Howdy all, and thanks for your patience while I convalesce. It's been a unique road, but not one that I am eager to travel again. I've lost 15 pounds and am looking a little gaunt. My energy level is no where near where I would like it to be yet. With that in mind, I have chosen to take Monday and Tuesday of this week off as well and will ween myself back into our schedule on a short Wednesday. Mrs. Buron has left me wonderful words about your kids (save just a few who will be assigned to the school beautification detail once I am present on campus.) Ms. Landmann will be in class on Monday on Tuesday as Mrs. Buron has a prior commitment. I look forward to seeing everyone later this week and have appreciated the get well cards that have drifted my way. They reminded what a caring group of kids we really have here.
Monday's HW is as follows:
-Reading Log
-Math lesson 100 (1 - 15)
-Reading Practice book pages 331 - 332 (these cover spelling for the week)
-California review p. 217 (1-5) and workbook p. 54
Tuesday's HW is as follows:
-Reading Log
-Math 19A
-Reading practice book pages 327 - 328
-California workbook page 55
Wednesday will bring us Math test 19B. Friday will bring us a spelling quiz and a comprehensive California quiz covering chapter 5 (pp 185 - 221). We will have an in-class review for this test on Thursday afternoon. I will be collecting California and Reading workbooks to grade on Friday as well.
Respectfully, Mr. B
Friday, March 23, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
the countdown is on....Thursday and Friday
Okay folks, this is my last blog for a while. I may update it at some point next week just to let you all know how my recovery is going. The class and I discussed expectations and the like for while I am away, and I am crossing my fingers that things run smoothly.
The students are responsible for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log (due 3/23)
-Math lesson 94 (10-25)
-Compare & Contrast essay for "Number the Stars" (due in final form Friday 3/16)
-Library books are due tomorrow. Please ensure that bring all books to school, even if you are simply renewing.
Students are responsible for the following work on Thursday night (3/15)
-Math 18A
-Finish Compare & Contrast essay
-Study vocabulary for Friday's quiz
Respectfully, Mr. B
The students are responsible for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log (due 3/23)
-Math lesson 94 (10-25)
-Compare & Contrast essay for "Number the Stars" (due in final form Friday 3/16)
-Library books are due tomorrow. Please ensure that bring all books to school, even if you are simply renewing.
Students are responsible for the following work on Thursday night (3/15)
-Math 18A
-Finish Compare & Contrast essay
-Study vocabulary for Friday's quiz
Respectfully, Mr. B
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tuesday & Wednesday
Today was pretty groovy for a Tuesday. We had our third visit from our SPECTRA artist and worked with vegetables. The kids are really enjoying her time with the class. Next tuesday the kids will be illustrating posters that demonstrate the various uses of a single vegetable.
We concluded our work with "The People of Sparks" today by reading the last chapter, discussing the merits of the book, quizzi ng on the last few chapters and then taking the Accelerated Reader comprehension quiz on-line as well. The book receieved an overwhelmingly positive review from the class. The class will be reading "Patty Reed's Doll" in my absence. The book chronicles the adventures of a family that traveled with the Donner Party. They will not be quizzed on the Patty Reed material, but will have access to the Accelerated Reader once the book is completed. I will be reading "The Prophet of Yonwood" with the class upon my return. It is the final installment of the Ember story.
Our discussions with the "Number the Stars" material is getting heavy as we discuss the aspects of the Nazi treatment of Jews during WW2. I realize that not everyone is happy with the choice of material and the realities that accompany a literature study that centers on the lives of people during war, but the messages and discussions that are inspired by these readings are powerful and life-affirming. I fully expect conversations and questions to arise at home, hopefully sparked from discussions that we have in class. Please treat these discussions as honestly as possible, especially in light of our present involvement in the Middle East. (Sorry for the soapbox moment.) We began a compare and contrast piece today that focusses on the two main characters of the story, Annemarie and Ellen.
