Wednesday

Howdy all, kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math 103 (all)
-continue with science and WWII reports
-bring library books back to school Thursday morning

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Howdy all. We had a very nice today. We were able to review the process of mineral formation (heat, pressure and time), as well as discuss the manner in which minerals achieve their color. Pretty groovy stuff.
We were also able to get into early California politics and how Hiram Johnson promoted a transparent government in which the people were active participants in the decision making processes. Where did those days go? Can we get them back?
Math was an interesting assortment of decimals and fractions. Our first few pages of Farewell to Manzanar brought about a lively discussion regarding discrimination.

The class will be having a picnic on Friday up on Cow Hill behind the school. All students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch, if possible.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log
-Math 102 (all)
-continue with science and WWII projects

Respectfully, Mr. B

Monday and the week

Howdy all, and welcome to the seventh to last week of school. Yes, we're counting down the days at this point.

Green Folders are making their way home today. You'll notice that the work that is coming home is decreasing in quantity. It has to do with the fact that we are working on larger, on-going units at this point in the year that I do not collect until we complete. Therefore, there will be weeks where you get a surplus of returned work, and others, such as this week's and last's, that are light. I would still encourage folks to review the returned material on a weekly basis, as I will not be sending home progress reports this trimester.

Today brought us our first look and experiment with the rocks and minerals unit. Tne unit will run about three weeks before we get into waves, wind, and water as factors of weathering and erosion.

Tomorrow brings us to the final book of the year that we'll study as a class. The book, Farewell to Manzanar, was written by local author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, explores the struggles of a Japanese-American family during WWII.

The students are responsible for the following tonight:

-Green Folders
-Reading Log
-Math 101 (all)
-continue with science and WWII projects

Respectfully, Mr. B

little protestors!

Howdy all. I am super impressed with the efforts of the Girl Scouts to raise awareness of the State Budget issue / crisis. Our very own Emily, Haley, Jessica and Beth were in front of the school collecting signatures after class today. They were joined by sixth grade students who had created picket signs designed to draw parent and community support! Way to go!

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due tomorrow)
-Math 19A (due tomorrow)
-Biome study guide (due tomorrow)

Respectfully, Mr. B

Short Wednesday

Howdy all. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Reading Log (due Friday)
-Math 99 (all)
-library books are due tomorrow
-continue studying for Friday's land biome quiz. Study guide due that day as well.

The kids are aware, and now you are too, that they will need to submit a science fair question and hypothesis that will guide their projects next Monday.

Respectfully, Mr. B

Tuesday

Howdy all. We had fun with a smelly invisible ink project today. If the kids are interested in completing the assignment again at home, simply mix equal parts onion juice, lemon juice, and add a dash of granulated sugar. Let it dry, and then hold the paper up to a bright light. The acids in the juice will eat away at the paper, making the areas exposed to the mixture brighter than the unexposed areas! Truly secret agent stuff.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Math 98 (all)
-Reading Log (due Friday)
-continue studying for Friday's land biome quiz

Respectfully, Mr. B

Happy Monday

Howdy all, and welcome to the working week. The kids are getting antsy realising that there are but eight weeks of school left! I honestly cannot blame them, as my mind is leaning toward floating leisurely in Lake Tahoe for a few weeks.

This week brings about a change in homework and focus as the kids have been given the outlines and expectations for their science faire projects. With the WWII report information and expectations going home last week, the kids now have an ample amount of work to keep them occupied for the duration of the school year. The kids will still be responsible for math and reading logs on a nightly basis, but should focus their efforts on the WWII and science projects.

As far as testing is concerned, we will have short quizzes on material that we cover, but substantial unit tests are all but finished. The kids can expect Theme tests for the literature units as we complete them, but larger science and social studies tests are done. Math tests will continue as they have, with tests after every 5 lessons. The state STAR testing will take up the first two weeks in May. I am really hoping that these don't increase stress levels for the kids. I will attempt to keep the testing environment relaxed. We'll make cider and cocoa each morning. Testing will last 4 days, spread out over two weeks and will consist of math and language arts. The kids took their writing exams in March. You'll get results for all of these lovely experiments in aptitude over the summer.

Finally, whew, I am happy to announce that the class will be making a movie! During our STAR testing window, we'll be filming a movie on Cow Hill (behind the school) that we will premiere at the Open House on May 22nd. We'll need help with props, so I'll keep folks aprised of required goodies as we get to filming.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-Green Folders
-Math lesson 97 (all)
-Reading Log (due Friday)
-study for land biome quiz this Friday. Biome study guide due at that time, but cannot be used for quiz.

Respectfully, Mr. B