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