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
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