Tomorrow brings us a Spirit Day where the students are asked to go green, literally. We will be treated to some Irish music from Mr. Kitch's and Mr. Sweet's band. So dress green. Eat green eggs. Have green hair or wear a green hat. Wear green shoes. You know...just be green. And no matter what Kermit the Frog says, it really is quite easy.
Respectfully, Mr. B
We concluded our work with "The People of Sparks" today by reading the last chapter, discussing the merits of the book, quizzi ng on the last few chapters and then taking the Accelerated Reader comprehension quiz on-line as well. The book receieved an overwhelmingly positive review from the class. The class will be reading "Patty Reed's Doll" in my absence. The book chronicles the adventures of a family that traveled with the Donner Party. They will not be quizzed on the Patty Reed material, but will have access to the Accelerated Reader once the book is completed. I will be reading "The Prophet of Yonwood" with the class upon my return. It is the final installment of the Ember story.
Our discussions with the "Number the Stars" material is getting heavy as we discuss the aspects of the Nazi treatment of Jews during WW2. I realize that not everyone is happy with the choice of material and the realities that accompany a literature study that centers on the lives of people during war, but the messages and discussions that are inspired by these readings are powerful and life-affirming. I fully expect conversations and questions to arise at home, hopefully sparked from discussions that we have in class. Please treat these discussions as honestly as possible, especially in light of our present involvement in the Middle East. (Sorry for the soapbox moment.) We began a compare and contrast piece today that focusses on the two main characters of the story, Annemarie and Ellen.
Tomorrow brings us a Spirit Day where the students are asked to go green, literally. We will be treated to some Irish music from Mr. Kitch's and Mr. Sweet's band. So dress green. Eat green eggs. Have green hair or wear a green hat. Wear green shoes. You know...just be green. And no matter what Kermit the Frog says, it really is quite easy.
Respectfully, Mr. B
Monday, March 12, 2007
Monday's HW & lots o' notes
Howdy all and welcome to a new, sunny week. This weather is amazing and I just want to take the class on a hike to the beach. But since there are these State Standards to cover, I guess it will have to wait.
I sent home Red Folders today that explain the classroom situation for the remainder of this week and next week while I am out. I have high hopes that things run smoothly.
The school is having another Spirit Day this Wednesday, March 14. The theme is GREEN in honor of St. Paddy's Day. The kids will be treated to some Irish music as well at a morning assembly.
We are finishing "The People of Sparks" on Tuesday. Kids will have the opportunity to take an Accelerated Reader quiz during our computer lab. We will be reading "Patty Reed's Doll" next. It is the tale of the Reed family and their experiences with the Donner Party (which we covered in class today...cannibalism included...lots o' fun). We'll be watching a funny Disney film later this week that chronicles the Donner experience (sans cannibalism).
Reading Logs did not get off to a great start this last week, as only 2/3 of the class submitted one. These are due every second Friday. Stay on top of this folks, these grading points add up quickly.
Students are responsible for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log
-Math lesson 92 (1-15)
-"Stars" packet page 13 (started in class)
-California practice book page 50 (also started and reviewed in class)
Respectfully, Mr. B
I sent home Red Folders today that explain the classroom situation for the remainder of this week and next week while I am out. I have high hopes that things run smoothly.
The school is having another Spirit Day this Wednesday, March 14. The theme is GREEN in honor of St. Paddy's Day. The kids will be treated to some Irish music as well at a morning assembly.
We are finishing "The People of Sparks" on Tuesday. Kids will have the opportunity to take an Accelerated Reader quiz during our computer lab. We will be reading "Patty Reed's Doll" next. It is the tale of the Reed family and their experiences with the Donner Party (which we covered in class today...cannibalism included...lots o' fun). We'll be watching a funny Disney film later this week that chronicles the Donner experience (sans cannibalism).
Reading Logs did not get off to a great start this last week, as only 2/3 of the class submitted one. These are due every second Friday. Stay on top of this folks, these grading points add up quickly.
Students are responsible for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log
-Math lesson 92 (1-15)
-"Stars" packet page 13 (started in class)
-California practice book page 50 (also started and reviewed in class)
Respectfully, Mr. B
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Thursday's HW & WWII
Students are responsible for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log is due completed and signed Friday
-Math Lesson 91 (15-30)
-Study for spelling quiz
We began our studies of World War II today by viewing a Discovery Channel documentary that covered the fall of Hiltler and the economy of the United States before our involvement in the war. It was interesting to hear the class' understanding of why wars take place and who we consider heroes, etc. We also began our reading of "Number the Stars", a story of a Jewish family attempting to deal with and leave Nazi occupied Denmark.
We also spent a groovy afternoon reviewing the properties of minerals. The kids had a chance to classify minerals based upon the properties of luster, color and streak. We will review the properties of hardness and cleavage tomorrow.
Friday brings report cards. Have a great time with them, and remember that there is still a full grading period left to create positive change.
Respectfully, Mr. B
-Reading Log is due completed and signed Friday
-Math Lesson 91 (15-30)
-Study for spelling quiz
We began our studies of World War II today by viewing a Discovery Channel documentary that covered the fall of Hiltler and the economy of the United States before our involvement in the war. It was interesting to hear the class' understanding of why wars take place and who we consider heroes, etc. We also began our reading of "Number the Stars", a story of a Jewish family attempting to deal with and leave Nazi occupied Denmark.
We also spent a groovy afternoon reviewing the properties of minerals. The kids had a chance to classify minerals based upon the properties of luster, color and streak. We will review the properties of hardness and cleavage tomorrow.
Friday brings report cards. Have a great time with them, and remember that there is still a full grading period left to create positive change.
Respectfully, Mr. B
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Eleanor Roosevelt was a great woman
"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." Mrs. Roosevelt said those words more than a half a century ago and they are amazing and powerful. The class as of late has had a very difficult time socially. Students are returning from recess and lunch breaks in tears becuase of the words that are being exchanged. They are learning, albeit painfully, that friendships are hit or miss and are capable of bringing about great joy and extreme discomfort. The students have reached that age where crushes develop, mash notes are commonplace and friends come and go as suddenly as a change of the weather. And we had hoped that fourth grade would just be difficult academically, eh? We spent some time this afternoon, and will again Friday morning, discussing how to deal with those around us who choose poorly to instigate situations or torment their peers for the friends they have, the people they like or dislike, the clothes they wear, the music they like, etcetra. Honestly, they are a vicious group and we will continue to facilitate open and honest discussions about how we can better ourselves as indiviuals, a classroom and a community.
Students are responisble for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log (due completed and signed on Friday)
-Math Lesson 90 (16-30)
-Reading Practice Book pages 291-293
-Library books need to be returned to school.
Respectfully, Mr. B
Students are responisble for the following work tonight:
-Reading Log (due completed and signed on Friday)
-Math Lesson 90 (16-30)
-Reading Practice Book pages 291-293
-Library books need to be returned to school.
Respectfully, Mr. B
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Tuesday & Wednesday
Today was a writing heavy day. The class completed their yearly State Writing assessment. The topic this year was a fictional narrative and the kids seemed to enjoy the process.
Tomorrow brings us an assembly first thing in the morning from local musician Bob Weir (not the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir because that would incite the kids to jam for hours in a wandering haze), but a folk musician. Again, the assembly runs from 8:15 - 9 in the MPR and everyone is welcome to attend.
Tonight's HW is as follows:
-Reading Log
-Math 89, 1 - 15
- California Practice Book pages 48 & 49
Respectfully, Mr. B
Tomorrow brings us an assembly first thing in the morning from local musician Bob Weir (not the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir because that would incite the kids to jam for hours in a wandering haze), but a folk musician. Again, the assembly runs from 8:15 - 9 in the MPR and everyone is welcome to attend.
Tonight's HW is as follows:
-Reading Log
-Math 89, 1 - 15
- California Practice Book pages 48 & 49
Respectfully, Mr. B
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