Thursday and Friday

Hello all, and thanks for checking in. These short weeks can be very taxing, as there is a week's worth of material to cram into four days.  The kids get stressed and our patience with each other can wear thin.  We will manage to make it through with a few smiles tomorrow.

Friday brings us two short assessments.  The kids will have vocabulary and math exams.  We will continue our literature efforts with By the Great Horn Spoon and spend some time discussing the differences between deciduous and coniferous forests.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- 20 minutes DEAR
- math ch. 17 review, 1-15
- RPB p 301

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday and Multiplication Mayhem

Howdy all, and thanks for checking in.  As we begin our studies of fractions, we are finding that a great many of the kids are lagging with their multiplication skills.  I know that I am promoting rote memorization, which I am not a fan of, but it is extremely important that the kids commit these to memory.  We will working with timed drills in the classroom, and I would ask that parents work with multiplication facts with the kids at home as well.

We are in need of one more chaperone that can accommodate three children for our Mission San Juan Bautista trip in February.  If you are available, please send me an email.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- 20 minutes DEAR
- RPB p. 300
- Math 17.5, pp. 381 & 382, problems 14-30

Respectfully,
Mr, Bryant

Tuesday

Hello all, and thank you for checking in.  I sent an email out to families today regarding our upcoming field trip to San Juan Bautista.  Please return permission slips ASAP.

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- 20 minutes DEAR
- RPB pp 296 & 296
- math 17.4, pp 377 & 378, problems 11-24

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Wednesday

Hello all, and thank you for checking in.  The kids are responsible for the following materials tonight:

- a Nature Log entry.  I would like to stress again that the purpose behind these log entries is to explore the use of details in emphasizing the kids' observations.  The kids and I spoke at length today regarding their approach / effort with these assignments, and they understand what they should be producing.
- Math ch. 16 review, page 360, problems 1-20
- 20 minutes of DEAR

Respectfully,
Mr. Bryant

Tuesday

Hello all, and thanks for checking in.   Today we began discussing how the US began to venture into Alta California while it was under the control of Mexico.  The kids were surprised to learn how many times the land has changed hands under the various nations we've covered so far.  We're leading up the Mexican-American War and statehood!

The kids are responsible for the following tonight:

- 20 minutes of DEAR
- RPB p. 271
- math 16.3, pages 353 & 354, problems 6-19

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant

Happy New Year!

Hello all, and thank you for checking in.  It is my sincere hope that each of you had a restful and fulfilling holiday season.  I definitely enjoyed sleeping in late!

We are back to our regular routine.  The kids and I are beginning a new literature unit with Sid Fleischman's By the Great Horn Spoon!  It is a fun book about the California Gold Rush, and will lead into our studies of the subject.

After our very successful exploration of water biomes, we will delve into our studies of land biomes this week.  The kids will be keeping detailed notes of our discussions in their study guides.

Math this week will focus on positive and negative integers.  It is a short unit before we begin our work with fractions.  There will be a short quiz on positive and negative integers on Thursday.

I am not sending home red folders today, as I did not grade any work over the break.  I will be sending folders home next week.

I am reverting back to updating the blog daily.  The kids will still receive a weekly homework sheet and maintaining their planners.

Tonight, the kids are responsible for the following:

- 20 minutes DEAR
- math 16.2, page 351, problems 1-13
- RPB page 270

Respectfully,
Mr. Bryant

The week...

Hello Friends, and thank you for checking in.  I hope that the weekly homework lists are allowing students to manage their time more effectively.  Leading up to the winter break, this week and next, we will be dedicating a great deal of our time to finishing up our mission reports.  The kids have been troopers as we research and write about our findings.  We have a very cool art project to accompany the  report as well!
Please keep those donations of food for Grind Out Hunger and supplies for the troops coming in.  It's great that we can support these worthwhile groups, especially during the holidays.
There will be a math quiz on Wednesday and a spelling quiz on Friday.  There will be a short quiz on the missions next week, as well as a quiz on the water biomes we have been studying.

Respectfully, Mr. Bryant