I am sure that many of you are aware now that Sophia Wardle, a Rio second-grader and all-around amazing girl, died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. The news greeted many of the students with absolute shock this morning, and I am still reeling after learning last night. The class and I had an awesome 45 minute conversation this morning about Sophia. Your children were sympathetic and insightful, many wanting to share memories both happy and sad about the passing of people and pets that they had known and loved. Many tears were shed. Sophia's brother, Quinn, is in our reading buddy class.
Mrs. Dorney prepared a letter that was sent home with each of the children today that explains in more detail what I have mentioned here, and also outlines the grief services that were made available for students and staff at the school today.
Some of the work that was planned for class today has been postponed until Monday for obvious reason.
As information comes available, I will gladly share what I know. For now, however, I ask of you all what you do best; come together as a supportive and caring community for both the kids and ourselves.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Thursday & Friday
Howdy all, We've had a very nice week and will be winding down Friday with a few assessments and a documentary about the Titanic to go along with our reading of this week. We'll be finishing both The Island of the Blue Dolphins and Matilda on Friday. We'll take a week off from chapter books next week and then will begin James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl and The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau.
The students are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log (due next Tuesday)
-Math 3A
-Reading practice pages 49 & 50
-continue studying for Titanic spelling quiz tomorrow
-if students are interested in ordering from the Scholastic catalog that went home last week, orders will be sent to class by tomorrow.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
The students are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log (due next Tuesday)
-Math 3A
-Reading practice pages 49 & 50
-continue studying for Titanic spelling quiz tomorrow
-if students are interested in ordering from the Scholastic catalog that went home last week, orders will be sent to class by tomorrow.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Hola!
The kids jumped head-first into Spanish with Mrs. Murray this morning. They did a great working on basic conversation skills. Again, we'll be working with Mrs. Murray on Wednesdays up through the Winter Break.
We're looking very good for chaperones and drivers for the upcoming Monterey Bay Aquarium trip. Thanks for getting the permission slips back to me in a timely manner. It is much appreciated.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log
-Reading practice book page 46
-Math lesson 18, pages 77-78, problems 1-20
-Reflections practice book page 15
Adios, Mr. Bryant
We're looking very good for chaperones and drivers for the upcoming Monterey Bay Aquarium trip. Thanks for getting the permission slips back to me in a timely manner. It is much appreciated.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log
-Reading practice book page 46
-Math lesson 18, pages 77-78, problems 1-20
-Reflections practice book page 15
Adios, Mr. Bryant
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Tuesday
Wow, we had an amazingly artful day. The gloom and drizzle was replaced with cave paintings and bead work, both connecting wonderfully to our current Native Californian studies. We are fortunate enough to have Mrs. McNeilly, sixth-grade teacher extraordinaire and maker of art, available to us a few times during the course of the school year to lead the class in extension projects. The class began designing beaded bracelets today that they will loom in the coming weeks.
A few parents voiced concern over the STAR diagnostics and Accelerated Reading (AR) goals sent home in yesterday's Orange Folders, and I would like to elaborate on them further. I realize that the information I share with the class does not always translate well at home. All students, in varying applications, were required to use AR during their third grade school year. Some teachers required it as literature component grade, while other teachers required it in conjunction with their literature circles. In an effort to prepare students for junior high and beyond, fourth grade and up are requiring students to maintain independent reading logs and to participate with an on-line assessment of what they have engaged with. The individual goals have been based upon their STAR assessments, which each of you have been provided a copy. The print out identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses and makes suggestions as to how to go about improving one's reading skills. Most students are able to meet their AR goal strictly from the readings we partake with in class each semester, as the literature we have chosen as a grade level is rich and engaging. If you have questions about AR's application in the classroom, I am more than happy to address individual concerns. I will definitely include AR as part of our discussions during Conference Week.
The students are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log (due next Tuesday)
-Math lesson 17, page 73, problems 1-22
-Reading Practice book pages 39 & 40 (The kids will need to reference the larger language text to answer these questions.)
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
A few parents voiced concern over the STAR diagnostics and Accelerated Reading (AR) goals sent home in yesterday's Orange Folders, and I would like to elaborate on them further. I realize that the information I share with the class does not always translate well at home. All students, in varying applications, were required to use AR during their third grade school year. Some teachers required it as literature component grade, while other teachers required it in conjunction with their literature circles. In an effort to prepare students for junior high and beyond, fourth grade and up are requiring students to maintain independent reading logs and to participate with an on-line assessment of what they have engaged with. The individual goals have been based upon their STAR assessments, which each of you have been provided a copy. The print out identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses and makes suggestions as to how to go about improving one's reading skills. Most students are able to meet their AR goal strictly from the readings we partake with in class each semester, as the literature we have chosen as a grade level is rich and engaging. If you have questions about AR's application in the classroom, I am more than happy to address individual concerns. I will definitely include AR as part of our discussions during Conference Week.
The students are responsible for the following tonight:
-Reading Log (due next Tuesday)
-Math lesson 17, page 73, problems 1-22
-Reading Practice book pages 39 & 40 (The kids will need to reference the larger language text to answer these questions.)
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Monday, September 8, 2008
Monday and the week
Howdy all. We are off to a busy week. We will have two visitors this week. Tuesday will bring us an Native American art project after lunch with Mrs. McNeilly and Wednesday brings us our first of twelve visits from Senorita Murray and our Spanish studies. We began about the sinking of the Titanic today and will study the efforts of Robert Ballard, the man who discovered the wreckage back in 1985. We'll wrap up the week on Friday with a documentary that explores the wreckage! We are near finishing our reading and study of Roald Dahl's Matilda and will begin Jeanne DuPrau's City of Ember trilogy next.
The Orange Folders that went home today are full of goodies. Please take a moment to go through the papers that were returned or sent home to you. As always, please remember to initial the folder on the appropriate date and return them to school no later than Friday.
Thanks again to those of you who have donated to the classroom fund. Your support is much appreciated and I'll be sending out thank you cards shortly.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
The Orange Folders that went home today are full of goodies. Please take a moment to go through the papers that were returned or sent home to you. As always, please remember to initial the folder on the appropriate date and return them to school no later than Friday.
Thanks again to those of you who have donated to the classroom fund. Your support is much appreciated and I'll be sending out thank you cards shortly.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
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