Thursday, April 29, 2010

Thanks & Friday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Again, another impressive round of science projects were shared with the classroom today. The kids have done some great work!

Today was our first round of state testing, and we completed the first half of the language assessment. Tomorrow brings the writing portion of the assessment, and the kids will be summarizing articles.

If you are at all able to order from the Scholastic catalogs this week, your purchase will be greatly appreciated! Tomorrow is the deadline, and the link is in the lower right hand corner of this blog.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- reading log
- math 24.5
- continue with California reports

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wednesday & Thursday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. What a great day! The kids did some amazing work presenting their science projects to the class. We made it through the first dozen today, and will hit the balance of them on Thursday and Friday.

State testing begins for us tomorrow. We will be going through the first section of the language assessment. Again, it is very important that the kids arrive to school on time, as we will beginning bright and early.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math 23.4 (most completed in class)
- continue research for California report

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tuesday & Wednesday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We had a fun short day, and hope to continue the week as such. The kids are excited to begin sharing their science projects, and we will be sharing our efforts with the entire fourth grade on Friday.

As I mentioned here yesterday, state testing begins this week. With that, daily homework will become light (as of today) with the hopes that kids focus their energies on their California reports.

We began our discussion on World War II today, and the kids were very respectful of the subject matter. There were many questions about Nazis and their persecution of Jewish people. I am treating the matter as delicately as possible, but some material is frightening. Please know that I am working to make this enlightening experience for all.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math 23.3
- continue with California reports

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday, April 26, 2010

Monday & the week

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We have some heavy weeks in front of us, but we are working at making them memorable and engaging. Here's the rundown:

Tomorrow is the due date for science projects. Students will need to have them here, or face the evil consequences. Again, students need only submit the manila folders. The printed handouts were just for organizational purposes. The kids were informed today when they would be presenting this week. Students 1-11 will present on Wednesday, with 12-22 on Thursday and 23-33 on Friday. The kids will be prompted through their presentations, so there is no need to memorize content.

CST testing begins this week as well. It is extremely important for the kids to arrive to school on time, as all testing will be taking place in the morning hours. I know that the school and district consider these tests to be high-stakes endeavors, but as a class we aim to do our best at everything. I will keep the environment as stress free as possible. Kids can chew gum (I've bought some), and we'll make cocoa to keep those little minds alert.

Blue Folders are chocked full of goodies. Please look them over.

I was really thrilled with the overall success of our Gold Rush unit. The kids really took ownership for their work, and the results of Friday's exams were more than impressive. It just goes to show what we are capable of when we put our best efforts forth. (Tests were sent home on Friday and are not in today's folders.)

Scholastic book orders are due by Friday. Again, if you can squeeze an order it, it would be greatly appreciated. We earn classroom points for each dollar spent, and we am near earning a new I-Mac for the class! The ordering link is in the lower right hand corner of this page.

Homework during the CST window will be light, but only because the kids should be focusing their efforts on their California research projects. With that, I will be allotting time during class for the kids to keep up on what would have been assigned to take home. Please be aware that if kids are bringing home what appears to be excessive homework, it is because they are not using their class time correctly.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- SCIENCE PROJECT completed and at school tomorrow!
- reading practice book pages 391 & 392 (most completed in class)
- math 23.2
- reading log


Respectfully, Mr. Bryant