Tuesday & the week

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Hopefully you all enjoyed a groovy three-day weekend. The warm weather has been welcome.

Just an FYI, we hit the Donner Party in social studies today, so the kids are anxious to discuss cannibalism...sorry.

Here are a few notes on the week:

1.) Wednesday will be business as usual.

2.) Thursday will bring us our rescheduled Mission San Juan Bautista trip. We'll be leaving school at 9am, so drivers & chaperones should arrive a few minutes prior to that in order to get situated. All students will need to bring a sack lunch that day. Cameras are permitted, but money is not necessary to bring. The temperature is forecasted to be in upper 60s and low 70s, so a light jacket might be appropriate for the morning.

3.) Thursday morning will bring us a visit from a Santa Cruz Symphony and docent. We'll have the opportunity to visit the symphony on Monday, March 1st (if scheduling permits).

4.) Friday we will be treated to a class ice cream party for our 100% participation in one of the school-wide spirit days.

Finally, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log (due Friday)
- math 17.1 (fractions)
- nature log entry
- Reflections practice book page 50 (started in class)

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Thursday & Friday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Just a quick few notes:

1.) Tomorrow is the water biome quiz. Kids were encouraged to take their study guides home to work with tonight, but need to remember to bring them back in the morning to use with the exam.

2.) Valentines exchange will take place tomorrow at 1:30 for those who are wishing to swap them.

3.) I am looking forward to a 3-day weekend, and I hope you are as well.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math 16.3
- reading practice book page 250
- study for biome quiz, BUT BRING BOOK FRIDAY!!

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday & Thursday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Here are just a few notes for the day:

1.) we could honestly use about three additional chaperones / drivers for next Thursday's trip to Mission San Juan Bautista. We have five brave souls confirmed thus far, and they are listed below and the right. If you'd like to join us, please let me know via an email.

2.) The kids were given a class list today for those who are interested in exchanging valentines on Friday. Again, we are not having a party, per se, but I am setting aside 30 minutes at the end of the day to celebrate.

3.) Each child was also sent home with a school survey today. If possible, please complete and return the survey to school no later than next Tuesday.

4.) The kids still have their water biome quiz on Friday. They have voted to use their study guides (knowing that the quiz will be a bit harder for it).

5.) I'll be in and out of the classroom Thursday morning, as I am helping to facilitate the 6th grade science fair. Mrs. Nigh will be here with the class.

Finally, the kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math 16.2
- reading practice book pages 255 & 256
- study for water biome quiz

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Tuesday & the week

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Hopefully this finds you rested and recharged after our three-day weekend. Despite the short week, we have much happening. Here are a few things of note:

1.) Friday brings a quiz on the water biomes we have been studying. I gave the kids the choice of using their study guides for either the water or land biomes quizzes, and they overwhelming chose the water quiz this week. Therefore, the kids will have access to their study guides on Friday (with the understanding that the quiz will be a bit harder since notes will be used).

2.) We will be exchanging Valentines on Friday, but we are not having a party. We have three field trips in the next few weeks (mission, symphony and Ano Nuevo), so the idea of tossing in a party is a bit much. We'll have the last half hour on Friday to exchange goodies.

3.) Please make sure that the $5 for Ano Nuevo comes in with the permission slip. If you need to write a check, please make it out to the RDM Parent Alliance. We have room for a few more drivers and chaperones if folks are interested.

4.) Jumping between Saxon and Houghton-Mifflin math programs has presented us with a problem with continuity. Simply put, the Saxon does not necessarily align with HM pacing. Its conflicting to the point where we need to work with one program, as the confusion factor has increased to levels I am not keen on. The kids and I will be working together this week to determine how we will proceed. Thanks for your patience during this process, and please keep in mind that I am working to best meet the needs of the kids.

5.) Blue Folders will be sent home next week.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- reading log
- math 16.1
- reading practice book pages 251 -252
- nature log entry
- study for water biome quiz on Friday

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday and beyond

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. I've got a few important bits of news to share with you. I was made aware yesterday that the Accelerated Reader website will no longer be accessible from home for the kids to work with. I realize that this will cramp the style of several students who have made a habit of testing at home, but it is my hope that this change will also allow the kids the opportunity to take a greater deal of responsibility for their studies. With this information in mind, I am going to remove the link from the classroom blog.

Secondly, there has been a decided sea change of behavior, both within and out of the classroom, since returning from Winter Break. Concepts of respect and acceptable behavior have gone out the window. Kids have gotten bold in their efforts to demoralize each other, either through words or actions. Its been extremely disheartening to see. Today, in lieu of my planned afternoon of science and social studies, the class engaged in a 90-minute discussion about their experiences in this, as of late, negative environment. The kids were very candid with each other regarding their concerns and emotions, and the conversation was extremely powerful. We'll continue working with communication skills in the hopes that we keep our school safe and nurturing. In the coming weeks and months I will be taking the class through the strategies of conflict management and introducing relaxation techniques, such as meditation, into our schedule.

Because of altered afternoon, we were unable to hit subject areas that would have extended to this evening's homework. Instead of piling it on tonight, I will restructure tomorrow's schedule to accommodate what was missed. For tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- reading log
- math 15.4
- finish "Rescuing James" paragraph and art (if need be)

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

six more weeks of winter

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. That world famous rodent from Gobbler's Knob has told us to expect six more weeks of winter. That,combined with El Nino, should make for a wild ride.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- reading log
- math 15.3
- nature log

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Just a few things of note today. Blue Folders contain permission slips for the Ano Nuevo trip on March 4th. The $5 cost of the trip includes the tour, parking AND the San Juan Bautista trip rescheduled for February 18th. Please send the $5 with the signed permission slip. If you need to write a check, please make it payable to the Parent Alliance.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- blue folders
- reading log
- reading practice book pages 240-241
- math 15.2

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant