Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
- Math 13.1
- Reading Log
- complete biome information sheet (if necessary)
- take a walk around the outside of your house in preparation for tomorrow's diseno activity.
Finally, we will be erupting the volcanoes tomorrow afternoon between 1:30 & 2 for kids who made them during the Winter Break. We'll be filming them if you can't attend, but all are welcome to stop by for the fun if you're in the neighborhood!
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday
Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. I wanted to make you aware of an exciting new technology component that I will be introducing to the students over the course of the next few weeks. MyAccess is a computer-based writing program that offers real-time, intelligent feedback and suggestions as to how writing can be improved. It is not akin to Microsoft Word or any other program that simply underlines or highlights areas of concern, but actually guides its user through the editing process in a manner that fosters understanding and (hopefully) appreciation for the written language. I'll be going to several after-school workshops over the next few weeks in an effort to learn as much as possible about this amazing addition to our classroom writing curriculum. And just an FYI, we are the only classroom on campus that will be utilizing this program this year!
The kids are responsible for the following work tonight:
- Reading Log entry (Winter Break log is due this Friday)
- Math 12.5, pages 109 & 110
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
The kids are responsible for the following work tonight:
- Reading Log entry (Winter Break log is due this Friday)
- Math 12.5, pages 109 & 110
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Welcome to 2010
Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Welcome to the 2010 school year. The kids were very excited, albeit sleepy this morning as we started back to our academic routine. Sounds like we have some jetsetters in the class!
Hopefully each of you received my voice mail yesterday. The school has purchased a very cool program that will allow me to reach out to each of you when important information is necessary to share with you. It sure beats a phone tree! The program will soon feature a parent portal that will allow you to edit contact information and preferences. The school will keep you apprised of that ability when it becomes available.
We have two short week ahead of us, so we will be concentrating on social studies, science, math and writing. We will not be working with our language program, but will venture back to it in two weeks from now.
On the science front, we are moving into a very large biome unit. The unit will be a little more than a month in length, and will hit on major environments around the planet. The kids will be making a biome study guide, similar to what we created for our Native American studies. Our text does a poor job covering biomes in depth, so we will be utilizing the Discovery "Planet Earth" series and the Enchanted Learning website to dig deeper. The kids will be tested on the content of the study unit and will also be required to write a research paper on the biome of their choice. Each student will also be crafting a Power Point presentation to accompany their report.
On the Social Studies front, we are looking at the causes and effects of the Mexican - American War. It is a rich, short unit of study.
The class voted today to begin reading Jeanne DuPrau's City of Ember. It is a unique piece of science fiction / mystery.
We began a discussion on American civil rights today in honor of the Martin Luther King, Junior Holiday that will continue throughout the week. The kids are extremely curious, and I am treating the conversation and subject with a great deal of respect. Please be aware that questions may arise from the conversations and materials that we engage with. I would encourage you each to be open to these questions, as the knowledge and understanding garnered from them is valuable.
Tomorrow, I will share some information with you regarding a computer-based writing program that our class will be testing for the remainder of the school year. It is something that I am very excited about.
Finally, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:
- Blue Folders
- Reading Log
- Nature Log entry
- Saxon Math, lesson 32, 1-20
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Hopefully each of you received my voice mail yesterday. The school has purchased a very cool program that will allow me to reach out to each of you when important information is necessary to share with you. It sure beats a phone tree! The program will soon feature a parent portal that will allow you to edit contact information and preferences. The school will keep you apprised of that ability when it becomes available.
We have two short week ahead of us, so we will be concentrating on social studies, science, math and writing. We will not be working with our language program, but will venture back to it in two weeks from now.
On the science front, we are moving into a very large biome unit. The unit will be a little more than a month in length, and will hit on major environments around the planet. The kids will be making a biome study guide, similar to what we created for our Native American studies. Our text does a poor job covering biomes in depth, so we will be utilizing the Discovery "Planet Earth" series and the Enchanted Learning website to dig deeper. The kids will be tested on the content of the study unit and will also be required to write a research paper on the biome of their choice. Each student will also be crafting a Power Point presentation to accompany their report.
On the Social Studies front, we are looking at the causes and effects of the Mexican - American War. It is a rich, short unit of study.
The class voted today to begin reading Jeanne DuPrau's City of Ember. It is a unique piece of science fiction / mystery.
We began a discussion on American civil rights today in honor of the Martin Luther King, Junior Holiday that will continue throughout the week. The kids are extremely curious, and I am treating the conversation and subject with a great deal of respect. Please be aware that questions may arise from the conversations and materials that we engage with. I would encourage you each to be open to these questions, as the knowledge and understanding garnered from them is valuable.
Tomorrow, I will share some information with you regarding a computer-based writing program that our class will be testing for the remainder of the school year. It is something that I am very excited about.
Finally, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:
- Blue Folders
- Reading Log
- Nature Log entry
- Saxon Math, lesson 32, 1-20
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thursday & Friday
Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We had a very fun day, as the kids shared their work from the Enrichment Menus that we have been toying with for these past few weeks. We say some very interesting plays, heard some beautiful poetry and learned a great deal about optical illusions. I am quite proud of what the kids accomplished.
Tomorrow is upon us, and the kids and I are very excited to celebrate our successes of the year together. We will be having our potluck feast between 10:20 and noon. All are welcome to come by and partake in the fun.
Tomorrow is also a spirit day, and the theme is the 1960's. Peace Power will surely prevail.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Tomorrow is upon us, and the kids and I are very excited to celebrate our successes of the year together. We will be having our potluck feast between 10:20 and noon. All are welcome to come by and partake in the fun.
Tomorrow is also a spirit day, and the theme is the 1960's. Peace Power will surely prevail.
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday
Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
- Saxon math 31, pages 138-140, problems 1-20
- Reading Practice book pages 193 & 194
- Reading Log entry
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
- Saxon math 31, pages 138-140, problems 1-20
- Reading Practice book pages 193 & 194
- Reading Log entry
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday
Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. The week is moving by quickly, and the kids are immersed in wrapping up their projects prior to our much need and well deserved break.
Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:
- reading log
- nature log
- Saxon math lesson 28, pages 121-123, problems 1-20
- continue preparing for tomorrow's social studies exam
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:
- reading log
- nature log
- Saxon math lesson 28, pages 121-123, problems 1-20
- continue preparing for tomorrow's social studies exam
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday
Howdy all, and welcome to the week of heck. The kids are insanely psyched for the Winter Break, and are already showing their colors! It should be a fun week. The Blue Folders are full of information, so I will attempt to shed some light on their content here:
1. There are three extra credit opportunities for the Winter Break. Kids can do as many of them as they like. None are required to be done, but I will strictly enforce their due dates.
2. The Coastal Commission art & poetry contest needs to be returned to me no later than Friday of this week for kids who want to enter their work.
3. The Reading Log is for the Winter Break, and is due on Friday, January 15, 2010. Please note that it is double-sided.
4. The permission slip for San Juan Bautista can be returned as soon as possible. The trip is not until January. If you'd like to come along as a driver / chaperone, please email me. The cost of this trip is $1, but I'll be combining its cost with the Ano Nuevo elephant seal trip and collecting $5 from each student at that time.
For tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:
- Blue Folder
- Reading Log
- Saxon math, lesson 27, pages 117 - 118, problems 1-20
- Reading Practice book pages 197 & 198
- no spelling this week, but would definitely encourage kids to study for Wednesday's Social Studies quiz on explorers and missions
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
1. There are three extra credit opportunities for the Winter Break. Kids can do as many of them as they like. None are required to be done, but I will strictly enforce their due dates.
2. The Coastal Commission art & poetry contest needs to be returned to me no later than Friday of this week for kids who want to enter their work.
3. The Reading Log is for the Winter Break, and is due on Friday, January 15, 2010. Please note that it is double-sided.
4. The permission slip for San Juan Bautista can be returned as soon as possible. The trip is not until January. If you'd like to come along as a driver / chaperone, please email me. The cost of this trip is $1, but I'll be combining its cost with the Ano Nuevo elephant seal trip and collecting $5 from each student at that time.
For tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:
- Blue Folder
- Reading Log
- Saxon math, lesson 27, pages 117 - 118, problems 1-20
- Reading Practice book pages 197 & 198
- no spelling this week, but would definitely encourage kids to study for Wednesday's Social Studies quiz on explorers and missions
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
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