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