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
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
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
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
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, September 4, 2007
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)