Thursday & Friday

Hello all, and thanks for checking in.  Our days have been hectic this week, as the kids have had to work with three separate benchmark exams (one for language and two for math).  They have managed to get through all three, which made the introduction of our artist in residence for the next nine weeks all the more fun.  Today the kids spent an hour working with a cartoonist, and will continue to do so on Thursday afternoons through May.  We are putting together portfolios and are excited about sharing them at our Open House in May.

Today, the kids are responsible for the following:

- spelling 87 (packet due tomorrow)
- 30 minutes DEAR
- complete Wednesday's Nature Log (if it was not turned in today)

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

Hello all, and thanks for checking in.  We had a genuinely pleasant day, and the kids worked very well with their language benchmark assessment this morning.  We have kicked off a new literature unit and are working with Lois Lowry's Number the Stars.  It is a Newberry Award winning book, and looks at the German occupation of Denmark during World War II.  We are two chapters in and the kids are hooked.

Today, the kids are responsible for the following:

- 30  minutes DEAR
- Math 22 review, page 502, problems 1-20
- a detailed nature log entry on an object that is not man-made.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Hello all, and my apologies for the late post.  I was locked out of my blog account (?), and have just gotten access back.  I am working diligently on report cards in preparation for them going home with the kids on Friday.  It has been exciting to recognize their growth this past trimester.  I have asked the kids to make a few changes in these past few weeks in ramping up for our efforts in the third trimester, and have another to add to that list; I am asking that kids increase their independent reading efforts at home from a 20 to 30 minute window each day.  I spoke with the kids with the class about this today, and shared my thought process behind the decision with them.  Aside from improving their comprehension and fluency levels by engaging with more independent reading, it will also prepare them more thoroughly for the workload that will accompany 5th grade and beyond.

Tonight, the kids are asked to complete the following:

- spelling 85
- math 22.4, problems 9-26
- 30 minutes DEAR

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday

Hello all, and thank you for checking in.  We are off and running here with our first week of the third trimester!  The year is truly flying by.  As a friendly reminder, report cards for the second trimester will be going home with the kids on Friday.  New Accelerated Reader goals for the third trimester were set and shared with the kids today.  We have the pleasure of working with three benchmark assessments for the district this week.  As a result, I will not be offering a math test this week.

Today, the kids are responsible for the following:

- Red Folder
- spelling 84
- math 22.2, pages 489-490, problems 5-22

Respectfully, Mr. B