Thursday & Friday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Wet days + stir-crazy students = an interesting classroom. Sounds like an odd math equation, but we actually managed through our confinement today and intermittent energy surges.
There are still a good number of students out with varying degrees of illness. I've wiped down every imaginable surface with bleach wipes several times this week, so hopefully can curtail additional cases from occurring.
I sent out an email today as well regarding the responses and concerns regarding the Sacramento trip, so check your mailboxes.
Also, I'll be out of the classroom tomorrow working on materials for San Jose State. Mrs. Abelar will be here in my place.

The kids are responsible for the following:

Fourth-

- Saxon 78
- science practice book pages 96 & 97
- studying for next Wednesday's water biomes quiz

Fifth-

- Saxon 78

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

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

fourth-

- Saxon 77
- Problem o' the Week
- Science practice book pages 94 & 95

fifth-

- Saxon 77
- Problem o' the Week
- Science practice book pages 36 & 37

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

The Short, Wet Week

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We've got quite a few kids out already this week, and I am not sure if folks are ill or simply taking a few extra days off to explore the world. Still, an influenza notice is being sent home with the kids today in their Monday Folders.
The Monday Folder also has a Scholastic catalog for the month of February. Please feel free to take advantage of the on-line ordering option. The link is in the lower right corner of this page.
This week brings the close of the Pennies for Patients campaign to raise awareness and funding for Leukemia and Lymphoma. All spare change is appreciated. This week also brings the opportunity to pre-order yearbooks to a close. Orders should be submitted no later than Friday to secure the early-bird pricing.
Classwork continues to move ahead at a brisk pace, and there remains only two weeks in this grading period. I won't be cramming too much in during these final weeks of the second semester, so no worries there. Should be business as usual.

Tonight, the kids (4th and 5th) are responsible for the following:

- Saxon 76
- Nature Log reflection due tomorrow
- Monday Folders

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Thursday & Friday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. We had an interesting day, as we were able to stream the BBC live coverage of the events in Egypt. We've been following the events there for the past two weeks, but this was the first time we were able to see Tahrir Square and the protesters live.
Tomorrow's Valentines festivities are shaping up quite nicely. The fifth grade will be in the MPR from 8-9 enjoying each others company, as well as some yummy grub. The fourth grade will be celebrating in the classroom. Students bringing Valentines for the their friends and classmates will be able to exchange them at the end of the day.
Both grades will have a vocabulary and math quiz tomorrow.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

Fourth -

- Saxon 75
- start Nature Log reflection piece
- Great Horn Spoon vocabulary
- continue with Lit Circle job for next Tuesday

Fifth -

- Saxon 75
- start Nature Log reflection piece
- Atom vocabulary
- continue with Lit Circle job for next Tuesday

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. Well, it looks like the second round of the flu season is hitting Rio pretty hard. There are numerous students out in each of the classrooms with high fevers and stomach issues. I'll be sending home a notification with the kids tomorrow, but wanted to get the word out ASAP.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

Fourth -

- Saxon 74
- Nature Log observation
- Horn Spoon vocabulary

Fifth -

- Saxon 74
- Nature Log observation
- atom / periodic vocabulary
- $5 for Valentine Breakfast

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Excitement Abounds!

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. When it comes to a few things in life, things like science, music and literature, I am happy describe myself as a big geek. I am the one who will attend lectures at the Seymour Center when they discuss algae blooms. I am the one who will attend the little concerts put on my bands that no one has heard of. On occasion, I have even been known to pay to hear authors discuss their works, although I would much prefer they do that for free. With these in mind, I am very happy to inform everyone that Bookshop Santa Cruz has established a once-monthly young adults literature group. The meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm. Sadly, I'm a bit late with this months meeting, as it takes place tomorrow night. On the plus side, many of the kids in class have already read the discussion book, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I would whole-heartedly encourage those able to attend to do so, as community involvement is what drives the success of programs such as this. If you are not able to attend this month's event, next month's title is When You Reach Me, an amazing story that won the Newberry Award last year. Unfortunately I have a conflict of scheduling and cannot make this month's Hunger Games discussion, but would be happy to offer students who attend extra credit for writing up a reflection on their experiences at Bookshop.

The kids are responsible for the following work tonight:

fourth-

- Saxon 73
- continue with Great Horn Spoon vocabulary
- Literature Circle job completed for Wednesday's meeting
- Problem o' the Week

fifth-

- Saxon 73
- continue with science vocabulary
- Literature Circle job completed for Wednesday's meeting
- Problem o' the Week

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Monday and beyond

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in. I've a slough of notes for you, so here we go:

1.) The fifth grade Valentine Breakfast is taking place this Friday at 8am. Fifth grade students are asked to submit $5 per child to cover the cost of food, etc. no later than Thursday of this week so that preparations can be made for the festivities.

2.) I've sent the students home with a list of their classmates for those interested in bring Valentines on Friday. (Monday is holiday, so we are celebrating this week.)

3.) Please continue to submit yearbook orders to take advantage of the early bird pricing.

4.) There are two vocabulary quizzes this week, both taking place on Friday, and one for each grade level.

5.) Literature Circle groups are meeting again Wednesday morning. Students are expected to arrive ready to participate.

Tonight, the students are responsible for the following:

4th grade-

- Saxon 72
- Monday Folder
- By the Great Horn Spoon vocabulary
- continue with Lit Circle job

5th grade-

- Saxon 72
- Monday Folder
- atom and periodic table vocabulary
- continue with Lit Circle job
- $5 for Valentine Breakfast

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant