school Thursday. We have a dedicated library time of 9:30 - 10 each Thursday.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday's down, three to go!

Howdy all! Tuesday brought us to our first peek at a piece of fiction from Laura Ingels Wilder. The story is about the westward movement and will serve as an introduction to a social studies unit down the road. We also spent some time on the computers going over Accelerated Reader quizzes. Every student was able to complete their "Island of the Blue Dolphins" quiz, and several were able to complete their "Matilda" quizzes. Each student will have the opportunity to complete their second quiz this week.
We also spent time reviewing perimeters and Venn diagrams.
Students are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Logs
-Reading practice book page 53 & 54 (started in class)
-Math lesson 21 (1-12)
-continue to study for Friday's vocabulary quiz

Pictures went swell. Respectfully, Mr. B

Hola mi amigos

Howdy all. Much to share, so I'll get right to it. First, we started with Spanish lessons today. Students will be visited by Senora Murray for the next 10 weeks going over a variety of material in Spanish. The sessions are fun and lively.
We completed the body paragraphs for our ocean animal reports today and will spend the next three days working with the introduction and conclusion prior to sending drafts home next week for their final writing. We will begin our slide show presentations Tuesday while we have access to the laptops. Students will also have their first 4th grade run with Accelerated Reader on Tuesday as students quiz on "Island of the Blue Dolphins" and "Matilda".
The upper grade staff met as a unit last week to discuss the matter of cursive writing in the upper grades. As many of you know, students are taught cursive writing in third grade. It is not a standard beyond third grade, however many upper grade teachers still require students to submit work in cursive. In this age of technology, it is my humble opinion that cursive is quickly becoming archaeic. My opinion is obviously not shared by all, and I was not with the majority as the staff voted on its use. As a result, from this point onward in the school year, all spelling and vocabulary work will be written in cursive. The students were horrified with this announcement today, and I apologize for the stress that it will undoubtedly cause. It is the belief of the staff that even this small exposure to cursive each week will aide in and improve student writing. (Sorry for the tirade!)

Tuesday is picture day. We are going to the studio / cafeteria at 9:25!

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Math Investigation 2 (11-20)
-California vocabulary (in cursive...quizzed on and due this Friday)
-California Reflections page 15

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

Howdy all. A rather mellow was to be had with our further adventures in report writing and a groovy Titanic documentary. Friday brings us a math test, a vocabulary quiz and our "Island of the Blue Dolphins" cumulative quiz. Friday will bring us our last day with body paragraph writing before we jump into intros and conclusions next week. Friday also wraps our reading of Roald Dahl's "Matilda." We will celebrate that accomplishment, along with our many others, by watching the film version of "Matilda." I am still weighing my options with the next literature unit, so please stay tuned for information on what book we will delve into next.
Friday (tomorrow) is the last day to submit Scholastic Book Club orders.

The students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due next Friday, not tomorrow)
-Math pretest 3A
-Reading practice book pages 48 - 50 (all compound or connecting sentences)
-"Island of the Blue Dolphins" section 3 vocabulary due tomorrow

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday and Thursday

Howdy all. We are officially in the midsts of writing our ocean animal reports and will spend the next five days completing our rough drafts. We are writing out of sequence, but are using the color-coded organizational system I discussed at the Back-To-School Night. Expect rough drafts to make it home at the end of next week for students to prepare their final drafts with. We will be begin working with our Power Point presentations next Tuesday.

Students were sent home with Picture Day order forms today. If yours mysteriously disappeared between school and home, additional copies are available in the office. Picture day is next Tuesday, September 18th. No bed head!

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math lesson 20 (1-20)
-Reading Practice pages 41 & 42

Respectfully, Mr. B

Saturday ideas

Howdy all. Two great opportunities for some family good times and extra credit are rolling around this weekend.

First, the Coastal Commission is sponsoring their 23rd annual clean up day from 9am - noon on many of the local public beaches and waterways. Please consult www.coastal.ca.gov for further information or call 1-800-COAST-4U. I happily take part in this worthwhile endeavor each year and would be thrilled to see a show of support from the classroom.

Secondly, Henry Cowell off Highway 9 will be hosting their 22nd annual Ohlone Day from 10 -4. The event is free, but they stick it to you with a $6 parking fee. The day is especially cool in that it has coincided with our classroom kick-off of Native Californians this week. Much of what will be offered at the Ohlone Day event mirrors what we have discussed, read and written about in the classroom. Info can be found at 831-335-7077 or 3174.

I will make events like this known to families and students over the course of the school year as they become known. I realise that these events are not school curriculum and I often refer to them as world classroom events. It is my hope that students and families are willing to take the learning experience beyond the classroom. If students choose to participate in either event, I will happily give them goodwill extra credit (5 points) toward the subject matter of their choosing. In return for the extra credit, I ask that each student write a short paragraph explaining what they did and if they learned anything from the experience. The written paper will need to be signed by a parent acknowledging their child's efforts.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday's fin

Wow, these days can be exhausting. We covered a great deal of material today and I think the kids had fun in the process. We've finished our reading of the Titanic salvage efforts and will be viewing a documentary on Thursday. We are very near completing our Island of the Blue Dolphins reading and will wrap the book on Friday. Kids will be quizzed on the vocabulary that same day, and will have a culminating quiz for comprehension.
We had the opportunity to get on the laptops today (all the kids have their own account now) and were able to reference source material from the Monterey Bay Aquarium for their upcoming ocean animal reports. The site is linked to this very blog if you care to look over what we viewed today. Our rough draft writings will begin tomorrow and follow through to early next week before kids take them home to prep final drafts.
We also ventured into the subject of native Californians today. The kids are making study books for the some 10-odd tribes we will cover in depth. These books will remain at school, so you probably won't see them until they are done. Still, they end up pretty groovy. In the course of this unit of study, much discussion arises regarding native American beliefs and culture. The subjects steer into the areas of religion and worship, so please be mindful that these subjects will be a topic of discussion in classroom and (probably) at home. For instance, today we discussed legends that involved animal worship and creation. They are fascinating stories, but often a topic of contention for some.

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading log
-Math lesson 19 (1-10)
-Reading practice book pages 39 & 40 (started in class)
-California Reflections page 14 (started in class)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday and the week

Howdy all. Much to share, so I will get right to it. Green Folders are choked full of goodies. Please be on the look out for progress reports. Be mindful that these reports reflect only four weeks of work. Please don't freak out if you are not feeling particularly well about what you see thus far. Realise that there are still 6 weeks to turn things around. I feel that the reports are self-explanitory, but should you have questions or concerns, I am happy to field them.
Permission slips for the Sept. 28th Tech Museum trip are also in the folders. Please sign them and return them to school ASAP. Drivers and chaperones are needed. Please come along if you can. I am covering the expense of this trip. I noted to the class today that The Tech is opening a new exhibit on human anatomy the day we visit. I informed the class that the exhibit is comprised of preserved human bodies and that I would not take them into the exhibit. If you would like to see the exhibit (which I saw in LA last year and is disturbing, but fascinating), I would ask that you accompany us on the trip and take your child through that portion of the museum.
The students have until Friday to submit book orders.

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading log (new and in Green Folder)
-Math 18 (6 - 26)
-Island of the Blue Dolphin vocabulary 3 (due and quiz on Friday)
-California Reflections page 13

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday & Friday

Howdy all. We had some fun working with cave art this morning, with the kids representing animals that would have been inhabitants of the Island of the Blue Dolphins. The book is nearing completion. We will likely conclude our studies on this novel by the end of next week. Hopefully each of you were able to look over the cumulative Island of the Blue Dolphins assignment that went home yesterday. It details expectations, due dates and offers sample work. Well the week is winding down, and with that much is due Friday.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due tomorrow, please sign!)
-Math 2A (started in class)
-Grammar packet 7 (started in class)

We had our first social studies exam this afternoon and the kids were able to use their texts. As a few of them did not finish, I allowed students to take the material home with the understanding that it is due first thing in the morning.

Respectfully, Mr. B

looking for input

Howdy parents and friends,
I have been mulling over the idea of treating our social studies texts and our science texts as semester areas, as oppossed to year-long studies. In simpler terms, I would like to start and complete the science book during the first half of the school year and then start and complete the California Reflections book during the second half of the school year. My thought process behind this is that we will be able to work with similar content on a daily basis without jumping back and forth between subjects. Secondly, it will allow us additional classroom time to engage with the material at a deeper level. I haven't run this by the classroom yet and have just started discussions with the principal regarding possible implications. Your kids will be receiving the same base material that the other 4th grade classrooms will receive over the course of the year, just on a separate timeline.
Please use the feedback function at the end of this post to start a discussion or to pose questions / concerns. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday

Howdy all. A much better day was had here in good ol' room 13. We had a great time experimenting with the aspects of story-telling this morning. Be sure to ask the kids about Darth Vader's experiences with a triceratops in the pet shop.
We are sailing along through math, nearing the final stages of the third grade review. The kids also had a brief "Island of the Blue Dolphins" quiz. They know to expect a social studies exam tomorrow afternoon. They will be allowed to use their texts for this first unit.

Our Tech Museum field trip has been confirmed. We will be venturing over the hill on Friday, Sept. 28 for a cool tour of the museum and an IMAX film entitled "Wild California." The museum is opening a human anatomy exhibit on the 27th, so you might want to preview the trip @ www.thetech.org. This trip is FREE!!!! If you are interested in being a chaperone / driver (or both), please look for the permission slip in next Monday's folders. And, while on the topic, please ensure that the office has a current insurance form on file before volunteering to drive.

Tonight's HW includes:

-Reading Log (still due Friday)
-Math 15 (1-15)
-Grammar mechanics pages 2, 3, 4 & 5 (sounds like a bunch, but goes very quickly)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and beyond

Howdy all. Oh man, what a day. You gotta love the energy level of a classroom full of kids coming back from a three-day weekend. Note the sarcasm.
We had a rather writing intensive day as the kids were made aware of their ocean animal research reports. We had a scheduling snafu with the laptops, so the kids will not be bringing home their assignments and templates / examples until tomorrow (Wednesday). Please be on the look out for them.
The students will have a math test this Friday, with a pre-test heading home on Thursday. Thursday brings us our California social studies test. This first social studies test will be an open-book adventure. The kids will have both an "Island of the Blue Dolphin" and "Matilda" comprehension quiz during the week. We have foregone a vocabulary study unit for this shorter week.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due this Friday)
-Math lesson 13 (1-26)
-California Reflections workbook pages 10-11
-Green Folders signed and returned. Those wishing to place book orders have until Friday, September 14th to return forms and $ to class.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Much thanks and Thursday's HW

Howdy all. Thanks very much for indulging me last and attending our early BTS Night. The turn out was appreciated. From the feedback I received from several parents today, it sounds as if people are feeling good about the year.

The students did a great job today in class. As a result, the kids don't have much homework tonight. Some may need to finish the following:

-Reading Log
-Dolphin vocabulary (due tomorrow....be sure to study for the quiz)
-Reading practice book page 35 (connecting sentences)
-Science practice book pages 8 & 9

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday & Back-to-School Night

Howdy all. Please make an effort to attend our classroom Back-to-School Night this very evening @ 6:30. We are in room 13.

The students are responsible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Reading practice book pages 32 & 34 (started in class)
-California Reflections pages 7 & 9 (The class will have its first California quiz next Tuesday. We'll be reviewing material on Thursday and Friday prior our three-day weekend.)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Tuesday

Howdy all. Thanks for being so good about returning the Green Folders on time. It is much appreciated. Please remember that tomorrow night (Wednesday @ 6:30) will be the classroom's Back-to-School Night. I will keep everything as brief as possible and leave plenty of time for questions. I look forward to meeting all of you.

The kids are responisible for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math test 1A
-Name art
-California Reflections page 8, population mapping

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday and Mikaela's Bday!

Howdy all and Happy Birthday Mikaela! It's a busy week for us all, so please be on the lookout for the Green Folders that went home today. They will have your child's graded work, a new reading log (due a week from Friday) and a friendly reminder that I will be hosting our Back-to-School Night this Wednesday, August 29th @ 6:30.

The students are responsible for the following material tonight:
-Reading Log
-"Island of the Blue Dolphins" vocabulary, part 2 (due and quizzed on this Friday)
-Math lesson 9 (1-20)

The class will have its first math exam this Wednesday in class. They will be taking home a practice quiz on Tuesday evening.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday & Friday

Howdy all! The students are responisble for the following work tonight:

-Reading log (due tomorrow)
-Math lesson 7, problems 1-20
-"Island of the Blue Dolphins" vocabulary sheet
-"Akiak" story map and summary. We completed the first three pages in class today. The kids are responsible for transferring that information to the 4th page.

I will be out of the classroom on Friday. Ms. Landmann will be here in place. The students will have an "Island" vocabulary quiz, and will continue to work on math, language and California geography.

The kids will also be bringing home Innisbrook fundraising materials on Friday. Please be on the lookout for them.

Have a very nice weekend, Mr. B

Wednesday's HW

Howdy all. Students are responisble for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (still due Friday)
-Math lesson 6 (problems 9-20)
-Science pages 4-5, answering questions 1-4 on page 5
-study vocabulary for Friday's quiz

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and beyond

Howdy all. Class is moving along swimmingly. The kids are responsible for the following work today:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Math lesson 5, problems 1-16
-Island of the Blue Dolphins vocabulary (due and quizzed on Friday).

The class was told to expect an "Island" quiz on Wednesday and a "Matilda" quiz on Thursday. Our first math test will be next week.

Respectfully, Mr.B

Monday and the week

Happy Monday all! Welcome to the first full week of school. The kids were on the grumpy side this morning, no doubt getting used to waking at the crack o' dawn. Please make sure everyone is getting decent sleep and EATING breakfast.

Green folders accompanied each student home today. Please read through the materials, sign what is necessary, and return it to school no later than Friday. (Be sure to initial that you received the folder each week.) Please remember that despite the notice to the contrary being sent home in the Green Folder, our classroom Back-to-School Night will be Wednesday, August 29th @ 6:30.

The students will be quizzed on vocabulary this Friday from "Island of the blue Dolphins". They can also expect an "Island" quiz and a "Matilda" quiz at some point during the week.

Respectfully, Mr. B

First week

Thanks to each of you who have chosen to utilize this forum. It can be an extremely powerful tool for both you and your child, so take advantage of it. A few of you have posted comments suggesting that we use the blog to create a class list. For privacy reasons, I cannot facilitate that request here. For while the internet can be a very useful tool, it can be used negatively as well. I will create a class list, for those who chose to be on it, at our Back-to-School Night on the 29th.

The first few days of school have shown great promise. I am genuinely excited about the school year and look forward to meeting each of you in the coming weeks.

If you have yet to purchase classroom supplies for your child, please do so this weekend.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and stuff

Howdy all. Wow! We have a sharp class this year, and I am looking forward to working with everyone to make sure that goals are reached and surpassed!
We began our first literature study today with Scott O'Dell's "Island of the Blue Dolphins". (I don't have an underlining option with this blog, so please excuse my use of quotations with a book title.) The book is a Newberry Award Winner and an excellent look at pre-statehood Native Americans. We will be working with this book for about three weeks and then will branch into ocean animal and Native Californian studies.
The kids are quickly grasping the math review work that we have covered in the Saxon program. It is very different from Excel, but I am excited with how everyone is adapting to the change of format.
We also begin studying the physical geography of California.

Homework today includes the following:
-Reading Log
-Math lesson 2 (1-15) (Most of the students finished this in class.)

Respectfully, Mr. B

First Day

Howdy all. Please be on the look out for a small packet of papers from your child that was sent home today. It includes information on the after school program, a PE permission slip, a lunch calendar, a letter from me and a Reading Log. The PE permission slip needs to be returned ASAP. The Reading Log is due a week from Friday.

The class had a very peaceful day. We discussed classroom expectations, rules and assignment protocol. We worked on a short language assignment and began our first math lesson. We ended our day with a brief discovery walk and art project.

The students are responsible for the following work tonight:
-Math lesson 1, problems 6-20,
-Reading Log &
-PE permission slip

Respectfully, Mr. B

Welcome Back News and such

Howdy all and welcome to yet another groovy school year here at Rio del Mar. School is back in session on Wednesday, August 15th. It is NOT a restructured day, so students will be in class from 7:49 - 2:05. I took advantage of an amazing sale at Staples during the early weeks of July and was able to get the following supplies for each student:
a pencil box, 12 pencils, a manual pencil sharpener, a glue stick, crayons, a composition book and a gummy eraser.
Each student will still need to provide the following for themeselves:
lined paper, a three ring binder (1" size will do just fine), dry erase markers (low odor please), a sock (for erasing dry-erase boards), a box of Kleenex (beacuse the class goes through them like water in the desert) and an emergency lunch. It would be extremely helpful if students each had a Nalgene bottle to keep at their desk for water. Not only does it help keep traffic back and forth to the sink to a minimum, but also helps considerably with the amount of waste and recycling produced in the classroom from the use of standard Crystal Geyer-styled water bottles.
Back-to-School Night is scheduled for Thursday, August 30th. Due to a previous commitment, I will be unable to attend. Instead, I will be facilitating a very exclusive Back-to-School Night on Wednesday the 29th @ 6:30. This will hopefully make it easier for parents with more than one student at RDM, not to mention making parking a breeze.
I look forward to a fun and exciting school year.
Respectfully, Mr. B

parting comments

I know that there are but a handful of you out there that actually take the time to read this, and I wanted to thank you. Using this format to communicate with families and students has been a trial and error process for me this year. However, I think for the most part that it served its purpose well.

It's early Thursday morning, June 8th, the last day of the school year, and I have the classroom to myself for a little bit longer. Yesterday the kids cleaned out their desks and took all of their work off the walls. The room is bare, and honestly its really boring. It occurred to me that the kids really provide character and warmth to the classroom. Of course, it seems like an obvious statement to make. Still, despite the problem kids, of which there were many (don't kid yourselves Moms and Dads), and those who sat there contemplating the world deeply, of which there were many, (really, don't kid yourselves), we had a pretty good year. I am proud of the accomplishments, of which there were many, and the failures, which provide great learning experiences. Everyone grew up somewhat, some for the better and some for the not so better. I was thinking back to the beginning of the school year, really Back-to-School night, and reminiscing on that spiderweb analogy. I think it holds true. We built up quite a bit only to see it torn down over and over again. But everyone, again for the most part, persevered and came threw with a strong, amazing web.
These last days aren't sad for me anymore like they were for me my first few years of teaching. I know the kids are going on to bigger and better things. Some will remember me, and some will be grateful to never have to set foot in my room again. But today is special for another reason. My second youngest brother is graduating from high school. He's starting college at San Jose State in the fall, majoring in engineering! I am so excited for him and the adventures that await him out in this very big world. This kid, because that is how I will always see him, has been an inspiration for me. He was visting me in Seattle some 12 years ago, and we were watching Orcas in the San Juan Islands. I was explaining to him the lives of the whales and why they were / are incredibly unique. At seven years old, he looked at me and told me that I should be a teacher. In fact, he said that I should be his teacher! It floored me. He told me that I got excited about the world and that excitement made others excited too. I stewed on his words for a while and somewhere down the line the words just made sense. Long story short, here I am today trying to make the world an exciting place. I know my approach doesn't work for everyone, but I am still excited about learning. I hope that your kids walk away excited too.
There, strangely enough, is a moral to this story. Listen to the kids. They know what they are talking about. You'll get it too, but you need to take the time to listen.

As always, Mr. B

much gratitude

Thanks to all the parents and students who made today's KOA trip a great one. Did anyone else notice how yellow the pool was at the end of the day? (Just kidding, I think.)

Wednesday will bring us our last full day of class. We'll be finishing up our studies of electricity and working on our classroom mural. Students will be given time to get yearbooks signed, etc. We will be eating lunch up on Cow Hill with the other fourth grade classrooms, so please pack a bag lunch if at all possible.

Red Folders will be sent home on Thursday with report cards. I know everyone is anxious to see them.

Respectfully, Mr. B

and now, the end is near

and so we face the final curtain......

Please harass your children for a blue piece of paper that went home with them this afternoon explainer the finer points for the week. The note does include an error, which I am going to correct right here and now. Students are dismissed on Thursday at 10:50, not 10:05. Just me and my wishful thinking.

Take care, Mr. B

Thursday and Friday

Howdy all and welcome to the end of the end. We spent our morning wrapping up "The Great Horn Spoon". The kids may or may not have catch up material with their study packets. They were given ample classroom time to complete the work, but some students chose to use their time unwisely.

The same can be said for our last unit in science, The States of Matter. Both packets are due on Friday.

Oh man, we started painting our mural this afternoon. I gave fair warning about clothing, so be forewarned. A few of the kids are looking a bit sloppy.

Friday brings us a few things. We will be seeing Mr. Sweet's class play at 8:15, and then walking with our buddy class to the beach at 9. Kids can wear comfortable clothing for the beach, but we will not be going in the water. Parents are welcome to come along on either adventure. We will be returning to school prior to lunch, so there is no need to pack a sack lunch to take. Kids can bring frisbees and the like to play with, but they will be repsonisible for carrying them there and back.

Thanks to the friends and families who joined me at Cole's BBQ last night. A fun time was had by all.

Resepctfully, Mr. B

Wednesday & tonight

Howdy all. Just a quick reminder that tonight is the Cole's BBQ. I'll be there from 5:30 - 7:30 serving up food and drinks for all those that come by.

The kids and I are in the final stretch of "By the Great Horn Spoon". We have two chapters that we will finish tomorrow and then complete the study packets by Friday.

We finished our reading of "The Prophet of Yonwood" today. Kids will have the opportunity to take Accelerated Reader quizzes on both books Thursday and Friday.

We are having fun experimenting with states of matter. Today we experimented with the ideas of buoyancy and fun floating and sinking various classroom items. The kids will be quizzed on states of matter this Friday, but the test will be open book.

Please remember that we will start painting our mural on Thursday and that kids should have a tshirt with them that can get stained without them getting busted for it.

Have a groovy day, Jeff

Tuesday and beyond

Howdy all and welcome back from what was hopefully a restful holiday weekend. We are in the final stretch. The kids know it. You know it. I know it. Who's the most excited?

Red Folders have Friday's math final and assorted work in them. The math finals were impressive! Really glad that the kids pulled it out on this one.

WEDNESDAY night (tomorrow) is our Cole's BBQ Night. Come on by between 5:30 and 7:30 and enjoy a good meal with classmates. (I'm not buying, just so you know.) Invites are in the Red Folders.

We'll be painting our mural on Thursday and Friday. Bring that junky tshirt please.

Due this Friday: Completed "Great Horn Spoon" packets, States of Matter science packets and California practice books. The class will have one final science quiz on Friday, one final comprehension quiz on "The Prophet of Yonwood" and one final "Great Horn Spoon" quiz.

Kids will have until Friday to take Accelerated Reader quizzes, and will be quizzing on "Yonwood" and "Horn Spoon" on that day.

Finally, I am still awaiting permission slips from several students for both the beach clean-up on Friday and the KOA trip next Tuesday. Please make life easier for all of us and get them in now.

Respectfully, Mr. B

the day after and field trip reminders

Howdy all and thanks to those of you who attended last night's Open House. It's rare to get everyone at school at the same time, so it was great to see those who could make it.

We have scheduled next Wednesday evening as BBQ Night @ Cole's. The event will be from 5:30 - 7:30!

I sent home second and final notices for permission slips to both the KOA and beach events with students who have not submitted them as of yet. These need to be submitted no later than Tuesday, May 29th. Be cool and get these in, please!

Enjoy the long weekend. I know will.

Respectfully,
Mr. B

OPEN HOUSE SHEENANIGANS!!!!

Holy cow, these weeks are flying by. The WWII reports have been jaw-droppingly good. The kids are psyched about their work, and the class, for the most part, have proven to be a respectful and gracious audience.

Open House is this evening, so assigning homework would just about be the craziest things ever. The classroom will be open from 6:30 - 8. The kids have prepared some amazing things for everyone to see, I will also have a mini-science lab set up with an ocean theme. I've been telling the kids that I am presenting a report of the The Fish of WWII! I hope to see as many folks tonight as possible.

Just a reminder, of which there will be many, many more....our classroom BBQ @ Cole's is next wednesday from 5:30 - 7:30. I'll be pouring drinks and waiting on tables, so come laugh with us and have some good grub.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and such

Again, a stellar set of WWII reports. The kids are really outdoing themselves with their efforts and presentations. The class has been extremely supportive of each other and are taking the time to compliment each other and ask engaging questions.

Students are responsible for the following work tonight:
-California pages 290 -292 and CA workbook page 72

-Science workbook page 121
Both assignments were started in class today.

Please be aware that proof of residency forms are due to school by tomorrow. If you need a replacement form, they are available on the school website.

Wednesday brings presentations from Sarah, Tyler, Gwen, Adam Lauren & Caleb. It's a restructure day, so we won't be doing much more than sharing reports.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday's fun and more...

Wow! The brave souls who were assigned presentations for today's report did not disappoint! Cool Power Point presentations, awesome maps, a puppet show on, of all things, fascism and a couple very engaging games of Jeopardy! Kudos to everyone. They have set the bar high and early.

Homework will continue to be light this week. The kids were assigned some reading tonight from their California texts (pp 281 -283) and will need to complete the accompanying workbook page 71.

Tuesday brings us reports from Shayla, Brandon, Logan, Madison, Connel, Daisy & Hannah.

Open House is shaping up quite nicely. We'll have all of our WWII work out, poetry to enjoy, and some science stations to explore. I've done some work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium this year, so I am anxious to share some of my learnings with the class and have fun with fish, etc. I'll have the classroom open from 6:30 - 8ish, and hope to see everyone there.

There is a "Great Horn Spoon" quiz on Tuesday (chapters 4 - 7), a "Yonwood" quiz on Thursday, and the year end math assessment on Friday.

Our Jogging for the Arts time is Friday @ 9:45. That and some Paper Airplane info went home in today's Red Folders.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and report schedule

Howdy all,

What a peaceful day. Sometimes it can be very nice to have intelligent discussions about the world and stop to appreciate art. We had a very nice time discussing "By the Great Horn Spoon" and reviewed the process of latitude and longitude. We spent time going over the three states of matter; solids, liquids and gasses. The explaination and discussion about how the smell of a fart can traverse a room was priceless. Math has been providing us an opportunity to review concepts learned throughout the course of the year. We tackled measurements today and will continue with them on Friday. Our afternoon was spent experimenting with watercolors. All in all, a groovy day.

Friday will bring us our final writing assessment for the year. Students will be writing narratives about "their perfect day". We'll be finishing up out watercolor projects, enjoying some fun in the (hopeful) sun at PE, and wrapping the math review on measurement.

Students are responsible for submitting their completed poetry portfolios on Friday.

We will begin work on our class mural next week. Students should wear grubby clothes, or bring a tshirt that can stay here and be worn over their clothing. The mural will be a work-in-progress for a few weeks. If you are interested in aiding with the painting process, drop me a line.

Finally, I informed the class of their WWII presentation schedules for next week. Names were selected at random. I did inform the class that I tend to grade students who present later in the week harder than those who present on Monday and Tuesday. Students need to submit their reports on Monday. Visual aides can be brought any day of the week, as long as they are here for their presentations.
The schedule is as follows:

Monday, 5/21: Ben, Rachel, Paul, Haven, Ryan & Christian

Tuesday, 5/22 (a certain teacher's b-day): Shayla, Brandon, Logan, Madison, Connel, Daisy & Hannah

Wednesday, 5/23: Sarah, Tyler, Gwen, Adam, Lauren & Caleb

Thursday, 5/24: Shante, Liza, Kiannah, Jezebel, Elena, Robert & Jade

Friday, 5/25: Scott, Philip, Austin, Brad, Patrick & Maddie

Respectfully, Mr. B

my bad...

As many of you were quick to point out, the KOA trip is on Tuesday, June 5th, and not the 6th, as is written on the permission slip. Thanks for the editor's eyes. They are appreciated. If you have not turned in the permission slip and $5 yet, please do so quickly.

Today brought us a quiz on "By the Great Horn Spoon", a partner writing and editting opportunity, our final poetry exercise and an introduction to states of matter, our next science unit.

Thursday brings us further science studies, a groovy art project, more work with literature and a math exercise. I will be posting next week's WWII presentation schedule on this blog and in the classroom tomorrow. We will be offering 5 reports a day, Monday - Friday. Good times are sure to abound.

Don't forget, if you are able to attend tonight's meeting on the possible future of Rio, we are meeting in the cafeteria @ 6:30. be there, or be square!

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday & Wednesday

Howdy all, the students are wrapping up a bunch of science and social studies materials. If they have not already, and many of them have, students need to turn in their completed science packets (goldenrod color) and completed social studies workbooks (pages 59 -69) by Thursday. We completed the discussions and background information for each of the pages this morning, so no one should be in the dark about anything.

Wednesday will bring a unique opportunity for parents to attend a curriculum planning and fiscal responsibility meeting @ 6:30 in the cafeteria. Mr. Heffner will be presenting a power point outline of where the school is headed. After his presentation, Jonathon Zeigler and myself will be facilitating a discussion about community interest levels and the possibility of taking Rio del Mar charter in the coming years. There are pros and cons, but the PVUSD is current a 5th-year program improvement district and near being taken over by the state. This is an exploratory discussion where no firm decisions will be made, but input from the community would be appreciated.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday, thanks, this week & beyond

We are in our last three full weeks of school and honestly beginning to wind down. Today marked the beginning of our final class reading, "By the Great Horn Spoon", a Gold Rush adventure. We will be wrapping our unit of poetry this week and prepping our class book. Math continues to be review material. I will be administering the year-end math exam a week from Friday, May 25th. We will begin our scientific study of states of matter tomorrow by looking at gases, solids and liquids in their various forms. We will also begin looking at the affects of the Transcontinental Railroad on California statehood. We will also begin our class mural in the next week or so...location and subject matter is still being worked out.

Thanks for a very fun evening at Friday's "Black, White and Bond". It was great to see everyone outside of school and enjoying themselves. My Wii is a hoot!

WWII reports are due a week from today. I will post an oral report schedule on here by Thursday.

The students are no longer responsible for maintaining a reading log. If students choose to complete reading logs, I will gladly give them extra credit for their efforts.

Red Folders have only permission slips and Jogging for the Arts info in them. I will return student work in the next Red Folder. Please review the field trip forms and return them to class in a timely manner. If you have questions about either event, or would be interested in accompanying us for either day of fun, please let me know.

Finally, I am looking at arranging a class dinner at Cole's BBQ on Wednesday, May 30th from 5:30 - 7:30. Mark your calendars!

Respectfully, Mr. B

you say "tomato", I say "plant it"

Surf City Nursery was kind enough to donate several flats of ready-to-plant tomato plants. Each student was given a plant today that should be planted into an area that receives full sun exposure. Be sure to keep the ground moist until tomatoes appear. Once tomatoes start to grow...stop watering the plant. If you continue to water the plants after they produce tomatoes, the flavor will become watered down.

We spent today finishing the STAR exams! I am so glad to be done with these. I am sure that the class is thrilled as well. We also spent time reviewing expectations for WWII reports, specifically the dedication, table of contents and title page. We will review bibliographies and and transcriptions of interviews on Friday. I will be collecting "Sadako" packets on Friday, and completed science packets early next week. We will not be testing on this science or social studies units.

The kids are continuing their efforts in producing some really cool poetry. Today's subject, "the animal in me", has offered up some memorable work.

Friday brings us a mellow celebration to mark the successful passing of the 2007 STAR tests. We'll be writing poetry, folding origami cranes for the Sadako Peace Memorial and watching a documentary.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday

Just to let you all know what is going on in class for the rest of the week:

Thursday brings us our very last day of STAR testing! Yippee! Students will complete the math portion and breathe a sigh of relief. Make sure everyone is well-rested and to school on time.

Thursday also brings us additional poetry writing, more work with Pangea and further work / discussion with early California statehood.

Friday will be a very mellow day. Students are responsible for turning in their Sadako study packets. We will be previewing our next chapter book, "By the Great Horn Spoon", spending some time with math and watching a documentary on volcanoes and earthquakes.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and thanks all

Alright, the kids tackled the first half of the STAR math assessment this morning and whipped right through it. I heard a few grumbles of "this is easy stuff". Those the words that dreams are made of, especially being that math has been a hurdle for a good number of students this year.

We spent some time mapping plate movements over the past few billion years and looked at the original supercontinent, Pangea. Students may have taken the mapping packet home to complete it, and then use the map to answer questions of page WB85 of their science packets.

As many students are actually procrastinating, I allowed computer time for research on WWII subject matter. These reports are due in less than two weeks, so it was a bummer to learn that many students are slacking with their responsibilities.

I do want to extend a very gracious thank you to the parents who contributed toward the purchase of a classroom copy of the recent PLANET EARTH series from the Discovery Channel. This is such an amazing series, and I am looking forward to implementing into the classroom curriculum.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday and the week

Sorry all, but a family emergency dragged me away from school this morning all but one hour into the day. I am home and things are looking ok now. Mary Crandall helped the class through the day! Thanks Mary.

I will be assigning bits and pieces of homework this week as we continue our studies of plate tectonics, finish our discussion and work surrounding "Sadako", write some groovy poetry and discover exactly how and why California became a state.

The second week of STAR testing continues Tuesday and Thursday with the math portions. Again, please make sure that students are at school on time each day.

Red Folders went home this afternoon. Please take a moment to complete and resturn the enrollment form for the 2007 - 2008 school year by its due date of May 23rd.

The 4th annual school auction and golf tournament is this Friday. The class is working on a book of poetry to accompany the auction basket that the Eatons and Scotts are preparing. Thanks Eatons and Scotts! If you haven't had the chance to get tickets, it is my understanding that there are seats left. Get 'em while the gettin' is good. Remember, every dollar earned at the auction stays at Rio.


Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and counting

I am happy, happy, happy to report that we are officially half way through our STAR testing. We have put langauge arts behind us and will move on to math (gasp) on Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

Friday brings us a rather mellow day. We will be wrapping up our reading of "Sadako" and be working on an art project based on the subject matter.

We will be continuing to work with coordinate graphing while studying math.

Finally, we will be writing some unique poetry to include with our classroom auction basket for next week's dinner.

Good times, Mr. B

Wednesday and oragami

Howdy all, I know that a few of you have expressed a concern over the lack of homework this week. The kids have it, so please don't worry. It's the WWII report. The students really need to take advantage of the testing window for the next two weeks and get their research and writing done. These reports are due on Monday, May 21...no exceptions.

On the subject of WWII...
We are midway through our reading of "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes". Today we looked at the Sadako Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, as well as memorials that have been established elsewhere around the world to honor children lost during wartime. August 6th is set aside in both Japan and California as Sadako Peace Day. Even though we are not in school on August 6th, the class discussed participating in this event by making and sending paper cranes to the Sadako Peace Memorial and Atomic Dome in Hiroshima, Japan. Each paper crane folded is said to bring good luck and health to someone who needs it. While I have a small supply of oragami paper, I would appreciate it greatly if a few parents and students wouldn't mind sending in a packet of oragami paper for this project. (Available at Palace or Beverly's...coupons in the Metro and Weekly.) We will be displaying what we create in the classroom for the remainder of the school year, and then I will mail the completed cranes (with a photo and letter from the class) to Hisoshima in mid-June.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday and stuff

Ok, our first day of STAR testing was very interesting. The students were, for the most part, very involved and meticulous with their work. Again, testing times will be Tuesday and Thursday mornings, roughly 8:15 - 10:00, for two weeks.

We spent our math time today going over coordinate graphs.

We also continued writing poetry, reading and discussing "Sadako" and working with line graphs as a means of relaying historical data. All good fun.

Students are responsible for completing any work that was not completed in class from either the poetry, Sadako or graphing exercises.

Students can expect a "Yonwood" quiz on Thursday and a "Sadako" quiz on Friday as we wrap the book.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday and weekly news

Howdy all and welcome to the first week of the 2007 STAR testing! Woohoo! (<-------There is a hint of sarcasm there, in case you weren't sure.) In the recognition of all the extra stress your children will go through this week and next proving their superior fourth grade knowledge, I will keep homework to an absolute minimum. Students will be responsible for maintaining a reading log. It is my hope that students will take advantage of their downtime to get the majority of their WWII research and writing done. It does not pay to procrastinate this late in the school year, as the report is due only three weeks from today, Monday, May 21st.

We transitioned into our second math text today and will continue to use it through the end of the school year.

We also began our reading of "Sadako and the Thosand Paper Cranes." The book looks at the effects on the civilian population of the US bombing of Hiroshima. We looked at information on the Manhattan Projet, Fat Man and Little Boy and the Enola Gay today in preparation of the reading.

We are continuing with our studies of earth layers, tectonics and earth movement this week. We are also diligently plugging away with the Gold Rush!

Watch for Red Folders today! They are chocked full of Rio goodness!

Respectfully, Mr. B

Thursday and serious spring fever

A classroom of rude children somehow replaced the angels I am used to seeing today. If you sent the wrong child to class today, be sure to send the correct child on Friday. It would be much appreciated.

We spent a good deal of our day reviewing and practicing with STAR testing formats for next week. Again, language tests will be next Tuesday and Thursday, with the math portion of the exam on the same days the following week. Practice exams were discussed and corrected whole class. Look for them in Monday's folders.

Friday brings us a school-wide spirit day. Sports is the theme. We will be having a classroom picnic in the park next to the school at lunchtime.

We began looking at the layers of the Earth today and how volcanoes contribute to the changing of our landscape. I had to cancel the science experiment because of the classroom attitude today. The students were not going to be rewarded with a fun and tasty experiment with the behavior that was evident today. We may try it on Friday if behavior merits it.

The students are responisble for the following materials tonight:

-Reading Log (due)
-Math Subtraction Fractions 8-3 & 8-4
-comma page 89, 88 was completed in class

Respectfully, Mr. B

Wednesday

Howdy all, the students are responisble for the following work tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Adding Fractions 8-1 & 8-2
-Read science text pages b14-b19 and complete science packet page wb83
-Bring ALL library books back to school

Thursday brings us an edible science experiment exploring the layers of the Earth! It's not very nutritious, sorry.
We will continue to discuss and write various forms of poetry, as well as wrap up our work with "Number the Stars". Yellow "Number the Stars" folders will be collected on Friday.

Friday brings us a school-wide, sports-themed spirit day and a class picnic. We will be eating lunch together in the park next to the school. Bag lunches would be appreciated to save us time.

I will be administering the STAR tests in the next two weeks. Testing times for our classroom will be Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 - 10. Please ensure that you child is at school on time each day. I will be offering a practice exam this Friday. Fourth grade tests on language and math only. Our writing samples were completed in March.

Respectfully, Mr. B