the last stretch

Howdy all. Hopefully this post finds you well-rested from the spring break and enjoying this amazing weather. The kids were a little squirrelly today, no doubt a result of being back in class and the heat. We're managing quite well.
As we hit these last six weeks of school, the kids and I have much to undertake. Beside the lovely STAR testing that begins next week, we'll be working with two large reports and several smaller writing projects. Information regarding the California report is in today's orange folder. I understand that these projects will require a great deal of effort and time on their behalf, and I will be scaling back the day-to-day homework assignments so that they may concentrate their efforts on the larger projects.
I will still continue to post here daily, as there will be much information to share.
Orange folders have a great deal of returned work, so please take the time to look through your child's work. I'll be sending progress reports home within the next two weeks as well.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- reading log
- science project write up, hypothesis and procedure listing
- math 98 (all)
- orange folders

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday & Thursday

Howdy all. We're wrapping up Sadako and our science projects tomorrow prior to the break. We're about half way through the science project report model for the kids to work with over the break. Tonight, then kids are responsible for preparing their science project inquiry question. Specifically, I need to know what the kids are planning to experiment with.

As this is our final post prior to Spring Break, I will wish each of you a peaceful and restful holiday.

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Tuesday

Howdy all. The kids were troopers today as we worked through a rather extensive language assessment for the district. We also completed our in-class science project with crystal growth, and will map out our findings so that they may use them as models for their own projects. Those will make it home by Thursday. Kids will need to turn in their science project hypothesis by Thursday as well. Tonight, the kids are responsible for Math 97.

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday and the week

Howdy all. We are a room full of sick people. We're hacking and sneezing and betraying the entire notion of spring. Please remember to get plenty of fluids and rest. It would be a shame to be sick during our upcoming and well-deserved spring break.

The kids and I have been working for the past week with an in-class science project. We've been experimenting with growing crystals using epsom salts. I know that many of the kids have duplicated the process at home using sugars,and I applaud their efforts. This week we will be working to review the entire scientific process so that the kids may begin their our science projects at home. Information is going home in today's folders that will help the kids outline the process and record information. We'll make sample presentations in class today that the kids can take home over the break to help them with their work. Please be mindful of check-in and due dates that are listed on the bottom of the cover page.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

-reading log
-math 16A
-complete third draft of Hero essay to turn in for final editing
-orange folders

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

Howdy all. We have a very pleasant day. The kids were full of April Fool's jokes, so we had a few laughs at each others expense.

Tonight, the class is responsible for the following:

-reading log
-reading practice pages 334 - 335 (possessive pronouns)
-Reflections practice pages 78 - 79 (agriculture)
-math 94

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Tuesday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in today. We're continuing our work with the all-class science project for the next week. The kids will be researching how evaporation rates affect the growth of crystals. Pretty cool stuff, and exciting to learn that several students are following through in duplicating the experiment at home!

Today also began our discussion and exploration of WWII. We are centering our studies on two pieces of literature, with the first being Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. While it is a relatively short work at 65 pages, it is incredibly insightful regarding the Japanese perspective and experience of the Hiroshima bombing. The second, which will begin in late April, will center on the German occupation of Denmark. The material is very rich and promotes a greater understanding of our world history and how it relates to issues we experience today.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

-reading log
-reading practice pages 327 & 328 (fact vs. opinion)
-math 93
-Golden Gulch game packets are due tomorrow

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday and the week

Howdy all. We're off to a fun week. We started growing our own salt crystals in class today, and the kids are anxious to try their hands at growing sugar crystals at home. So, consider yourselves warned. We'll continue to fine tune our hero writings this week, explore the life of Lou Gehrig and begin our reading of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.

Orange folders are heavy with returned goodies this week, so please review their contents carefully. You'll also find information regarding the spring auction / dinner.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

-orange folders
-reading logs
-reading practice book pages 331 -332
-math 92

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant