Thursday & Friday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in today. I wanted to offer a quick round of thanks to those of you have contributed to our classroom fund or sent supplies in with the kids. It's amazing how many pencils, tissues and hand sanitizer we go through in a week, but we have a good supply of each on hand for a while. The books sent in to our library are greatly appreciated as well. With last week's book order, I was able to select an additional $40 in free books for our classroom for the kids to enjoy. Thanks all for supporting the kids.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log (due tomorrow)
- math review #3
- science practice book pages 64 & 65

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday & Thursday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We had a groovy day, and the kids put a great deal of effort into the beginning of their Native Californians books.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log (due Friday)
- math 3.4 (pp 25 & 26)
- tomorrow brings our second Island of the Blue Dolphins quiz (chapters 8 - 16), and many of the kids will be reviewing their books tonight as well.

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

a short beginning

So odd to have a restructured day as our first day back from the holiday weekend, but the kids did not seem to mind one bit. Despite all the public outcries, we were able to watch the entirety of President Obama's address to our nation's youth this morning. The kids were very excited and made connections to what was being said. It made for an interesting conversation regarding their personal goals for the future.

We are one chapter from completing Matilda by Roald Dahl, and will be wrapping up Island of the Blue Dolphins in the next week as well. Wednesday will bring us our introduction to Native Californians. The kids will be working at compiling a very detailed study guide / book that will help them as we explore a dozen or so prominent tribes.

I am holding off sending home Blue Folders until next Monday, as the week is a short one and I have little to send home from last week.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- reading log (due Friday)
- math 3.2 & 3.3 (3.2 was started Friday, but not all kids were able to finish it)
- nature log

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

the Red and the Tree

Congratulations to our classroom representatives for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Sachi and CeCe were elected by secret ballot in class today from a field of seven interested candidates. We look forward to their efforts in the coming year and wish them success!

We had our first adventure in the computer lab today, where we explored the Monterey Bay Aquarium website and spent some time researching some potential ocean animal report materials.

Our Titantic documentary, "Ghosts of the Abyss", was a huge hit with the class. Many of the kids are eager to see the expanded version of the documentary, as we watched the 60 minute version. The disc is available via Netflix for interested parties.

Finally, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- study for tomorrow's spelling quiz
- math 3.1 (pp 19-20)
- if possible, continue exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium website for potential ocean animal report subjects (there is a link in the bottom right corner)

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday and beyond

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. There seems to be a rough flu making the rounds and several of the kids are feeling the effects. Please make sure that the kids are eating a healthy breakfast and getting a decent sleep each night. We don't need a bunch off sick kids running around.

Tomorrow we will be holding our in-class elections for student leadership. I'll post results on the blog tomorrow afternoon.

We are wrapping up our short story regarding the sinking of the Titanic tomorrow. The class will be watching a G-rated documentary on the technology used to explore the wreckage. It's a very cool watch.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math problem of the week #1
- reading practice book page 50

respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Happy September First

Howdy, and thanks for checking in. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- nature log entry
- math review page (handout, both sides)
- reading practice book pages 41 - 42

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday and the week

Howdy, and thanks for checking in. I wanted to take a quick moment to thank the families that attended last Thursday's Back to School Night. I know I tend to ramble, so I sincerely hope that folks walked away feeling comfortable and confident with your child's placement. Again, if you have questions or concerns regarding curriculum, etc., please feel free to e-mail me.

We will have two assessments this week, both of which are listed here on the blog calendar. I will send the kids home on Tuesday with a math review page to tackle prior to Wednesday's exam.

Blue Folders have new reading logs as well as Accelerated Reader goals for the first grading trimester. I have hand written student access codes and passwords in the upper left hand corner of each page so that you may monitor their progress from home, should you choose to.

Students are responsible for the following tonight:

- Blue folders
- math 2.5, pages 17 & 18
- reading practice book pages 38 & 45 ("Finding the Titanic" spelling list can be torn from page 411)
- reading log

Please ensure that blue folders are returned to school in a timely manner, and by Friday of each school week.

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant